Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-06
CHURCH OF CANADA.

We have previously briefly mem
toned religious movement IN Canada
which has for its object the union Of
the Presbyteriahs. the Methodists, and
the congregationaists iato one body,
20 be called the United Church OF Can
ada. This Is one Of the most remark
able instances OF an effort at church
unity, IN the present age. II Armini-
anlsm and CalvlnIsm can thus be
merged together, any other dogmatlcsl
differences may, surely. be harmonlzed.
Whether the churches mentioned
viii agree 10 the recommendations Of
the committee that has made the prop
osltion, remains TO be seen, but the
snppositfon Is that the representatives
would not have agreed on plan. UNI
less they were pretty sure OF the sup
port OF their constituents.
The proposition Is TO accept the con-
fession OF faith OF the presbyterians.
as revised IN the United States togeth-
err with a scheme set forth by the Mont
real convention OF last year. BY this
plan. II Is said, predestination and pre-
election are discarded. and so liz the
doctrine OF perfect sanctiiication. The
creeds are beautifully blended. The
following summary OF faith gives an
idea OF what the amalgamated creed
Is to be-
The new church IN TO be acknowl-
edged as one wholly catholic as well
as the innumerable company OF saints
OF al ages ana nations. Every church
Throughout the world protesting faith
and obedience TO Jesus Christ is recog.
nized. The Lords Supper and baptism
are acknowledged to be perpetual obli-
cations as signs and seals OF the cove
nant made by the death Of Christ. The
proper subjects for baptism are be-
levers and infants. The sacrament OF
the Lords Supper Ia an acknowledged
communion with Christ In remem-
brance of the sacrifice on the cross"
Concerning church government the
following has been agreed upon:
THE new church Is to be governed
by supreme body TO be known as the
general conference after the Method.
list form, with president as the chief
officer Below this Is TO be a council
after the Congregational idea with a
chairman AT the head. The next body
nearer the people IL to be the presby-
terry governed by a moderator. Each
individual denomination Is to be given
the right to manage It's own internal
AFFAIRS until such time as some other
ana better arrangement can be made
A., M
not compelled to adopt"
This movement. II VIII be seen, goes
much further than the proposition to
federate, adopted at church congress
In New York, short time ago. 1t
aims at amalgamation Of the denom-
nations and not merely corporation.
The creed IL made broad enough for
all to, accept. while the form Of govern
ment seems adjustable. and capable OF
great latitude. A system that provides
for both a general conference, a coun-
ell, and a presbyerya should find room
for archblshops, cardinals, and pope,
too, II thereby union can be promoted.
Many attempts have been made,
from time TO time. to find some basis
upon which to re-unite the various d.
visions OF the Christian world. but
every scheme has. NO far. failed. Among
Protestants, however, the necessity Of
closer union has been felt OF late
years very keenlv The Evangelical
Alliance has prepared the way for n
rapproachment, and the very spirit OF
the age seems to demand consolidation.
The Christian world divided In the 18th
century Into the Greek and the Roman
branches. In the 10th century the lat
ter was further divided by the rise OF
Professionalism with Its numerous sub
divisions. The reunion OF these would
not be a bad preliminary to return to
Rome.