The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-10-20
CONGREGATIONAL
 AND EPISCOPAL
 UNION IS FORMED
Matter to Be Discussed This Week at New England
 Gathering at New Haven

of the sessions of the National Coun- ciI of Congregational Churches in New Haven, Oct 2O-2T, there has beeo made public here some interesting correspondence bearing the unity of the Protestant Episcopal and Con- gregational churches.
 It appears from the reports of the Commission Comity, Federation and Unity, in which the correspon- dence is contained, that the pastors of the Congregational and Episcopal churches at Lenox, Mass, have set forth a concrete case of mutual de- sire for closer relationship between the two congregations in Lenox, and the attention which the Commission gives to this particular case indicates that it will have a most important bearing on the general movement for Christian unity.
 It is announced also in the report that a call has been issued for a pre- Hminary conference of representatives of the churches of North America, to be held next January, as a pre1innin- ary, to the converting of the Worlds Conference, which was to have been held at this time, but which, on ac- count of the war, has been postponed. The war, in fact, says the Commis- sion, has rendered it all the more i'm perative that a general assembly of the representatives of the churches from all lands should be called to- gether as soon as possible after the war ends.
 Speaking of the case that has de- ve1oped at Lenox. the repor% says:
 There has been presented to the committee a request for conference concerning certain proposals for CO., operation in work and service by Congregational and Episcopal clergyman in Lenox, Mass. It is typical of conditions which in many other localities are waiting for solu- ton. It forces directly upon us the open shame and sin of the continu- ance of the inherited schism between the Episcopal and non-Episcopal clergy and churches.
 Until these unhappy divisions shall be confessed and healed the American churches cannot confront the world in the full power of, the love of God"
 The proposal which the committee received from Lenox read, in part, as follows:
 We. the undersigned, Rev. Arthur J. Gammack, rector of Trinity church, and Rev. Leon D. Bliss, pastor of the Congregational church, Lenox, Mass, co-joint1y lay before you the follow ing statements and respectfully ask your counsel and advice.
 '.In this town there have existed since the eighteenth century the Con- gregational Church and the Episcopal Church. Each has an Honorable his tory and each meets a present need.
 Between us, the pastors of these church, there exists the most cordial friendship. We have deliberately and constantly endeavored to Cooperate ! for the moral and religious welfare of l this community. Without disloya1ty to our respective theological stan dards we fail to find essential diff ferences in our be1iefNand teaching of the Christian faith We believe that our Congregations generally share our ! feelings. both of cordial good will and l>of regret for the obvious waste of means and effort and. more than all else dep1ore with us the reproach which falls upon the cause of Jesus Christ through the unhappy divisions of His Church.
 We believe that they are ready to follow our leadership into closer rela- l tions. We believe that the union of 1 our people for Christian work and worship, if it can be done consistent l Iy within the laws of the communion which we represent, would accom- plish much more than the sum. of their present beliefs. Each of these churches has undoubtedly a noble ser l vice to render but, by working to- ] gether in all ways possible, each would strengthen and. encourage the l other and together they could accom- ] plish much that is now impossible. I've do not favor any scheme which would involve the absorption of one congregation by the other. Each | church, we believe, should preserve it's autonomy and continue to meet its own obligations
 The things in which union of the Lenox churches is suggested by the l two c1ergymen include the holding of union services throughout the winter, when this summer reSort has it's | smallest population, the murging of the Episcopal Mems Club and the Con- l gregational Brotherhood, the combin- ing of Sunday schools. Bible and Mis- sion classes, the combining of choirs, and union services throughout the year on Sunday evenings.
 l The proposal of the Lenox clergy men was sent both to the Congrega- l tional Committee. and to Dr. Thomas F. Davies, the Episcopal Bishop of l Western Massa achusetts, who respond ed cordially to the effect that if the 1 Commission on Faith and Order to l the Episcopal Church would discuss the proposals, he would be happy to l have them do so. In addition he in- Wi1lston Walker of the Congregation ] al Committee to discuss the matter l with him at a conference.
 The result was that the Congrega- tional Committee has srecommended ed l sympathetic official consideration ot 1 the Lenox proposals, and the Epis- l copaI Commission on Christian Unity l has also taken the idea under con- | sideration for report to the General 1 Convention of the Episcopal Church l next year, and during the winter it is | proposed the two Commissions shall hold conferences.