The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-06-11
VOTU1A OLE LSL2INLA1DOIo
JUNE 6, 1916.
Christian Alliance.

The Rev. d. H. Ranney, Dover, Vt.
has written a tract en- the above PROPOSE
ton, which has been published by Messrs.
Baker and Scribner, las Nassau ST. N. Y,
After enumerating several things, which,
according to his view, do not constitute
sectari0nism, Mr.. Ranney proceeds to
give his views as 10 what does constitute
it; together with reasons for removing the
evil, and forming a truly Christian ALI
nncc. The quotations are as follows:
IL does consist in making something
else besides piety, a test Of membership IN
the church. In that divisional church
policy, the legitimate and inevitable result
of which is to divide the people Of God,
in every place, into several rival factions.
The prevailing denominations in the coun-
try, are united in this one thing, if no
others, in having each its doctrinal
gauge by which TO split of the distinctive
part oflhe church which it chooses 10 ap-
propriate 10 itself. Ia sanctioning and
sanctjfying this party machinery by which
sectarian divisions are sustained and per-
petuared, their creeds and discipline are
calculated and designed to thus mutilate
and dismember the body OF Christie tear
asunder the members which "hold the
head, from which all the body, by joints
and bands having nourishmenl minjstered
and knit together, increaSeth with the in
crease Of Cod (CoI. 9: 49, These
crceds, to say the least Of them, are got up
as definitions of sect. And a definition is
that Which distinguishes and separates the
thing defined from others that resemble it,
Each sect thus distinguishes and separates
itself from others. This is the settled and
unwavering policy of all sects. There is
no evading this conclusion, and vain are
all attempts al extenuatin3 the matter.
Yet they are all great friends of Chris
tian Union. ~ And profess 10 be in the
way of securing it. What is the prospect
Of is being achieved Oh their plan Of OPP
eralions? They indulge the lorlorn hope
of a!l's coming over to them. Is not this
aspect Of things most cheerLeSS and forbjd>
ding?
The "Christian Alliance" 10 be formed
in London, at the Worlds Convention, in
Angus! next, proposes 10 unite all sects,
on the grounds of common Christianity,
in a crusade against Antichrist. The
principles on which they base this en.
lerprise, are scrip'ural. They assume
that God has on earth, one great all com.
pretending church, extending through all
lands where Christ is koown and wor~
SHIPPED. That it is identical with what
uiU be, wien the bridegroom comes, the
church in Heaven. That its members
have 4 common faith, and one great OBJ
ject 10 promote the conversion of the world.
On this common ground they propose
to plant themselves: to the achievement of
this grand object they contemplate direct,
ing their energies"
But it will not do to be TOO %sanguine of
success in securing the union and coop,
Grafton of all secs in promoting religion
on the foreign field. 1t is difficult to IN,
ders,and how that can be done in the az
gregatc, which cannot be done in the sep
arate action of the Church. How sects
can adop' and carry out collectively, prin.
ciples they discard iadloldually. They
will need 10 settle this question. Are not
the principles of organization and plans Of
effort adopted by the 'Christian Alliance"
the Church Universal, the same that
should be adopted by the Church LocaR
To preach the Gospel is The same thing
at home as abroad. The same pattern
has been given US for gathering churches
in Pagan, Papal, aud ChrjStia@ coun
lrics.
1t is a matter Of surprise that The advo-
Gates of this important movement, who
having settled So Clearly and fully the