Evening star., 1928-05-02
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
UNION SEEN REMOTE
Methodist Bishops Report on
Prohibition, Divorce and
Companionate Marriage.
By the Associated Press,

by the AssOc8ateu ffesS,
KANSAS CITY. May 2.-PosSibility
of a world union of Christian churches
is remote and beyond consideration at
present, the board Of bishops reported
today to the quadrennial general con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church here.
The matter OF Christian unity drew
earnest attention from, the bishops, who
in their episcopal address also conSid-
cred such controversial issues as pro-
hibition, divorce. companionate mar
riage. racy literature and dramatics,
the younger generation. war and peace
fundamentaliSm
The address, keynote speech of the
conference. lasting until May 20. was
the bishops four-year report to the
Is. .000. 900 disciples Of Methodism and
practically their last appearance before
the convention. they being without voice
or vote in floor discussions, II was pre-
pared by Bishop Luther d. Wilson of
New York and concurred in by the 4S
other bishops,
Catholic Union Barred.
Taking up the proposed union OF
Catholic and Protestant churches. the
bishops reported the door was closed,
because the recent encyclical of the
Roman pontiff repeats and elaborateS
the contention that the union OF Chris
tendon demands, as an unconditional
requirement. the acceptance OF papal
primacy and subscription TO Roman
Catholic dogma"
Furthermore, little hope of ProteS-
tant union was seen, because I'VE find
ourselves face to face with the overtureS
of the Anglican Church and We are em-
barrassed by the fact that In the Lam
beth proposal, the basis of unity, some
times modified in respect to other condt-
tions always involves acceptance OF the
historic episcopate as held by the
Church Of England,
ut must also be said that the recent
discussion OF the Anglican Prayer BOOK
revision, with the sharply defined cleaV-
age revealed by the action OF the Eng
lish House OF Commons, must inevitably
strengthen opposition to organic union
on the conditions indicated IN the
Anglican overture" the bishops con-
cluded
Regretting that no progress looking
toward the union OF the uniication or
the Methodist Episcopal Church and the
Methodist Episcopal Church South
could be reported. the board observed;
we would be untrue to ourselves II We
did lot confess our yearning Tor the
reunion of Episcopal MethodtSm' since
1914 divided"
Prohibition Il Discussed.
Discussing prohibition, the bishops re.
norted We are in an hour as critical
as any 10 which we have ever come,
The eighteenth amendment has peen
written into our Constitution, and there
1t will doubtless remain, we
have learned by experience, however,
that where customs Of long standing are
affected by law constitutional or Statu.
tory especially where there - involved
the question OF political power, CONNER
cial gain or personal restraint, the WRIT
ten law In not automatically effective.
THE time has come for us To submit
10 the closest scrutiny our whole plan
of action, and perhaps to Substitute new
methods for old, The argument Tor the
retention of the old ON the ground of
past efficiency Is not conclusive, 80 iaf
g. methods o., we must be READY LoE
reasonable change. 80 far as objective
IN concerned We are unaltefahly nNed,
Easy divorce and speedy remarrlase, |
which. has upon the community the
denorallalng effect OF authorized marls |
tai exchange" was deplored, as was
also the recent food Ut suggestions |
looking toward easter and more eona |
venlent methods Of divorce, Involving |
such nrenuptlAl agreements as appear |
to anticipate the dissolution OF the e. /
latlonshlps that seems Ia be the thought |
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