CHURCH UNION IN INDIA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 318, 3 October 1908, Page 12

CHURCH UNION IN INDIA.

. A HAI'PY CONSUMMATION. The divisions of Western Christianity have always hampered the progress of missions in India. Now at last, after many difficulties, a measure of union has been achieved which few could have hoped so soon to. see. In October,' 1901, the churches of the Arcot Mission (founded by tho Dutcli Reformed Church of America) and of the United Free Church of Scotland, joined together to form the "South Indian United Church. Three ■years later this Church became party to a larger union—the Presbyterian Church iu India. Then in July, 1905, many churches of tho Congregational Missions (L.M.S. and "American Board) effected another union at Madura. And now—quite recently—the Presbyterians of the South have parted from the Presbyterian Church in India and united with ( tl)e Congregationalists to form the; nucleus ( of one 1 strong South Indian Church. y yThis new South India JJnited Church held its first General Assembly on July 25, 26. and 27, in the historic L.M.S. English Chapel in Madras. ■ There came together about 100 delegates, tlie majority Indians, representing a. Christian community of no fewer t|jan 150,000. Representative Methodists and others were also present to study the working of the assembly and gather information, which might helj) their own churches to decido whether to join the union or not. At. the opening session Dr. Wyckoff (of the American Arcot Mission), one of the leaders in tho morement, Was elected first president of the assembly. _ •. • _ As a basis of union a simple Confession of Faith has been found to bo, necessary.. It. is recognised, however, as merely a human instrument, 'and therefore open to revision, .Those who assent to it "do not commit themselves to every word or phrase," but/accept it'."as embodying substantially 'the.' vital truths held in common by tho uniting Churches." ' The constitution of the new Church is a combination of the Congregational and Presbyterian polities. ! Government is to be through local churches, church councils, synods, and a general - assembly. To the local church belongs authority to manage its own affairs, "cither by the whole body of members or through its session or church committee." So long as a church has official connection with a mission, the mission has the right to appoint a representative to tho session or committee. Church councils, of which there are at present twelve, are composed of all the ministers and a certain liumbGr of lay delegates from the churches within defined districts. The chief duties of these councils are to exercise oversight of the local churches, to ordain ministers, to decide appeals, and to maintain order. . For mutual help and effectiveness of work tho twelvo councils are to be grouped into three synods. The General Assembly, which meets once in two_ years, consists of representatives (both ministers and laymen) appointed by the church councils. It ad- ' vises regarding tho organisation and boundaries of tho councils and decides all mattors referred by them j it co-operates with the missions in carrying on evangelistic and other Christian work; it promotes the welfare of tho ministry; it devises means - foi strengthening and advancing the interests of tho whole Church. Tho consummation of this union is a great triumph for Christianity in India (states a writef in the "Christian World"). Both Presbyterians and Congregationalists havo had to surrender much that was dear to them, but they realise that the gain of power has been immense. The remaining L.M.S. churches in South India will probably be the next to come in, and then wo may hopo in time to welcome the Wesleyans and' other bodies one by ono. Individual missionaries of the O.M.S. are also in favour of the union, but whether that society as a whole will ever be able to accept it is-a matter of doubt. Still, difficulties that loomed very large six or seven years ago have been so wonderfully dispersed that the ultimate establishment of a single Church in India can hardly bo regarded as impossiblo;

WESLEYAN ENTERPRISE,

• SUNDAY SERVICES AT LYCEUM . THEATRE; , Tho Wesleyan West London Mission have engaged the Lyceum Theatre for Sunday services, commencing on the first Sunday in October, and the Rev. G. A. Parkinson recently gave a "Daily News" representative some particulars of tho scheme. "Wo estimate the cost t-o be at least £2000 a year," ho said; adding, "and we hope that we shall be financially supported. Already Mr. Walter Runciman, Sir R. W. Perks, Mr. T. R. Ferens, Sir. T. H. Bainbridge, and Mr. Joseph Rank hare given generously, and we nra making this venture in faith trrnt we shall be adequately sustained. "The Lyceum will hold 4000 persons, and we shall certainly have one bi°; service _ in thu evening, and we hope to hold services morning or afternoon, also. When our now premises in Kingsway are completed we shall havo a magnificent hall to scat over 2000, i and for the fi;st time shall possess a permanent homo for the mission, "There will be a' big orchestra at tho Lyceum under tho leadership of Mr. Edward O'Brien, and the preacher will, of cour'sc, by tho Rev. J. Ernest Ratteaibiiry. Ho will continuo the course ho pursued last winter,' on lines of cultured Evangelism applied to

presont-day social needs. The pro-eniincnt success of last winter's services has shown his fitness for the great, position, and leads us to expect beypnd a doabt that we shall fill even so large a place as tho Lyceum."