THE CHURCHES AND AMERICAN POLITICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 24, 27 July 1907, Page 10

THE CHURCHES AND AMERICAN POLITICS.

The Rev. Thomas ' Law, Secretary of the British Free Church Council, who has just returned from a visit to the United States, informs tho British Weekly that such work as that of tho I National Council is greatly needed in j America, where there is no close organised co-operation among the churches. i Christian peoplo aro too apt to neglect municipal affairs, and to spend their , time attending conventions, listening lo sermons, and singing hymns. A new day, in Mr. Law's opinion, would dawn for the American nation if every men> ber of tho church were to become a "public soul." Ministers have favour- | ed tho organisation of denominational federation. Undor this system the Baptists, the Congrogationaljsts, the Presbyterians, would chooso so many delegates, and send them up to the feder-tl body as representatives of their own particular denomination. To such a scheme Sir. Law is hostile. He feels that it is impracticable. He romembers that in the early days of the Free Church Council that idoa was pupEorted by such men as Dr. Mackennal, ut Mr. Hughes and others successfully opposed it, aud Dr. Mackennal afterwards fully supported tho plan adopted. Under gucli a syctem no practical work would be effected. The delegates of overy ssparato body would be obliged to refer back questions oi public importance to those who had sent them, and .months might bo wasted \vhon moments wei'a of priceless value. "What we need, as 1 showed to tho American friends," said Mr. Law, "is a local force everywhere, constantly and steadily at work. A perfect schoiiie couJd easily bo matured for .America, and federation is far more needed thero than bore, because the great cities are face to faco with social, moral, and civic problems far more serious than the problems of Fiilgland, serious as these are. Many of the American cities aro literally given over to evil, because Christians declino tbei>\ full civic responsibility. Unlass change caii bo effected, American politics will become more and more corrupt, . until Chey sink at last to utter disaster."