THE FEDERATION OF THE CHURCHES
By L. A. R.
Does It Savor of a Political Machine? or Is It a Power for Righteousness? AMONG some of the churches of to-day there is a sentiment in favor of church federation. One argument in favor of this federating of the churches is the proposition that it will conduce to church unity. But federation is not necessarily unity. In the San Francisco Chronicle of November 17 was published the following news item: "Urging the abolition of separate denominations in the church, and the consolidation of all places of worship, with one governing head, Rev. William Kirk Guthrie spoke yesterday morning at the First Presbyterian Church, Van Ness Avenue and Sacramento Street. "Dr. Guthrie said the various denominations were practically a thing of the past, and that they were only kept alive through their missions, the rules of which have been framed by shrewd lawyers, whose power seems to be greater than that of God. "If the ministers would get together and find their real duty," he said, "they would run their churches under one government, with Jesus Christ at the head. Every pulpit should be instructed to preach the same sermon, so that every person attending church in a city could be enlightened on a common head. Such an organization would rapidly make the church a great power in affairs, rather than separate bodies of individuals working against one another." Dr. Guthrie's statement that the various denominations are practically a thing of the past, meaning, we suppose, that the differences in many of the denominations are inconsequential, is quite correct. And this is not because the churches have drawn together, but because the churches have to a very large extent turned away from Bible doctrines altogether. It makes little difference, any more, what doctrines one believes or does not believe, provided he lives a respectable life and puts his sympathy with the church. On this account, there is no reason why doctrines should be a wall of separation, since they are considered so lightly. If shrewd lawyers are the cause of the permanency of denominations to-day, it would seem that Dr. Guthrie's real source of unity is to be the getting together of ministers, so that the federation of the churches by this means would be as much man-made as their separation now is man-made. SAVORS OF POLITICAL MANIPULATION
There are many who see the inadvisability of church federation. It savors of political manipulation in order to give a body strength to a work that is fast becoming almost worthless as an influence in the world. There will be church federation, and federation of the nations, until the whole world stands together for certain purposes which it desires to secure. But every work that is not founded upon the solid principles of righteousness, and is not united in the great oneness of Christ's life and teachings, is opposed to the purpose of God. To anything else the admonition of the prophet of old is forceful and pertinent: "Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples." Isa. 8: 12-16.
L. A. R.