THE eighteenth century was noted rather for the rise of new denominations than the union of old ones. Nevertheless it is not to be forgotten that attempts at union were made even though they were unsuccessful. It has taken nearly two hundred years for us in America to work out a plan of federation such as was attempted at Philadelphia in the early part of December, 1908. Federal Union was unknown, unthought of, in those early days. Organic union was the kind most generally considered. And this greatly increased the difficulties of forming church unions, as denominations were not generally willing to give up their peculiarities or their independence. I wish to speak of two efforts at church union especially connected with my own church, the German Reformed Church, leaving it for others to speak of other efforts that may have been made in the early history of America. In this age when church union is in the air it is certainly not unsuitable to study these early movements.