CHURCH UNION IN SCOTLAND

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 18

CHURCH UNION IN SCOTLAND

HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. The following article appears in the "Weekly Scotsman" of .March 15:— Nobody knows the inner' working of the negotiations far Oimrcli Union in Scotland better than Professor \V. P. Paterson, and nobody has rendered greater service to the cause. In the first number of llio "Constructive Quarterly" f.e has expounded the present position of the Churches in relation tn the Union movement in terms which are singulai'lyelear. and which breathe the spirit of hopefulness. One complaint sometimes made is that there is an nUcmpt_ to rush the Churches into Union. When it is recalled that this movement benon in 1007

with an overture brought forward by Dr. Archibald Scott in the Edinburgh Presbytery, and that six venrs Ikiyc passed si net 1 then, and that as .vet the Churches have not even got to the stage of considering the possible) constitution of tho future Church of Scotland upon which everythinfj will depend, it is manifest that there is no ground for complaining of undue haste. When, however, the present ecclesiastical condition of tho country is considered, and the position to which "discussion has brought: the Churches, it rnnj seem that those who feel keenly on these matters have cause, to complain of tho slowness with which these negotiations h-avo proceeded. Yet. it would bo folly to hasten, if hastening would mean further divisions in this sect-distracted country. The slow course is the wise course. Experience has amply justified the policy of the Union Committee. As a result of patient negotiations the Churches have been educated. They have come to see that both have valuable elements which must be preserved for the future Church, of Scotland. They have come to understand each other's testimony and each other's position. The distrust of other years has given place to a spirit of accommodation, and antagonism has given way before the spirit of charity. The change that has been wrought -is already so great to bo almost incredible when former days aro recalled. It is 111 that change that the roots of optimism lie. The spirit which theso negotiations have fostered and evoked cannot but triumph over every difficulty. Dr. Paterson i 9 light in being optimistic. The Churches that, in such a spirit, have put their hand to. the plough cannot turn back. There is manifestly no thought of turning back. Experience teaches that difficulties, which in theory seem insurmountable, are easily removed when dealt with in the realm of practical effort. - What tho'Union Committee must now do is to come down from tho region of theory to that of fact, and address themselves to the practical solution of the difficulties. When they do so they will find that the spirit which has enrried them so far will carry them to the end. In regard to the endowments there will be little difficulty. Tire Church! of Scotland, says Dr. Paterson, "has a profound feeling that the destination of these endowments to secular objects would bo an act with a sacrilegious taint, and of more than doubtful blessing to the community at large.". In this the country will agree with Dr. Paterson, whose article deserves to bo pondered by those who have this great question at heart.