The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-02-04

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life that are just about as anachronis-
tic. Having their roots in history they
are as understandable as the occa'
sional hitching post one sees in 1.-THE OIL
der sections of a modern city.
For four centuries Professionalism
was flying to pieces Migrants to Amer
lea brought their cultures with them
and their differing religion. Church
differences were, in part, nationalis-
tic; in part, linguistic; in part, theo-
logical or ecclesiastical episcopal
presbyterial, congregational in the
generic sense of these terms. By and
large, American organized religion has
simply reduplicated that Of Europe
with all the older cleavages. For ex-
ample, there are wide differences be-
tween Polish and Italian Catholicism.
Likewise there have been churches in
fluenced by Calvin whether, with Mr.
Mencken, one regards that as bale
full blight; or, with an increasing num-
Der of -Calvinists, one richards it as
historically Fortunately, by Wesley, and
by others of the founding fathers.
Adjusted To External Novelty
But times have changed. New occa-
sions still teach new duties. The
church has always been prone, as a
conserving institution, to adjust its
life to external novelty. In the long
run this is probably good thing. In
the short run it is sometimes a bit
unfortunate. It is fatal to the inter
ests of genuine religion if it's institu-
tions are too brittle to bend. When the
tempest blows it is the willow that
can "take it."
THE heart of the ministry of the
church is in the local parish. Moth
ing quite takes the place Of visitation
of the sick and the shut-in, the pres
tence of members of the fellowship
a(clerical and lay) at the great festival
occasions of birth, marriage and death.
When a baby is born, or a couple is
married, or a loved one dies, all les
ser values (like business profits, pro-
fessional status, routine Office hours)
just naturally give way. Society is still
made up of individuals, and one is
grateful that the good Lord has placed
the solitary in families. Home and
church are still very close together.
Formula Of Concord Needed
Nevertheless merely parochial re-
ligion defeats itself. If for no other
reason, because a world that persists
in dropping bombs ON parish
churches, gives institutional religion
very little chance to survive. And when
the churches begin to tackle the great
problems of modern Gfe-war and
hate and greed, in the grimness of
their economic, racial and economic
vastness, even the denominations that
number millions of communicates are
a bit inadequate for such unequal
strife. If organized religion intends
to do business on this planet, it must
find some formula of concord, if not
of union.
1t is precisely this that is happening.
Two approaches are being made
within planetary Professionalism. One
of these is the struggle to find some
agreement as to faith and order.
This is a slow process. Some think it
can never succeed. Some frankly don't
want it to succeed. Some think that
nothing short of this is desirable.
There are immense difficulties in the
way. AS yet the one thing that church
men of different communions cannot
do on a world scale is to partake of
the sacrament together.
Outlines Easier Approach
A second and somewhat easier ap-
proach is along the lines Of life and
work. Here the cooperators frankly
admit that on many matters they pro-
pose to think differently, worship diff
ferently, organize their work differ
emily. Some ministers will pray fac
ing the altar, some facing the congre-
cation. Some churches will admins
ter the sacrament by clerical hands
only, some, will encourage laymen to
distribute the elements. Some will ad-
init women to the highest offices,
some will exclude them even from the
governing bodies of the local church
Some will sing, some will observe the
sacrament of silence. Some will be
correctional, some will observe the
autonomy of each congregation. Some
will be dogmatic, some will be prag-
matte. Yet all Of them will tackle
certain tasks together.
For example, all will feel an intense
sense of humiliation that holy matri-
nony, as it is called, should be sc
unholy rite as is actually performed
in certain Maryland Gretna Greens
They will feel that, with or without
ecclesiastical commitments, here is ar
issue where unitedly the lovers of de-
ency can cooperate with the body
olitic on behalf of the bodies eccle.
astic for the good of the homes that
re to he. and for the sake Of the good