p. 7 | L. A. S by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1905

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

IN a scheme of “practical church federation,” which has for some time been in force in Maine under the direction of the Interdenominational Commission of that State, are the following agreements, among others, by which federation is carried into effect:—

No community, in which any denomination has any legitimate claim, should be entered by any other denomination through its official agencies without conference with the denomination or denominations having said claims.

In case one denomination begins gospel work in a destitute community, it should be left to develop that work without other denominational interference.

No one will deny the benefit to a community of the elimination of denominational discord and rivalry, and the union of religious forces to advance the work of the church; but how much opportunity does such a plan of federation leave for the proclamation of a new message of divine truth, outside of the work of the older and more popular denominations? How far could the proclamation of the third angel’s message go under an agreement by which its adherents would be shut out from any place in which another denomination had previously become established? It will be seen that this federation of the churches makes no provision at all for such a work as believers in the great reform message of present truth are carrying forward in the earth. Its whole power will be in opposition to such an enterprise.

This scheme of church federation is outlined by Professor Anthony, of Cobb Divinity School, in a leading New York journal, the editor of which says that its “success in Maine is an encouragement to the meeting in this city [New York] next November of an inter-church conference for a national federation.”