The Nevada picayune., 1885-03-19
The Dream ef Christian Unity.

Among the various recent state ments and publications on the sub ject of Christian unity there seems to run the curious and common CT TOT of presuming thatif the cler. gyman or ministerial representa- lives of the different religious bod ies could be brought to an agree ment their congregations would follow suit. We certainly do not desire to embark in the discussion of so difficult and delicate a sub- ject as the consolidation of the re- gious bodies, but as it has a social and secular relation, it may be re. marked that the obstacles to be re- moved are not represented by the differences in clerical opinion. If the clergy were ready to unite it may be seriously doubted If eth cir fiocks" as they are often call ed, would ho prepared for union in ceference to command or example. The chief characteristic of mode Tn thought it independence. In re. ligion, as in political matters, pee. pie insist upon thinking for them selves, and nnderlaying all differ- ences of religious opinions is tt e assertion ot the principle of free dom. Between the Baptist, Pres. byterian, Methodist and Episco. palian the essential. difference of doctrine is not either very wide or deep, but is quite enough to pro. serve the distinctness of each. They represent varying opinions and convictions, and although all may deplOre the lack of external union, neither of them is willing to procure if by surrendering hi. Judgment to the other. We say willing, but perhaps, we had better Say neither is able 10 do it without compromising conscious and self respect. The same ia true of Cath. olics, dcvOutly holding the divine authority of their venerable and historic church. It. is, impossible for them to coalesce with the in dependent but fragmentary Pro. testant bodies, to abate one jot or title of the doctrines which they hold are sanctioned by an infalla. ble authority. All these and many others that might be named are Christian bodies whose belief. are represented by their clergy and priests, but they represent also forms of conviction and opinion beyond the control of the clergy. 1he.dream, therefore, of a Chris. tan unity is wholly impossible of realization until the times arrive when, under the guardiance of some universally recognized crite- iron of truth. men will come to the same conclusions as to tho teachings of the Bible. Just at present this happy era of agree. ment appears to be more distant than ever. Not that controversy is specially active, for perhap. there never was time when doc trinal disputes engaged so little at. tention, but because the spread of indendence in thought assists in giving tenaCity and self-assertion to individual opinions. The re- ligious bodies are not farther apart than they were, but the di. visions between them havc deep- ened.
 But 1t does not seem so impor- tant that these divisions should be brldged whom we observe that in spirit these different bodies are growing friendly and cordial. Act. I've antagonisms are dying out and bodies that formerly regarded each other with austere disapproval now meet on the bases of fraternity and mutual respect, illustrating unity in diversity without conscious eff. fort. It would seem, therefore, that although this is not an age for the surrender of opinion, but rath- CT one in which individual opin- ions arc specially insisted upon, it is nevertheless marked by an abate mont of asperity between religious bodies and tendency to general cooperation for the advancement of religious objects. This, after all, is true union, and it may be as it's usefulness and beauty are more clearly wrought putin the advance of civilization it will be generally admitted that no other is possible
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