Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-03-14
Union of Baptist and Christian
Churches at Seattle.
Communicated

The movement towards union be-
tween the Baptist and Christian
churches everywhere has received new
encouragement in the recent steps TAX
en- by these bodies at Seattle. There
are in that city about eight congrega-
tions of the Christian church and sew
enteen of the Baptist church. 1t is the
desire of the good people engaged in
this movement to bring the twenty-five
congregations into one fellowship. To
this end a joint meeting of the min
listers of both denominations has been
arranged for April seventh, at which
time Rev. B. l.. Whitman of the First
BAPTIST church will lead the discussion
by an address on the advisability of
the union. 1t is proper that the Bap-
fist churches should lead in this move
men. Their influence is not only great
in Seattle but great throughout the
country. This body is four times as
large as the Christian church. In as
much as it involves the whole city it
is especially fortunate that the Bap-
lists are leading it. Ii the union is
successfully brought about it will be
the greatest victory yet achieved. AL
ready the union has taken place in a
number of small places, but this is
the first attempt that comprehends a
city of such Importance.
The churches of Seattle have an al
most unlimited opportunity for infu-
ence in this general movement between
the two churches. Many of the large
tiles are looking forward to the union
some time in the future. But if the
Baptists and Christians of Seattle take
up the question seriously they will in
spire all others of these two denomlna-
tions to do the same. In many places
the churches are only waiting for the
signal to be given. The two bodies
are conscious that there is no percept
ible difference between them. Even
the long standing differences on the
part of the older members have been
swept aside by the fellowship that for
several years has existed between those
who have come into the churches since
the days of debate. AS to doctrine
there is no cause to longer remain
apart. Both churches emphasize the
New Testament teaching in all things.
Thus the basis of union would easily
and naturally be the present teaching
each. In government both bodies ad-
here to the congregational type, this
being the New Testament practice.
In view of the striking similarity it is
to find a reason worthy of
why the two are not organ
ically united.
1t is not desired by this union to
close any of the churches of Seattle.
There is now shortage of buildings
under the present conditions. The
union will give a more equal distribu-
tion throughout the city. AS the work
now is each denomination needs a
building in the same locality. The
union would mean the readjustment of
the membership to suit the conven-
fence of the residents. In this way
the whole city will be very we'll rep
resented in the twenty-five buildings,
and each person of the united member
ship will find a church home at his
own door. 1t is a common thing in
large cities for parents to deny them
selves the privileges of the church in
order to send the children to Sunday
School, where the income does not JUS
tify liberal allowance for street car
fare. In the case of many people OF
moderate means who attend church in
the cities the offering to the street car
companies is greater than the offering
to support the work. In city the
size of Seattle the readjustment that
would inevitably come with the union,