Religion: Comity: Feb. 28, 1927

A great, although rarely admitted, obstacle to consolidations of Christian denominations, is property. No owner of tangible property likes to trade without profit. None the less, Universalists and Congregationalists have sought union. Since 1925 a commission of the National Council of Congregational Churches has conferred with a like commission of the Universalist General Convention.

Last week these commissions published, from Boston, their joint recommendations: “We believe the basis of vital Christian unity is a common acceptance of Christianity as primarily a way of life [i. e., a moral code]. Assent to an official creed is not essential. Within the circle of fellowship created by loyalty to the common Master there may exist differences of theological opinion. With that primary loyalty affirmed, such differences need not separate; rather, indeed, if the mind of the Master controls, they may enrich the content of faith and experience.”

But about the property question there was a deft skip: “… in order to secure more coordinated movements, no actual steps towards the organic union of local Congregational and Universalist churches be made without consulting their respective commissions.”

Each denomination will consider its commission’s recommendations at its annual meeting this year.