The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-10-13
Church Unity.

Nix. EDITOR: That such unity did
exist among the early Christians is not
questioned, and to that degree that those
who previously possessed goods no
longer regarded them as exclusively
their own, but cheerfully contributed
them to the common fund, to be distri-
buted among the disciples as their neces-
sites required. That such a community
of feeling and interest was enioined and
did obtain, renders it safe to conclude
that it was both possible and practic-
able.
Now let US see how well We have kept
the ''Unity of the Spirit in the bonds Of
peace.' Four millions, five hundred
and fifty thousand Baptists to-day in the
United States dare not, nor can they
consistently with their convictions invite
or welcome to the Lords table one in
dividual of the remaining 7,150,000 OF
their protestant brethren. Why? SIM
ply for the reason that the latter have
not been immersed, or do not believe
that form OF baptism to be the only
Scriptural door of entrance into the visi-
bic church.
The priesthood OF another branch OF
the Christian family, with a member
ship of more than two hundred millions,
are forbidden to tender the consultations
of the gospel OF glad tidings to dying
man, or to give his body, at death, a
Christian burial in their consecrated
ground, because he had not. in his in
fancy, been taught to lisp at his mother s
knee a. Holy Mary instead of soar
Father" and this vast spiritual empire
has at its head crowned ruler, who
claims to be the successor to and the
vicegerent of Him who is "The Light OF
the World and the Prince of Peace, =
but who. when on earth, went about
doing good, even eating and drinking
with sinners.
Still another household OF faith, claim
ing rights divine by Apostolic succession,
full of faith, love, good works, and
charity toward all OF Gods children, yet
are forbidden to invite or welcome to
their pulpit divines of any other sect,
however learned or devout, simply be-
cause they mad not been consecrated 70
the work of saving men by their particu-
lar formula.
But, am asked how about your own
sect-the Congregationalists | reply,
that should an Evangelist come among
us commissioned to '' Declare the whole
counsel of God, whether men will bear
or forbear,r if he be Baptist or Metho-
dist, | hope he will be discreet enough
to keep silence upon any doctrinal
points not embraced in our articles OF
belief, as such course would tend to
| promote harmony, although he might
depart from us feeling somewhat as
Jonah felt when he was commanded to
go to Ninevah, but struck out foI
Tarshish.
Now, 1 am aware that many Christians
see no incongruity in this state OF confu-
sion in Christ's Kingdom. They say,
eve are all seeking the same heaven.
guided by the same chart, but 1t is not
necessary that we all travel by the same
route" agree to this; but IS it not
reasonable that we should have at least
a uniform sign OF recognition, SO that as
we meet or cross each others track on
the journey, We may know who are our
friends and who are our enemies.
This class of easy-going Christians,
had they lived in Paul's day, when that
grand, heroic prince Of Apostles, totter-
ing under the weight OF years, made
that long and tedious journey, to bid
farewell to the churches he had labored
so faithfully to build up, would have seen
no inconsistency in his being refused adj
mission to the pulpits or seat at the
Lords table. by two out OF every three OF
them. But the question is not yet an
swered. How shall we be united as one
L4YNAN