minds have room for no more, and the same of the other denominations-at least, the larger ones. As well say that the affairs of Ohio are so involved and important that citizens of the Buckeye State may properly be ignorant of the others and of the United States. It is best that each Christian should know with thoroughness one group of missionaries and missions; but the great men, the especial triumphs, and the large outlines of the missionary work of all denominations should be the property of all.

Some day the more than one hundred and fifty denominations in the United States will join hands and hearts for the salvation of the world. When that happens, among the lesser but important results will be this, that all study of missions and all presentations of them, in print and by voice, will gain a simplicity, comprehensiveness, dignity, force, and inspirational quality that will lay hold upon the imagination, convince the mind, and move the lives of men. hasten that day of the Lord.

Let us

THE EVANGELICAL UNION IN THE

PHILIPPINES

BY REV. JAS. B. RODGERS, MANILA,

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

The first suggestion was for a divided field and a united Church, each mission to superintend the work in its own field and the results in the shape of organized self-supporting Evangelical churches were to form one body. This was not accepted. Eight months later the present plan was adopted. This calls for mutual recognition and respect for the doctrines, discipline and rites of the mis

sions in the Union-a common name, "Iglesia Evangelica," and a division of territory for greater efficiency. It also looks toward common effort in schools, presses, and hospitals, or at least no duplication of such institutions.

At the end of three years the compact was renewed indefinitely. The constituent members of the Union are the Methodists, Baptists, United Brethren, Disciples, Congregational, and Presbyterian Missions, the Y. M. C. A., and the American Bible Society.

The question is, "Has this Union made for a truer unity of spirit and greater efficiency in service? My opinion is that it has and that the results have proven our wisdom in forming the Union.

There have been misunderstandings between the missions, and in other cases real mistakes have been made as to method, in a few cases missions have taken action at the command of the Boards in this country, without properly consulting the other missions which were or would be interested.

On the other hand, the advantages already gained are very great. The misunderstandings far fewer than if the Union had not been formed. Brethren of divergent views have. been compelled to discuss their differences face to face, and while it may be that "each is of the same opinion still," his meeting with the other man has done him good and dissipated those vain imaginings as to the other man's motives that constitute so large a part of questions between the Lord's children. We are nearer to one another because of this

plan. We realize each other's worth far more-we think less about our special "isms," tho perhaps we think none the less of them.

As to the efficiency of the service rendered under the plan, I believe that our united efforts against the opium legislation in 1903, our union services on several occasions, bear witness to its value. In the more intimate history of the missions we see a far greater field occupied, more towns evangelized, more congregations organized, more converts than would have been possible under a system of perpetuation of denominational differences.

Best of all, the plan has thus far proved a splendid specific for that worst of all displays of the sectarian. spirit, denominational ardor on the part of the Filipino members. They recognize the oneness of the Church and pass as readily from one church to another when they move as tho no distinction existed.

It

This Union ought to be of great value to us in the future, as we face the questions which are sure to arise in connection with the permanent ecclesiastical status of the churches now growing to manhood and spiritual and financial independence. may be that we shall outgrow our present plans and develop an idea of unity far more perfect than any thing as yet dreamed of. It may be that these churches will realize their essential unity and under the guidance of the Spirit in some way that it would be presumption to attempt to define, will form one church, protected and fostered as long as neces sary by the mother churches, each in its own sphere of influence. And

that this Evangelical Church of the Philippines will be a power under God for the establishment of His Kingdom, not only in their own archipelago, but also in Asia and the adjacent isles of the Southern Seas.

Such at least is the dream of one dreamer.

A CAUSE OF FAILURE RT. REV. WILLIAM N. M'VICAR, S.T.D. Bishop of Rhode Island

We need only to open our eyes, to consult the journals that bring to us the news from the various parts of the world, to realize that the kingdoms. of this world have not become as yet the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. As far as human sight can extend, that time is still far distant, as we are led often to suppose. The Church has been at fault somewhere, for Christian truth can not be at fault.

The Lord's arm is not shortened that it can not save, and, whenever the Gospel has been preached and wherever human lives have received it in sincerity, the work has told; but we can not but feel that greater multitudes might have been reached but for this division the Church has been working under, this sectarianism, that has ministered to the self-consciousness and self-absorption and self-admiration of so many of the various churches till they have forgotten almost the great work of redeeming the world. They have established their own claims, and worked along their own narrow lines, while the whole world has suffered. Much of the handicap, much of the distress and difficulty has been due to this separation; it works to inefficiency in the churches and in consciences.

Just for one moment picture a great business being carried on along the lines which the Christian Church has tried to do business on. It would not be tolerated for a moment, or if tolerated, would go out of existence. in a year, bankrupt.

The late Dean Stanley said: "Somehow or other Christian wisdom has almost fallen out of the category of Christian graces. It is a great pity. In our Church we confess ourselves to be miserable sinners. It would be a wholesome thing once in a while if we would kneel down and confess ourselves miserable fools." And the Christian Church has played the part of folly when it stood before a great and magnificent work, with a grand and glorious commision with a leader. and a king Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and it has gone about in its little narrow contorted way to do its little narrow business, instead of uniting against the world.

The time has come when every where men are calling for union, getting nearer to each other, because nearer to the Master-thank God for that!

All I can say is that if federation did nothing more to-day than to hearten the Christian Church in their own consciences, if it did nothing more than to show the world they were in earnest and they were not divided up by unsurmountable wallsif it did nothing more than that it would have accomplished in this city and land for humanity and for Christ's Kingdom the grandest work. Hail happy day! say I. If we are not ready for organic unity yet, still let us make the most of that living unity of spirit in the bonds of peace where

the eye shall not say to the hand, "I have no need of thee," or the hand to the eye in return; but where all working in the one body shall bring about the realization of the Kingdom.

