The Washington times., 1903-06-21
Church SyndiCates.
Merger of Sects in Country Towns a
Utopian Vision.

Utopian Vision.
A clergyman of some prominence
recently said that in his opinion the
cause Of religion would be advanced
by syndicating churches and placing
them under corporate management.
He pointed out the fact that in many
country towns several churches are
struggling to maintain a feeble life.
when the resources Of the people are
only sufficient for one. He thought
it would be better to have a single
church in which the people should be
taught about Christ, and to let the
parents, if they liked, teach their
children at home about Wesley, Cal
win. and the other creed-makers.
This Is an excellent example of the
blunders which a city clergyman
sometimes makes in trying TO deal
with rural problems. Undoubtedly it
would be good if people would do as
he suggests, but the fact is that they
never will. The daring clergyman
who should advise, in any country
town, the joining of all churches into
one, would be Immediately met by the
question, (Which one?" A church SO
made would be full of factions and
parties which would be a good deal
worse for the cause of religion than
cny business deficiency.
The differences in the principal
sects are not so much of creed. in
these days, as Of custom. The Episco-
palian is not contented without his
prayer-book; the Congregationalist
would be as little contented with the
service Of the Episcopal Church, and
the Methodist would feel uneomforta-
bic in either church. This, of course.
applies to the steady-going, devoted
church member who has not seen
much of the world, and is more
welded to habit than the city church
goer. If his spirit is freer to worship
God in certain surroundings, he has
perfect right to secure those sur
roundings if he can. We are all crea-
lures of habit.
But the point which this clergyman
has missed, and one which is really
worthy of attention, is this: that diff
ferent buildings and forms of service
are not so expensive as the social
part Of the church organization. If
country churches would be content
with simple buildings in which to
worship, and with the plain truths of
their religion, and join hands in all
social enjoyments outside the church,
they could have their own religious
teaching with very little trouble.
1t Is the spirit of rivalry between
different societies." the effort to have
fine music, learned clergymen, and
other luxuries, and the keeping up Of
all sorts Of organizations inside the
church, which cause the waste of
money. There is 10 earthly reason
why all Christians should not ioin
forces in philanthropic work, in social
recreation, in school matters. in polit-
ical reform, in anything else which
good Christians ought to do; and they
are gradually doing this in all parts
Of the country.
But 1t Is quite possible for the
Baptist, the Congregationalist. the
Presbyterian, the Methodist, the Cath |
Ole, the Hebrew, to adhere to his own
form Of worship, baptism, marriage.
and burial without great expenditure
Of money, if he will frankly recognize
the possibilities Of the situation. and
not insist on having a religious build
ing larger and more pretentious than
he can afford.