Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-08-26
CHURCH CONSIDERATIONS.


and seeming conflict exists between the
/ courts OF Conscience and the courts oil
Coesar, il is entirely proper 10 review the
design and Office of church.
Before the advent of Christ all wor-
shippers OF Jehovah, or the true God,
were styled the Church. After the eStab-
lishment of Christ's kingdom upon the
earth, all who believed on him, and gath
cred to worship in his name, whether in q
building dedicated 10 such worship, or in
q private house, Or in the caves of the
earth,o in the open air, are called in their
collective sense q Church. Differences of
sect or opinion do not alter the universal
application of Church to the wor-
shipping assembly. Thus il is seen that
the formation of a church is very SIM
pie matter but not so the management
of it after it is formed, for however united
may have been he sentiment of the N en-
bers ut first, there finally springs up diff
ferences OF opinion and practice upon
points which, in the first gathering, were
not observed, and in asmuch as all are not
able to judge Of the truth and justice of
these points. certain ones must be appoint
ed 10 investigate them. aud with their
best endeavor formulate an opinion which
shall be sustained by the Word of God,
and which shall become a rule Of faith
and doctrine by which all who retain
in that body shall abide.
In the eye Of the law, rs Judge Jami
SON says, the proceedings and rules of
such body, can be no more than those
OF . railway corporation or q base ball
clab, and we think this opinion q sound
by the public sense-and
by the words Of Christ who said, my
kingdom is rot OF this world; and who
never sought to MAINTAIN his doctrine by
the physical powers Of this earth. That
an established form OF worship is not on
~ beneficial but necessary none deny; that
an association OF individuals prscticing
and teaching the precepts of morality and
the necessity OF filth in the L.ri Jesus
Christ as their on ly Savior, il an element
of greatest good in any community none
deny; that evil should be rcbuked and put
TO shame, none in their cooler judgment
will derry. These things lie within the
province Of the church, and in its endeav-
or to meet its requirements there cannot
but be opposition, for good and evil are
antagonistic.
But is the practice OF pure religion anG
morality the only Inconvenience within
the church? What have the public right
fully to expect from an association of its
citizens dwelling among them, protesting
10 be church, and to which church the
public often give of their means2 Even
If no support was given, a reasonably
close adherence In practice to theory and
profession can justly be expected.
If mechanic gives out that he Is q
skihiul workman, we expect when in his
shop to see the evidences of skill. If a
lawyer claims superior knowledge of law
we expect some manifestation of Il In his
management OF law affairs II q railway
company advertises greater security and
comfort for its passengers in travel, we
expect to fiud 1t with them when travel
ing. So If q body of people profess great
er love for msnkir d, severer self denial. q
more earnest desire for the highest we.-
fare OF all, we expect to meet with 1t in
their associations. If it lie not always
met with, whose fault Is IL? Let those
who hold membership answer for them
selves We would not judge them. But
when stream, flowing from pure foun-
tain, is seen to be darkened with earthly
elements, the inquiry naturally arises as to
the cause. In matters Of conscience
each enc has an undoubted right TO be
governed by that which Is peculiarly bis
own. whether arising from early training
Temperament, or prejudice. so long as the
exercise Of this inalienable right does moi
infringe upon the rights Of his fellow
man, and the results Of such government
will affect him here and hereafter, accord'
ing to the inmntable law OF right and
wrong. If the wisdom gathered from
Gods word shall clearly indicate that 9
human being is pursuing such a course ~
will bad 10 his final unhappiness, who
can be more grateful than that one-wher
the church shall come. and with the cleal
light of revelation point out . bettel
course.
GRAND MAsTxR Adams. Of the Crane
Lodge of the /. o. o. +. Of Indiana, diet
on Tuesday last. ~