New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-17

The fact that the Archbishop Of Canterbury
recently accepted ~ invitation 10 address the
General Assembly OF the Presbyterian EStab-
liShcd Church Of Scotland has caused some al.
verse comment in tho Anglican Church. and
more especially in the Scottish Episcopal
Church. which has always been aggressive In
It's Guardianship. II is true that Dr. Temple
spoke tcmpcranrss. n subject quite remote
from ecclesiastical controversy. and that no
confined himself closely To his subject. BUT
strict churchmen feel. nevertheless. that the
very fact Of his accepting the invitation AZ all.
and appearing among 'thc enemies Of the
Church. was cupable net. "The Church
Times" indeed attempts 10 minimize the in
cldent by declaring that no Endorsement ~
Presby;crianism can be- inferred from II. But
such pro forma plea bears the impress or
having been made 10 suit the occasion. There
Is little doubt that II n nnncio Of tho Pope
should address an Anglican Synod. even on so
harmless topic ms temperance "Thr Church
Times would hail the incident rs in some sort
recognition of AnglIcansm by the Roman
Church AZ least II would he taken 10 indi-
cate n desire on the part ~ both Churches TO
reach SOM basis of substantial unity.
In itself tho invitation extended 10 the Arch
bishop Of Canterbury by tho Scottish General
Assembly would not deserve extended notice
Rut Il Is said by many close observers TO he
the outcome Of n desire on the part OF some In
nucntial leaders ~ the Scottish Estahl shment
to effect n union with the Episcopal Church.
The suggestion Of such thing will seem
prcposterous tc many who remember the anti
Episcopal traditions Of tho Church Of John
Knox But good many things have happened
since Tho days Of Knox, and were he alive to-
day h" would find much To condemn In Scottish
Pr'shyteranism. II Is many years now since
the wave Of liberalism swept over Scotland.
and Scottish rresbyternnism has given 10 the
world such liberal thinkers as the late Robert
son Smith. as well as nr Marcus Dods. and
Professors George Adam Smith and Alexander
r. Bruce. who are still alive. Some years ago,
also q remarkable movement In favor Of n
liturgy appeared in Scotland. and At the pres
onf time not only is there no general prejudice
against \ lifrTgical service. hut many Presby
terrain churches employ such service. In
other WAYS moro ''rhurchly" feeling has
grown up so that. aside from the question OF
epscopacy. there Is really little difference
between Prcsbyterianlsm and Anglicanism II
is to be remembered also that the Anglican
Church has never distinctly rejected the So
called Calvinisti" system Of theology. One of
tho Articles Of Religion. in fact. gives counte-
nance 10 that system. and some Of the Church's
greatest dlvlnes have been ont and out Calvin
isis Under these circumstances II would not
10 M all strange II the Established Church Of
Scotland should regard with favor the posi-
blity Of union with Episcopacy. For many
wears I'm England after the Reformation Pres
bytcrIans found themselves able TO remain in
the Church OF England
There is moreover. another reason why the |
Scottish Establishment might welcome a union
with EpIscopacy on honorable terms And that
is found in the fact that the long wished for
rnlon Of tho Free Church with the Establish. F,
mcnt may not take place after all There Is. to !
be sure no longer any reason for the schsm. |
as the alleged evils that produced the Free |
Church movement have been removed But in |
the mean while steps looking to n union be
tween the FREQ Church and the United Pres
by,crian Church nre under consideration The
United Presbyterian Church Is unalterably OPP
posed To an Establishment. md therefore II the
Free Church consoldates with II the united
body viii bc not merely unwilling 10 unite with
the Establishment. but will be actively opposed
70 r. Under these circumstances II would he
entirely natural for the Established Church 10
look with favor on union with the Episcopal
Church For In thus becoming a part Of a
great Anglican Establishment 1t would have to