CHARLES HENRY BRENDT (1862-1929)

Introduction
Charles Henry Brent was one of the ecumenical leaders, a Canadian by birth. But served and
spent his lifetime in the US. Christian unity was a central interest in his life. In this paper I am
dealing the life and contribution of Charles Henry Brendt.1

A. The Life of CHB

He was deeply moved by the great World missionary conference in Edinburgh 1910. 2 His
experience as a missionary and had contestant kept the unity of the Christian church upper most
in his mind.3 He was appointed as the first president of the World conference of the Faith and
Order Movement held at Lausanne in 1927. 4 On 27 March 1929 Bishop Brendt who had been
seriously ill for some time. Died at Lausanne, and with his passing the movement lost the man
who had been it leader for nineteen years.5

B. The contribution of CHB to the Ecumenical Movement

When Brendt went to the world missionary conference Edinburgh 1910, Christian unity was
already a central interest in his life.6

1). The world missionary conference

He left the Edinburgh conference with a sense of incompleteness as the problem of theological
differences was not thrashed out. He took up this matter with his church and called upon her to
initiate in preparing the world conference for Faith and order.7

2). Geneva Conference

The church agreed to Bishop Brendt’s proposed and appointed a commission in October 1910 so
that it could make necessary preparations. 8 The First World War intervened it took Brendt to
France. Where ultimately he became senior chaplain of the American expeditionary force. At the
end of the war he again become active on behalf of Faith and Order and in 1920 presided at the
preliminary conference of the movement at Geneva.9 There were as many as 70 churches from
40 nations who sent delegates to this meeting. The effort was a success.10

3). Lausanne Conference

From that time onwards he worked prodigniously to ensure the success of the Lausanne
conference 385 delicates from 108 churches across world attended the conference. Which was
held at Lausanne, Switzerland in August 1927. Bishop Brendt was made chairman of the

1 ?
O. L. Snaitang, A History of Ecumenical Movement (Bangalore: BTESSC/SATHRI, 2007), 225.
2
Harold E. Fey, The Ecumenical Advance A History of Ecumenical Movement Vol. 2 (London: SPCK, 1970),
?

145.
3 ?
Ruth Rouse, Edi., A History of Ecumenical Movement (London: SPCK, 1954), 426.
4 ?
O. L. Snaitang, op. cit., 122.
5 ?
Ruth Rouse, Edi., op. cit., 426.
6 ?
I bid., 427.
7 ?
O. L. Snaitang, op. cit., 120.
8 ?
I bid., 120.
9 ?
Harold E. Fey, op. cit., 146.
10 ?
O. L. Snaitang, op. cit., 121.
conference.11 Meeting together discuss on sensitive issues of faith was not that easy. Delegates
came with their own theological beliefs and practices. There were more disagreements than
agreements. Discussions in the sessions of the conference combined acceptance and pretest, calm
and heated debates but the fact that they had come together on a mission to express their views
on doctrinal issues was a great achievement it he history of Christianity.12

C. CHB Concept of Unity

Brendt understood the subject of unity-unity in diversity. He had a deep trust in truth, which
explained his readiness to scrutinize impartially the most loved practices and formularies, and
this willingness to sacrifices everything expect essential principles. His appreciation of traditions
other than his own opened many doors of friendship to him, and when he died it was said of him
that he had more friends than any man of his time. The secret was is unique capacity for giving
himself to all kinds of people and for loving them all. Above all he was a man of prayer. 13
William Temple wrote of him.

“His position as the pivotal person of the conference was plain and his quiet, firm and often
humorous control of the discussions was most effective.”14

Conclusion
Bishop Brent provided basis fro the movement on the question of unity and set an example for
giving respect and appreciation to other traditions more than his own. We need to give respect
and appreciation to the leaders of the all churches, and we should work together for the mission
of church in today’s world.

Bibliography
Snaitang, O. L. A History of Ecumenical Movement. Bangalore: BTESSC/SATHRI, 2007.
Fey E. Harold. The Ecumenical Advance A History of Ecumenical Movement Vol. 2. London:
SPCK, 1970.
Rouse, Ruth Edi. A History of Ecumenical Movement. London: SPCK, 1954.

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11 ?
O. L. Snaitang, op. cit., 120.
12 ?
I bid., 122.
13 ?
Ruth Rouse, Edi., op. cit., 425.
14 ?
Harold E. Fey, op. cit., 147.