AT the afternoon session, Friday, November 17, there was to be made the report of the Committee on Federation, but it was not ready. Dr. Bauslin, Lutheran, the presiding officer for the session, stated that the primary and urgent need of our country is salvation; salvation from infidelity, rationalism, expediency as morality, godless organizations, commercialism, socialism, anarchism; a salvation that is permanent and abiding. That salvation is represented in this meeting, unless a permanent salvation shall be presented to our country through the evangelical churches.
After that there was discussed the general subject "Present Practical Workings of Federation." First, by Dr. Root, Congregationalist, secretary of federation for Rhode Island. By the federation system we are enabled to state the denominational preferences of the people. It enables us to comprehend the facts, and to co-operate by and with all factors. The political organization has demonstrated its efficiency. The political manager sits up till midnight to work out the political standing of each individual in the respective wards. When have the church officials sat up till midnight to know the religious standing of each individual of the respective parishes? The results justify the effort. The secretary of a civic league says that the church should be the most potent factor in social reforms.
Dr. Anthony, Free Baptist, of Maine: Out of many preliminary efforts a central commission was organized. Its operation and effectiveness is illustrated in an instance where, because of the development of formerly unused water power, a new community sprung up with true western vigor. Should now this new community be exploited by the denominations for self-aggrandizement? The central commission decided not; but gave to our denomination exclusive privileges there; and when the need increased, the commission designated another denomination to operate with the preceding one.
Dr. Neyeman, Protestant Episcopal, secretary of federation in New York State: The first act was the rejection of the word "Evangelical" from the vocabulary of the federation. Where a local federation was unable to successfully stem the tide of Sabbath-breaking and other evils, a county federation became essential in order to bring pressure to bear upon county officials for the suppression of the evils aimed at. Like circumstances required a state federation to bring to bear the pressure of the united influence of the churches of the state. This in turn suggests and grows into a national federation; and this will logically lead to international federation. The federation, local or other, reports violation of law; and aids the authorities in the enforcement of law. Thus the church is able to show to the people that it is working as a whole for them, and not for sectarian advantage.
Dr. Laidlaw, secretary for New York City, presented a valuable report; but as it was wholly statistical, and this largely by illustrations, it is not possible to report it, apart from his manuscript and material.
New Nomenclatures Suggested.
Dr. Haven, Methodist Episcopal, secretary American Bible Society: There is something intense about ecclesiasticism. I enter a protest against the terms "interdenominational" and "undenominational." I recommend "omni-" or "circum-" or "pan-" denominational. Not to interpenetrate all, but to include all. This is illustrated in the work, the power, and the influence, of the Y. M. C. A. and the W. C. T. U. This latter organization has become as "terrible as an army with banners."
A paper from Bishop Thoburn, Methodist Episcopal, was read by Dr. North, in which the action of the nations in co-operation in China against the Boxer attack was taken as illustrating the course that should be followed by the churches in their work in foreign countries.
Dr. Rogers, Senior Presbyterian Missionary in the Philippines, gave "credit to the Catholic Church for all the good that she had done." Aguinaldo's secretary of state in public meeting announced that "we are going to organize a Methodist Church, under the auspices of the Presbyterians, with special thanks to Bishop Potter, Episcopalian;" and we found ourselves under the necessity of living up to this reputation. We have operated under the title of the "Evangelical Union." There have been some difficulties in working under this order of operation. It is found exceedingly difficult to believe, really to believe, that another order of Christianism can present the Christian religion as truly as can your own.
Rev. Dr. C. U. Wenner.
Dr. Garrett, Presbyterian, spoke of the work in Korea: In Korea there has been such a division of territory and population that the several denominations can conduct their work without overlapping. And in organizing Korean Christians it has been so done that there is but one organization, including the converts of all. This result has been reached, not because of friction, but to avoid laying upon these people the burden of differences which mean nothing to them.
Rev. Dr. John B. Devins.
Dr. Barton, Congregationalist, secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., spoke in relation to conditions in Japan: First, what has been done within related denominations? The Presbyterians of all names have organized the Union Presbyterian body. The Baptists, and the Methodists are working in the same direction. Secondly, the wider or interdenominational organizations. A hymn-book has been made for common use of all Christians in Japan. In 1901 a committee was appointed to secure an interdenominational conference; and general conferences have been held, including all, in which there was more general representation than is in this present conference on federation.
THE SEVENTH MEETING.
A United Church and the Fellowship of the Faith.
At the seventh meeting the general subject for consideration was, "A United Church and the Fellowship of the Faith." It was to have been opened with an address by Dr. Patton, Presbyterian, of Princeton Theological Seminary, on "Our Faith in a Personal God," but he did not appear; so the second thought for the evening had to come first. That was, "Our Faith in Christ—Christ the Center of Christianity." The third and fourth centuries endeavored to set forth in the terms of Greek philosophy the implications of the apostolic writings. After this, attempt was made to set forth Christ in conception of Roman law. But to-day the feeling about Christ is distinctly personal. The most striking evidence of this is a comparison of the devotional literature as compared with that of half a century ago. "If any man will do, then shall he know." First, implicit faith and obedience, then after that the formulation of the knowledge. To the first disciples the Master's simple word was the end of all question. This devotion was the spring and bond of Christian unity.
Rev. Dr. J. B. Calvert.
