The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-09-08
"Christian Unity

ing helQ ~ sea UrOVe, IN speaking On
the topic of Christian Unity, holds this
language: 81 believe that the only bar
r;ers now existing against the fullest
manifestations of Christian unity are
those raised by the few Evangelical
churches which refuse the recognition
alluded to in the resolution. 1t was the
design of the convention by the passage
of the above resolution TO do all in its
power towards the removal of these bar.
riers. OF course only those churches
which refuse the recognition asked have
the power to change the existing state of
things
The resolution alluded to is one look
ing TO the recognition, by all ch urchcs,
ofthe"mlnistry, ordinances, certificates and
sacraments' of all other evangelical
churches. As an humble representative
Of one of the few denominations alluded
to rs refusing such recognition, not al
luded to by name, but recognizing my
self US being among those described, | beg
leave to present some reasons for dissent
ing from the views expressed by Mr..
Moti4t. ! do not believe that the true
reason for the absence of the manifesto
tions' of Christian unity can be found
in the refusal on tho part of the few of
the recognition of the ministry, ordi-
nanccS, certificates and sacraments' of
the many; because among those churches
which mutually recognize such acts and
ordinances, there are barriers still exist
ing to the "fullest manifestations OF
Christian unity. The great Presbyterian
family Of Christians surely grant the
recognition desired, and yet we
do not see that oneness 50 much
desired by all among them. SO
usD with the Methodist family.
1t does not appear to me that these are
the "oulv barriers fail also to see that
any existing barriers 10 Christian unity
are those raised by the few churchc, re-
tusing the recognition alluded to in the
resolution. Mr.. Motiat does not tell Us
what barriers the "lew' raise to the full
est manifestations of Christian unity, but
whatever may be the barriers existing,
he believes they are raised by those who
refuse such recognition. This use of the
word "icw' would lead Us TO expect that
among the many there were no barriers
now existing against the fullest NANTES
tatiOns OF Christian unity, and that the
fullest unity did therefore exist among
them. finding its manifestations ia acts OF
recognition of the validity oi the ordi-
nunccs, sacramentS and certificates OF
each other. But do we lind the unity
among these for which we all prayer
fully took? Nay. verify, the manifesto
ton, if such recognition be the man
infestation in many cases exists without
the unity it ought to represent. Again,
Your CORES pendent Is mistaken in bclicy-
Ing that only those churches refusing
the rccognitious asked have the power /"
change things" Baptist churches refuse
to recognize the ordinances Of their SISTER
churches and they would gladly accord
the recognition asked il they could do
50 without violating conscientious prln-
ciples. They, in common with al evan
gcIical churches, hold that immersion in
water OF IL believer is Christian baptism.
All churches hold that thus far the Bap
fists are scripturul, Ii it be questioned, |
am ready to give the proofs, but | pre-
sumo that it will not b. doubted Now,
the Baptist churches say one thing
more: The immersion OF believer
in water in the name Of Father,
son and Holy Ghost is the only
scripture baptism. They conscientiously
believe tina. the Word of God teaches
that, and they rs sacrediy believe that
the Bible and the Bible only Is the rule
and guide Of our faith in practice. They
have not the power, then, to change the
existing state of things. II they had,
am Tree to say that one Baptist Church
would throw down every barrier To the
fullest christian unity.
Inasmuch ~ all the churches agree
with us in saying that immersion Is sure
~ baptism, ii appears to mo much more
reasonable to ask th"m TO coniDe them
selves To- one OF the three bNptisms they
hold rs scriptural, than to require Bap-
fists to recognize the scriptura!ness Of
two that they cannot find, with the
ab.est scholars and photographers Of the
other churches to help them, either IN
the New Testament or IN the early
fathers of the churches.
As to the question of intcrcommunion,
which Mr.. Motlat hopes Will be exempt
iied in our midst every year, can only
say that conceive that those who use the
eucharist rs manifestation of christian
unity" would 50 fagrantly violate the
scruturui design of that previously com
mcmora,iyc ordinance in which we are
commanded To remember ChristS death
Till he come, and not exhibit our love for
each other "a individual christians nor IL
churches, that beg leave to be excused
from engaging in it, or from recognizing
any one participating rs Baptist. W hen
the churches of Protantlsm shall
cease us they are fast doing, 10 teach and
practice any Of the errors of Romanism
and return to the simplicity OF New
Testament order in all things, then there
will be Il real unity, and it will be felt IN
all our hearts, a reality rather than man.
Tested in acts of unity that have no real
basis in love.
We, as different churches, are daily
coming more and more 10 recognize the
Bible rs the only basis of true union and
obedience to Christ, rs the only test of
unity. and let us pray on and labor ON
in that direction, not preventing progress
bv fastening over Scripture and con-
science
Mr.. Modat cntertains great hopes Of
communicating his Grsire, because "mem-
bcrs O. al other evangelical churches
unite in representing to the mem
Der, OF two or three denomI-
nations that 1t is in their power
alone to render possible proving 10 the
world, beyond doubt, the real unity OF
all who believe in Jesus Christ
He appears to think that this question
ought to be settled by majority. II this
were proper then all of us must be Ro-
manists. But Baptists are cOntending
Tor great principles, and if the whole
world unite in asking them to surrender
these they cannot do it-dare not do it
until Christs word Is found to authorize
them. They have too much at stake to
compromise any truth they hold to be
,augh in the Bible May God speedily