p. 11 | Church Union and Federation

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1911

Church Union and Federation

ACCORDING to the United Presbyterian of July 6, there is very little disposition on the part of the various religious organizations to effect an organic union. Negotiations have been carried on for some time between the principal Methodist churches, also some of the different branches of the Presbyterian Church; but these negotiations have received a check, and “apparently the tide is set backward, although the bodies are so nearly alike.” However, “the trend everywhere appears to be toward federation.” The very spirit of church federation is a selfish one. It is contrary to the spirit of the free and open gospel. That it will succeed in the end, we have but little doubt. Its success will be accomplished on the same basis as the other great federations in the world. But this sort of union will not work for the betterment of the world or for the advancement of the gospel. In its federated capacity the great Christian church will turn its back upon the truth of God, set up a false standard of religious requirement, and compel its observance. Religion will be enforced by the law, and the principles of the church in the fourth century will again be put in operation. All this, according to the prophecy of Revelation 13 and other scriptures, will result from the present agitation of church federation. The only true federation and union which the church of God should know is that which has as a basis the spirit and power of the Lord Jesus.