Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-06-10
r,1E UNIrICATIoN Of sECrs.

TIE UNIFICATION OF sECTs.
The heated discussion in the United
assembly, at Philadelphia
on the question Of instrumental music IN
churches affords no encouragement TO
tbose enthusiasts who try to believe thas
the near future is to witness o grand con-
sol;dation Of all Protestant denomina'
tions. This is not q matter OF faith Oh
doctrine, or even of church government.
II does not impress the outside world a.
being a question of vast moment. But
we find men of learning and undoubted
piety discussing it with such animation
as is witnessed in Congress when a poiit'
;cal measure is before the House. Kew.
Oliver Matz said the question was SO
serious that it might result in disruption
of the church. He opposed the use OF
instrumental music, and with due respect
to the last general assembly he ventured
to say it was not IN infallible body nor
had it power nor authority to change the
law. R. ". Henry of New York also
onposcd instrumental music, and pre-
dicted that il the majority report were
adopted there would never be peace and
harmony in the church. !,
The discussion was renewed on several
successive days, occupying most OF the
time of the convention. and eliciting
frequent displays Of deep feeling. Rev.
Dr.. N. C. McDill said: "The Church OF
Scotland has articles in its confession
prohibiting instruments, because it does
not need them. From the day OF the
Apostles to the rise Of popery instru'
ments we're not used, and from the days
of the Reformation instruments have
been excluded from worship. Subordi-
nate standards are only made when there
il necessity for them. Brethren, you are
too brave to listen to threats, and we are
too brave to threaten, but whenever n
under authority says i will not there
is only n answer, and that is, You
SHALL" DR.. Price Of Philadelphia said
the report OF the majority treated the
minority unkindly. If it passed the
assembly it would be taunting a large
number of churches with unkindness,
and it's action would cause sorrow
throughout the church.
At last the report favoring instru-
mental music in church worship was
adopted, but this action did not smooth
the rufled spirits on the opposite side.
On the contrary, they asked leave to lille
their protest, and there is reason to be-
lieve the question will be reopened with
renewed zeal at the next meeting OF the
United Presbyterian assembly.
We do not refer to this debate in order
to criticise the sentiments of the breth-
rem who took part in it, or to express
any opinion as to the propriety OF having
musical instruments in a United Presby-
terrain Church. 1t seems to us that each
congregation might we'll be left free to
determine whether it will or will not
have such music; but it may be that we
do not fully understand the subject as
viewed from the United Presbyterian
standpoint. At all events, it Isl question
that does not interest the general public,
except in SO far as all are interested, or
ought to be, in the harmony and pros
perity Of that great and strong religious
body.
But the thought suggested by the radi-
cal disagreement Of the brethren at
Pittsburg is that, while there are such
wide differences of opinion and such in
tense feeling in minor matters, the ten
dency is rather towards the multiplied
ton than the uniication Of sects; that
the idea Of one great church embracing
all Protestant denominations is q wild
dream; that while there is a healthy
growth Of Christian charity on the part
Of each sect towards all the others, the
members of each are quite as likely to
disagree on minor matters ~ they
were half . century ago. Thus we are
assured that many sects. not one, will be
the rule in the near future as in the past,
ana vigorous rivalry in good works will
70 on. This, to our mind, will be far
better than the uni6cation for which
some very good persons are hoping and
praying.