Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-01-24
8eligiuns Department.
For the MONITOR.
SECTARIAN PROSELYTISM.

There is that quality in human nature,
called taste, which divides men into clas
ses, tribes and nations. 1t is seen in the
many callings and pursuits of men. In
the religious world it is shown in the
great diversity of sects; and it is proba-
bly, true that the good of the great whole
is conserved by the existence of all
these varieties. They are parts of the
great body of the world and each sect
may have it's divinely chosen work in its
place and sphere. This is emphatically
true of the sects in the Christian church.
They are rivals to each other and provoke
| to love and good works. Members of
sect will do more for their sect than for
| others. and probably much more than
| they would do for one sole church, or one
| single organization. Their doctrines and
usages are bonds of union that make them
a united people; they do much for their
sect and create a religious home feeling.
They may mingle pleasantly with other
denominations, and yet not feel at home.
To them, nothing equals their own form
of worship, and no people are like their
| people. But when love and zeal for their
own, leads them to undervalue others;
| to oppose them for selfish ends; to use
| worldly and unmanly, not to say unchris-
tian means, to pull down others and build
| up themselves, then they SOW discOrd and
hatred, and are doing the work of an
enemy. Yet there are plenty, more than
| plenty, of these schemers. In many So
called churches, large share of the mem
bers have first or last, by means fair or
foul, been prosecuted from other churches,
and this is true of the congregations also.
And they glory in such baseness. They
have regularly organized bands and plans
for the purpose and they are ever working
them. Their sleep departs from them I'M
less they cause some to fall, and they cell
citrate their successes with great glee.
We have not the least objection to their
seeking the alliance of those not allied to
others, for it is their business to seek to
| save men, but to rob churches of other
names, is to merge glory in dishonOr.
The Golden Rule has wide extension.
These PROSECUTING churches do not covet
for themselves what they thus do to 9TH
ers, and would be justly indignant at such
craft, successfully practiced ON them
selves. If any man should entice your
lambs or sheep away, you would call it
stealing and robbing, and to do this as a
church or church member, to men, women,
and children; to coax, fatter, deceive
and give presents, and to urge them by
every worldly motive, to leave the church
of their choice, is as much worse than
sheep stealing, as that is worse than hon
esty, and these ecclesiastical robbers de-
serve to be pilloried in the temple of pub
lie scorn.
1t may be that these churches have
success in gaining numbers, wealth and
popularity, but God is not served by this
policy. He often suffers wickedness to
succeed. They labor for selfish ends by
base means and He sends leanness into
their souls and 'Ichabod" is written by
Gods finger on their temples, their people
and their worship. The selfish and shame
\ full action we censure, is the inordinate
love of self or sect. 1t sets it's own ad
vantage against others, and ignores the
! claims of Christ. 1t does evil that good
=, may come and its damnation is just. II
:. is one of the greatest of hindrances to
: great and widespread revivals., As it is
: now, there are many who almost dread g
time of awakening, because these schem.
ers will be sure to employ their unmanly
= means, to wheedle the converts into then
Il own fold, and thus make the revival enc
in strife and divisions, and give occasion
for Zion's reproach and shame. 1.
: CENSOR.