New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-06

more Christian worldly yet no two Of a, sIset
the same place % Two Ss "r ~ sbe same &
nsnces varying degree each certainly inhaen nSn
By the pchs 81 and With points Of
Senee forming different estimate, IL not OF the essen
tias OF Christianity yet OF much that very Important
and precious it's bearings and truths.
Observation-Disclosures SAKE
Rut here comes tho very important question: Ia
tbis diversity right ought we 10 be content thus 10
dferlp answer that It is right, absolutely and in
itself and that we ought content with IT, 1t is
an fmperfecon OF present state and we ought not
20 be content with imperiecton On matters OF such
eternal consequence as tho truths OF revelation, IL Is
DO not shrink even from the unpopular word dogma.
do not how Christianity exist without dogma
form and mode OF cmbodying and expressing 1t. And
necessarily there must be various degrees OF correct
Bible teaches us. Some must be more, some
less true know OF no greater misfortune that could
Indifferent TO TRUTH or suppose thai there such
thing truth that ought not TO pursue 1t, make
low II its sake II to add fresh nobeness To life
and III would 1t be for us II were indifferent TO It, or
attained truth such cancer or Indifference
would far into the heart OF better and higher
resolve. Truth Ia most precious even only because
our belief Conduct ald far fall short
Of the truth, far will our motives also be de-
we have taken for the truth. But besides
this TRUTHS precious for its sake II the student OF
spent If he add To heritage OF TRUTH surely
Who claim to have had truths revealed to from
by the genuine conviction that the knowledge of these
truths necessary for here upon earth. In the
world 10 come moreover the possession OF truth IL part
of promise OF perfecton for there Ne are to know
| \ also are known.
and earnestly search ourselves that selfish motive
no pride reasoning unwiingness to be convinced
o %a altitude tS toward those who differ from us SoS
there any truth in what have stated, divergence Of
ftInn Of INN
state. We here first OF all, in state of progress
1--WE have not yet attained nor are we already perfect
and all therefore that do Is to follow after N
that may apprehend that for which also are ap
pretended Of Christ Jesus" phil, ill.,, ~.
ToLERATIoN A COMMON DUTY
But surely If thus the knowledge OF all Of us Is i'm
perfect II state is not Of attainment but Of
progress the foeers and seekers after
| God, our feeling toward those who with are
seekers after God should be not of hostility but
OF love We fall far short ourselves of what we would
gladly know and II they fall short too hold what
we DO not hold, and reject what accept, yet they
engaged In the same quest as ourselves and this
very diversity is necessary condition OF general
advance. Look where you will. truth and the Bible
nowhere valued except Where there ~ discussion and
| debate and controversy about them. Go where
there that true mechanical unity which pro-
fess 10 value much, where IT. the Churchs business
10 seI tie what is faith, you will find all practical
value Of II gone. Wherever men value the Bible they
VIII search Il for themselves will form opinions about
II; will discuss and often 10 may be- misunderstood
and misuse It, SO all things capable Of beng used are
the imperfectiOn Of But where there Is
controversy and divergence OF opinion 1t is because the
truths OF Revelation are put aside from mans transient
life Unless we would wish the Holy Scriptures thus to
be as though they existed not, may well be content
with the existence OF rival denominations They are
the result OF life aud without them there would be the
But there is a far gaver consideration. and that is
that this divergence OF opinion IS the result Of being
| responsible agents We are accountable to God for
| what We believe as we'll for what we do.
| But responsibility implies freedom We are not re-
sponsbe for necessary done under compul-
| sion. To reward punish for deeds done without
OF justice. BY the very constitution therefore Of our
natures thoughts ana beliefs Of own choos-
| surely those who felt this would be slow and I'M
willing to judge other people. Right beliefs there
| for the measure OF truth allowed, or lacking,
| ACCORDING to tho opportunities vouchsafed u.s.
willingly Judge another. Ourselves standing at the bar
conscious of the MANY prejudices which have kept US
away from the full Light Borrowing the blindness
Of passions aud the weakness OF our ineuee,s and
the onesdednsss OF our geAons which have made our
might shrink from judging Others They it may be,
have sought the light more prayerully and earnestly
imperfect TO justify In pronouncng their sentence.
They. like ourselves under trial. but
feels the heavy responsibility that rests upon us Of
searching out Gods truth and living by it viii be SO
humbled by 1t TO think mainly Of his short
comings while those Of his neighDors he would feel be-
lOnged to themselves.
may make Us tolerant OF the divided state OF opinion
existing at the present day have shown that
progress that 1t must exist the Bible IL
valued and studied Great activity in religious thought
leads to conflicting views and interpretations should
have been glad also II had shown how much OF
tal unity underlies our diyerses how much hold
in common; how many OF the things that keep apart
are disputes matters OF temporary or second
airy interest and how work of the Holy Spirit the
believers own heart cannot but bind him closely 10 all
who love the Lord Jesus Christ In sincerity But
the full and proper treatment Of these subjects belongs
others, while was allowed 10 rather TO show that
Christian unity does not involve the sacrifice on our
part OF what suppose 10 be the truth, but the holding
our views in Christian way. We too often push
our points OF difference into extreme prominence we
magnify those things whereon we disagree, and
regard nothing the vast common ground
wherein we are all agreed and then we
suppose that all we hold is absolutely certain.
There few men VINO have sense enough
10 doubt their own nfalliblty. And 3d. firmly beliey-
above il only by drawing nearer 10 Christ He told his
disciples that they knew not OF what spirit they were
and still OF the spirit OF the disciples rather than
that OF the plaster, out py SERVING ahu hhouatihs
ness and may his prayer be fulfilled and we all BIO
one in him and without giving up our beliefs, without
NAV yet feel that too heavy responsibility rests upon
ourselves for condemn others, and that after all
the true faith OF Christ however ready ~ may Dc TO
eadeth, will yet be faith that worke ia ove-that love
which alone heal our divisions because IL Is the
very bond or periectness."
One verse of the 18th hymn, beginning:
LET party names no more
The Christian world oerspread."
was sung by the entire audience. Then, as the hour
Of adjournment had not yet arrived, the Rev. c.
Dallas Marston, NJ A., of London, read paper upon
the Communion of Saints; Modes of its Promotion
and Manifestation" as follows:
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN SOULS.
BY THE REV. c. DALLAS MARsToN, NJ. A., OF LONDON.
The article of the Christian creed which
expresses belief In the communion OF Saints is one Of