The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-27
GREATEST OFSUBJECTS
A VISION or CHRISTIAN UNITY.
Plan Of the Rev. Dr. Grant Of the Presbyter-
Ian Church for the Reunion Of Ckristendom

WlAn OF the kev, Ut. sThut OF inc fresuyAer-
Ian Church for the Reunion Of Christendom
To the EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir On
May 10, 1900. my evening discourse had been
devoted to the question. why are we Profess
tants?" To this subjec, ! had addressed my
self with considerable warmth for about three
quarters Of an hour. Iretired greatly faligued.
and during my first sleep, Of no very great
length. had the following dream
Hound myself in the palace OF Archbishop
COrrigan, whether there by invitation or not |
an unable TO say.
There were Present. A. | entered the apart
ment. the Archbishop and Or Bridges, an Epis-
c~opalian, IA personal friend Of my own These
two were engaged in u very animated though
friendly discussion, which continued for som"
time after my arrival Atl"ngth, a pause hay
ing occurred. ! ventured TO put some questions
OF a controversial nature, which had been sng-
gestcd by the discussion just held. 10 the rep
resentative of Roman Catholic Christianity
When | had ceased and awaited his reply. what
Was my astonishment 10 find him turning TO
DR.. Bridges and asking him to lead Us IN
PRAYER. NY friend seemed TO be a. much aston
khed rs myself, for he replied that he was
not accustomed TO be called uron at such
short notice, However. he complied with the
request and We all three knelt down together.
During the prayer my friend manifested un-
usual agitation for II man of such mature
Christian ex Experience and breadlh of learning.
A. for the Archbishop. he too was no less deeply
moved, especially when DR., Bridges in his
prayer made reference TO the lofty position
which he occupied and the wide influence which
he welded. Al this the Archbishop with clasped
hands manifested great emotion. beating the
seat Of the chair AT which he was kneellng as
though he felt keenly the need of Divine help
and guidance in bearing the burdens and in
meeting the responsibilities Of his important
Office.
All this I could not help observing. as my
chair was directly opposite and but a few feet
distant from that of the Archbishop A. for
the import of the rest of the prayer | have but
a confused recollection, yet ! have IA deep
seated persuasion that II was the same cry for
Christian oneness as 10 when our Lord Him
self five times repeats lust before His Passion
The profound agitation Of the other two mem
bers of the company could not fail TO commu-
nicate itself 10 and influence the third. Having
concluded his PRAYER, Dr. Bridges appeared to
be so utterly exhausted that he was even unable
to arise from the floor. but falling back
reclined against a pillar close nj hand, with the
pallor of death on his face, When spoken to he
acknowledged that he was very III. The Arch
bishop, however, appeared to be quite calm
and even Joyous a. he energetically moved
about the room seeking means with which TO
relieve our suffering friend.
No reference " hatever was made bv either OF US
20 the questions which had asked, and indeed. |
] myself now seemed quite Indifferent about the
answers The fact i both were now too much
in miniStering to our sick brother to
discuss matters that had no vital relation 10 his
NV dream ended with both Of us
energcticalIy employed. knit together In
the bonds of a common purpose and a CRYING
need, endeavoring 10 bring relief to our suffer-
ing friend
Here. be it observed. were representatives of
he three main sections Of the Christian Church.
the Greek in the Roman Catholic
church:
/. The Roman Catholic, represented in the
Archbishop
? The Anglican. represented in DR. Bridges.
nd
3 Dissenting Professionalism. represented in
myself.
Now, what seems 10 be the significance ofSmy
tream.if sNhas any? OF course, it's not to be
expected that those who haru not passed
my experlerh, Shoul.o see it's meaning
and feel its force as fully az ! do, vet there are
'ome elements which must appear clear and
appeal to all alike.
Let it be observed, in the first place, that in
he exercise Of prayer all three we're united
There was neither Roman Catholic. Anglican
Tor yet Dissenter as together We bowed the
knee in confession, thanksgiving and supplica-
before the Throne Of Grace. And true il is
all cavilling. all distinctions OF high or low,
Catholic or Protestant are instinctiveIy dropped
honestly and earnestly We face what We
ire and what We need. when w truly seek the
presence Of Him with Whom there is no respect
Il persons. 1t is a fact which we too frequently
'orget that. If nowhere else, Christendom on
her knees is Christendom united
There Is a spot where spirits blend.
Where friend holds fellowship with friend
Though sundered far. By faith they meet
Around one common mercy seat.
md what is true with prospect to the unifying
power of prayer is tHle also Of praise. Does
rot the Roman Catholic heartily Join the
r isSSs''"' !" Singing Nearer My '''' 7"
Now. II the Roman Catholic aud the protes-
lant would but carry the spirit of oneness. be-
rotten and fostered by praise and PRAYER, into
Christian effort and Intercourse the
reunion Of Christendom would be an accom-
Pitched fact.
Youm observe. in the second place. that there
was no desire to discuss doctrinal differences.
here was The highest sort of unity and parity
Roman catholic and Protestant as,
Tide by side. they labored for a brother man re-
luiring their united aid,
The pursuit NJ a common calling, manufact-
ring. commercial or professional. does much
o unity men in society thinking and looking
long the same lines. they come to have COM
non interests. purposes, hopes. A unity of in
crest Is felt, n sense of comradeship springs ND
etween two men. though of different national
and though never having met before. If
ach but discovers that the other is engaged in
he same occupation The numerous societies.
90, into which men have formed themselves.
operate in the same direction. Thus each trade,
or society has its own purpose 10
erve, good as far as it goes. constituting in
ome degree a bono of brotherhood, a reason
or union But such a union does not profess
o touch the deeper springs of life and charac-
er. prompting men TO the noblest firms Of
elf-sacriice. There are men a-plenty who will
eadiIy go to foreign lands in the interests Of
and personal gain who could not be
for anv cvnsideration TO 70 to the
anne peoples and endure the same privations in
he interests Of the Kingdom Of God and the
Of men.
Now. here i the largest society. the most
enefcent brotherhood in he world, the Church
4 Jesus Christ, the member Of which profess
D be anima ted by love for and LOYALTY TO "A