New-York tribune., 1908-08-09
rRF MESSAGE IRON LAMBETH.


The results of the Pan-Anglican Congress and
of the Lambeth Conference-two distinct though
svmpathetic bodies-are of more interest to
Americans generally than those of most other
ecclesiastical gatherings abroad have BEEN
That is partly because of the exceptionally catho-
lie composition of the first mentioned assemblage
and partly because of the prominent ana lnnu-
entail part which was taken by American dele
gates in both of the conventions. To this latter
fact gratifying witness is borne by the Bishop
of Albany in his interesting special cable letter
which was published in yesterdays Tribune 1t
may be added that American interest Is the
more general in these doings of the Episcopal
Church because of the marked tendency in re-
cent years, and especially in the last year, to
make less formidable the barriers of partition
between it and its fellow denominations and TO
cultivate spirit and also practice of Christian
If not of Church unity. The constantly increas-
ing community of interests among the churches
makes in a constantly increasing degree the
concerns of one the concerns of all.
A press dispatch cites as of special interest
to Americans the passage in the Lambeth en-
cyclical which relates to racial and social dls-
tinctions in the churches, and we are lncIlneu
to think that it does not exaggerate Its s1gnin-
canoe. The letter of the bishops distinctly con-
demns the organization in the same community
of separate churches on the basis of race or
color as a practice inconsistent with the vital
and essential principle of the unity OF the
Christian Church From that declaration IL
would seem to be difficult, if not Impossible, to
dissent at any rate on textual and doculnai
grounds. Nothing seems more clear than the
New Testament teaching of unity and equality
among ali men in spiritual affairs. Yet 1t
seems equally certain that practically, on social
or other grounds, there is widespread opposi-
ton to such disregard Of racial dlStlncuonS anu
that It exists on both sides of the line Of de-
marcation It is quite true that racial discrim-
ination is not prescribed or authorized IN the
creeds or rules of order of the churches 1t Is
also true that in many it is not practised. In
some large and fashionable" churches in this
city-and of course, far more numerously III
country churches-Caucasian and Ethiopian and
Mongolian worshippers sit side by side and
receive the sacraments side by side without
the least distinction. But in many churches
there is an unwritten law which practically eX-
cludes non-C Caucasians, and among worshIppers
of African origin there is pretty general pref
erence for churches of their own rather than
for mingling with their white fellow Christians.
Yet the bishops encyclical appears 10 condemn
such separation even when it is done through
the desire of both parties 1t is not made known
how the American delegates voted on this mat
ter or whether. indeed, there were any dis
senting votes. But we can imagine that gen
eral application Of the principle enunclated
throughout the Christian churches OF America
would provoke controversy, though perhaps
more in some other denominations than in the
Protestant Episcopal.
The declarations of the bishops concerning
social and domestic relations and interests will
also command much attention here, and in some
particulars will arouse controversy. Even those
who may not agree with them will welcome
them as an assurance Of the alert interest OF
the Church in the issues Of the day. 1t was
inevita bic and desirable that the bishops should
reafirm the necessity Of faith in the historical
statements of the creed, but it was inspiring
to find them with no less earnestness and al
much greater length emphasizing the necessity
of the Church's active sympathy with efforts
to establish justice among all men ana TO ele-
vate common standards Of human living. Aca-
demic and ecclesiastical as It was, the Lambeth
Conference was an intensely practical and hui
manitarian body, worthy to command the re-
spect and confidence of believers Of all creeds.