New-York tribune., 1874-04-06
CHRISTIAN UNION.
JOINT COMMUNION SERVICE OF BAPTIST AND AN
INDEPENDENT CHURCH


JOINT COMMUNION SERVICE OF A BAPTIST AND AN
INDEPENDENT CHURCH.
The Church of the Disciples Of Christ, on
Twenty erhthst. Broadway, was yesterday after
noon well attended by those had assembled 10 par
ticpate in the OF two churches that had hereto
fore been parted by schsms and dissensions-naiHey
the Ssventeenthst Baptist Church and che Church OF
the Disciples the latter having become separated from
the former The services begun by the RevRober
Cameron OF the Seventeenth-st Baptist Church, who
read the hymn, Blessed be tho tie which binds aer
which the Rev. w c. Dawson OF the Church OF the DIS
cple The 1lOth 1th and 1l2th Psalms the congre-
cation reading aoud each alternate verse. Ihe heN W.
III. Ball. d. d.. OF the Baptist Union then onereq pryoI,
after which the pastor OF the Church OF tne
made the address OF welcome, 10 the following eH1et:
The Rev Mr. Dawson said he welcomed the brethren
and pastor who had come participate with them In
the worship OF God, and thought their coming would
have a good influence. 1t doubtless would seem strange
10 some that church aud congregation should invite
another of a different denomination TO engage with
them in Christian worship bat about year ago 1t had
been proposed to unite the congregations and com
mittee was appointed each church for that purpose
II was then believed that disciples OF Christ they had
no right TO he divided, and that the gulf should be
brdGed In consequence OF the Summer vacation
the committees nevet met and in the Fall there seemed
but little hope of the Union being consummated. The
seventeenth-st. Baptist Church, however, had
an opportunity for selling their property TO adj
vantage, and the Church became there
fore without church home. IL was then
suggested TO try temporary unOn joint occupancy
Of the church This was therefore the first tine
that che members OF both churches would commune
together at the table, aud no bade them welcome
IN Christs name-welcome TO all the rights and priv
ileges a host welcomes his guests. The union
may continue for longer shorter time; but while II
does continue he desired 1t to be pleasant As token
OF welcome would take the hand Of every member OF
the congregation through their representative and
pastor. The Rev Mr.. Dawson then took the hand OF
the Rev. Mr. Cameron.
The Rev. Mr.. Cameron said that the only embarrass-
ment be had felt since losing his church home when
the Church the Disciples made the offer OF
their home for joint worship. He hestated TO accept
the ofer his church could give nothing in return.
Whenit was proposed TO make the celebration OF the
union pa Dnc Ire feat that II would be better 10 let the
said beyopd a quiet thank YOU for the house. Bat
when it shown him that this was to be union
could thus get nearer to each
other in Christ he agreed that it should
made known; and that as both acknowioig igcd the
God, the same Jesus as head, and the power 9the
Holy Ghost, the two should be one In the LORD Wheh
toe Jews were divided into factions at the death OF SAUL
they agreed ono thlDc-that pdyld should be hnE;
and should not these two churches be united IN nans
David's greater King OF Kings He thought there
would he little danger o. falling out by lie way As the
often bury their grievances in the grave OF the
representing the grave OF Cnrist.
The Rev. Dr.. Ball then read portion OF ST. Mark.
chap XIV giving details OF the Last supper, after
which he took his place AT the head OF the communion
table in company with tho Rev. Mr.. Dawson. DR.. Ban
then sad he feel strange IN that house. as he had
wOtshiped in it before, present when 1t was dedl
Gated To- God aud bsd broken bread in II IN the Of
Jesus. He hoped that those who would then meet at
that holy service would forget their dverses ana unite
in tLEf bOni 6i uul0n wDcA was beyond human power
10 establish or destroy-tne union with Christ. "hat
God loQs together mau cannot pu asunder DhefehCrs
NAV arise and anuOydnces, but Dy Vrtnc OF tHe
Bread and Wine they all one IN Christ Let thlS
uniou he said crowned with GOI's richest beneIc-
on and result glorious Dgatnering Of souls tor the
Lord.
The Bread andW were then blessed. the former by
the repre- sentative Of congregation and the latter
by the representative Of the other after which the
sacred elements conveyed % those assembled In
the church without distinction, representatives. OF both
churches acting as deaco0s for themlnstoTs.