CHURCH UNION

Evening Star, Issue 19388, 23 October 1926, Page 22

CHURCH UNION

SUCCESS IH CAHADA The greatest test which unity of the churches has yet undertaken, it is said, is that being tried in Canada, where Presbyterians, Alethodists, and Congregationalisls joined forces and became the United Church of Canada. Alany largo and wealthy Presbyterian churches refused to enter tho union, but, despite that drawback, tho first year of tho United Church, just completed, has, we are told, proved the wisdom of tho step. The * New Outlook,’ organ of the United Church of Canada, commenting on the second session of the Council of tho Church, says; “ Results have proved that the hopes of tho most optimistic have been more than realised. True, the < intervening months have not been without their trials to some of our ministers and people, but these have been borne gladly for the sake of a great cause and in tho faith of a glorious future for the church. And now commissioners from every section of the United Church have been devoting themselves in the utmost harmony to real constructive -work in the perfecting of the great organisation consummated a year ago. “There is but ono testimony from all the members of the council. It is that never before had they known such a spirit and such a fellowship in their work; and if any _ secret, misgivings against the harmonious working out of union had been entertained, no grounds for such remained when the council was over. . “ It is impossible to doubt that in all these years of conferenco between the now United Churches, ending in the happy consummation of to-day, a wiser mind than that of any human leaders lias guided the church, and a loving Providence has removed obstacles from the pathway of its progress. And now that tho United Church has been so hopefully launched on its great and world-wide work, we need have no fear for its future. He Who in the beginning gave His great commission to the church, and Whoso prayer for_ unity is even now prevailing, has given His assurance, ‘ Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ In which, observes the New York ‘Christian Advocate’ (Methodist), “ there is encouragement for the divided Alethodists of England and the United States to persevere until they, too, shall bo of one household of faith.”