New-York tribune., 1909-02-13
CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES
MOVEMENT ON FOOT TO UNITE METHODIST EPISC
PAL IND PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL BODIES

There has Just been held in New York an informal
conference of leaders in the Protestant Episcopal
and Methodist Episcopal churches in this country.
which talked the subject of the separs-
tIon Of these bodies and the question of what
ton If any, may be set foot 20 bring them to-
gether. The conference was attended by only
few persons It grew out OF a correspondence that
hes been going for three or four years between
leaders in the bodies While small It ia held
that It may in time amount to good deal. espe-
cially there are associated with 1t q much
larger number OF men who are comforting, II s
said by letter and by personal discussions when
ever there are chance meetings on public and pri-
vate occasions
The conference did not consider reasons for sepa-
ration many years ago. It was held that these
reasons were well known. and that the less said
about them the better. There was, 1t IS said recog
milton OF the fact that bodies practically one often
find it more difficult to together than do those
separated by vital and apparent differences.
It was pointed out by both sides that historically
the Methodist Episcopal and the Protestant Epsco-
ral cornnnunions ought 10 be one, az they were 81
most one IN doctrine and much the same IN ols0i-
plne.
Il MAS admitted nv the Episcopal leaders that
had II not been for mistakes of leaders OF the
Church of England doubtless all would nave neen
together to-day. American Episcopal'ans SAID they
were not 20 held responsible for mistakes hSle
IN England many many years ago
The outcome OF the conference was an agreement
TO continue the correspondence ana TO urge oheIS
on both sides enter It II was agreed that op-
r1ortuntieS should be aNalleo OF 70 bNN0~
acquaintanceshp OF leading men in both com
rnunous 10 the end that points OF agreement might
be EMPHASIZED and made known
Cns ~ the Protestant Episcopal Church leaders
vrbo attended the informal New York meeting salo
80 +ba sess,on was over: with there is
growing sentiment in favor of larger hoerty IN 'e
use of the Book Of Common Prayer IN punio "oi
sfir and with Methodists there is q tendency 10
adont many of these set forms OF worship 30 in
Thst vysv we are coming together. The recent Ut
terance of Bishop Dosne OF Albany Is ID lne WIN
and I am told. put cut as part OF the present
In 20 cultivate better relations between our re-
spectfve bodies -
.s7r1a Bisbop Is g foremost leader among u.s. ana
Ia said and wisely as 1 think, that II Is very
had taste not say worse tacucs' TOT EpiscO
naIfans to go to other bodies with charses OF
;rx-.l,d orders OF their ministers Suppose We DO
hannan to think their orders invalid. it Is not wise
20 saw So We repe and shall never neho oY
.reh rclicv That is the view of Bishop Doane'
and agree with him fully. I hope We snail be-
come wiser IN new generation.
A great Methodist layman, whose name Is wen
known said. from this point Of view; ""hat couid
not we two bodies accomplish II we were to coine
together? Most of Methodists are half Eplsco-
naIians service and ALL and most Episcopaliahs
love our hearty Methodist ways. Many tell me
tbezy wish rhey had our Methodist fervor For nYe
wears have been maintaining correspondence WIN
r7nfzcopaI bishops on these points. and you VIII
he surnrised perhaps. TO hear how many OF them
believe they and ought to work IN much ccSer
harmony than we do. ] have high hopes for uinoh'
nerhans not IN my day. but in the day OF many
now living and working
Tbs two bodies named. they to combine
,ou,d represent vellnigh a third OF the popula-
80 =. +Ia IrnitAd States IN their membership and
sdberents The conference referred to was not
official and was in part accidental The corre-
snondence is, however. going on by design and Is
increasing in volume