New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21
CHURCH FEDERATION.

The KEY. Ir. DhllcS a DtIis, Va No''''-
hampton England. who Is now in this country,
has been an influential member OF the Fedora
ton of Free Evangelical Churches OF England,
organized five years ago, and bears a message
OF sympathy from it 10 the catholic-mlnded
clergy and laity Of the American Churches.
The idea Of Church federation and cooperation,
In the absence OF organic unity which Is not
yet feasible, has found expression In this coun-
try and a Few years ago n society TO promote
federation was organized in this city. 1t In
cludes the Episcopal Church-though, OF course,
not the Roman Catholic Church, whose prin-
c!ples would prevent its taking part In any such
movement Neither the Roman Catholic nor
the Anglican Churches were invited to join the
English Federation. as neither OF them Is re-
garded as evangelical. And In THE Church
Economist Dr. Berry Is quoted as taking the
same view OF the Episcopal Church In this coun-
try "New-York Citys federation OF Churches,
he says. lis handicapped by the presence In
them Of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The
American Church. though possessing Infinitely
broader characteristics than the Anglican COM
''munlon IS stlll unwilling 10 embrace the idea
"of church federation. though in New York City,
"and no doubt ont West. IL has Joined fedora
''tions Episcopalians unite with other churches
"as individuals, socially. This being the case,
THE New-Iork federation exists on social,
mot an evangelical religious basis"
h. the name indicates, n federation OF re-
llgious denominations has for It's objects to pro
mote Christian brotherhood between the men,
beers OF different denominations, TO reach the
unchurchcd. 10 do away as far a. possible with
the oyersupply Of churches in some localities
and the paucty Of churches In other localities,
to bring about an Increase in church attendance.
and generally 10 encourage cooperation, nj
least IN 10 the point whore the different de-
nominations divergr in their beliefs and prac-
rlccs. To an outsider all this would seem to be
most desirable and open To none OF the objections
that are urged against an organic union or all
the denominations. The increase OF brotherly
feeling between the denominations Is something
that every Christian ought to desire, and II GER
tain kinds Of rescue work. TO take concrete
case can he done better by all the Churches
uniting their machinery and efforts for that pur-
pose. the refusal thus 10 unite would he pro
nounccd suicidal and even criminal by any
business man.
Nevertheless. It cannot be said that the idea
OF federation has made much progress In either
Grea, Britain or America The organization of
earnest Christians of every faith are convinced
of the folly and the sin of sectarlanlsm But In
giving expression to that thought they are act
ing simply as individual Christians SO far ms
we are aware. not one OF the great evangelical
bodies has accepted the principle OF federation
or has declared it's readiness to give up any OF
rs views or practices not essentially funda-
mental. in order TO bring about cooperation IN
In ia. thn ,ipot lion
cannot take such step so long as they lay the
greatest emphasis on the tcnets that differenti-
ate them ms denominations from other demon
nations. Naturally perhaps, the English fedora
ton. representing the disestablished Churches
has sought to make its power felt in politics as
against the Establishment. 1t is needless to
say that no such meddllng with politics would
be tolerated in this country. even II there was
any occasion for II. The federation or Ameri
can Churches should 1t ever he accomplished
will be wholly along religious lines and for the
more complete realization Of the spiritual aims
of Christianity.