Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-24

ruption in politics and against that fouiest
of all blots upon our fair republic-the ie-
In the matter of government we differ
somewhat. When the Congregational
Church is placed alongside the other two
this respect. but the dissimilarity is not so
great as 1t appears at first glance.
In each church all authority primarily
inheres in the laity So we have cons
mon starting point-one that is vital in q
democracy. There seems to be O desire in
the Congregational Church to broaden its
fellowship into modified form of connec-
tionalism with a conference system. The
Methodist Protestant and United Brethren
churches already have the correctional
plan. the latter also modified general SUI
perintendency, but In both there is dis
position to accord larger rights to the laity
In all that pertains to the government OF
the church With these tendencies growing
on both sides. am confident that when we
are permitted to deliberate together In the
proposed general council we will be able
to evolve a system of government not only
satisfactory to all, but one that will COM
mend itself to the best thought of the age.
The Property Rights.
'3 But some prophesy trouble over the
adjustment of property rights.
Each body has its church houses and
parsonages. It's chartered institutions and
sacred funds. and 1t Is pointed out that
grave complications will arise IL changes
are to be made. But the very thing which
1t is declared cannot be done has been
done both In this and other countries. Some
people always see trouble ahead-insuper-
able difficulties in the way-when great.
onward movement Is proposed, and hasten
to tell US how 1t cannot be made a success
They simply serve as brakes on the wheels
of progress. such conservatives always
council their fears rather than their faith.
!, when the Associate Presbyterian Church
and the Associate Reformed Church came
together in 1855 after a courtship of twen-
ty years, and formed the United Presby-
terrain Church. the question Of material
holdings and their adjustment to the new
conditions was not a serious one.
After a. separation Of q third of CEN
fury the old school and new school
Presbyterians reunited, adjusted property
in recognition of Gods Astounding goodness
raised thank Offering of seven and half
million dollars with which to carry for
ward His work III
Negotiations are already we'll under
way. 1t does seem to me. brethren, that
the churches and state legislatures on this
side of Lake Erie are just as thoughtful
and far-seeing as are the people on the
other side-a fact that will be clearly DEM
onstrated at no distant period. go upon
the theory that what ought to done can be
DONE and will be done when we put our
selves in right relations with God. and
seek only to do His viii.
a. Some-many, indeed-are fearful that
we will not be able to agree upon name. 1
aas ina a. ht.tnr;o ND That has been
made sacred by the associations of a CEN
fury or more. There Is something about
name that has been familiar from cnild,
hood-one that has become a household
word, and that has stood for certain dis
tinctive principles. that appeals both to
sentiment and prejudice, I am frank TO
confess that to me United Brethren in
Christ ia q cherished name 1t has music
In N and represents a blessed Fellowship
would regret to see 1t abandoned with
all II means to us: vet do not propose
To exact a church name above principle
above the everlasting name, nor allow its |
seeming sacredness to stand in the way of |
that larger service which Jesus has right |
70 exneet Of His followers. At the right |
time a name will be agreed upon. The /
HoIy Spirit will suggest it-one that will |
mean vastly more to us and to the king |
dom at large than any name borne at |
present
"Of course this proposition to unite our |
churches will be opposed by sundry parties |
nossble to propose any measure that |
would elicit the sympathy and co-opera-
ton of all the people. Every question |
seems to have two sides, and 1t Is well, |
occurred to you. brethren, that nearly every |
argument presented today against church |
union was urged by the Jews against the
Organization of the Christian church?
r.oL; p.ok-erd
ne '"sA 49,
Gas in the case Of the Jews, 1t Is hard
for some Of orr people to quit thinking
oaa ,.,L;nr Circuit tive father. They lool.
anu 'aie
back 10 the sooo Times oi D. century VI
more ago. when conditions were vastly DIFF
ferent from what they are today and when |
much loss was required of the ministry and |
den;and that what was believed and done |
than shall he tha straight edge nv which
onr faith and methods are TO he tested |
T honor the memorv If the fathers 1,f our
churches Rut good as thew were and as |
Wise az Soma Of them were thew knew
NO more about the needs OF this new CEN |
turv than we TODAY know about the con- |
ditions and reouirements of a hundred |
wears hence. In the very nature of things
readiustments must come. II is Gods plan
by which He proposes to keep his church
ages and Countries
''Our three churches have been brave and |
true. From the beginning they have borne |
I I 10 .he truln as Is IN Cnrisi
Cbrist,an thev bave Lille n,snod tran,en-
dous emphasis. They have been a mighty |
force in molding sentiment against eccle- |
siastical domination. How fitting 1t now
appears for these same churches to take |
another step-the grandest of all yet taken |
and show to the world that we have
enough grace and good sense to unite our