Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-20


LONDON. October II 1901
The moderating and healing effects Of
time have wrought suck changes in the
religious world that denomnaltional
union has been made possible in cases
where a dozen years ago such a thing
would have been regarded as impossible
The recent merger in the British Isles by
which a new Methodist Church having up
ward of 900, 900 members was formed is
an instance.
The unanlmity with which this great
combination Of religious forces was car
ried to a conclusion has caused n strong
hope that the conference of Congrega-
tionalists at Cleveland, Ohio. VIII he
equally successful in uniting with the
Methodist Professionals and the United
Brethren. Ratification of the plan of union
proposed by committee Of the three
churches named would he another steep
toward a more general movement for
closer fellowship of CONGREGATIONAL
Methodists and Presbyterians throughout
the world. Therefore all eyes are now on
the national council of Congregational
churches.
In Canada preliminary steps have been
taken for union between the Congre ga
tionalists, the Methodists and the Pres
byterlans. Negotiations will have to con
tinue several years before union can be
accomplished, joint committee on union
now having the matter in hand. The
Canadian Congre gationaliStS have arrived
In their union plans in a similar place to
that attained by the American Congrega-
tionalists. They favor union. provided
the other parties to the negotiations will
accept fundamental Congregational prin-
ciples, such as the recognition of the in
herent independence of the individual
church or congregation and freedom from
creed to which members of the churches
must subscribe. The Congregational
Union of England and Wales has advised
the Candanian Congregat ionalists to do
all that they can to bring about union,
but not to relinquish these principles.
Movement in South Africa.
The movement in South Africa is just
taking form. and involves the Congrega-
tionalists and the Presbyterians Nothing
official has been done. but leading men
in both denominations have had confer
ences, and it has been agreed to bring
the matter up in two official assemblies
and to ask the appointment of commit
tees through which negotiations may be
conducted. The South African COngrega-
tionalists made union proposals to the
Presbyterians fifteen years ago. The
PreSbyterians then said they were not
ready for union. The present negotla-
tons originated with the Presbyteriaus
There was none of these difficulties in
the way of the three Methodist Tod;es
that have Just made such a notable piece
of church history in England. Three sep
arate lives were merged into one organ
ism to be known as the United Nj thodlst
Church. There was no clubbing over
doctrine, no discussion over the division
of missionary funds, no scramble for of
flee. Enthusiasm marked every step. Men
who had waited and prayed for years,
who had struggled to live to see this
union, wept with joy as the signatures
were affixed to the document that sealed
the merger. In the fervent singing of the
ZOOLOGY" which started as the pen
was laid aside by the last signer joined
such men as Rev. J. S. Wilmington sill
yer tongued anu eighty-six Rev T.
ASkerS, six feet of keen alertness: Dr.
Townsend, the hero of many struggles;
Rev. f. d. Green. who began to preach
in 1S47 Rev. j. W. Ogden, snowy white
but still young in heart, and many others
whose records of faithful service would
make a brilliant chapter in the story of
religion in the Victorian era
Seven hundred delegates from the Meth
odist New ConneXion, the Bible Christian
denomination and the United Methodist
ley's Chapel. to ratlfy the act os paria-
ment allowing the union. Many waite at
dawn outside the church that they might
miss portion of II. Hundreds gathered
about the doors three hours before il was
tim, to open them. Four lord mayors in
their rich 4oDes of scarlet gave color to