THE OUTLOOK FOR FEDERATION

REV. AMORY H. BRADFORD, D.D. A few results may be expected from the present movement toward federation:

I. Denominationalists will now be placed in an attitude of apology. They will be ashamed of themselves. They may continue to assume an air of bravado, but it will be like a mask which is too small for the wearer. Sectarianism will appear all around it in spite of efforts at concealment. When a man has to apologize for his cause, he works with little enthusiasm, and less efficiency. The meetings of the federation council, lately held in New York, will be a tangible example of the possibility of cooperation. "United efforts are impossible in our community, we are so peculiar," Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians will insist; but, when Christians of a large type, point to this convention and say, "All these varieties of people. worked worked and worshiped together there," our militant denominationalists will be sadly disturbed to find an answer. Sectarianism in the future will have to justify its existence.

2. While the growth of federation will be slow, it will be sure, because no reasonable argument can be offered against it. It recognizes and honors. differences while it unites those who differ on the needs of our common humanity and the call of the King

dom of God. A movement for organic union would fail, because it would ask subscription to a common creed, worship according to common rubrics, and require obedience to a central authority. The days of authority in the Church are gone forever by. The spirit of man will never again submit to human dictation. Men will think and act as they believe themselves to be divinely led. They will differ in the future more than in the past, for they will think more universally, and, as a whole, more profoundly. This movement will grow because it recognizes the inevitability of this liberty. We shall not think alike, we shall not worship in the same liturgy, but we shall work together for the Kingdom of God according to our individualities. If there ever should be an effort to force a common creed or form of worship, it would be divisive; but he who may open a new opportunity for mutual helpfulness will bind more closely together.

3. This will put a new emphasis upon the weakness of organization and the mightiness of spirit. The whole Church has not yet learned that its progress will never be by might or by power, but by the Spirit of God. Most of us have more faith in the wheels than in the Spirit within the wheels-in the Church than in inspiration. There is, even yet, little that is universal and elemental in our visions or our plans. Most of us are still provincial in our religious beliefs and practises.

It will not be in vain to have made the sin of a divided Christendom to appear more appalling, and the importance of unity that shall be vital, pervasive, and enduring, more impera

tive; to have brought the masses of American Christians much nearer together, and thereby show that what divides is mechanical and ephemeral, like the mud-fences in India which disappear when the harvest has grown; to show that vital and lasting unity is to be found only as we attain unto harmony with Him who has a place in His providence for all classes, all colors, all races, all creeds, all phases of religion, all eccentricities of belief and worship, all gifts of speech and service; and who by the use of them all, in no narrow and provincial way, but in accordance with laws wide as the universe and as enduring as eternity, is bringing the Kingdom of God.

THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

DR. G. CAMPBELL MORGAN, LONDON The division of the Church, as to its outward manifestation to the world, is tragic, and has hindered the accomplishment of the purposes of God. There is no way of healing these divisions, save by a return to recognition of the first principle of unity, as taught by our Lord. This accomplished, the outward discrepancies may be left to right themselves.

The unity of the Church is revealed in the intercessory prayer of our Lord.

"Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also who believe on Me through their word "-for the whole Catholic Church. In this third section of the prayer we shall discover three things concerning the unity of the Church: First, the nature; secondly, the method; and, thirdly, the purpose of that unity.

The nature of that unity is declared. in the words, "That they may all be

one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us." This unity is after the similitude of that which exists between Himself and His Fathermade up of separate beings, consciousnesses, interests, and yet every single person holding within his own consciousness the realization of the whole Church.

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Christ prayed for the local Church, that they should be one as We are "; He prays for the great Catholic Church, "that they also may be one in Us."

So you have, first, the communion of the local Church, of the association of believers who know each other in Jesus, and there the unity is after the pattern of the unity of Father and Son, who are one in thought, mind, purpose, and service. Here you have the greater unity of the Catholic Church upon the earth, "one in Us," that is, one in communion with the Father and with the Son.

Its

This prayer of Jesus far outstrips the dream of all the dreamers. very magnificence and daring is in itself the declaration of its absolute truth. That vision of the prayer of Jesus was in the mind of the apostle Paul when he wrote to the Ephesians, praying that they might grow up into Christ in all things, "till we all attill we all at

tain" (not each one of us, but till we all attain) "unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

There, then, we have the threefold. glory, the threefold unity of the Church. The unity of a local Church, a company of men and women asso

ciated with each other because associated with Jesus Christ; one "as We are," in mind, purpose, thought, and service; the unity of the Catholic Church, that communion with the Father and with the Son; and the unity of the glorified Church hereafter, perfected into one-the great, final, magnificent perfection, reached by the way of the perfecting of individual members.

The method of the unity is based upon the intercession of Jesus. "Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on Me through their word"-that embraces the whole Church. The intercession of Christ was founded upon His accomplishment of the Father's will and purpose. In the earlier parts of the prayer Christ refers to the fact that life eternal had been given to these few men by Himself; that is, the knowledge of the Father, the manifested Name. As the prayer proceeds, He says, "I have kept and guarded them in Thy Name," and He based His prayer for these men upon what He had done for them. Since He prayed the prayer, He has passed through that Passion-baptism. He still bases His intercession upon His own works, and the unity of the Church to-day is guarded, safeguarded, held inviolate from attacks from without by the intercession of the Son of God.

Now, as to the purpose of the unity. of the Church: "That the world may believe that Thou didst send Me." According to this prayer the demonstration of the Divinity of His mission lies in the union of the whole Church. Is it any wonder that men do not believe in the Divinity of His