The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-19
CHRISTIAN UNITY.

| Rev. j. a. ROndthaler's Ideas Upon This Sub
/ ject-Organic Church Unity Not Desirable.
| In view of the coming Mills meetings, to be
| conducted by the united efforts of number of
| the city churches. Rev j. Albert Rondthaler.
| pastor of Tabernacle Presby terrain Church, felt
| moved to preach sermon yesterday morning
| upon Unity in Variety" There was present
one of the largest congregations ever gathered
within its walls Previous 90 the sermon the
rite of baptism was administered to two infants,
the usual custom of the church on the Sunday
after communion. The choir has been greatly
strengthened within the past few weeks, and solos
by Mrs. Scott and Miss Adele Wallick added to
the interest of the occasion. Mr.. RondthaIer
took for his text the words of Paurs first epistls
| to the CORN thians, xiii 4-6-"Now there are
| diversities of gifts but the same spirit; and
| there are differences of administration. but the
| same Lord; and there are dlversities of opera
| tons, but the same God which maketh all in
| ALL
In the course OF his remarks the preacher
said: 'Very much more than we do, we need
to appreciate that just in che apostolic church
there were some who had the special miraculous
gifts of healing, and others the gifts of tongues,
and others the gift Of prophecy or teaching, SO
in all churches men and women differ in their
peculiar talents and capabilities, and tastes, and
the true progressive church ia that which recog-
niZes this variety and uses each individual ca
pacity for the good and the progress or the
whole. united church is not necessarily that
there 0lfI6r6HceS
variety of views, and emphatic indivdualities;
united church is in which each member is
himself, acts out the convictions of his own
mind, contributes to the life of the whole by
giving the best of what is peculiarly and partic-
ularly his own.
mo two persons will think alike on every sub
ject. The fact that differ from ano Their any
point of doctrine or mode Of government does
not imply any contempt my part for my
brother and his opinion. There is not man
whom have ever met, and whose intimate ac-
air L mn IN, WI L have mt
seen traits, capabilities ano requirements far
beyond my hope of attainment And there is
not one whom you know that you are glad and
thankful that certain characteristics in him are
not in you. So, looking at it with broad. lib
eral spirit, the general average il pretty well
reached in all.
1.-THE advantage of associated Christian life, as
we have 1T in our various churches, is in the
mutual benefit we derive from the action of
these separate and pronounced Municipalities
The more quiet and hesltating are aroused by
the impulsive and enthusiastic; the thoughtful
and cautious hold in check the rash and impetu-
Gus: the emotional natures stir the Stod the
radical prods the conservative, and saves him
from being buried IL the dust of the ages, and
the conservative acts as balance to the one
ready TO fly off at q tangent AS soon as any
church becomes altogether conservative in ito
memb ership, soon it rests from its labors and
sleeps with its fathers. But that church made
up altogether or push, and energy ana cnange,
aud aggressiveness, goes ION surely towards the
rocks and towards snipwreck. What We need
to learn is the value of each one to the whole.
many who are decided and pronounced in their
Individuality That church is progressive when
the individuality of each ls recognized re-
spected and permitted fact; where there is lib
erty of expression without bitter criticism;
where there is right to be yourself without ins
curing contempt for that church il united Ia
which large freedom is allowed TO each to ex-
press his Christianity as God givss him his gifts.
Let as now look at the other bearing Of this
doctrine of variety In unity as il applies the
determinations differences u che church of Christ
AT the present day. Every now and them we
hear Iaments because Of ths many sects as Tn ey
are called, IN the church. and heroic attemp is
are made on the one hand 60 unite all churches
in ona and on the other to shut out from all
churches and establish a new one, which shaH
be the Christian church or tie church Of God.
But thus far neither OF these attempts has sue
ceeded. On the one hand tho overtures from
one body to another have always failed because
each persisted in saying. let swallow you,
then there will be unity And because neither
would be swallowed, the unity Of outward or
ganization has not come. On the other hand.
the attempt 10 start out new, and free from all
historic prejudice has only resulted in another
party. People say there can be only true
church. and they say correctly. But the mistake
is in their appreciation Of what the church really
is If the church lie external society then
one of these denominations is right and all the
others ara wrong, and the sooner all others
come over to the right the better for them and
the world But If the church be as DR.. Hodge
says its essence great spiritual body. con-
stltuted by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
through all the ages and nations, uniting all 20
Christ and If its external organization Is only
accidental and temporary. aud subject 60 change
and variation, then variety OF organization. I'M
less touched by the spirit of schis, Is not detri
mental to the chnreh.
In our text We have the highest authority.
which its the case exactly. There DIVERSE :.
ties Of gifts-A large scale OF capabilities-'bus
the same spirit There differences Of adj
ministrations.'i o. o variety Of forms Of gov
ernment, but one Lord WHO rules over all