Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-25

responsible way, by helping to sup
port academies, colleges, theological
schools and seminaries; (6) 1t carries
on no Home Mission work for the
immigrants, the Indians, the Negroes,
or for the pioneer and needy settle
ments of the country; CD it has no
wide vision of world tasks and the ex
tension of the Kingdom of Christ
amongst all nations; go ordinarily
it lacks an adequate system of truth;
many denomnational churches may
fail to receive instruction of any large
and comprehensive character. but the
church necessarily fails of it; and
(9) in experience the union church has
proven to be, unfortunately too many
times, a church of discord and dis
sention. These are serious charges
and so nearly true are they that we'll
wisl1ers of a community no longer ad-
wise the establishment of union
church; but seek rather the forma-
ton of UNCONVENTIONAL churches.
THE plan of reciprocal exchanges
between denominations, in accordance
with which one denomination relin-
quishes to another it's church inter
ests in a given community, and looks
for compensation of similar charac-
ter from the other denomination in
another place has spread throughout .
our country. This plan honors the
denominational church. This plan re-
lieves the denominational agents of the :
embarrassment of reporting dimin-
ishing constituency. and also brings
into the local community the sense of :
fairness and justice which goes far In
helping people TO make necessary sur
renders and sacrifices in uniting for
the support of the denominational
church.
THE the denominational church can
adequately meet the religious needs or
a community in which people of
variety of religious convictions wor-
ship, becomes apparent from consid-
erations like the following: +,
Il The real social functions of
church are common to all denomina-
tions. They are these: Cd The f.
church is a social center of acquaint-
ance and friendship, where the human
touch prevails; CD 1t is great eou-
cational institution in which the proc
lamation of truth, the explanation OF
principles of life, and the ineuleatioh
of personal duties are constant thehes'
(3) il is q place of worship, where the
deepest and most profound emotions
are stirred in the sense of awe, ana III
expressions of alteration ana praise
and (l il is the means OF ministry
and service in the community, the
place where Christians combine III
united good and good deeds. These
several functions are the common
functions of all churches, OF whatever
ina these DNFDOSeS
men can belong to any church.
% The causes which seem to keep
men apart in different churches appear
fundamental in character at first sight:
but they are not so far-reaehfng as they,
at first appear. They are ID differences
in temperament, and by temperament We
mean those qualities of mind and heart
with which we are born but these under
go changes in process of time: ca differ
ences in tastes, and by tastes We mean of
course the results of cultivation, educa-
ton and habits; all of these inasmuch
as they have grown are capable of alter
alton; (3) differences in opinions, shading
off into convictions. doctrines and creeds;
all of these at bottom, and at best, are
but opinions, interpretations of Scripture
and of revelation in all its forms: and
these, too. If vital, are subject to change:
and tD our personal pride, for at root
that tenacity with which we hold to our
sect, to our traditions, to our places and
our positions, is but that self-complacen-
cy and self-assurance wnich we call
pride. These four distinctions which
keep us apart may be in a good measure
allowed. Men can worship together and
work together, and be members of one
church. even though they have difference
in temperaments. have cultivated differ
ent tastes, and entertain widely differing
opinions. Indeed, within a single denom-
ination, or within a single church there.
are as great. II not greater, differences
of opinion as exist between the central
convictions of denominations themselves.
Between individuals in one denomination
there is as wide a space as there ever has
been between denominations. We have
learned that we do not need to be alike in
order to be in one church. 1t is the very
essence of Professionalism, alas not always
consistently acknowledged! to allow va
riety in the right of private judgment,
and not require conformity to any stand
ard outside of the individuals conscience.
"3 There is also a great law of assim-
ilation, operating within the membership
of single church as it operates in ma
tions states and communities. Men who
dwell together tend to take on common
characteristics, to think alike. express
themselves alike. and enjoy common ex-.
periences. In the little community, a
community consciousness develops and
the Community church. IL in the midst of
patient forbearance. will at length bear
the imprint of this community of interest.
There is no injustice done to men in ask
ing them to unite in the things most holy
and sacred, concerning which in times
past they thought they must stand apart.
"These convictions are great funda-
mental currents today in our national
life. rarely expressed in language. often
times unfelt, but nevertheless the cur
rents which are moving men onward into
closer cooperation and more formal.
compact combinations.
Recommendations: There is to be he'd
in Boston a County Church Conference
on March 4, to be followed on March
by a Conference of the Church Fedora
tions of New England. ] recommend that
three delegates from our commission be