CHURCH UNION IN SCOTLAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1931, 13 December 1913, Page 11

CHURCH UNION IN SCOTLAND.

AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD. The' negotiations with a' view to ths ultimate union of the Church of Scot* hind with the United Free Church -entered upon a. new and momentous staga yesterday (states the London "Times" of October *M) when the 100 represen-ta--tives appointed liy -tire General Assembly, of the C'luireij of Scotland mc-t in Ediis-' with a view to formulating such modifications of tlw existing constitution of the Church as -might meet the views of the United Free Church, especially as regards the spiritual hidependente of the Chtirch in its relation to the State.

The meeting was private, and 110 report of its proceedings was issued to the Press, tat it 'as' understood' that a draft was submitted of the general lines of a declaration such ■!& Parliament. might he asked to sanction, indicating the directions in which the claims of the Church to complete independence of State dictation in the spiritual domain might be formulated so as to satisfy existing scruples on the part of the United Free Church on these points. Some months at least are likely to ho spent on the discussion and elaboration of so important a document, and steps will no doubt be taken to ascertain the extent to which it expresses the views of the Ecclesiastical Courts and general membership oi' both Churchcs ere it readies the Parliamentary stage, a stage which cannot be attained for a -year or two at least, Meanwhile it is evident that Ihefo is a growing interest throughout the presbyteries of both Churches as it becomes increasingly evident that the proposals arc passing from tho theoretical Co tho practical stage, and every encouragement will be given from headquarters to tiro informal and private discussion of the proposed revision of the constitutional in local Church Courts throughout Scotland.