214 CHURCH UNITY 



do not co-operate, and not infrequently 

 antagonize one another. In small towns 

 there may be a dozen different churches 

 with seldom a union meeting, where a 

 union communion service is impossible, 

 and where there is not the slightest con- 

 sultation as to how the kingdom of God 

 may be best promoted. This is no exag- 

 geration. When were the representatives 

 of all the various churches in New York 

 gathered for conference concerning the 

 things all have in common? I venture 

 to say that never in its history was such a 

 meeting held. Here and there are hints of 

 what might be. The " East Side Workers " 

 is a suggestion of better things. But were 

 Protestants and Roman Catholics, Episco- 

 palians and Baptists, Methodists and Pres- 

 byterians, Unitarians and Universalists, by 

 their leaders ever in honest conference 

 where differences were sunk and only 

 this question at the front, — How may 

 those who bear the name of Christ best 

 do the work of Christ in this great city ? 

 But you ask, " How could those who differ 

 widely work in harmony ? " I reply by 

 asking, Are there no common foes for all 

 to fight? Churches are built where churches 



