The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-26

many generations! Is this present condition of
Christians-this condition Of division and of OPP
position-right In the sight of Godg Are we
ourselves satisfied with having these divisions?
The confessed necessity Of unity, as shown by
holding congresses, gives the answer. Our pres
emit condition is not satisfactory. 1t is state of
unrest. Such divisions are often justified.
The argument of some Is that competition is
the life of business" Possibly, that is true
about business; but the competition and eonten-
ton of sect with sect is the death of religion as
every one can see. One reason is enough to
give, though there are many reasons. Such
contention is the destruction of love, which only
is the fulfilling of the law" AS the
result of the contention, it is notorious
that Christianity, in is aspect of
devotion to Christ as the Savior, is
fast losing its hold on the Nation. Morality is
followed, but it is the morality Of self satisfied
Pagan philosophers Few men attend worship,
or utter prayer Except the 'swearer's prayer.
The masses strive only for present comfort and
advantage, and do nothing for the reason that
there is an hereafter. Practically, they say 'let
us eat and drink" let Us enjoy life while it lasts,
FOR tomorrow we die To large degree this
unbelief is owing to the divisions among Chris
tians These divisions are perpetuated, although
the origin OF them has been forgotten. People
uphold the division they were taught in child
hood. simply because they were so taught. They
can offer other reason. 1t is
not because they have examined their re
igious position. and know it to be true.
Some display utter ignorance how these sects
arose, yet may have solution of the questions,
perhaps a ludicrous solution. A person once
was asked the origin of these divisions, and the re
ply was that ''they all came from St. Paulr Said
the person; Il suppose St Paul founded in
Ephesus a Methodist Church; in Corinth, per-
haps. an Episcopal Church; in Phillppi Baptist
Church, and Congregational Church somewhere
else, and as SO they have come down. How
many know more than this man? But these di
visions had their chief beginning through the
disputes IN politics mixed mp with religion that
arose in England during the period of the Re-
formation, A ID. 1880 to A. d. 1903 But the
original divisions multi piled by dividing yet
more, until at the time Of the Restoration of the
the English monarchy in the person
of Charles II, A. d. 1860, as many as one hund-
red and fifty sects existed in England, and it is
said by recent writer that the number is now
the same Sects multiply by dividing, as a
poyp can be made to multiply by dividing it.
Yet such sort of propagation is possible only
in the lowest type of animal life. Fortunately
for Christianity, the Christiantsocieties original
ed by division do not contain a twentieth part of
the Christians now living The vast mass of
Christians still maintain their connection with
the apostolic church.
Is it asked by whose fault these divisions
arose? Plainly by the fault of the people who
lived one, two and three hundred years ago,
who are dead and buried
1he evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft inferred with their bones
we ecdnllob olame any persons now HVlnS
as the authors of these divisions Fault
can be found only with those who JUS
tify these divisions as useful Such will
compare these divisions TO different corps of an
army, clad in various uniforms, etc. But the
different parts of one united army do not con
tend against each other! They might, indeed,
in meeting against the commander.
Do foreign missionaries justify these divisions!
No! When they preach to the heather they try
to conceal them. In the far East the ministers
of different protestant bodies keep asunder
by agreement. They endeavor to forget every
thing except that they are Christians.
What can be done to amend this sad state of
things! 1t is that this generation should retrace
the wrong steps of centuries gone by, and seek
the fellowship of the apostles This is not difficult
to a sincere mind. The pages OF history can be
himself, how to end the sad divisions among
Christians, J. W. b.