Evening star., 1897-05-13
A CHRISTIAN FEDERATION
Movement for Worlds Congress Of Young
People.
Ministers md Others Promoting &
Union of Christian Forces for
Aggressive Work.

Deen SeleCteO Dy tHe pTOEtoteTS as one
of the leaders of a movement which has
for its object the forming of vast fedora
tion of various denominations, and which
is expected to begin practical operations
with a membership of at least 4,OOO,OOO
Christians. most of them young, or IN the
prime of life. and all of them pledged to
exert themselves aggressively to she ad-
vancement of the cause of Christianity.
Among DIR. Hamlin's most prominent sup
pcrters. and who. like him. will use all
the influence they can command to bring
about the desired results. are Bishop Ninde
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev.
DR.. E. E. Chivers of the Baptist Church.
Rev. DR.. ]. A. Duff of the United Presby-
terian Church. Rev. DR.. J. P. Landis Of the
United Brethren Church. Mr.. E. F. Gilbert
of the Luther League. Rev. S. P. Spreng Of
the Evang e ical Association, DIR. John Reck-
ley and Mr.. John Waiter Baer of the Chris
dan Enoeavor Society, DR.. Hamlin also
being representative of the latter.
DIR. Hamlin's Aim.
1t is DIR. Hamlin's aim, as stated by him
to a Star reporter. to have held in London
in 1900 worlds congress of the Christian
forces of the universal church. In talking
of this matter DR.. Hamlin said:
THE Christian Endeavor Society, which
is now sixteen years old, is the pioneer of
bers and organizations in some thirty-fve
of the leading denominations Of this coun-
try and Europe. 1t is true that denomi-
national societies have been organized since
the formation of the Christian Endeavor
Society. as for example. the Epworth
League in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
the Young Peoples Union in the Baptist
Church and the Luther League In the
Lutheran Church.
THE Christian Endeavor Society claims
to be undenominational and equally adapt
ed to all Christians. 1t now proposes to
other young peoples societies. not an er-
ganic union, but federation for purposes
of cooperation In all forms Of church
work AS a step In this direction, it was
suggested by DR.. H. K. Carroll Of New
York. the editor Of the Independent, that
a congress of representatives from all the
young peoples societies of the world should
be. held in the year 1900.
TT is my belief that this congress will
he held. but its exact date and place OF
meeting will be determined later. While.
of course. 1 am heartily in favor Of the
movement. 1 do not suggest holding the
congress in connection with the lnterna-
tional Christian Endeavor convention.
which meets in London in 1900, but at a
different date during the same year, and
my reason for preferring London as a
meeting place is only because that is upde-
niably the capital of the world"
Not Organic Union.
1t is now generally believed that the plan
which has been advocated for many years
past of an organic union Of all the Protest
ant denominations can never be carried
out, for, as a matter Of fact. the vast ma
jority of the membership has never taken
any interest in the union movement, and
some of those who have paid close atten-
ton to the matter express the opinion that
the spirit and temper of the churches OF
Christendom of the present time are not
favorable to any scheme which would call
fnr oil fa [
is to great extent believed that each de-
nomination would cheerfully agree to
be sis Of union, which means practically
that its sister denominations shall come
over and lose themselves within its own
lines.
1t is said that the leading spirits in most
of the progressive churches of the day are
growing more practical in their ideas, and
are paying greater attention than formerly
to the pursuit of solid and attainable
things. This is given as a reason why fed
Grafton among religious forces is believed
to be entirely practicable Under the fed
Grafton scheme the denominations are
neither asked nor expected to concede any
thing in matters of doctrine or government,
to yield up the possession of any part of
their church machinery or their distinctive
policies, but simply to come together in
practical work for the attainment of ends
in which all are agreed, and In which all
have a common interest Under such a
plan 1t is believed that all the union may
sirable under present conditions.
There are, said prominent Washing
ton minister, certain reform movements of
the time, certain features of the sociological
problem now pressing for attention and
treatment, on which ali the churches are
practically agreed. and where coElbina-
tion and concentration of their forces would
be immensely advantageous. An expert
ment. which has been in existence in New
York for something over year, and which
has been a most pronounced success. has
encouraged the promoters of the greater
movement to believe that what has Deen
accomplished on a comparatively small
scale can be as successfully performed with
the whole world as a field, provided the
churches are as heartily agreed and work
as harmoniously together as do those
churches which have banded together for
the purpose in New York.
Work in New York.
1.-The New York federation at this time
embraces about a hundred churches of
various denominations, and, it Is said, has
already done an immense amount of prac-
tical work for the betterment Of the moral
and religious conditions of that city. The
advocates of the larger movement assert
that what the federation has done in New
York may be repeated in many other cities
and towns, provided similar federations are
formed. The New York org lnization it is
claimed, has simply shown the way in
which the churches may be brought to-
gether in doing things which can only be
done effectively by concentration of
forces, and while some have been dream
ing of union in creeds and doctrines, a
combination has been effected and set at
work there which meets and promises to
scNe some of the hardest problems before
both the church and the world at the pres
ent day
As further suggestion in the federation
line. DIR. Henry X. Carroll of New York,
who, as above stated, was one of the prime
movers of the project of the worlds con-
gress, says in a letter to a friedd in this
city: Such gathering in itself would be
magnificent testimony to .he growth of
Christian unity, and to the development of
the Christian forces of the church. The
last year of the century will he a year of
retrospect, and the church will be looking
back at what 1t has accomplished and how
much 1t has done to bring the world to
Christ and make 1t better and surely the
young peoples movement will be an
achievement worthy Of celebration"
EpwOrth Leagues Action,
The board Of control of the Epwortb
League. at a recent meeting, adopted a res
olution. as follows:
Resolved, that we DESIRE as heretofore
to express our wish for close fellowship
with all Christian young people, and to CO.
operate in practicable Christian work with
| the young people Of all evangelical denomi.
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