CHURCH UNION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 279, 18 August 1908, Page 6

CHURCH UNION.

~ ®' r > "Phylax" may rest assured that, if tho Anglican hierarchy_ will not agree to admit the validity of ordination by presbyters tho negotiations for union must como to an end. tho simple concession" will never bo acceded to. The suggestion of tho Lambeth Lonrerenco seems to bo a tentativo measure designed to placate tho High Church partv' .Reference to what took place in 1610 does not niako for conciliation. Pity it is that tho apostate Scotch clivines," * instruments of monarchs who tried to crush tho civil and religious liberty of a high-spirited nation wero not.allowed to remain in deserved ohIIVIOXU

i., Tl ™ "fiction" as to tho true position of tho Church of England—that which, for instance, prompted recognition of the Reformed Churches of Franco and Germany enjoined prayer for tho Church, of Scotland (then ; as now, Presbyterian), and gavo cordial _ invitation to Presbyterian minister's to officiate in Ulster—old though it be, is evidently renewing its youth. Pulverised six years ago, according to "Phylax," it has just been reaffirmed with added emphasis in tho very citadel of Anglicanism, and that, too, on so great an occasion. But "dio it must," decrees "Phylax." Like ono of tho kings abovo referred to, it should make apology for taking such an unconscionable time to dio. But after all it does not matter so much what tho attitude of tho 'Anglican Communion towards other Christian Churches

has or has not been in tho past. Tlio question of interest is what it is going to be in the future. Wo must await ■ developments. It will be interesting to hear the pronouncement of tho Presbyterian Church of Victoria. . ■

'l'he question of the divine right of Presbytery (the claim for a full and satisfactory ground in Scripturo for tho characteristic principles of our church system) has been raised, hut need not be enlarged on. As for Mr. Milligan's references in this morning's papor„to my former letter, I shall follow his, example and refer him to what his own Bishop Moule states in his "Outlines of Christian Doctrine" under tho heading of "Emscojjaqi." Mr. Million Avill observe.

that the Bishop, whoso work is, or was, I beliovo, a text-hook in Anglican theological colleges, makes' great concessions to Prcsbytenanism. I note tho quotation from tho Rev. Gilbert Rcid, but it appears to be merely a recommendation of Episcopacy on tho ground of expediency, and a statement of -.tho sequence of events. It docs not seem a defence of tho "Historic Episcopate" in the scuso that, I fancy, Mr. Milligan holds 'k- Is not tho "primitive parochial" only another name for presbytery ? And what of the "papal of tho Middlo Ages" ? Has your correspondent not broken with tho Pope? ■ • The great obstaclo to tho 'union of Evangelical Christendom is tho Anglo-Catholic party in tho Church of England. But far 11, there would be more cordial co-operation rii' Al,glic . an Churclv with other Christian Churches against the common foe. . But for it, there would be less occasion for pessimistic cries from Anglican leaders in this country; loss need for "Missions of Help." There are, however, signs.' of tho dawning of a brighter day.—l am, ctc., PRESBYTERIAN. August 17. ■ ■ ■ '