New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-02

organization, ecciesiasticism, or human law and
authoryon ideas and principles of liberty and respon.
sibtv elfmovement. and movement inrythm from tne
common, peryasiye influence OF Christ II Is method
Of union that implies that they are duly endowed With
will do It that they will elect the cause OF the common
veal Twill be sefsacrhcine fraeraa
tative bands while having no bands but those OF love
TO- Christ aud his people.
1t most venturnsome basis OF denominational Ire,
far out toward Christian maturity. Only churches
near the Master, like the apostolic churches and az
dizzy foundation overhanging independence and
anarchy 1t requires Tdch piety and culture to enapis
Loyalty with the ssterhOod 1t requires much pe anu
culture make the ssterhood worthy OF ksuch loving
and trusting cOmpaniOnship.
ADVANTAGES OF FELLOWSHIP.
r. therefore, the churches ever become corrupt self
wed devoid Of wisdom, and the graces and suavites
OF Christian culture, graspng at liberties and spurnhg
duties, Congregatonasm will dissolve in atoms ana
disappear The remark Of Christ 90 his disciples comes
with all ITS emphasis to us: "Without Me We can do
nothing" Our high vantage ground Of freedom is close
to great peril Gods richest possibilities are hard by
great gulf The tree OF life was near the tree tnat
occasoned death The strength Of our union s In near
ness TO Christ-in knowing and loving his Will When
see his methods and PIT ourselves on them when we
enlightened In his truth and will ana ACT aGcora
ingly, shall move together as q phalanx. II we
walk In the light as He is In the light we nave 1eow
But for churches full of Christian love and wisdom
this the highest principle OF union IL puts the ieas
the bursting hearts and waiting work of His children.
| Its advantages are many; may mention these:
common interest, upon their Christian instincts and
principles 1t draws them away from mere denomna'
%Sordnate place and takes them up to
for the mind Of the leader They drawn away from
OF
subject. them to moral trsnnSS The the dE Of
equity develops Christian character II Is perretgal
school helping them up to the gaSes OF the sesye In
What II there are occasional mistakes want OF unity.
and parties who do do their dutyi This Is incidental
to method Of freedom under moral motives; but such
method for those who do pervert to license pro-
uces the highest results unless ecclesiastical order Ia
| higher ioa i; "nr'atian elaracteEA,
5. It produces alacrity ioyousness In service.
Above any other principle OF union 1t leads TO energy:
81 S s
OF schools colleges, seminares, MISSIONS asyums re-
FORMS Christian enterprises OF all Snd, In social ana
pours its energies into 1t with spontaneIy aud power
| that leaves its impress all over the land.
1t prevents internal Jealousy and irritation and pro-
notes good feeling There are among the churches no
occupy an ecciesastical level The only authority is
that Of Christ and that outlined in the Scriptures and
equally accessible to all The system makes no room for
heartburnings. imposes no CALLING yoke.
SYSTEM OF FLExIBIITY
It causes churches TO feel that their intercourse
is formal but the expression Of what they need 1t
is ever fresh issue from their circumstances and
wants. like a stream from living spring. Its methods
cit easily and gracefully on them, because they
a new birth Of fitness and necessity.
g. 1t furnishes system of elasticity and nexbility
that the churches easily and gracefully dis
turbances What II they do not agree certain
pOntsi There is not much to be done about 1t. They
cannot be coerced Ecclesascism might attempt this.
and drive to schsIn accommodation Fellowship
tries 10 wiD or lets aone-and wins by letting alone
Or what II church is disellowshiped or wlthdraws
from fellowship There no permanent act OF separa-
ton and when it has put itself right and reganed the
confidence of the churches there Is no formidable bar
friendly relations on the basis OF present character.
much IN the same way as II 1t were new church How
off has a
alienated churches so quietly as to produce hardly
or repeating vote by the simple recognition OF what is
on all hands conceded to be fact Christian char
7. 1t promotes catholicty Of feeling. Those who
adopt this principle OF union make so much Of Christ
go things that they readily
as Christs any body Of Christians whom they SEQ lie
recognizes. They easily live with doors OF sympathy
and love wide open toward all other Christian churches
ready reciprocae friendly offices and recoSDltiOns
They have nothing In their system which unconscousy
leads them to shut their doors IN the lace OF churches
organized on other ideas and makes them guilty OF will
fully severDg the body OF Christ aresh, and keeping
g. There IS great power in such system in the
Of those prepared ior It, 10 nsed TO anthort
Tosces the head OF procedures origin
Sut not Of churches scattered over
the continent is nconsderable and the delverance OF
ceases be- ordering legislating nothing hurt
ing nothing but WISH resolution seems 6rutum
tical act settling matter once, to them there Is
no power But to those In the habit OF respecting the
IDEAS and inspirations that Christ breahes into the fra
ternty. there is wonderful power in such quaint and
come upon gently and move them. like the silent
forces nature which all bow-llke the sun. which
the earth and It's dynases noIseessy
and not by hurting thunderbolts. .
has in an economy OF fellowship II the Spirit Christ
ia dies out II leaves no debris no great establish
work but holding the privlege-much more, no mighty
fundamentally turned from It's directly appointed
course and working mischief When the spiritual life Is
Conc gal the
world is the better for such clean, quick rddance OF
Christless thing.
CHERIsHING THE BONDS OF UNION.
These are some OF the advantages of principle We
see that il helps the churches tina, far toward
Christ, still farther out but ever the dizzy line OF
high ideas and lofty virtues Congregatonalists must
be grand Christians to be good churchmen Sectarian
zeal. narrowness and leadership would only tear to
pieces and precipae ruin For the sake Of Congrega
tionasm we must say, Christ first. Christ last Christ
oil the time. For Christ Is fellowship and fellowship
At the same time, However. we need to cherish the
delicate bonds that bind us together. We live and
thrive forces so mpalpable and spiritual that unless
we recognize them practically and them we
shall not increasingly cling together in grouped and
wonderful like the fresh appearing leaves Of
Spring clustering about tree but our union will grow
weaker and we shall be H. danger of falling apart. one
by one and drifting hither ami yon like leaves of Au
tumn. We need TO cultivate tie thoughtful attentions
suayitIes, fdeties OF our gentle relationship. In call
ing ministers from field to another the equities fra
ternites and larger interests should be weighed deli
cately and We should never let ourselves down. nor
allow ourselves TO be let down to the level OF the
old barbarian principle Of the right of the stranger-n
modern euphonsm the party paying the larger salary
generous spirit should be cultivated 10 speaking OF
peghborng ministers ard churches; and the habit OF
Interchange pupits should be welcomed and appre-
ciated part Of the economy OF fellowship, and dis
tribung the benefit Of the varied gifts Of the ministry
Let church feel that 1t has right 10 hoard Its pastor
belongs to Christ and the cause. When church has
the opportunity TO welcome the messenger aud repre-
sentative Of the churches let It do it warmly and
heartily and forge letters OF love and hold them
eyerpOre. When councils, associations, fellOwships
meetings hsld let there be prompt and full attend
ance ON the principle that family duties first be
attended to- And then the duties Of fellowship should
be often considered In churches. preached the