The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-11
DIR. G., T. BOWLING AND THE
STANDARD.

A lake breeze starts up with some
degree of freshness down in the region
of Cleveland, Ohio, respecting form
of invitation to the Lords Supper,
given by DIR. G. T. Bowling, of the
Euclid Avenue Baptist church, at the
last communion service. The invita-
ton was "all you who love our Lord
Jesus Christ In sincerity and in truth,
and are seeking to perform his will, to
whatever division of this great church
you may belong, are heartily invited to
partake with us this morning at the
table Of your Lord and ours.''
DIR. Bowling disclaims any new de-
parture in this regard either for him
sci or for his church; larger portion,
he thinks, Of his people holding the
broader view.
The Standard, of this city, in an ed
itorial on the subject, says:
ut is question of the relation of ordi-
nances. Baptists do not decline partici-
patton with other denominations in the
Lords Supper because they do not con-
slider their churches to be churches, but
because they think an orderly admins
tration of the two rites of baptism and
the Lords Supper requires that partici-
pants in the Supper shall have been first
baptized, and because they cannot &C
cept for baptism what is less than bap-
tism in the almost universally admitted
New Testament sense. If Baptist pas
tor in trouble upon this subject, would
give more weight to considerations like
these, and less heed to considerations
which are so much matter of feeling SIM
ply, he might find the difficulty becom-
ing less serious for him."
The relative positions of DIR. BOWL
ing and the Standard are of denomina-
tional interest mainly. The matter of
close communion, based on the mere
form of baptism, has always been more
or less repugnant to people outside
that church; and has never seemed to
thinking people to furnish sufficient
ground for division in the great Christ
ian army. The unity of the spirit is of
more value than any form or ceremony
that was ever devised as a pledge of
faith and love toward the Lord Jesus
Christ. But the Standard goes on
to lay down general proposition which
may be proftably considered by all pas
tors of whatever church name.
"Then, we have another suggestion.
The pastor is not responsible for any
strictness, narrowness, If anybody will
have it so, in the customary invitation to
the Supper. The matter is settled clear
ly by those articles of faith upon the ba.
sis OF which the church is organized, and
which make it by express action of those
entering into the organization strict
communion church. The pastor may
properly feel, whatever his individual
preference may be, that the matter is de-
cided for him, SO far as any public action
is concerned. He will do no wrong if he
shall decide to waive his individual pre-
ference in the matter, and can very prop
erly say to himself and to others, should
there be occasion for doing so, that while
he remains pastor of strict-communioD
church he must respect the will of those
he serves in that capacity"
There is pertinence in these remarks
in day like this, when ministers per-
sist in remaining in the pulpits of a
church whose historical basis of doc
trines and forms they have publicly
and repeatedly repudiated. There are
doubtless other churches which would