Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-24
UNION OF CHURCHES
HOW OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
VIEW ACTION OF COUNCIL.

Comment upon the action of the general
council of the Congregational Methodist
Protestant and United Brethren denomina-
tons, held within the past month at Day
ton, Ohio, at which a union of these
churches was agreed upon, has been rife
The way in which the action Is viewed by
the Congregational Church may be seen
from the following which Is clipped from
the Congregatonalist and Christian World:
1.-The general council of the churches of
three denominations at Dayton last week Is
certain to be the beginning of a new era in
the history of the churches included in that
council. 1t may come to be looked back on
as the beginning of a movement of much
larger proportions than now appears. The
$4,000 Congregationalistes were represented
by 115 delegates. The delegates of the 260,-
600 United Brethren and the 10000 Meth
odist Protestants increased that number to
about 200. The creation of this general
council was authorized by the national con-
ferences of these three bodies, its first pur-
pose being to present, far as we pos
sihly can, a realization of that unity which
seems so greatly desired by Christian
churches Such a presentation as was
made last week by this meeting has not
before been paralleled, we believe in this
country and is beyond the expectations or
those who shared in 1t.
1.-The spirit of essential Christian unity
manifested during this meeting is a new
demonstration of the presence and power
of the Holy Spirit. Ministers and lay1nen
from New England and California, from
northern and southern and interior states,
with varied religious antecedents, expert
ence and customs, unacquainted with one
another. came together to discuss union and
found themselves already one in spirit, pur-
pose and fellowship. From the first hour
they regarded no obstacles to organic union
as insurmoun table, but set themselves con-
fidently to the task OF overcoming every
obstacle.
Their manner OF expressing the spirit of
unity was no less impressive. 1t was In
telligent, deliberate, altogether voluntary
and exultant without emotional display.
The many hours of preparation IN commit
tees for specific steps toward union We're
marked by fraternal intercourse which pre-
Guided WEAKNESS. Men spoke of God pres
euce and guidance as naturally they
spoke of the processes of their own Thought.
Many of the delegates had hardly expected
that any extended declaration OF faith could
be drawn up which would secure general
approval The absolute unanlmity with
which the statement elsewhere printed was
adopted as a confession and testimony in
the subcommittee, the general committee
and the entire council was a surprise even
to those who had been drawn into closer
and closer fellowship by two days OF prayer
full conference. Discussion was free and
harmonious note, but a full harmonious
affirmation of faith.
Church Government.
toThe preparation of a statement of prin-
ciples Of church government and their APP
plication in practical administration brought
forth perplexities and diffiulties but no dis
cord These principles held by all the
churches represented were essentially Con-
gregational-the freedom and equality in
the church of all its members and the fell
lowship whose value and effectiveness grow
by united service. 1t viii take time to adj
lust various customs into working harmony,
but as the spirit which ruled in that assem-
bly, extends through the churches much less
time for such adjustment may be required
than has been anticipated.
1.-THE harmonizing of property interests
and the bringing into practical unity or
operation the benevolent and educatonal
ORGANIZATIONS and institutions whose work
extends to all the continents present great
difficulties, yet no one of the committee,
which includes men of large experience IN
law and business expressed any diScour-
agement in facing them. Nor did they seek
to be excused from the task. They prompt
ly began to arrange plans to unite all these
churches In their mission and work TO
evangelize the world.
Sacred Union.
'.The meaning of this movement could
not be mistaken by those who shared in
this council. They were all with one ac-
cord In one place. and had In their expert
ence as plain demonstration of the pres
ence of the Holy Spirit as did the disciples
when the first Christian Church was
formed The solemn Joy and fraternal love
and gratitude to God which repeatedly
found expression in spontaneous outbursts
of songs of praise In which the whole as
sembIy joined witnessed to a spiritual re-
viyal already in progress. 1t VIII surely be
followed by the Lord adding day by day to
the church those that are being saved.
"Of course the powers of this general
council are advisory, and its recommended
lions are to be referred to the constituent
bodies for approval. But while great
work will be necessary to educate the
membership of the churches and to inspire
them with the earnestness and confidence
which their delegates already have in car
rying this union to it's contamination, 1t
seems certain that plans approved with
such entire and hearty unanimity by the
council will be adopted by the churches
represented in 1t.
'sThe outlook into the future is big with
| the hope of an enlarging fellowship which
shall include other denominations on the
basis of the faith of the universal church
which this confession expresses. with forms
| OF administration In harmony with our ma
tional life, under the guidance of God the
Father revealed through Jesus Christ our
| Lord and by the Holy Spirit in the expert
ence of his Church in this our time giving
/ the gospel to mankind"