The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-15
ADDRESS OF REV. DIR. HoGE.

Rev Dr. Hoge said: My reverend brother who
made the first speech tonight told us that an OPP
portunity would be given to foreigners to address
us on this occasion. | remembered that | also
might accept that designation, and be regarded by
this audience as foreigner after that announce
ment, but for the time being | will consider myself
a native and member at least, of this great Chris.
tan family. Applause This morning, in an
other place, us sat before the man who has so re-
Gently stirred our hearts-the dark brother who
came, as he said, IA 600 miles, and as heard him
speak of the love OF Jesus and of the unity OF that
one family who dwell in Him. was reminded Of
that beautiful passage in DR.. Alexander religious
experience when he tells us that if four of diff
ferent cOlors and speaking different languages and
of different blood and education should be thrown
together, travelling in stage coach, and If there
should be an interpreter there and it should be
discovered that these four men representing differ
ent nationalites were all one in Christ, their four
hearts, like kindred drops of water, would mingle
into one. Applause That is the only true Sc
cret, that is the only lasting bond OF any Christian
unity, of any alliance, the only one. We have
oftentmes noticed by the sea side when the tide
was out that in the sand there we're little pools of
water standing separate and distinct, but when the
tide comes rushing in those that are nearest the
sea are first obiterated and then as the tide rolls
the others are covered, until by aud by it is all
one eXpanse of water, and thus the love OF Christ
rises above denominations and religious distnc-
tons, and merges them into one, because they are
one in Him. Applause. And yet when this
Alliance separates and when the members of it 90
to their own homes, there will be nothing perma-
nent in its influence no perpetuatiOn OF any salu-
tary power as the result Of it, unless it all be
based upon that and upon that only; and if all
the Protestants Of this world we're to unite in
an alliance, If the object of that alliance was
thereby to gain political power or to gain new
Influence from its numbers and the wealth it
represented, it would be but rope of sand
that would bind them together, and the union
would not be worth the efectlng And therefore
1t Is exceedingly important to remember the touu-
datiOn upon which such a unity must rest. L dit
fer entirely with the sentiments of those who tell
US that Christian unity among different denomna.
tons is to be secured by making little of the dis
tlnctions that prevail in different churches. These
distinctions must be consclentousy maintained by
those who sincerely hold them, and the right to
hold them by any one denomination must be recog.
nzed by every other denomination before there
can be true and lasting harmony between them.
The unity of the different branches of the Protes-
tant family must be maintained by respecting, and
not by dlsparaglDg the peculiarites OF each other
believe that the doctrines of the Bible are the
pillars upon which the glorious Church of Christ
upon earth rests Applause. And believe there
are some church organizations in which individual
pety is best developed and although they may
hold doctrines which are not essential to salvation,
these very doctrines are essential to the symmetri
cal development of Christian character, and there.
fore not to be made light Of Therefore | would
not have an alliance that is based on the ignoring
of differences existing in Church government or
Church doctrines Applause. | would have an
alliance based upon what our friend the Brahmin
told US all this evening, and he struck the key note
when he told us that Jesus Christ was the only
head of the Church, and the humblest member Of
it was a member of his mystical body Applause
My friends, these gatherings are pleasant, because
as you have been told to night it is but the pre-.
lude of that coming era OF glory predicted in Gods
word where men of all creeds, and all climes, and
all colors are brought together with one song
Peace on EARTH and glory to God in the highest"
but there is another and grander thought con-
Dected with the subject it is that these gatherings
Of Christians from different lands remind us of the
time when we shall all sit down together in the
kingdom of God, not only permitted to see the
face, but to bear the likeness of Christ
There, on the heavenly hills,
The saints are blessed above;
Where Joy like morning dew dstills,
And all the air is love.
Applause