The Claims of the Free Churches The dispassionate presentation by
the, Moderator of the Federal Council of the Free Churches on Monday of the case for a larger participation by the Free Churches in the representation of the religious side of the national life raises interesting and important questions. If Mr. Aubrey is right—adequate statistics on the subject are lacking—in assuming that the 'attendance at the services- of the, various Free Churches is approximately equal to that at Anglican services, his claim for a larger share in such public ceremonies as express the religious convictions of the nation is greatly strengthened.. But it may be easier to concede the theoretilal justice of the Free Churches' claim than to see how to give it recognition in practice. Fundamental questions, notably that of Establishment, are involved. The best hope is that a timely reminder of what the Free Churches expect, and may reasonably ask, will give a stimulus to those Lambeth conversations between leaders of the Anglican and other Churches on closer unity which have quietly been making-greater progress than is everywhere realised. The subject raised by Mr. Aubrey must be approached not in the spirit of a division of the spoils—which nothing in his address suggested—but of a close alliance, as of equals, in the representation of the Church before the world.
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