New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-11

and the Rev DR.. Charles Gooden. OF Calvary
Methodist Episcopal Church
But right here It might Re said there is in the
popular mind confuAon of terms. Christian
Cnion,' Church Federation and Church Union
are often used Interchangeable. In reality, they
have decidedly different meanings. Christian union
may be considered accomplished fact. The de-
nominational bitterness of generation or TWO ago
has given way to mutual recognition and good
will. Church federation is represented in this city
by an organization having headquarters at No IL
Broadway It's purpose is to supply the various
denominations of the city with information as to
their various fields of work, to turn over to each
Church that work which within its province,
and thus avoid the waste of energy that usually
comes from parishes overlapping each other. II
acts IN short. as interchucch clearing house
or religious labor bureau. and as such has great
field Of usefulness. Church union. however in
wolves the idea of organic unity. the welding to-
gethcr Of all denominations into one. under one or
ganizat.en
4 BROAD CHURCHMAN'S VIEW.
The subject Of Church union is approached from
opposite poles of opinion. On the one hand is the
liberal Christian the Unitarian, Universalist or new
theoIogian who, having abolished all creeds for
himself would have all denominations do likewise
and unite on a basis Of everyday Christian work
and living On the other hand is the Roman Cath
Ollie the High Church Episcopalian or member of
the old school Of the more conservative orthodox
sects who would have the other sects abandon
their ways or thinking on certain points anu
come over into his organization. The Episcopal
Church has for a score of years been in the fore
front of the movement for Church union It IS
among the Broad Churchmen of this denomination
that is found the mean between these two ex-
trentes of opinion.
Il would not ask the different denominations TO
give up their creeds, opinions ceremonies, so
long as they were not direct bar TO unity" said
the Rev. Dr. Nichols, Of Holy Trinity Let us all
get together on some common ground under
laND oh, n Tie NO
of a denomination by itself, conform to its own
usage if may that term. 1 would substitute
usage for denomination Let the Baptist preserve
his form of baptism. Re would be Of the Baptist
usage. The evangelical usages' would retain their
free prayer meetings and REVEALS the Episcopal
usage its ritual"
Outlining a basis of unity. DR.. Nichols said:
4 dozen years ago. Broad Church Episcopalians
adopted first at chicago and ia,er Se bicaq
LAMBETH Platform a basis Of union. We have
tions ever since. The platform requires the &C
ceptance OF only four arttSies-she TOY SCRIP
In This form the only stumbling bloch TO most
other denominations has been the historic episco-
pacy. Now, this. rightly understood IS d!uereht
Thing from the Apostolic Succession on WHICH the
High Churchman insists. The latter doctrine re-
quires belief in the aDS3iuteiy QhoIoHsn success t
Of historic episcopacy embraces the belief in the
but does not bubble over the fine point of possible
breaks in the line II Simply teaches thieJ 6lshops
fhority That is. it simply demands organic unity
I'm the clerical body. Now. this requirement can DE
met by other usages without their becoming Epis-
copalians In any sense Let bishop by historic
right as il stands now, one who would be OF
E1iscopaIian usage. create IN the different usages
bishops TO preside over them and appoint their
clergymen.
THE NEED OF UNION.
Of the advantages to be derived from Church
union Dr. Nichols sad
The practical bearing Of this question appears
when We come 70 the missionary field There We
find stil the evils of competition. BY putting one
9rganization with combined capital where there
are nov many, more efficient results must follow
What Is true in the commercial word IS true IN the
re1igious There are great hopes for the future
in this movement. When one considers the prog
ress Of the last fifty years he cannot help but feel
confident of definite action in the next fifty.