Smyrna times., 1873-12-31
Why Not ?

Christianity itself is not responsible for one OF
these obstacles. They exist entirely in the
minds of men. AS we have declared else
where, and often, the simple facts that the
different evangelical sects recognize each other
as Christians, aud rejoice in unity Of spirit
make every possible apology for sectarianiSm
an absurdlty. They are an open confession
that nothing essential to Christianity divides
them, aud keeps them divided, an open con-
feSsion that seetarian divisions are based upon
non essential differences OF belief, policy, and
practice. The day Is past for defending Sec
tarlanlsm from the divine or Christian side OF
question. Christianity will have nothing to do
with such a defense. Tho founder of our reli-
giOn never founded a sect, and the religion it.
self is not responsible for one that exists. So
far as the church exists it Is spiritually a unit
in the eye of Him who founded it. That it is
divided into parties which compete with one
another, and quarrel with one another, and re-
gard one another with jealousy, and are full Of
party spirit, is mans affair entirely, for which
he is to be held responsible, and for which he
is mOst indubtably blameworthy
The grand obstacles that stand in the way of
organic union are, first, failure to appreciate
! the necessity and desirableness of such union,
and second, the established sectarian Organiza-
tions and interests. Now in our political affairs
we accept the adags: "In union there is
strength, as our a1lOm NO one tnlnks OF
questioning it. A number of free and indie
pendent States could gather, as the Evangeli-
cal Alliance did, in a representative assembly,
on common basis Of love of and devotion to,
liberty. The members could be one in spirit,
and every time they spoke Of liberty they would
meet the applause Of the multitude. Yet, when
these members should separate, each would 20
to his own, aud exercise his liberty in building
up his own, even at the expense of his neigh
Dor. The fact that all believe in liberty forms
no practical union. A union which lives alone
on q sympathy of this sort would not make q
: nation, aud would not be considered OF any
practical value among the nations OF the world
[ The fact that all these States are founded OF
the principle of liberty, and that oil can sympa
D thEe in the love and praise, and enjoyment o.
liberty, does not save them from sefshnes
an jealousy, aud competition and quarrel
while against a common foe they present NJ
united front, and no concentration OF uniteC
, power. The analogy between the position o
such States and the Protestant Christian sects
/ feet. The fact that these sects have
common basis of sympathy, in that love Of tn,
z Master on which they are founded. does no
Q make them an organic Christian church, il
{ any open, spprecsble, practical sense. 1t doe
q not restrain them from controversies, quarrel.
and competitions, or the outlay of that powe
upon and against each other which ought to b
v united, and brought to bear upon the commo
q enemy AL sectarian and party spirit in th
u church is Of the earth, earthly aud is not onl
h contemtible as o matter of policy, but crimin,
70 as q matter OF principle. When all Christian
lt become able to see il 10 this Highland the
are thus regarding il more aud more,-th
b first grand obstacle to the Obliteration Of sect