The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-18
THE CHRISTIANITY or CHRIS
TIA N9

THE reunion of the two chief branches of
the Presbyterian Church in the United States
is an occasion for congratulation with good
men of all shades of religious opinion. A
quarrel that was discreditable to the religious
belief of its participants has been brought to
satisfactory termination, and the influence
for good of great and important Christian
organization increased tenfold. There
is no doubt that the squabbles that are con-
tinually occurring in churches, in denomina-
tions, and between different scots of Chris
tians, do more harm to the cause of religion
than all other influences put together, and it
ia therefore the manifest duty Of those who
profess to represent the religious in
terests of the nation to set the example
in avoiding occasion for offense, and
in endssvoring to promote sentiments
of good fellowship among these who differ
in opinion. At the breaking out of the Re-
bellion the action and language of religious
men and of religious bodies, so far from
being influenced by that spirit of charity
which st. Paul pronounces the greatest of
Christian virtues, were distinguished by
rancor that was scarcely equalled by the
political disputants. Several of the religious
denominations of the South severed their con-
nection entirely with their Northern brethren,
and one distinguished clergyman, occupying
the highest Office in the denomination to
which he belonged, threw off his sacred robes
and donned the uniform of general in the
Rebel army. Since the conclusion of the
war, when it is the manifest duty of all good
men to aid in healing the wounds caused by
So, uS1fc frsf fha IF
struction has been obstruoted quite as much by
the opposition of influential religious societies
as by any other cause. A few days ago the
Southern Baptist Convention unanimously
adopted q report against cooperation with
the Northern Baptists, and in the Southern
Methodist Episcopal Conference the over
lures for a union made by the Northern
Church wore declined. We have here two of
the most extensive and influential religious
denominations at the South deliberately
ignoring one Of the chief principles of the
creed that is preached Sunday after Sunday
in their churches; and while it is in the high
est degree creditable to the Northern Metho-
aists and Baptists that these overtures should
some from them, the rejection of such offers
of Christian union on the part of members
OF CnOS0 6ects at Cne OOutn does not auSur
we'll for the religious future of the late Rebel
States. ~
In view of the action of the Southern Bap-
lists and Methodists the meeting of the first
General Assembly of the reunited Presbyte-
rian Church in this city tomorrow is an
event Of even greater Importance than it
would be otherwise. 1t is true that the
quarrel in the Presbyterian Church was not
complicated by the element of politics, but
the reconciliation is no less matter of con-
graduation, and while it cannot fail to increase
the strength and influence for good of
the denomination, it will set an example
which it would be well for others to follow.
All contests between brethren of the same
religious belief are not only discreditable, but
they bring the whole cause of Christianity
into contempt, and give occasion for the un-
godly to rejoice; and such meeting as that
appointed to take place tomorrow will be an
occasion for sincere congratulation not only
to those Immediately interested, but to all
who believe in the good influences of religion
in promoting the welfare of the country, and
who think that those who profess to teach
and preach the precepts of the divine Founder
Of the Christian religion should themselves
set an example of long-suffering and brotherly
kindness, seeking to be numbered among
those who will be entitled to the reward pro-
missed to the peace-makers