The Newtown bee., 1906-05-25
HOME NEWS.

INTERDENOMlNATIONAL COr1iTY. A PLEA FOR THE COOPERATION OF
 THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES.
 While in my official capacity 1 am here to serve the Congregational in sympathy with all Christian enter prises, and feel that ought to make a strong statement of my attitude and publish it in order that all Chris tians in the neighborhood may under stand beyond all doubt the principles for which l am working. 1 believe it to be burning shame that Christian churches, or members Of the same, should compete with one another in a jealous or hostile manner. I believe 1t to be an equalOr even greater shame that they should not cooperate. Sins of omission are just as grievouS as sins of commission.
 A noble and honorable family, with all which that implies, is the symbol of the Christian Church Universal. Do all Christians feel that they are members of one family, or do they feel that they are members of various families? The New Testament says, "All ye are brethren," is that true or is 1t not true? Answer that!
 Do not all true-hearted members of a really honorable family stand by one another, defend and protect one an other when need be, and at all times live sympathetic helpful life with one another? Answer that! Do Christians everywhere, members of Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Bap- tist, Congregational and other church es so live? What is your answer? Brethren, it is time to take these questions more seriously to heart and work to better our condition.
 When such day as Memorial Sun day comes arOund-and it comes only once ln a year,can we not make be- ginning, and have one union service for all Christians, now in one church, now in another? "Oh no, no, impos- sible" l hear chorus of voices saying. "What, meet in another church! 'twould be like eating in the enemy's country" But why? Answer that?
 Why should it be so hard to do one day in the year what we ought to do every day in the year, namely, coop crate? In regard to this coming Me morial Sunday, it is now too late to plan and put through a scheme for union service, but in future years it is to be hoped that the churches of the region may unite at least for an after noon service.
 When our soldiers enlisted in de- fence of our country those of all class es and creeds fought side by side. What occasion could serve better as first step in the right direction than friendly, patriotic fellowship of the churches on Memorial Sundays? And then may it lead on to a larger coop eration throughout the years!
 I plead for interdenominational comfy, instead of interdenomination- al comedy. I, for one, would be glad to welcome all true Christians as brethren in my church, or to go and their church, to work with them, by them and for them, and everytime might happen to fall short of my duty, I should most bitterly accuse myself as an offender. In an ideal family do not the hearts and faces light up with joy when one meets another, and does not the love express itself also in such service as hard practical work?
 Conditions cannot be changed, you say. Brothers, conditions must be changed and can.
 Finally let me state that the princi- ples of Christian fellowship and coop eration which am advocating, are the principles for which all true Con- stands. I do not say that all Congregationalists, nor that all Congregational leaders have always taken this true stand, but I do say that if they have not, then they have not stood for the true principles of Congregationalism, nor of any other ism which is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
 Conditions not only can be changed, but will be changed. Already there is Amen. "-[Ralph B. Danforth.
 Newtown, Conn.,, May, 1906.