The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-18

DR.. Jeffery on Christian Unity-Further Dis
cussion by Prof. Benton and Others.
Decial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.
BETHANY PARK Aug 17.-Dr Marine, of the
Central avenue NJ. E. Church, failed to meet his
appointment for 10 o'clock this morning, and as
DR.. Jeffrey was here to fill his engagement for
this afternoon, the management induced him to
deliver his address in DR.. Marines hour, intend
ing that Dr. Marine should occupy DR.. Jeffery's
hour in the afternoon.
DR.. Jeffrey took for his subject christian
Unity" He believes an organized Christian
union to be undesirable and impracticable. All
should aim at recognized Christian fellowship
that would unite all hearts, despite of intel
lectual differences of appreciation. Such differ
ences should be held in liberty and in charity.
The Doctor gave dissertation on how we came
to receive our religious faith.
The three Armenaps announced to appear in
Turkish costume and depict some of the com
mon ceremonies in their native land also failed
to put in an appearance. The audience occu-
pied abort half an hour in singing, when the
scriptures were read and prayer offered. The
management then announced that gate fees would
be returned to all who came expecting to be
entertained by the three Turkish students, and
that the afternoon meeting would be devoted to
discussion Of the address of the morning.
Prof. Benton, of Butler University, declared
the question of Christian union to be one near
his heart Some sort of church dogma is the
cause of separating the church of Christ into
different classes or sects. This was not the case
in the early history of the church. A dogma or
difference of opinion did not divide the primitive
disciples of Christ. Neither Christ nor His
apostles threw out with any cearness
form of church government OF church
hoo rInht ~
make an opinion or dogma any part or parcel of
church organization anything like basis Of
Christian fellowship. Such fellowship lies
deeper than mere human Speculations There
is basis of Christian union upon which we can
stand, and that basis is upon the very person Of
the Lord Jesus Christ-personal loyalty to the
person of ChriSt-that is very broad in it's char
acter, but there is no middle ground, and all
Christians can unite upon this one basis
The discussion continued by r.. l.. Allen.
of Kansas, and j. u. Taylor, of Missouri, the
latter insisting that the Savior prayed unmis
takably that His people should all be one, as the
Father and the Son are one. No fact has been
more certainly demonstrated in history than
that there can be 10 union Of the people Of God
upon human opinion
w. E. Hall, of st. Louis. held that Paul put
prohibition on UNCONVENTIONAL or sectarian
names. All unite in believing there is God,
one Spirit, one hope and. indeed almost ali
the important points on which there should be
Christian unity. Christian union must be based
on faith. Denominationalism arises from the
formulation of opinions and erecting them into
standards.
King Pendeton, of New Albany, believed the
whole trouble is in mans stubbornness-in the
human view of Bible truths. If the people can
not find out what the religion of Christ is, the
people cannot unite upon the truth as it is in
Christ Christs church is one body, and a body
cannot be spiritual-it must be organic, material
such as can be seen.
FL. o. Breedon, of Terre Haute, took part in
the discussion, as did also d. r. Van Buskrk.
of indianapolis, who said there are practical
difficulties in the way Of Christian union, which
have not been met
DR.. Jeffery of the Baptist Church. closed the
discussion. 1t would be a great step toward
Christian union, were all to speak kindly and
lovingly of each other. The New Testament
has statements concerning the religious
institutions about which we differ, but has left
us free to form church government according
to the exigencies at the age in which we live.
We are growing towards Christian assimilation,
and in culture of the graces of the Christian life.
1t is mistake to organize for the purpose Of
Christian union; you can't organize to make
people love one another. Let us talk less about
Christian union, and work more to show it.
Tomorrow the missionary society meets. r.
l.. Howe, Of Irvington; John Donaldson, of
Terre Haute; E. j. Gantz, of Indianapolis j. II.
Edwards, of Shelbyvle, and A. H. Moore, of
New Castle, are on the programme.