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

There diversities of cperations.-that IS.
many ways of working-sbut it is the same God
that workeeh all In ALL Surely the application
of this cannot be confined TO the Corintnlan
church, or any local church only, but il means
I'll 1T we shall understand It as His own solution
of this much vexed question of Christian unity.
It clearly sets the subject before as God sees
it and as lie would have regard it. It teaches
that denominational variety is not only toer-
ated by the Father of ALL but 1t is provision
of his love ny which be meets the needs or the
endless variety of mems dispositions. habits OF
thought and surrounding circumstances
'Considering the variety of dispositions
among men. the difference of mental structure.
the notifications that heredity. education and
en- vironment produce, it would really be detrl-
m entail 70 the cause of Christianity to have only
one form OF worship. one mode of government,
one method of work, even view of doc
tFine4 Presbyterianism alone could never con-
vert the world. 1t has no attractions for some
natures Neither could Methodism alone do IL
There are dispositions that4re rather repelled
than attracted BY it's forms and methods. The
Episc opal Church feeds some tastes, but there
are those that would starve outright il it were
the only church There are earnest, uncom-
promising literaists that could never be salts
fed until their baptism was an actual immersion,
by the spiritual view of baptism the Friends
take.
As long as we see in q glass darkly will we
have different views as to the doctrines which
the whole church agrees of secondary i'm
portance. Yet these miner doctrines become a
prime condition to some naturss. The essential
truths only become clear, helpful ana saving as
the secondary doctrines are believed. 1t is OF
the first Importance that mon should eat to live,
but some would starve at tabls where others
thrive. To eat is to live; but appetits and taste
come in and demand place and play their part
in the selection of the bill of fare Faith in
Jesus Christ 10 the condition of eternal life, but
how that faith is reached. how 1t is built up, and
strengthened. how it grows and thrives, is large
~ dependent upon these minor doctrines, as they
called In view of all this man should go
to that church where he 10 most at home, where
he xwTkh ma lar ihApf IN aalf
and for the good of others.
1T comes to this: that we do not want TO break
down the individual characteristics of the
various denominations. The world is NOT ready
yet TO obliterate all distinctive names. Each of
the great denominations has a venerable and
noble history. The wise common-sense political
economist does not want TO cancel all the
glorious record of Gods saints in the special
lnes of their gifts, administrations and opera
tons. The various denominations the worthy
conservatories of the records Of Gods spirit
modes OF thought as represented in the men
who are the true saints of the churches that
old them In honor. To throw them into COM
mon treasury would be to lose their strong in
dlviduality that has impressed itself upon the
whole church. Even a Luther, a Calvin, a Knox,
Wesley, WickHfe. is the common property
or all. but his individuality is preserved and
HANGED by the special care that is given to it BY
that denomination which counts him as Gods
angel TO itself. am sure il the Spirit spoke to
each individual angel of the seven churches of
Asia Minor, IN Revelations. We have right to
hear what the Spirit saith to the special angel
of our church.
Organic union of all denominations may come
at some time, but it is not essential to the prog
ress of Christianity. That is the true spirit Of
Christianity which allows large difference of
view, of taste and of choice on this question.
THAT wherein Christian unity really consists,
according to the text, is not in the external So
clety, but in the presence of the one Spirit of
God. Where the Spirit of God convinces of sir,
leads to Christ, effects holiness. there is the
church of Christi