The daily sentinel., 1914-05-21

The two articles that have appear
ed recently decrying church fedora
tion have both been prompted by ut
ter: misconceptions of the method and
object of the modern federation
movement. The Rev. r. G. Lane sets
up a straw man which he labels
church union" and then proceeds to
demolish him, chiefly on the ground
OF the alleged compromise of relig-
ious convictions such a step would in
volve; and "A Church Man" In the
morning paper. who evidently does
not so to church often enough to
even catch the drift OF the message
from the modern pulpit, makes. the
astonishing assertion that the only
argument for federation is that OF
lcurtailing expenses.
Ii seems rather strange that those
who stand before the community as
religious leaders would not take the
trouble to inform themselves on so
vital subject as church federation
before rushing into print against st.
Church federation is not church
union, though it is certainly step
in that direction. In dozens OF COM
munities throughout our country,
churches have federated in the past
few years: 30 that the thing that we
are discussing here today is not
mere theory. but has proven its
worth in actual practice. Federation
means cooperation In the broadcast
sense. 1t involves no compromise OF
creed nor of conscious beyond the
mere recognition of the Christian
status of all the church mem bers
uniting in the local movement. For
most of us this would be no great
sacrifice. but rather a glad acknowl-
edgment of our common fellowship in
the great Church Universal. Howev-
er, IL one feels that only the mem bers
of his particular sect are to be num-
bered among the "regenerate," even
this small concession could hardly be
expected.
A federated church is exactly what
the name implies. a federation of two
or more local denominational bodies
in order more effectively to serve the
community in which they are located
Neither body needs to sacrifice its
identity nor its corporate organiza-
| ton. and it may withdraw upon due
notice to the federation. There is
usually a Joint board of control rep
resenting the various churches that
looks after the matters OF common in
terest to all, such as the employing
OF a minister and the raising OF the
joint budget. Members are received
into whichever OF the participating
denominations they wish to join, and
according to the rites OF that partic-
ular body. While the local budget
is Joint affair, members OF the va
rious denominations contribute to
hAt .faa aA.xx
work. and send representatives to
their denominational conventions
Much of the success OF such a move
ment depends on the selection OF a
minister broad enough to proclaim
the great essential principles OF
Christianity that all Christians rec-
ognize. and to put the soft pedal on
the minor points of differences. Usu-
ally the churches of q town are able
to work together for month or two
at a time in the great union revival
meetings that are so fruitful of con-
versions and of general uplift to the
community. Thoughtless people At
tribute these great ingatherines to
the magnetism of the evangelist; but
far more often they are the result Of
the united efforts and prayers OF oil
OF Gods people, and! Of the atmos-
phere Of unselfish devotion which Is
generated when all the churches work
together for q common object
The federated church would make
use of this spirit Of unity, and seek
to serve the community In practical
ways that are, now impossible when
each OF number of churches have
all or more than they can DO TO bare
ly pay their necessary running ex-
penses- This 10 not . money-savine
scheme. The churches Hov are like
engin0 that caA only generate
enough power 70 propsi themselves.
but are falling to pull the load, which
is the only Grouse for having a.
engine.
Says A. w. Anthony Of the Esdeysi
Council OF Churches:
The little church must seyvs
others. or suffer condemn alton At the
bar OF common opinion. But how
can 1t serve others.' soms one asks.
when 1t cannot even take care Of
itself?' 1t must fsderats. IL the
answer; It must combine and co-op-
crate with others tor the expression
OF that life which may not otherwise
be possible. That 10 not church
which merely has nams and an or
HithiA y OhD&GI 8k9Q 0Ql-
flee: 1t must have the marks OF dis
cipleship and ministry. II must look
up unto Jesus as ita ideal for comprs-
hension and Imitation. 1t must look
unto men and so love the world OF
mon. irrespective Of race, place or
station. 30 az To seeR their welfare
and evanselization."
This. then rs the ideal Of those who
have been prom offpR the church fad
Grafton plan in Grand Junction. We
have stu lied the town and have seen
with aching hearts the great mass of
our people unreached BY religious in
.luencef. We have seen our young
paople who throns the streets at
night ana crowd the places of cheap
amusement, but are never found
within the churches. and we havo
wondered what is to be their future
ard the future Of our land when such
as they dictate ite policies. When
our Master looked out upon tho null
ti,uies, He was moved with com