The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-17
UNITY OF FAITH.
Bishop Of CremOna Says 1t Is
No Idle Dream.
Sees Great Hope i'm the Confer
ence at Edinburg.
He WRITES A LETTER
In Response to a Request From
the Missionary Body.
Looks Forward to Realization of
One Holy Church.
lie WRITES A LETTER

Edinburgh, Scotland, June 17.-Today'
features at the World Missionary con-
ference were the reading of a letter
from Monsignor Bonomelli, Roman
Catholic bishop of Cremona, Italy, and
the presentation of the report of the
commission on Education in relation
to the Christianization of national
life
The communication of the bishop
was in response to invitation for
him to eontribute a message. The in
|fvitation explained the purpose of the
conference in the following language:
"A world missionary conference is to
be held a Edinburgh, Scotland. Chris
tians of all churches in the world are
freely invited. 1t is merely q confer
ence on how all Christians of every
name may better understand one an
|, other and better combine to make
Christ and his church known to all
men. The conference will only sonfer;
| IT will not pass resolutions or take any
definite action; no convictions are TO
he compromised; no principles sacri-
l'f1ced. Will you write q letter to be
read at the conference advocating bet
|. ter feeling, better knowledge, holier
relations among all who believe in
Christ as God in order that we may
all come together in Gods. good time
Einto the universal body of Christine
7 church.
/ Mgr. BonomelIi addressed his reply
to Si1ar McBee. an, American delegate.
who presented it to the conference. 1t
read in part as follows:
~ The Bishops Reply.
I "A conference of representatives of all
I Christian denominations, held with the
noble aim Of better making known
| Christ and his church to consciences
which feel and exhibit in practice all
| the profound and fecund beauty OF re-
| ligious aspirations is a fact of such
Importance and significance that it can
not escape the attention of any one
who may follow the conference, how
| ever superficially. in what a degree
| the most profound problems are agitaI-
ing and revolution1zlng the MODERN
spirit.
eYour conference which is being
held in Scotland. the land of strong
and noble ideals. is a triumphal PROOF
of another. eonsoling fact; the most de-
sirabIe and precious of human l1ber-
ties. religious liberty, may now be said
to be a grand conquest of contemp-
orary humanity and it enables men or
various faiths to meet together. not
for the purpose of hating and COM
hating each other, for the supposed
| glory of God. but in order to con-
socrates themselves in Christian love
to the pursuit of that religious truth
which unites all believers in Christ.
United in one faith. the various spir-
itual forces combine in the alteration
| of the one true God in spirit and in
truth.
AppIauds the Conference
| "For these reasons 1 applaud your
conference.
"I know very we'll that some skep-
tical spirits saturated in gross ma
teria1ism or cold positivism may smile
1 at your initiative and tax you with
Utopian optimism or with being we'll
meaning dreamers, shutting your eyes
to the realities of life.
yours gentlemen, is not an op-
timistic idealism. nor an idle dream.
The elements of fact in which you
lagree are numerous and are common
to the various Christian denomina-
tions and they can therefore serve as
a departure for your discussions.
'It is, therefore. legitimate to as
/ pire to a unity of faith and of reli-
! gious practice and to work for its real
ization by the conservation of all en-
ergies of mind and heart. This is a
work in which we in our day may well
cooperate.
I'VE are united in the profound
conviction that a universal religion is
necessary and that this must be the
Christian religion; not a cold and for
NAL religion, a thing apart from hu-
man life, but a living force, pervad-
ling the human soul in its essence and
in short, which completes and crowns
our life and which bears fruition in
works of love and holiness.
Need of a Church.
"Again, all of you feel the need OF
a church which may be the outward
! manifestation of your faith and reli-
gious feeling. the vigilant custodian
now and here of Christian doctrine
and tradition. 1t sustains and keeps
alive religious and individual activity
in spite of that strong power of sug-
gestion which collectively always exer-
, | cises on the individual. Finally from
the various churches and religious de-
nominations into which you Christians
are divided there arises a new unity
ing element, a noble aspiration, re.
| straining too great impulsiveness
| IeveIling dividing barriers and work
ing for the realization of the one holy
church through all the children of re-
demption.
"On this common ground. gentle
men, having your minds liberated
from all passions or sectarian intoler-
lance. animated on the contrary BY
, Christian charity, bring together into
one focus. the results of your studies
the teachings of experience, whether
. individual or collective, calmly carry
on research and promote discussion.
MAY truth be as shining light
illuminating your consciences and
mind My desire for you is but thu
echo of Christ's words which have re
J sounded through the centuries. LIE
! there be one flock and one shepherd
. The report of the commission OF
? | education in relation to the christian
ization of national life" was presented e
bv the chairman of the commission
: the bishop of Birmingham. and tht
vice chairman, Professor Edward C
Moore, D. D.