Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-12-02
our CHURCHES.


its influence is welded by live men who
arc thoroughly in earnest and whose
hearts beat for the good of all men.
To say that change of tactics Is
sadly needed IN our churches is but 10
echo what every man, not alone inside
but outside of the church feels II ne
does not express. We want more OF
4 a practical union-a union Tor scork-
among the different denominations
The time has altogether passed by
when peculiar dogmas, which the mass
of the people cannot understand and
| care but little about, can be embodied
in sermons or exhortations with any
good effect. 1t makes no difference
whatever, as to their truthfulness, or
how many learned authorities can be
cited in proof, the people understand
them not, and think it time thrown
away in listening to them. What is
needed is plain practical sermons on
every day life, brought directly home
to the people. Subjects which touch
the heart and set it throbbing with a
new life. Subjects which meet half
way the aspirations of our inner self
encouraging us TO higher and nobler
deeds, worthy of ourselves and of hu-
mainly.
We need more sympathy and love
among Pastors and church members,
irrespective of UNCONVENTIONAL lines
more intimate relation between all
more frequent interchange of pulpits
among Methodist, Presbyterian, Bap-
tist and all other denominations-a
greater mingling together in prayer
meetings--in fact union Of forces for
hard work in view of a reformation, !
waking up of dry bones. This is the
kind of front the church should
show the world and the POWER it would |
exert would astonish its friends. Show
more interest in mankind and less in
your particular church and its purely |
metaphysical dogma Unitedly and
as one man attack the wickedness |
which lives and thrives all over the
country; use plain language and call
things by their right name.
The world is ripe for new christian
reformation or we fail TO read the
"signs of the times" Alright. Mankind
is yearning, and groping, as it were,
in the dark for higher standpoint of
christian civilization. The people are
ri "a state of almost volcanic eruption,
tArobbing and painting for higher lib
erty, grander, nobler civilization
the one step nearer to the SECOND AD-
VENT. A unitedeffort on the partof the
children of God, is needed 10 encourage
and assist in the great work. Cease your
church disputes, your wranglings and
denominatienal controversies join
hands-and as one man preach "Jesus
Christ and him crucifed." The peo-
pie can understand suffering Savior;
cruciGed Savior; risen Savior; an
ascended Savior-but do not freeze up
their hearts by your doctr ines of cleo
ton, christian perfection and host of
other dogmas they do not comprehend
or believe.
Would our space permit we could
cite you, reader, to France, Italy,
Austria, and in fact the whole world in
proof of the condition of the people,
as bearing upon the "signs of the
times.'' The careful reader of the cur
rent events, both political and religious,
cannot fail to discern the growing un-
easiness of mankind and their aspira-
tions growing stronger and stronger as
if nearly ripe for actien. Our own be-
loved country is full Of omens for good.
The reunion of the Presbyterian
church is glorious work, and will
ere long gather under one head all
branches of that church. Next in
course will be the union of the Metho-
dist church, North and South. May it
come quickly: Unity of labor is all
that is needed and it should be organ
lied at once in every city, town and
village throughout the length and
breadth of our land.
In the language of the Rev. DR..
THOMPSON, of Cincinnati:
"Across the old Hebrew hills we see
in a vision of coming ages redeemed,
purified Israel trooping again with
songs and shouts of joy to Mt Zion.
And does it not typify another vision,
on a continent thronged amid oceans, a
united, redeemed and conquering
church, whose banners bear many
names, but whose footsteps point to one
center, and whose pipes blow sweetly
into harmony; come together into the
mountain of the Lord; throng the
courts of ope sacred temple, whose
aisles are the breadth of the country,
and whose dome is the height of the
sky; claim all this land for God, for
righteousness and liberty forever
Result.
Some of the results of President