CHURCH UNION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 544, 26 June 1909, Page 9

CHURCH UNION.

PKOSPECTS IN SCOTLAND. , On tho subject of Church/co-operation and union 'the Committee of tho United > Frco Church tho matter was remitted, in a, report, to tho assembly ; say.that in- tho, case of churches situated, as are tho-Church of Scotland and tho United Free Church of Sootland, the natural'.'and.direct modo' of procedure in seeking to come to an understanding on the possibilities of union, would seem to.bo. to .confer .'at'once,on; tho outstanding differences /between •■ tho ■' churches," for tho'.purpose-'of' how/these might; best bo dealt with and overcome. Tho Church of Scotland, however, in the invitation now. issued to this Church in common with tho other. Presbyterian Churches, while not excluding this, but; proposing that .the. churches should confer "in a friendly and : generous spirit <n the present ecclesiastical situation in Sootland," suggests'that: oohference bo held; "more especially ;in tho ..mean-, time, with a view to discover'in what manner a larger measure of Christian fellowship and co-operation than now. exists may:' bo secured, and: the way further prepared for. that closer union for which msny'hearts now' eagerly; long and pray."- Tho -United Free Church will always welcome practicable proposals for closer intercourse and co-opera-tion with all evangelical churches; and the present communication-renders it fitting that' this Church, whilo recognising the importance of maintaining unimpaired this wider fellowship,' Bhould' in- particular express its cordial readiness : to co-operate with: the Church, of .Scotland,:with;whose operationa ' its own .arc in contact throughout tho length and breadth of the land.-: Tho, committee, howovorV do not understand that tho' : Church of Scotland proposes co-operation as a subject of conference merely as.an end iii itself. . The'proposal of tho report,'to put co-operation '"in the forefront," is avowedly no moro. than a means to be' adopted in theinterest,of that closer union which is by. common consent- the supremo object to bo kept in view. - Tlib committee accordingly'have not to report upon'the general subject of Christian co-operation, but upon tho definite policy of promoting fellowship and co-operation as a practical way of: advancing incorporating union, and in this connection certain important considerations suggest themselves... hot only, say..tho..com-' mittec, would co-operation -itself,, in all probability '. bo prejudiced by its adoption, but it. might too easily lead to serious embarrassments affecting injuriously the issue of reunion which all have in view..-.That issue, when'it comes deeper and graver than'thoso involved merely in the good feeling and mutual .helpfulness that might; happily prevail. And the'committee submit that if the differences, 'that have constrained tho churches in Sootland so long to maintain the heavy responsibility and burden 'iwhich their separation involves, and which both branches of the United Free Church of Scotland have borne for the sake of freedom from; State control in'the spiritual affairs of the Church .of/ Christ,- are to be worthily and satisfactorily dealt with, that; end will be best accomplished by frank consultation on the whole situation on the part of brethren who are alike anxious to see theso" differences surmounted; ~./ '■'■'•■: Tho committee are of;opinion that a cordial response ought to bo made by tho General Assembly to tho invitation novf received, reciprocating the .brotherly spirit and. tho earnest desiro. for, Presbyterian re-union which it evinces; expressing the.deep sense cntertaii\cd of the value of |tho measure of fellowship and co-operation already attained between'the churches, and Ithdconetant desiro of ;-the assembly vtofsee this increased and extended ;' representing, howover, that, for the reasons stated to engage in conforcnce'with t a view primarily to further de- , vcloping such co-operation , and . fellowship does not commend itself to the assembly as a hopeful method of endeavouring to advance the cause of union,-and intimating readiness, should this meet tho' view of too General Assembly of tho Church of Scotland, to enter into free and unrestricted conference on the present ecclesiastical situation, and on the which prevent union from being accomplished, in order that; by God's blessing, misunderstandings and causes of division may bo removed. ;.'