The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-05-28
[For the ADVANCEl

=, ..s5s.z.: For the ADVANCED tscss.
-..-.:.-. QU4RREzs.. -.
ED. ADVANCE: I have been panied
to see the dissension and strife which
exists among the people Of God in this
community and would be glad to offer
a few friendly words of admonition to
those persons who are engaged uncon-
ciously, perhaps-in widening the
breach which: already separates the
churches of Worthington.: And: 1 speak
as friend to all, for I hold no member
ship in any church organization of this
town. I have no party to defend,
neither do I wish to censure any partic-
lar church, for all are alike to blame,
in a certain degree for the unhappy
state OF which I speak. That dissen-
sion prevails there is no room for doubt;
that it is all useless and uncllristianlike
is also true.
When men persist in forcing person.
al strifes and petty jealousies into their
respective churches, and stir up strife
among the people of God, then they
cease to ad6rn the doctrine they profess,
and no longer follow in the steps Of
Him who taught no other law but that
of love.
Christ is the model by which every
truel seeker after righteousness should
shape his life, and was He ever found
,,non tho Stroof oorpo,.c r,,h1,cb;n<r %I,n
frailties of weak brother to mock
ing, caviling world? Or alathamatiz-
ing this church or that church for
some imaginary offense?
All protesting Christians claim a
membership in Gods family, the
Church of Christ. There is perfec-
ton to be attained by the Church of
Christ and can we attain to that perfec-
ton by back-biting, classifying and Wilt
flying each other? Satan says yes, but
Paul, in his writings to the churches at
Galatia, says that ''all the law is fulfill
ed in one word, even this: Love
thy neighbor as thyself.' ''But if We
bite and devour one another, take heed
that We be not of one another de-
vourcd.''
Christ commands us to love one an
other even as we are lOyed of Him: Can
we not show better appreciation, then,
Of the wOndrous love which He has
borne for lis, inasmuch as He suffered
persecution and death for our sakes,
than to deliberately violate his most
sacred command? We must, or we are
none of His.
The demonstration which occurred at
the hall on Monday evening last; the
hard and bitter terms in which. some
professors paint the hypocrisy of others
on street corners and in public houses;
the striving of churches to gain and
hold the preponderance in the commun-
ity, regardless of the means employed,
all tend to fill the ravenous nav Of in
fidelity with most delectable repast.
and burden the new beginner in Chris
tian life with doubts and fears, of
which the Devil is ever ready to take
advantage.
Christian friends, let us think on
these things-calmly and prayerful]y
reflect. While we are divided in our
sympathies and engaging in these I'M
holy strifes, souls are drifting to ruin;
if souls are lost in consequence at
whose hands will they be required?
We have young converts just start
ing in the way of life and light t'babes
in Christ''-who are in need Of the
''sincere milk of the word" If the
milk" which we give is diluted with
jealousy and envy need we wonder if
it sours their stomachs and they spew
it out and follow after their old ways?
Let us teach them that LOVE is the
one thing essential to spiritual develop
ment, and without love professions are
worthless.
Build up the spiritual church. Live
nearer together, that our lights may
guide and direct seekers after holiness
rather than confuse and destroy them.
A BAPTIST.