Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-10
FOR UNITY.

Bishop Johnston of West Texas, some
months ago. addressed a letter to the
Pope. in which he suggested that MS
holiness call a congress OF Christian
churches to discuss the question of un-
flying Christendom. His idea Is that
the Christian churches should be as will
ing to meet in the interest of peace
and brotherly love, as the nations Ok
the world are, to secure peace. Such
a meeting" he says in his letter, AS
this called by the Pope at this critical
1uncture would thrill all Christendom
to the center with hope and Joy, and
cause the powers of darkness to trem-
BILE lest they should lose their present
evil domination over the human race
such large portions of which they stili
hold in bondage"
The letter is commented on by the
religious press. The Congregauonallsr
and Christian World of Boston endors-
es the proposition. as follows:
rs not the time approaching when
Christian bodies of every name could
profitably meet TO consider ways OF
ameiiorating the contentious when
have greatly hindered the progress of
Christianity throughout the world, and
of cooperation in fields where they
have common difficulties to overcomeF
Is not this the most opportune time
of the Christian era for such q con-
gress when the greatest movements or
history are being planned to win the
whole world to Christ? Is not Rome,
the center from which the light of the
gospel of Christ radiated through the
world In the first Christian centuries,
the At place for such a congress? ls
II unreasonable to think that Pope Pius
X. may recognize that this may be
the greatest opportunity OF the church
in modern times?"
Roman Catholics take a less opti-
mistio view. The Freemans Journal
says:
UNLESS the various sects are willing
TO accept the teachings OF the churcn,
thus divincly commissioned. the Work
of disintegration will steadily go on.
sincere Protestants like Bishop john
ston may deplore the results OF this dis
integration as manifested in the loss
of faith In Christianity itself, but there
IL no help for 1t. Professionalism did
it's best 10 destroy the Christian unity
that existed from the days of Christ
and his apostles, and now 1t has only
itself to blame for the sad results TO
which the Bishop of West Texas calls
attention"
This is the real obstacle. Rome does
not compromise. Rome can make no
concessions, such as Professionals de-
mand. A congress Of churches would
not result in unification or amalgama-
hn hon
result?
Thoughtful men and women In the
Christian world feel the need of a unit
ed church. They know that division is
cause OF weakness in the battle
against sin and it's fearful consequence
es. They are alarmed at the loss of in
fiuence of the gospel which is visible
in social, political, industrial and all
other fields OF human activity. But,
there Is no remedy except the direct
interference ~ the Almighty, in human
affairs, such as has taken place In all
important and critical periods in the
history OF man. II the divine Presence
was needed to set human affairs In or
der in the time of the Patriarchs Mos
cs, Ezra, and the beginning of our own
era, 1t Is no less needed at this time.
when, without special divine guidance
nations and individuals seem to be at
the mercy of the aggressive and over
whelming forces of evil. The disciples
In the boat, tossed about by the waves,
exhausted by toll, needed the presence
of the divine Master to rebuke the
wind and calm the sea. and that Is the
need OF His people In this age of rag
ing storms