Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-06-30

and the Congrega tionalists suggested q
conference looking to a reconciliation Of
doctrinal differences. Bishop Hall OF the
Episcopal diocese agreed to conference,
bat stipulated that the Congregational
convention must accept four fundamental
doetrinal principles of the Episcopal
church. This the Congregationalists we're
unwilling to do, and tabled the PROPOSE
ton.
] As much has been said concerning q
possible union of these two church bodies,
and as Bishop Hall has been represented
as fsvoring such action, it is worth while
to note what, according to his dietum,
the Congregationalists must accept cut
of the Episcopal faith, before the latter
denomination will consent to treat with
them. Bishop Hall laid down the four
fundamentals as follows:-
1. The Holy Scriptures Of the Old and
New Testaments as the revealed will OF
God.
2. The Nieene creed as the sufficient
statement OF the Christian faith.
3. The two sacraments, baptism and
the Supper OF our Lord, maintained by
the unfailing use of Christ's words OF in
stitution and the use OF the elements or
dained by him.
4. The Historic Episcopate, adapted
locally, the method of administration to
the varying needs of the nations and pso-
Piles called of God into the unity of his
church.
Three of these basic propositions, it
seems to US, it would not be impossible,
or indeed very difficult, to agree upon
the first three. In slightly varied form
they are accepted by all Christian bodies.
But the fourth, the Historic Episcopate,
would be a most difficult proposition for
Congregationalists, or members OF any
evangelical church, to accept. 1t runs
counter to all their traditions, beliefs and,
indeed, their individual natures. On the
other hand, it is the distinguishing fea-
ture OF the Protestant Episcopal church,
keystone of the church structure, cher.
ished and reyered. 1t cannot, therefore,
be given up by that church. Upon this
rock, all attempts at formal union of the
two bodies must fail.
But what of it? There is room and
work for both. The peculiar atmosphere
of each suits its communicates and con-
gregations better than a hybrid, that |
would not warmly appeal to either. Let
them work on, in their own ways. They /
can join hands in the task of making the
world better without giving up their /
cherished institutions. Practical church /
union-the amalgamation of bodies differ
ing but little among themselves in creed,
or rituals entirely sensible. 1
But where radical vsriances exist that can
not be harmonized; where 1t is case of
one side giving up all and the other gaining
all; where the true description is absorb
tion, noe union, it is better to let the
work procsed along the divergent lines
sanctifed by the ages.
In his reply to the Congregationslists,
Bishop Hall added the following practical
suggestions:-
ave would most willingly cooperate
with the members of the Congregational
church in matters of social reforms. par
tieularly with reference to the employ
ment of children and the due protection
Of women in factories; with reference to
an improvement in the civil law covering
the marriage problem, looking to the pre-
vention o. hssty marriages Ia frequent
cause Of subsequent divorced and we
would suggest a common effort for the
enactments OF the several re-
ligious bodies in reference to the violation
Of their marriage laws"