DR. CLIFFORD ON REUNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 9

DR. CLIFFORD ON REUNION

OBSTACLE OE THE STATE CHURCH

FIDELITY TO CONVICTION

Christian reunion is very much in 11 air at the present- time (writes u- corrc pondent of the London "Daily News" Some of the Wesleyan Methodist mini ters are considering the terms of reumc with "the Established Church, ,md privat conferences of Anglican and Free <Jhur< ministers are seeking a common denoniii " ator.. •. D.K.'Clifford,' in an interview, issui ■ a note of warning, that will be read wji interest because of his recognised poeitw in Nonconformity. "I bavo not only a vocated inter-communion," he said, "bi exchange of pulpits on the part of A' glicans and Freo Churchmen. The wi )uiß laid bare the imperfections of tl Churches, demonstrated their inadequat iii present conditions for their work, an ■led not a few to-the conclusion that 01 disunion is one of'the causes of pur con parative inefficiency. Hence this eage; ness for reunion."

"J)o you think {hat the growing unio of (Jhu'rches in the mission field has ale had an'effect in the same direction ?"- "Yes; no doubt! The day hrfe passed fi sectarian effort abroad. Co-operation absolutely necessary for advance. In mi sricnary work it is evident the time hi come for joining hands and interlockil shields'for - 'advance movement" _ "But how- Mr is that applicable > ■home: , " ...■' . "To answer that question' we must di criminate between Christian union w communion and the incorporation > Churches. To the iirst there ought to I no limit, but as soun as you touch tl second matter vital principles claim ' by considered. -As to ecclesiastical unit ,I.frankly.say that whilst eager to secu it I couiit fidelity to conviction of high value than unity, and loyally to tl principles..on which the New Teetaniei Church is built—principles whose worl history vindicates-of _ imnieasurab more importance, than '(similarity of for and identity of policy. Within the. terms all Methodists may come togeth -tliey have, united in Australia—ai •within four or five years will form oi body in England." Attitude of High Churchmen.

"How, tlieu, do you eland in relatk to the Anglican Church?" , "Oh, that is simply impossible. Tl Ecv. William Temple eays it is not ' be expected that tho Free Churches wi unite with the State Established Churc and the Bishop of Exeter eaye, .in effec that if the banns of-marriage were pr claimed between the Free and the Sta ; Churches an exodus would at once tal place of the High Church party, and tl very attempt would issue not in uni' hut in more and more division. Hen , 1 agree with Lord Gascoyne Cecil when 1 eays that thoso who advocate 6U.ch policy have not really niado themselv conversant 1 with the teaching and pra tices of thoee with whom they propo to unite. With this judgment tho m -jority of Anglicans agree. "Nor is that all. Baptists, as yc know," cdiild' never "acftejjt Anghcc doctrine of baptismal regeneration, i subscribe to' the concepticui of God in. tl second of t)io 39 Articles, or endorse pp it ions of •!tlie , .. great Creeds, or eurrendi ■;tlie".gover'riiiient of the Church, to a pr. latic; hierarchy."