New Britain herald., 1918-01-28

1l11el0l4191119s t0O. DO you not recall tiiH appeal for Christian Unity sent out by the representation of every prominent Protestant sect, in q convention held the first week of this month in the city of New Haven? Congregational ist and Methodist, Baptist and Presby- tertan, Episcopalian and Lutheran, all these sects, represented by their most prominent ministery admitted that discussion in religion was not only de- structive to the spirit of Christianity but it was also opposed to the very wishes of Jesus Christ Himself. "A di' vided church cannot stand Further more they claimed that the different sects were in no position to cope with the great problems arising from the world war. Differing as they do in doctrine how could they minister il, a practical way to the spiritual needs of the soldiers? How could they pre- pare the soldier menaced on all sides with death, to meet his God? How, in 8 word, could they reconcile him with that God at that supreme mom~ ent of his earthly existence?
 The remedy they offer is indeed the key to the situation, vix: Unity one Christian religion. But the man. ner of carrying this out in a practical way-ah, there is where no practical solution of the difficulty is offered Tt is sufficient for us to know that the leaders of Professionalism have been honest enough. and outspoken enough to admit it's failure at least now, and demand that Christianity should unite once again and present solid front against the forces, evil and destruction. How can this be done? Is there any practical way to bring this about? When this nation was torn asunder by disunion in the dark and dreary days of the Civil war. when the south would set up a separ ate government. or state and when men of the north and south took up arms in defending their political ideals and beliefs, how was peace, how was Unity brought about?
 When our crrirg brothers of the south laid down their arms and re- turned to the political unity they tric,: to destroy, they bowed in submission to the political authority emanatins from Washington. Is not the parallel similar when we consider the history of the Christian church? For 16n0 years at least, as far as Europe was concerned, it was the only church in existence, the church founded by Jesus Christ and governed by the Apostles and their successors, the bishops and priests of that church. 'In the sixteenth century a rest less turbulent character, a religious anarchist by nature, Martin Luther. lead a rebiIlon against the authory of the one and only Christian church. This religious rebellion spread from Germany to England to Holland to Denmark to Norway and Sweden un- til millions of her spiritual subjects seceeded from the church.
 'The magnificent Unity which was before that time the distinguishing mark of the church was destroyed; the seamless garment of Unity with which Christ wrapped his church around was rent in twain: his prayer to his Eternal Father for Unity amongst his followers seemed in vain. For nearly 400 years this disunion of Christianity nas spread from bad to worse, the gap seems to be ever wid- ening: bitter feeling and sectarian strife has kept the Christian world in continual turmoil.
 'The mother church has been wear ing the som ber garb of mourning ever since her erring children left her to follow fake prophets. She has been
 
 calling to them to come back and like the Good Father in the Gospel. she has received with open arms many prodigal son back to the fold.
 "Perhaps the time is ripe for relig- ious peace; perhaps our brethren of good will, wand ering for so many centuries in the desert of Protestant ism are eager to return to the one fold: perhaps the authority which has resided in Rome for the last 2,000 years from Peter to Benedict is again appealing to the honest Christian with irresistible attraction Is not a return to the mother church, to the church which traces her origin to the Apostles and to Jesus Christ Himself, is not that a logical and practical sol
 1tion of the difficulty?
 'At least for Americans subjects of the greater democracy of all time. we cannot afford to take either our poli- tics or our religion from the other side least of all made in Germany