VI.

Reply from Rev. E. B. Hodge, D.D.,

Corresponding Secretary to the Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

My Dear Sir,—Your letter deserved an earlier answer, but I have hesitated to write anything for publication on a matter concerning the Church in New Zealand, so far away from us and our immediate concerns. You probably have enough material from other sources without printing anything from my pen for the public. It is a great satisfaction to learn that you have no fear that the Church at large would sanction consideration of such a Creed as you have submitted for my inspection. I will simply say, with a great deal of emphasis, that it seems to me the height of folly to attempt to bring into a single organization Churches which have differing, and often contradictory, Creeds. Such efforts, however well meant, only prepare the way for fresh divisions. A split is almost certain to occur in the denomination that is brought in by a majority vote, because there will certainly be men who will stand for principle; and, after the general organization is completed, the discordant elements, not being able to live in peace, will ultimately fly apart. A Creed drawn up in such general terms that persons holding contradictory Creeds can subscribe to it is a mere rope of sand. Indeed, in my judgment it is practically a matter of dishonesty when persons are brought together professing common principles who, in fact, differ almost as widely as the poles; some signing the Creed in one sense, and some signing it in another. The thing to be sought for is mutual recognition among Evangelical Christians, loving sympathy, and cordial co-operation. The unity for which Christ prayed is something better than the false show of unity for which so many seem to be clamoring.