The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-09-03

IT seems 10 De lllHC Vi changes
among the religious workers of our
city and region. The popular pastor
of the Presbyterian church with his
helpful wife are leaving; both have
made for themselves large place in
the city's life.
Now two of the city churches are
pastorless and rumors are afloat that
there may be federation among the
churches; if one can judge at all from
public talk the time is ripe for trial
of some such plan; it would seem
natural thing for the Baptists and the
Disciples to worship and work to-
gether, as they have so much in COM
mon in their beliefs and practice;
while the Presbyterians and Method
lists practically hold the same beliefs
and administer the ordinances either
and all ways.
Our city has long enjoyed the re-
putation for a spirit of fraternity
among the churches, and some at
tempt at practical solution of the
problem would be welcomed by many,
who also think there would be no loss
of spiritual power, but perhaps an in
crease of it.
A year or two ago we got an obser-
walton regarding what is being done
along such lines in Marion, Kansas;
how we'll the plan has worked we do
not know. But in the state of Maine
movements of the kind have been in
practice for several years; and many
communities which had been trying
to support two or more small churches
for many years have been persuaded
to unite in one congregation for wor-
ship and religious effort. Not long
ago l had letter from Prof. Anthony
of Bates College, which was founded
by the Free-Will Baptists, who have
recently united with what are some
times called "the regular Baptists,"
who has for many years been leader
in the federation movement among
the Maine churches And the facts
which the Professor submitted to me
show that large and most satisfactory
results have come from the attempts
in that state. A spirit of unity is in
the air, and it has not been found very
hard to secure results; the beginning
was small and the progress slow; and
in some cases no favorable action
could be secured for several years;
but the religious leaders in all demo-
limitations have favored the plan which
seems so eminently Christian; and
the outcome in many places has been
highly satisfactory.
About forty years ago all the Pres
byterian bodies in Canada united
organically, not simply federation;
most of them had brought their diff
ferences across the Atlantic from
Scotland, where it had almost seemed
to be as natural as native breath to
divide in church matters; but when
the Scotch Presbyterians began to re-
unite the Canadian Presbyterians
quickly caught the spirit and outstrip-
ped the home land in that race; they
were essentially one in doctrinal be-
liefs, and in the matter of non-es-
sentials they determined on large
spirit of tolerance; for example: sew
eral branches of the Scotch church
would allow no musical instruments in
public worship, calling an organ "a
kist of whistles" and would use only
the metrical form of Paslms in sing
ing in the church. When | spent a
Sunday in Toronto and attended Old
st. Andrews church. which had been
from the old Covenantor branch of
the Scotch, | noted that the compro-
mise which had been made in the
unlOn regarding the singing showed
itself in the use of two psalms and
two modern hymns. Both parties got
that which it enjoyed, and neither was
harmed by allowing the other party to
enjoy its preference a part of the
time. That union of the Presbyterian
bodies in Canada has worked out SO
well that now a larger movement is
afoot, which includes a union of Con-
gEegationalists, Methodists and Pres
byterians, and large majority of all
three denominations have voted for
it; and it has not yet been accom-
plished because the largest denomina,
ton wished to move slowly, as some
of its congregations were not yet fav.
orable; but observers on the GROUND
say that sentiment for the union i.
growing, and that probably within the
next yean or two the result will BIZ
reached.
But there are a good many soul.
who see nothing desirable in suct
unity. | have often seen the state
ment in print that the MANY and var