Evening star., 1939-03-17
Concordut Of Churches
Is Declared Feasible
Aims Of Proposed Episcopal
And Presbyterian Merger
Are Discussed


And Presbyterian Merger
Are Discussed
To the Editor Of The Star:
Now that Methodism has achieved
unification, a fresh impetus has been
given to the whole subject Of church
unity, and one of the most interesting
actions so far taken is the proposed
concordat between the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America
and the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States of America"
Those who are interested in the re-
capturing of "the seamless robe of
Christ" which an undivided church has
frequently been called, will find signifi-
canoe in this proposed concordat. The
immediate purpose is to provide means
by which the Presbyterians and Epis-
copalians, wherever it seems locally de-
sirable, may assume pastoral charge of
the members of either church and offer
them the privilege of the holy COM
munion, thus establishing one congrega-
ton. There was an initial step in this
direction at the general convention of
the Protestant Episcopal Church meet
ing in Cincinnati in October, 1887, and
in the general assembly of the Presby-
terian Church meeting in Philadelphia,
May, 1888. A preliminary declaration
was agreed upon, which reads:
THE two churches, one in the faith
of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate
Word of God, recognizing the Holy
Scriptures as the supreme rule of faith,
accepting the two sacraments ordained
by Christ, and believing that the visible
unity of Christ's church is the will of
God, hereby solemnly declare their pur-
pose to achieve organic union"
Wherever under this agreement, when
it is consummated, the minister of one
church has been commissioned in the
other, he shall continue to be amenable
to discipline in his own church, but he
shall be expected to report regularly to
the bishop or presbytery, as the case
may be, concerning the others COM
municants committed to his charge.
Such an exchange of functions would
OF course, be safeguarded by proper pro-
visions pending the achievement of or
ganic unity and are termed as arrange
ments ad interim"
In all negotiations and discussions
tending toward this proposed unity sew
eral fundamental convictions were found
to coincide in both communions, among
which probably the more important are:
First, that Jesus Christ is Himself the
gospel.
Second, the recognition of two sacra-
ments Baptism and the Lords Supper,
as instituted by Christ Himself.
Third, that the ministry is the gift Of
the Lord to the church, and that, in
accordance with His purpose, it is min
lstry not OF any section of the church,
but Of the church universal, and that
the minister is called" to his Office,
although admission to it is through
prayer, the layings on of hands by au-
thorized persons in the church, and
faith that God bestoWs enabling grace
on those whom He has called to this
Office of the ministry.
There seemed to be no disagreement
at all about the church being of divine
origin instead of an institution con-
ceived in the will of man, or that the
Holy Spirit is the sustaining power and
life of the church, and there was very
earnest admission in both conventions
that there is IAN obligation to seek and
promote the visible unity of the church
wherever the pure Word of God Is
preached and the sacraments are duly
administered according to Christ's ap-
pointment" Also, it was agreed that
the church manifests its continuity from
age to age regardless of varying forms
of devotion, service and thought.
Naturally, there was a proposal that
in order to foster the spirit of mutual
understanding and sympathy between
the churches, their clergy and candidates
for the ministry and their laity should
be encouraged to seek opportunities of
forming better acquaintance with each
other, of studying in either communion
the history and the vows of the other,
but especially in theological seminaries
and in the exchange of professors and in
cooperative public services.
The divisions between various Chris
tian bodies are apparently very great
but perhaps only apparently" Many
OF these differences are about mere words
which have been loaded with emotional
prejudice, and few ministers could be
found today who would not instantly
agree that the church, in its inclusive
sense, offers the only solution to mans
tragic problems in the world today.
DEAN RAIMUNDO DE OWES,
Atlanta, Ga.
March II.