The Washington herald., 1912-07-07
Getting Together.

years sui OF ndppy ana lrult1ul leisur
are before him.
Getting Together.
conference held in New York Cit,
In April. between representatives Of thu
Congregationalists and Disciples resulted
in the formation Of a committee which
has drafted letter. to be addressed t.
local churches where such cooperation
seems most necessary. In part, the com.
munication reads:
THE feasibility of closer unity be
tween the ministry of the Disciples and
that OF the Congregationalists was con-
sidered by us with mutual frankness
and from all points of view; and the
following conclusions were reached:
First, that there are no essential diff.
ferences OF faith which need keep us
apart Existing reasons for separation
lie In the outer domain of Christianity,
rather than at the heart of essential
Christianity. Without insistence on uni
formity OF customs, there is no valid
reason why We should not Cooperate
more closely both in the case of strong
churches working in the same commun-
ity, and also In the case of weak
churches CONTINUOUSLY located, which are
unable, acting separately, to secure
fiOptI
Secondly. our respective ecclesia stical
politics have SO many points Of resem-
blance that no elaborate reconstructions
would seem necessary to bring them
into working harmony. A few simple
adjustments. which our local churches
and associations Of churches are quite
competent to make, might be enough to
secure effective team work, where now
the ecclesiastical oars are hopelessly
interfering and the churches are making
no progress.
Thirdly. two practical steps are sug-
gested and Endorsed for the initiation
Of this closer utilization. % Where
there are two churches. one OF Disciples
and the other OF CongregationaIists, in a
community where the conditions justify
the existence of one only. these two
churches could agree to worship as one
congregation and TO unite in the sup
port of one minister. the ordinances to
he administered as individual members
Of each communion from time to time
may reasonably desire. 90 In order that
the scruples of the faithful in both
communions may be duly respected. II is
suggested that the members thus unit
Ing for greater efficiency be enrolled. as
members of their respective bodies; that
Is, that after each name may be writ
Ten Congregationalist. or Disciple as the
case may be: and that their missionary
Offering be made through such board
or societies as they may elect. In other
words. the emergency demanding unfit
cation of effort, by weak churches in the
same field. need not and ought not TO
wait on more organic union. such as
would require more time Yor the adjust
ment of differences than the exigencies
OF the situation would permit. In order
that the standing of the common minis
ter may be deemed regular in them
both. II Is desirable that the Congrega-
tonalists and the Disciples should give
to each other official recognition and
regularity OF standing as ministers of
Christ. The principles and first steps
In such mutual alliance and cooperation
are simply and easily to be followed: the
details may be left for adjustment in
accordance with local conditions and
customs. in the application OF friendly
and hopeful common sense"
The signers are. for the Conservation
alists. Newman Smyth. Nehemiah Boyn-
ton, Wi!liston Walker. and for the Dis
ciples. Peter Ainslie, F. W. Burnham. I.
Spencer. j. VI. Philputt. Finis Idle
man. / n. McCash