Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-07-21
CHURCH UNION.

CHURCH UNION.
Mr.. Editor:--
Your editorial on church union in your
issue OF June 80 gives such a wrong i'm
preston OF the facts concerning the prop
position for conference between the Con-
gregational conference and the Episcopal
convention and OF the position of the lat
ter church, that desire to have the facts
stated correctly.
list. The Congregational conference
did not suggest a conference in regard to
church union. This suggestion originat-
ed in the Episcopal convention, and was
made in reply to the Christian greetings
sent by the Congregationalists.
End. The conditions OF conference be-
tween the two bodies we're not invented
or ''laid down. by Bishop Hall, as you
state, but are Whst the Episcopal church
has published since 1855, as fundamental
points OF agreement to be accepted by
different religious bodies before confer
enee could be probably held.
In a recent number OF the Advance
(Congrega tional), commenting on Bishop
Anderson's address at the Missionary
Congress, Chicago, the editor said:-"lf
an orator wants TO set all hands clapping
at big INSTRUMENTATION gathering,
let him talk church union; hut II be
wants to get into trouble, let him work at
It when be gets home. As a suRary SEN
timent il beats bonbons; as piece Of
every day business it sticks i'm the mud"
So il seems, " hen We compare the COM
ment on Bishop Halls address at Hart
ford, and the offer OF himself, together
with the diocese of Vermont TO confer on
the matter.
3rd. You grayely, though doubtless
unwittingly, misstate the facts when you
say that the historic episcopste or apos-
tolic succession is the distinguishing
feature OF the Episcopal church. for it is
no less the distinguishing feature" OF
the whole Catholic church, Greek, Roman
and Anglican which includes the Amer
lean church, commonly called the Episco-
pal church) and these three branches Of
the church contain about 900 OF all
Christians q have read that 95 81 OF all
Christians have apostolic bishops, but am
unable to get access to the authority A
study OF the history of the early church
would reveal many things not commonly
known, and among these is the emphasis
that was put upon the historic episcopate.
4th. As all Of the Protestant denomin-
atoms repudiRted apostolic succession by
accepting lay ordination for their minis
ters, 1t is not strange, as you truly state,
lit runs counter to all their traditions,
beliefs and, indeed, their individual ma
tures.n Notwithstanding this, hundreds
Of ministers and laymen in the various
are asking whether 1t is
Of greater Importance to perpetuate the 1
traditions and beliefs" which date back I
less than 400 years, than to accept the 4
four fundamental points Of agreement. !
and after looking into the matter are /
coming into the Episcopal church. 4
These ministers may be considered "weak /
men" by some, but as a matter Of fact the /
late DR.. Chaplin OF Connecticut. author /
Of "The Primitive Church," the late 7
Bishop Clark Of Rhode Island. both
prominent Congregational ministers, and /
The present bishops OF Maryland and +
Western Michigan compare very favora-
bly, with any Of those who declare that 4
only the weak men enter the Episcopal
ministry. II space allowed, could give /
The names OF dozens of others, Phi. DIS,
d. DIS. and other degree men. who enter
the Episcopal ministry.
am sure that 1t is such misstatements I
In pulpit and press, that causes and per-
petuates the prejudice, often expressed in 4
bitterness, against the Episcopal church. 1
The press should state the facts, and il .
people or systems cannot bear the facts,
20 much the worse for the people or sys-
TENS. Let the facts be known that the .
historic episcopate is no less the heritage
Of the church than the sacramento, bap-
Iism and the Lords Supper; the creeds;
aud the writings OF this same church,
viz, the New Testament.
To accept three OF these and repudiate
he other in order to perpetuate certain
modern traditions and beliefs" is con-
iessedly weakness, and is the main
cause OF the shameful divisions among
christians.
Thanking you for the valuable space /
Iaken in stating the facts correctly, ! am 4
Faithfully yours.
Aubrey c. Gilmore.
Randolph, VT, July 9, 1910.