other Christian communions, this liberal spirit could prevail, the comprehensiveness desired would be secured without bitterness and without controversy, and this Church would make her influence largely felt in the outworking of the forces which are seeking to establish the Kingdom of God more widely and more firmly on the earth.

CHAPTER XLVI

THE TEMPORARY NATURE AND THE MISSION OF FEDERATED MOVEMENTS

N the discussions current relative to the value

IN

of such federated movements as are represented by "The Federal Council of Churches, and the "Laymen's Missionary Movement,” the disposition is constantly shown to throw the question involved upon one or the other of the two horns of a dilemma, and then to pass judgment upon the subject as thus presented as though there were no other alternatives of value possible. On the one hand it is stated that such federation "is a most unhappy substitute for unity";* while, on the other hand, it is asserted that "the position on which the federa

tion is based is that the denominations are not to disappear."*

If these were the only alternative ideas represented by such federated endeavour, many who favour it would be unconditionally opposed to such endeavours. There are those, however, who decline to be forced upon either one or the other of these horns, so sharply defined and clearly presented, who nevertheless favour such federated endeavour for reasons which seem to them good and sufficient. They do not for a moment consider such federation in any sense whatsoever as being, or as intending to be, a transient or permanent substitute for the visible organic unity of the Church of Christ; nor do they believe that such federated endeavour necessarily expresses the idea that denominational lines are destined to continue, or that they should continue. There are those in this Church who feel called to face the unfortunate conditions which exist with a candid mind, illumined by the hope for an ultimate

*Prof. Mathews.

visible unity. They recognise the fact that at present lines of separation do unhappily divide the Church of Christ, and "hinder us from godly union and concord." They realise that organic visible unity cannot come into existence by a forced process, or by the enactment of resolutions decreeing that it should exist. To them it seems clearly evident that some time seems destined to elapse before the lines of separation are obliterated and visible unity is attained. It is felt that the greater value of organic unity may be made to appear more clearly evident as a result of co-operative endeavour during the testing, sifting and waiting time. It is felt that such federation may minister to the creation of an atmosphere of sympathy and a broader basis of mutual understanding. It is believed that latent and unexpressed forces now resident in the divided Body of Christ may be released for the good of mankind as a result of an earnest effort to combine these spiritual energies in concentrated effort. It is hoped that such federated endeavour will

open new approaches leading to ultimate unity; and it is believed that, as a result of mutual understanding, and closer sympathy, and a deeper realisation of our need of each other, the unhappiness of our divisions will become more clearly apparent.

The harm and waste of denominational rivalry is becoming more clearly evident. The value of the denominations as witnesses to neglected aspects of truth, and as ministers to neglected elements in the great family of God, may now be said to be a fast-diminishing value. The light reflected from many angles has been seen in its prismatic variety of colour. It was needful that it should be so seen to be known and appreciated. The need now seems to be that the light should be focussed with a common aim and purpose, and from a unified, organic centre. The problem of how to synthesise the light of truth now faces us. The Church that is blind to the rays of light which others see, in which others have walked, and to which others have borne witness, is not destined to be the