Dr. Willetts, Disciple, of the University of Chicago, spoke on "Our Faith in the Holy Scriptures." Christianity and the Bible go hand in hand. The Old Testament is greater than the Hebrew people. It is the product of the Spirit of God working through men. The New Testament is greater than the apostolic brotherhood; it is the product of the Spirit of God, wrought through choicest spirits. The Scriptures are the highest form of the revelation of God and of Christ. This Book belongs not to one church or creed, but to the universal church of Christ. Our faith in the Holy Scriptures rests upon their inspiration. Most "holy" books claim inspiration; the Bible manifests it. Our most imperative task is not the defense of the Scriptures, but their study. A revival of the study of the Bible is needed to-day. Our faith in the Holy Scriptures is, further, the result of our faith in Him of whom the Scriptures speak. The chief reason why the Scriptures demand the confidence of men is that they testify of Him.
A paper was to have been presented by Bishop McDowell, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was obliged to be absent, but his paper was read by another, on "Our Faith in the Holy Spirit." Such must be our faith in the Holy Spirit that we will not dare to go anywhere without Him, nor be afraid to go anywhere with Him. The Holy Spirit is the dynamic of Christianity. Our faith in Christ calls for a new faith in the Holy Spirit.
Resolutions were offered on the Bible in the Public Schools, the Christian Sabbath, College Gambling, and Week-day Religious Instruction; and were referred to the business committee.
THE EIGHTH MEETING.
Report on Federation.
In the eighth meeting the first business was the consideration of the report on federation. Bishop Foss, Methodist Episcopal, urged that this federation must be a doer of things. If it is to be a success, an epoch-making movement, it must be a "doer of the Word" in great moral and religious needs, crises and reforms.
Dr. Leonard, Methodist Episcopal: The Churches in this country are ripe for this action. We have a great many things on our hands that need attention. The churches of this country can abolish the saloons of this country. There are great questions of political reform that need the attention and action of the churches.
Bishop Whitaker, Episcopal, who was chairman of the delegation from the Episcopal Church, announced an action taken by that delegation that members of the delegation should vote only as individuals; and that in whatever they should do in the7convention, that is, he understood that their action should in nowise bind the Episcopal Church.
The chairman on the Committee on Federation announced himself very glad to state that the action of the committee was entirely unanimous. This report was accepted, ordered printed, and made the special order for Monday morning, November 20.
The Essential Unity of the Churches.
The general subject for consideration at this meeting was "The Essential Unity of the Churches." It was opened by Dr. Mauck, president of Hillsdale College, Michigan.
Dr. Coyle, Presbyterian, of Denver, Colorado: A Christianized America, a Christianized Europe, a Christianized world; be this our aim. Monotony is not unity. We are not to imagine all our church work to be alike. Never was the church so corrupt as when there was this monotony of form. That men subscribe to the same formula of belief is not proof of unity, or of purity. If history proves anything, it is that when there was absolute uniformity of creed and church order, the church was putrescent with corruption.
Dr. Johnson, Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, New York City: What is meant by the phrase, the "Unity of Believers"? Unity by absorption is utterly impossible. I am persuaded that there is essential unity on what unity is not. Unity of believers, then, means only the unity of spirit and purpose. New conditions of spiritual and civic need have compelled us to recognize that we must stand together or perish apart.
Dr. Tagg, president of the General Conference Methodist Protestant Church: All the denominations unite on the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Prodigal Son, the Thirteenth Chapter of First Corinthians. Christ did not call men to any formulation of doctrine; He called them to Himself. The only way to nearness to one another is nearness to Him. He never sent His disciples to preach in any denominational name, but in His name only. The only means of true unity is unity of life; and this life is only in Him. The time is forever passed for making creeds. Let all recognize that the time now is only for the making of Christians.
Dr. Spreng, Evangelical: Where there is life it manifests itself. When, in the Reformation period, Christians swung away from the automatic machinery of the Papacy, they obeyed only the fundamental law of life. Life is ever manifest in unity, but not necessarily, if at all, in uniformity. That there are evils connected with the many divisions of Christians, must be acknowledged; but underneath all this must be recognized the law of life protesting against human pressure to formal uniformity. And the Author and Fountain of life—God in Christ—is the Guide of the life of all. Thus we are all one in Christ Jesus. This conference has not come together to unite us; but because we are united. We have found that we can do most when we work together. The protection of the family, the observance of the Sabbath, the abolition of the liquor traffic, the reformatory work for civic righteousness, are not denominational but universal questions.
Josiah Strong: There has been already a proper recognition of the prefix "pan"—Pan-Presbyterian, Pan-Anglican, pan-denominational, etc., etc. And let us all hope that soon there will be a "pan" large enough to hold us all indeed. In the absence of infallible test, there are three tests of character that may be guides to oneness: (1) Those who believe as we believe. (2) Common feelings. "We may not all think alike; but may we not all love alike?" (3) The will, of oneness of purpose of him who does the will—obedience. Here, then, is the true basis of oneness, "Whosoever doeth the will of the Father is My brother." And whosoever is Christ's brother is my brother. We can not exclude any such. I foresee the time when the churches of the city shall become the church of the city, and then will the city become the city of the New Jerusalem.
Bishop Goodsell, Methodist Episcopal, delivered an apostrophe to unity, with the single meaningful sentence, in this connection: "A church of many votes is sure of respectful interest."
