The Forrest City times., 1891-10-16
FOR CHURCH UNITY.
nIcthod1sts Discuss Iise Subject at
 TbeSr Eeumenseai Council.

1nstf WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-The third days session of tue ecumenical Metho- dist council opened with the Rev. II. T. Marshall of the Methodist new con nection, England. occupying the pre- siding officers chair.
 The topic of the morning session, "Christian Unity" was then taken mp and the essay was delivered by the
 Rev. Dr. T. G. seIby, Wesleyan Metho- dist church, Greenock, Scotland. That the unity of the apostolic churches did not rest upon a common organiza- tion is the conclusion of the best re- cent criticism and research. No liked policy IS enforced by either preccpt or example in the new testament. The organization of the newly evangelized communities varied in different dis tricts and among Jews and gentiles. The official titles of those who admin istered the affairs of the earlier be- lievers were borrowed indisci imin- ately from trade guilds, municipal par 1iaments and sy nagogues.
 These question ms he thought might well be left in the hands of those upon whom the mantle of Hatch and Light foot has fallen.
 The Rev. Dr. Vii liam Nicholas of Dublin, representing the Irish Metho dist church, maintained that there was real unity in the church of Christ, but there was need for it's manifesta- tion. A good deal of liberality and freedom of thought must be allowed.
 Hear, hear. Wesley gave such liberty to tholght, and unless the church did sc, now 1t was in danger of going back ward. Applause
 srkea Rev " r nrl. of tba Ribla Chris tian church, Is of Wight, said true Christian unity had been ign pred. The chxrch had been trying to unite on creed and polity, but that had not succeeded and never would succeed. Wherever there was union In the Lord there was real unity. Many Metho- dists in the old country felt that the time was ripe 1hese for union, but the initiative must be taken by the British Wesleyan church. N ould she do it2 Wousa sne take advantage of the greatest opportunity ever offered? Hear, hear.
 Dr. Smith said that the church of God is essentially one in all ages and places This may consist with much variety in the non-essentials of CT eed and practice in the individual and the denomination. Unity is not un form ity, and the highest unity in purposes so far-reaching as those of the gospel requires the greatest variety of endow- meat and work, and n mobility in form that can adapt itself to Its ever changing environment and speak in word and deed to each age and nation in it's own tongue.
 ''Mrltitudes in sight of our churches are as ignorant of God as though born in the heart of Africa, and much more hostile to the gospel The church is the only power that can reach them. To reach them there must be cooper ation. There is an inspiration that comes from sense of union with the hosts of the good which cannot he equaled by the narrow zeal for church or creed. Moose church can do the work of eyangelization demanded in one of our large cities Nor can all the churches together do it if working apart and along different lines. But when there is open opposition the case becomes hopeless. The church was designed not only for eV2ngelizing, but for a conserving power as we'll V