The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-10

tNiA 'AouaA ulAs ueen taught; We seem now
10 De at the dawn Of the day OF organiza-
ton and combination. It is a time of gioan-
TIC enterprises. In the industrial world To-
aays needs are the measure Of to-morrow's
work. Shall the church be behind! No.
THE TIME HAS COME.
The fullness Of time has come, and the
cnurch OF Christ, one in heart and purpose.
must move to the command of her con duer-
ing King. Ia order to effect cooperation.
the spirit OF intolerance, which has been the
casus divisions in the past, must be cast
aside and tbs equal rights and privileges of
all Gods people recognized. This recogni-
tlon must be real and not formal.
Wehave long been accustomed to the latter.
IL has found expression in gushing resolu-
tions and splendid orations, which have
been negatived by our behavior toward
each other. We should either do
more or talk less. Nor does this
recognition Of the ecclesiastical
equality OF other denominatio9s
mean abatement of their love or zeal for
our own. Must man defame his neighbor's
family in order to be true to his ownl For
him his own family should be dearest aud
ment upon otherss In this matter
the people are ahead of the preachers
II the clergy would come closer together
they would find the people with them. Ger
tain organizations and plans of labor are pe-
culiarly fitted for accomplishing certain
kinds of work Episcopacy
OF Presbyterianism; Congregational or
connectional government, settled or timer
ant Pastorate, or any other denominational
popularity may be demanded for most
efficient work, and it would be wicked TO
adopt another. Consultation and adoption
OF plans for cooperative work will follow
recognition OF equality among Christians
and mutual respect for each others gifts
and labors.
MUTUAL RESPECT ESSENTIAL.
without respect for each other, attempts
at cooperation must fail without consulta-
ton there will be confusion and conflict.
The cooperative union desiderated may
follow the process usual in nature, bringing
into closer relations those located near each
other, massing those nearest alike
into larger bodies and the in
tercorrelatives Of these into an
ecclesiastical cosmos, one in purpose and
effort, but differing as members of the
body in form and function. In nominalIy
Christian lands closer union of the churches
is needed to gain the respect and aid of
those who now sneer at the church for
exhibitions OF rivalries and jealousies.
1t is needed to reach the un-
evangelized masses of Christendom. The
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 cooperation. There is
an inspiration that comes from
sense of union with the hosts of
good which cannot be equaled by
narrow zeal for church or creed. No one
church can do the work OF evangelization
demanded In one Of our large cities. Nor
can oil the churches together do it if work.
ing apart and along different lines, when
there Is indifference between the churches.
But where there is open opposition the case
becomes hopeless.
DESIGN OF THE CHURCH.
1.-THE church was designed not only for an
evangelizing but for a converting power as
well. Salvation is an individual work, but
the benefits accruing are shared by the fam
lily and the state. The church is not political
organization, but if it does not affect for good
the state in which 1t exists nor influence
legislation toward righteousness it has
failed of its mission. There are stupendous
evils for the gospel TO destroy. The desc
Grafton of the Christian Sabbath; loose di-
vorce laws which strike at the sacrednesS of
the marital relation and destroy the family;
the unholy passion for gain which
tramples on right and virtue and
CANDLES with the bread Of the poor; and
above all that blackest in the catalogue of
evils, cruel and remorseless as hell, legal
lied traffic ii intoxicating liquors; all
these and their accompanying evils must
be destroyed. And for this work
the world must look to the church. Co.
operation is needed in philauthropic and
educational work. Combination here means
strangth; division, weakness. In the work
Of foreign missions there should be
Christian comity and hearty helpfulness.
where there is this union OF sentiment and
corporation in work there will be in the
church such enthusiastic devotion and per-
sonal conservation as shall bear OF the
Wings of light the gospel of salvation TO
every creature"
NEED FOR LEVEL HEADEDNEss.
Dr. T. B. Stephenson pointed to the need of
"level beadedness" in treating the subject
of cooperation. There were practical ques-
tions remaining to be settled. He did not
agree with his friend DR.. Hughes that 1t
was a question of the amount of religion,
and he felt that some me1 who had
as much religion as others did not feel quite
as we'll disposed toward cooperation. 10
some things the western section of Metho-
dism must always act differently from the
eastern section, owing to the difference of
law and habit. So he favored a system Of
ecumenical conferences on each side of the
water to facilitate cooperation in their own
territory and such q movement would soon
be made in EBgland.
When the debate concluded a hymn was
sung and the conference was about to ad-
journ when noteworthy scene occurred.
All day the talk had been Of uaity and Co
operation, and the stirring words of the
speakers had gradually wrought
up tee council to state
approaching enthusiasm. The train had
been laid and q match was applied, when
the presiding officer, apolcgiziDg for the
breach in the regular order, said that the
words let fall by DR.. Stephenson had taken
root, aud, therefore, be asked the
indulgence of Presldent Myers Of
the English Methodist Free church
who desired to say a few words in response
to DIR. Stephensons remarks His object for
a long time, be said, had been to bring the
British Methodist churches together. All
his people were willing and anxious, and he
was instructed by his fellow churchmen here
to say that they responded to the otter 70
unite. Rev. DIR. Marshall Of the English
Methodist new connection, said his heart
was too full for utteraDce. As one Of the
pres idenfs of the minor Methodist bodies
he reached out bis hand TO DIR. Stephenson.
for be had strunk the keynote to which oil
Methodists responded. He clasped hands
with DIR. Stephenson and felt that Metn'
odist unity would follow.
DIR. woRTHiEGTos's STAND.
Rev. 7. Worthington, president Of the
English Iudependent Methodist conference.
said that be represented democracy aud
could Lot commit his people, but they
favored organic union. There would b
some difficulty Ia union. but IN spirit they