The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-28
CONGREGATIONAL FELLOWSHIP. 4
By REV. G. FosT4 BARNEs.
(Tideoutes Pa

THE UNIvERsAL1sTlpf the 14th inst.
published a COMMUNICATION from Rev.
James Gorton, entitled Congregational
Fellowship" the pei aeal Of which has
prompted us to offer aword or two on
the subject of which Threats: "A Uni
versalist joining an orthodox church. y
First then,-we seriously question
the expediency, let alone consistency, of
Universalist uniting with an ortho-
dox church. Nothing, we maintain,
can be more incongruous or out of place,
not even the conception Of the impossi-
bility of an orthodox seeking fellow
ship in Universalist church. An
orthodox would never dream of doing
such thing. Conysotion and the fit
ness of things must isBrFesto prevent.
All praise to orthodox people for this
wholesome example. Would to God that
more professed Univel lsalists would fol-
low it for the good of the cause.
And further, what does the uniting
=
of a Universalist with an orthodox
church virtually imply to the world ?
We care not what an ofthodox minister
may have said to the candidate regard
ing the essentials 20 admission. 1t
simply and unequivocally implies that
that person has becosDe an orthodox :;
and the enrolment efSthe name under
the creed of the church gives any one
the right to so consider person, and
any court of justice id the land would
sustain the position. Therefore, let us
ask, what does this mean? 1t plainly
means that the assumption of such a
position is nothing mbre nor less than
sheer deception, for under the circum-
stances person is assuming to be what
he or she is not. Then is such pro-
cedure Christian ?
We love the blessed Universalist
church; our life is at her disposal. We
rejoice with exceeding great joy to OBJ
serve the spread Df III glad tidings.
God forbid that we ah copaiaeEed
selfish-of uncathOIc spirit we
would so delight to have our dear
church reaping vastly more of her hard
earned harvest. Scared and battle
worn, advancing in the fight step by
step, naught but pain and sorrow can
pierce the hearts of her true blue follow
ers to behold her protesting offspring
deserting to the other side, no matter
what the alleged cause or excuse. Prin-
ciple and conviction are the only legi-
innate motives to exculpate one from
such action.
This strange departure of claimed
Universalists from their own churches
to the others, reminds US of circum-
stance occurring in New York a few
years ago. The New York, Buffalo
and West Shore Railroad was built in
opposition to the New York Central
and Hudson River Railroad. 1t is said
the people, by their repeated expression
of sentiment, were largely the cause of
its building. But what happened .?
How did the road fare by the people &?
Why, while praising the West Shore
for its commendable enterprise and
pluck, hundreds would be buying their
tickets at some New York Central
ticket office or riding ON some of its
trains. The natural result was, that
the West Shore failed in its object, and
the people were greatly to blame for it.
And so we find not few people to day
who are sitting in orthodox churches,
supporting them, and taking on them
selves their fellowship, who all the
time are God-speeding the Universalist
church, and expressing their love for
it, and their faith in its doctrines and
their hopes for its success. A
mighty poor way Of bringing such a
result to pass.
1t has been remarked, that society,
social interests or connections is the
Nc'uoO VI huCIl VI lulos Odu lulS Ut 50 :
Religious conviction held so lightly e?
Heaven help the Christian cause if very
many are only induced to connect them
selves with this or that church, because
of social standing. Such a course of
conduct is really too unworthy of notice.
Indeed. if it be true, instead of expend-
ing SO many thousands to convert the
heathen, the money had better be ex-
pended on the heather at home.
Thanks be to God, however, the Uni
versalist church has an ever-increas-
ing number of staunch, consecrated
followers, who Loyalty stand by her and
give their very lives for her prosperity.
But enough in regard to "mugwamp"
Uniyersalists
Now, then, to another phase of the
question, which in justice to the cause
of right we would handle without
gloves. 1t is in reference to the pro-
cedure of so many orthodox ministers
in admitting Universalists into their
churches, knowing them to be such,
and the essentials, which they, on such
occasions require that the admission
may be in nowise cOnflictive with the
candidates professed doctIinal views.
We most emphaticallV DENY the inst