The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-26

ties, towns and precincts or cooperative churches
with their elective officers and evangelical agencies
for the spread OF the Gospel OF God The idea OF the
desired unity precisely that OF the Saviour vast
army Of Christian soldiers, OF whatever sect, who
regiments with each their special names and uni
forms, but all grand uutt undor one leader the
r css n IS Ua n s r. nm
sound
Tn,d-But this unity plainly admits of useful
diversity. There is diversity In unity, In NATURE IN
music IN the words Of Cod In the Holy Trinity. AL
the followers OF Christ may be unlike, while they
may DO all one IN iIIm as lie prayed and yet DO ID
distinct local churches. and each member have
HIS OWN PERSONAL PEcuLIARlTlEs.
ecclesiastical preferences and duties.
Fosfrth-Indeed, Christians must be unlike In
their personalities and opinions IN many partion lou
model--the humanity OF their Divine Master. There
are no two Of them constituted alike. on:
would naturally delight in Two different classes o.
e. wrons No swo Christians are situated
exactly alike and sney may nave o. many ao6
somewhat their religious Impressions; Their light
and acquired knowledge arc also unlike-and VINO
does not know the importance OF having any Object
OF lgnt where 1t may be to the best advantages
The diversity OF experience and observation atten-
ton and education tends to diversity opinions also.
No finite mind has yet attained TO perfect views
on all topics. ST. Paul says Brethren, Iconnt not
unto the things Which are before press forward to
the mark and for the prize or the high calling OF
God In Christ Jesus, and count all things but loss
for the exceency OF the knowledge Of God in CHRIST
Nevertheless, wheret0 VIC have attained let ms walk
by the same rule, let Us mind the same thing. Tor
we being many are one BODY In Christ"
F5u-There are, however, essential uuths On
which
ALL CHRISTIANS DO AND MUST AGREE.
The evil nature OF sin, the divine nature OF MIN
who psrons II and leads to repentance Tor 1t. and
the oeaseess punishment or ccaseless and unsancrk
fed sinners are axioms In oil regencrated minds:
The Christian conscience accepts them alike and
C0nvergcs at the cross.
Sirth-Tne truths which unite them are greater
than those on which they disagree, and all Chris.
disparage the points OF difference. cooperating as
far as possible in the unity OF the Spirit and the
bonds Of peace. The period OF usefulness for secto
ranism In the Church seems nearly passed. Evan
geical alliances, Young Mems Christian Associa-
lions, Union prayer meetings. and the common I'M
pulses OF all Gods people conspirlng TO fulfil the
prayer OF Christ, that they NIL may be one IN Him.
hud the world shall see and know that he IS, indeed
divine.
The Professor concluded by saying we can thus
see that the Church OF God includes all pcnten
believers or whatever name that their divisions into
separate organizations sects have secured greater
Investigation OF the Gospel aud extended Its 1nfl
ence among different classes OF people ana IN all
parts OF the world; that the
USES or sECTARIANISX
have been providential and the abuses prolane and
when all classes OF Christians Protestant and Fapa
should, In one common sympathy, Adore God, our
SAVIOUR and celebrate alone HIS praise. So snail
there be real visible unity OF heart OF labor and Of
hope till all tile world shall own that Jesus Is Lord,
to the glory OF God the Father.