Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-05-25
PLANS yon CHURCH UNITY

the theme of discussions Three plans
were submitted, one by Dr. Ward,
editor of the independents another by
Bishop parct, Of the Protestant Epls-
coral church, and a third by a Catholic
clergyman. Rev NJ F. Foley. Each
of these plans set forth the principles
upon which it was thought the scat
tered sheep could be gathered into one
fold.
Dr. Wards plan was simple enough
He proposed that all who accept Christ
as the Master should unite In one
church. with the understanding that
each retain his liberty to interpret
The Scriptures and to administer the
ordinances according to the best Of his
understanding He said
"Liherty is our word and message
I'VE would have In the same universe
church CONGREGATIONS that bapti2e in
fantg and those that baptize nobody
conferences that want bishops and
those that want none. We would have
and others that are not ready Tor 1t
unite fedeIaively. but all recognizing,
feuowshiuing ALL ours Is very SIM
pie, We believe the only feasible, way
for church union until we can melt all
minds into one mold something not to
be desired even If 1t were possible
Would this be feasible? 1t might be
practicable 10 engage a clergyman who
would be willing to sprinkle infants or
immerse adults. and at the same time
teach that neither ceremony is required
for membership, though that would
certainly look odd. 1t might be posi-
Bile to compromise on a number of ad-
ministratye acts in a similar manner.
But when Il comes TO preaching, seri-
Gus difficulties are encountered Could
the minister teach Arianlsm one
Sunday and Plagiarism the next?
Could he feed one part of The flock
transubstanuation and another con-
substantlation? Could he keep both
Calylnism and Lutheranism in stock,
and dispose of both according to de-
mand? II not, the united church would
have to engage as many preachers as
there are serious differences Of opin-
mon, and then the unity would be a
farce, even If the various divisions did
occupy the same place Of worship
The only way Of maintaining unity
on this plan, would be by an agreement
to the effect that no subject about
which there Is serious difference of
opinion. should be touched upon in the
pulpit. But then, what would there
be left to preach about? The very
foundation of ChHstianlty-the doc
trine OF Chnsts resurrectlon-would be
barred.
The Protestant Episcopal plan, pre-
scented by Bishop Paret was somewhat
more elaborate. According to this
there are four essentials in which all
can unite and from which all can grow
like one tree with many branches
from the same soil These essentials
are
20 The Holy Scriptures of the ola
and New Testaments, as containing
all things necessary TO salvation, and
as being the rule and ultimate stand
ara Of faith
~, ne Hpos'l,s tie'u >,i w. ,'' Ccoaj
MS ,hs nficjent statement Of the Chris
tlan faith.
''9 The two sacraments ordained
~ I'M ~ ia r @Eoist win
unfaiHnr use of Christs words OF in
sttuuon, ana Of the elements ordained
by Him, 80. IN.
,aaa u, i,s,u,lJ gpl'l s S 'ts 6d mint,
ration to tba yarving needs of the ma
lions and peoples called OF God into
the unity OF His church.
The obvious objection to this plan Is
that the standards Of faith and creeds