"THE INTER-CHURCH CONFERENCE ON FEDERATION"
By Alonzo T. Jones
Young People's Societies.
SUNDAY afternoon, November 19, a service was held by the young people's societies of the denominations. The Presiding Officer: It is fitting that, at the very center of this large conference in the interests of Christianity, a place should be given to the organized youth. While much has been said about this unity, the young people have been demonstrating Christian unity. This is being done by accentuating the things in which we all agree, and putting in the background the things that are secondary, or perhaps only incidental; and by the federation of college societies. Had you thought that among the college students of to-day are those who are to be the future ministers? These will be working together as students for at least seven years. And can it be supposed that they will cease or fail to work together when they become ministers in active service? President Wilson, of Princeton University, spoke on "The Mediation of Youth in Christian Progress." It is said that there are only two classes of people who are qualified to teach—those who are young, and those who never grow old. Progress never consists of radical changes. Progress consists in those modifications that spring from the general desires and needs of society. We live in proportion as we see visions. The key to all the endeavors of young people is order, devotion. And the only sentiment, the only order, that drives men in the true direction, and the right way, is love. There is no more vitality in one denomination than in another if both are equally in direct contact with Christ. This great momentum that is to be translated to the church by the young people is the same grand old foundation—Christ, His life, His love; His power. Mr. Robert E. Spear, member of the Presbyterian Board for Missions, spoke on "The Basis of Unity in the Young People's Movement." The atmosphere in which we [young people] are accustomed to move is decidedly inhospitable to division; to even the divisions that were perfectly familiar to our fathers and mothers. It would be only displeasing to us, for any one to even mention any of the doctrinal or denominational lines that are hidden among us. We are one in Christ and in His service. You might wipe off the whole mission force in foreign fields to-day, and we would replace it wholly within a year. We are one now as much as we ever can be in our estimate of Christian character and Christian service. The other day I heard from this platform a speaker telling of the many things from which this land needs salvation; and I thought that I could state it all in a single monosyllable: This land needs salvation from just one thing—sin. The world needs salvation from just one thing—sin. You show the young people of this day something that needs to be done, and you will find the ones to do it. We are at one on the things that are fundamental. We are one in the one thing that Christ is Report on Federation Continued.
Dr. Niccolls, Presbyterian, objected to the form as presented that it was too colorless. The banner lifted over us must be specific and definite. Our banner in this movement must bear the inscription of Christ and His cross. When we unite in this, then the result shall be that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. The chairman of the committee declared that every member of that great business committee believes uncompromisingly in the Deity of Jesus Christ. Dr. Niccolls moved an amendment to insert before the words "Lord and Saviour" the word "divine." Carried, but with some negative votes. In sub-section 2 of number 3 the word "harmonious" was changed to "united." The question raised was really whether or not local councils should have representation in the national council, or whether the national council should be confined to representation from the denominations only. Rhode Island declared that if the national was to include the local councils instead of leaving them free to conduct their own affairs, then Rhode Island would not join the national at all. The motion to strike out was lost, and Article 5 was adopted as originally proposed. [The report will be given later]. The general subject for consideration this hour was "What Practical Results May Be Expected from This Conference." Dr. Power, Disciple, of Washington, D. C.: There is no such thing in the universe as an unanswered prayer. One practical result is, "We shall pray for the unity that is longed for in the churches. Prayer is most practical. Let the whole church come in united prayer thus, and the perfect day will soon dawn. No plan of Christian union can ever succeed that does not recognize the individual freedom of Christians. The spirit of sectarianism is the spirit of hatred. The spirit of unity is the spirit of love. The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians must go with the seventeenth of John, in the accomplishment of unity. Christ came teaching a new dispensation, bringing a new law. The same results may be attained in three years to-day that were attained in the three centuries that brought Christianity to the headship of the Roman empire and of the world. Dr. Stephens, Methodist Protestant, Kansas City: Unity of spirit is to my mind the most practical thing to be accomplished by this conference. Unity of action is meaningless without the action springing from a unity of spirit and vivifying life. This community of spirit is prophetic of a new era. The era of differentiation is past. The era of integration is dawning. The kingdom of God is at hand. Protestantism has realized the blessings of liberty.7Protestantism has achieved individualism at the expense of ecclesiastical unity. How shall the solidarity of the churches now be attained while retaining the liberty that has been gained? It must be a vivifying life, in the unity of spirit. Liberty, and love are the two great forces that are to accomplish this great object. Both church and state must move toward that ideal achieved in the Gospel. Dr. Dickey, Presbyterian: We should first of all caution ourselves not to set our hopes too high at the start. If we are satisfied with some things that are possible at the start, we shall the sooner accomplish other very desirable things that plainly can not now be done. This conference itself is a very practical result of the aspirations that have been working. And if it should now adjourn with nothing formal being done, that which is accomplished only in our being together thus would be a very practical result. The twenty million of people here represented in unity is a very practical result; and if the connective influence of the will and population and power of these twenty million be counted, we have one-half the population of this nation. An influence potent enough to gather together the representatives of half the population of the country is a very practical result. I come from a boss-ridden city that has been delivered, to the amazement of those who are enjoying it. And Cincinnati, and New York—why surely if New York shall be reformed, the millennium is at hand. God has shown us a great triumph in the past few weeks, that tells us that there is before us an open door to the conquest of the world. "We stand together in the defense of religious liberty, and for a definite separation of church and state. But I trust that one of the practical results of this conference will be the organization of a force that law-breakers and law-makers will respect and heed when great questions of morals are involved. Our Gospel is the fulfilment of the law. It is our province, in the name of our supreme King, and seeking the good of mankind, to ask rulers to respect the code of our kingdom. Rulers may ignore sects, but they will respect the church. This federation will compel an audience, and it will speak with power, if it will put aside its differences and make its agreement its argument." Dr. Baltzer, Evangelical, St. Louis, Mo.: The first important result to be expected from this conference is fellowship—fellowship of the Protestant churches. More and better religious instruction is needed. That this instruction can not be given in the public schools must be granted. But can not an hour a day be secured in which the children of the schools can be instructed in religion? Should not therefore one practical result of this conference be a unanimous action in behalf of this? Another practical result should be a call for better observance of the judicial oath, and for national laws regulating marriage; this would certainly receive the hearty approval of every Christian. Dr. Amory H. Bradford, Congregationalist: It would be far easier to tell that for which we might legitimately hope, than to tell what we may legitimately expect. We have to look for remote, rather than immediate, results. We have not much to learn from our brethren across the sea. Our conditions are far different from theirs. One result ought to be formulated right soon, that a loud and emphatic word of sympathy for, and appreciation of, those passive resisters who are making their noble contention on the other side of the water. This movement has in it the promise of victory, because it is organized on the right lines—the liberty of denominations. It is no virtue for me to agree with a man who agrees with me. But the thing for me as a Christian to do is to agree to respect and to work with the Christian who differs from me. It may be that a good man cares more for the wheels than for the spirit within the wheels. When the harvest-time shall come, then only can we estimate the results of this great conference.