"Christian Union."—Amory H. Bradford, D. D., moderator of the Congregational National Council, makes a "Proposition for Christian Union," in the Independent of February 4. His proposition in general is for union between those bodies nearest together, and his special plea is for a union of Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists. Between the first two he finds but little difference, save in the matter of church government, but this difference is largely passing away, the Presbyterians recognizing more and more the autonomy of the individual church. But he thinks the difference is still less between Congregationalists and Baptists, as both are congregational in government. The matter of baptism and its mode Dr. Bradford deems a small thing. Simply leave that to the individual conscience. Immerse, pour, sprinkle, sprinkle children or not, as parents desire.
Such a union would tell nothing for truth. It might be easy for Congregationalists, who hold only a counterfeit baptism, but we do not see how the Bible Baptist could acquiesce. And yet, Baptists must do one thing or the other: they must yield to the claims of the Bible Sabbath, or give up Bible baptism; and not a few of them have already become so "liberal" that baptism is with them a matter of little consequence. Yielding that, they are practically Congregationalists, pure and, simple.
Left with a trust, will they abandon it? Baptism means more than mere immersion. The very mode stands for stalwart regeneration by faith and loyalty to the Bible. But if Baptists hold to baptism, why will they not accept the Bible Sabbath? The only true union is union in truth.