CHURCHMEN'S UNION, THE. A Society in the Church of England. It was inaugurated at the Church House, Westminster, in 1S9S for the advancement of liberal religious thought. The objects of the Union are stated to be five. (1) To maintain the right and duty of the Church to restate her belief from time to time as required by the progressive revelation of the Holy Spirit. (2) To uphold the historic comprehensiveness and corporate life of the Church of England, and her Christian spirit of tolerance in all things non-essential. (3) To give all support in their power to those who are honestly and loyally endeavouring to vindicate the truths of Christianity by the light of scholarship and research: and while paying due regard to continuity, to work for such changes in the formularies and practices in the Church of England as from time to time are made neces sary by the needs and knowledge of the day. (4) To assert the rights and duties of the laity as constituent members of the Body of Christ. (5) To encourage friendly relations between the Church of England and all other Christian bodies. " Is the continuance of the
Churchmen's Union necessary or useful? This question has been raised during the past year [190S-09]; but the Council feel that only one answer is possible. We gratefully acknowledge that real progress has been made in toleration for liberal religious views, and that open persecution of clergymen who hold them is now rare. But we cannot forget that the forces of reaction are strong, persevering and determined. They have captured to a large extent the machinery of the Church—Con vocations, Diocesan Conferences, the so-called 'Repre sentative ' Church Council, and Training Colleges for clergy; and though the Episcopal Bench is now more liberal-minded than it was, this advance has not yet been followed by the majority of the clergy. There is, and there will be for many years to come, great need for such a body as ours to vindicate the value of liberal principles within our Church " (Annual Report, 1905 1909).