Church Unity
SIR,—Mr. Christie's article has 1 doubt not touched an answering chord in the soul of many a loyal layman. For more than thirty years the question of home reunion has been debated officially without conclusion. Meanwhile the Church in the mission-field, under pressure of surrounding paganism, has set an example that we at home are strangely slow to follow ; though here too we are faced with a pagan foe, as fanatical as Islam and far less enlightened.
It is time the " laity " took a hand. I am a faithful member of any own communion, preferring its tradition and worship to those of any other. But when a member o£ pothercommunion invites me to share in its worship, I am glad and Thankful for the opportunity of testifying that the grounds of agreement are far wider than those of difference.
As regards the 'two alleged stumbling-blocks in the way of union—the commission of the ministry and the doctrine of the Eucharist: if a simple rite, "supplementary ordination," will make the ministers of the one communion acceptable to the other, what objection can possibly out- weigh the scandal of separation ? Again, if our national Church already unites in worship those who believe in the objective presence of our Lord on the altar and those who do not, why should this difference as to the manner of the gift be allowed to keep apart others who acknowledge its actuality ? - It is widely admitted that the separation of the Methodists from the Church of England was largely the fault of the latter, and need never have occurred. Might not a generous offer on behalf of the national Church find here the line of least resistance to home reunion, and, as its first fruits, bring them in again ?—I am, Sir, yours very truly,
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