St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-07-24
CHURCH UNITY.
Valuable Paper of Bishop Gil.
bert ut Toronto

TORONTO, July 2s.-At the PAM
American religious conference Bishop
M. n. Gilbert, of ST. Paul, read a
paper on church unity, in which he
said.
The question of church unity is M
longer coming question, but occupies
already an important place in the is
5 sues OF Ihe Gay. 1t must not, however,
ne COMPOUNDED with Christian univ
the one deals with fundamentals of he
mel, the other with organism. C Christian
unity we haYe-"one Lord, one faith.
one baptism. -
l am a prophet of optimisn-on the
one hand there is a growing protest
AGAINST abSoluuSm, the primary caIIse
OF division. This protest is heard in
Ile roman Catholic as we'll as the
PROTESTANT world.
On the other hand, the world is pro-
testing against individuaIisrn. the Iog1-
cal outcome of which is unhampered
DIVISION nder its leadership Christer-
dom is divided into nearly 200 ho6i45,
calling themselves orthodox
again, our present divisions are a sad
dissipation OF energy both of men and
means, whereas concentration would
produce larger and more beneficial re-
suits. The world is beginning to UNDER
stand that opinions and theories are
not fundamentals of faith From
reformation times churches have con-,
sldered a congerie of definitions a
necessity Of corporate existence and
even OF eternal salvation. AS q result
men have been in bondage in one age
TO the interpretations Of antecedenr
ages. But these hedges in the Lords
vineyard We're found to be Of mems
planting. The everlasting deities wers
common TO all. This gives all Christian
bodies a fair field. When churches get
where they can honestly study tho
approXImate5 the ancient, the uni
VersaI, the common to all, the ques-
uon OF unity is in hopeful condition
of solution.
Nothing is more hopeful than activs
agitation OF q subject. This fact is
marked by the history of the great
past IN all important epochs.
Again, the gradual return to liturgi-
cal worship. Give people a common
language and you encourage ideas
common to all The prejudice against
a precompOSed service is gradually dis
appearing. The book of common prayer
OF the Episcopal church viii doubtless
be the form and model of such a
service.
Let US, however, face the darker side.
The feeling among many that divisions
are an advantage. The logical OUT
come OF this argument is its own con-
demnaion. The prejudice against the
consideration OF the positions of other
churches; the unwiIlingness TO adopt
any practice characteristic of another
Christian body; the vast property hold
TO my mind this is a minor obStacleS
are all met with. Yet failure thus far
10 arrange a basis of union. Any other
result, however, at this stage, would
have been out of harmony with the
methods of history.
What is being done? While discus
sion has prevailed. only one church
has formulated basis of unity I
refer 10 the Chicago Lambeth articles.
The first three of these propositions
have met with general acceptance.
The fourth l quote: THE histarie
Episcopate locally adapted, in the
methods Of its administration, to the
varying needs of the nations and peo-
pies called of God into the unity OF
His church This is the broadcast
statement that any ministry is incorn-
plete that does not receive authority
through the Episcopate. Its acceptance
means the Republication of self-consti-
tuted orders, and would seem to corr
rect so many of the evils springing
therefrom. The meaning of the propo-
sition has been universally miScon-
strued. II does not propose to absorb
other Christian bodies, but to add some
thing TO them. The Anglican church
holds out her hand filled with the her.
itage of the past, and all win agree
that it has been a brave effort TO bring
separate Christians into the fellowship
Of q. common household.
Christian leagues have been formed
representing three great churches.
which profess to work ON this fourfold
basis. I hail with joy all such efforts
Even that church which has seemed
to isolate herself is showing she is not
unmoved. for has she not, through her
august head, bade all to pray for I'M
ion?
What shall be the form of the future
church? ! do not know, but it VIII be
a unity within itself It win preserve
all that is positive, catholic and divine.
The text of Christian fellowship Will
be that faith which rests upon an
will afford to every member that free
dom which is a. part of the liberty
Wherewith Christ has made US free.
Before that day dawns each will con-
cede to others all that Christian may
concede and yet hold the Catholic faitn
pure and undefled. In that church wa
shall find that oneness for which tbs
Savior prayed, that oneness which is
Hike IN that above