The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-20
PLEA FOR PEACE AND WORK
Presbyterian Ministers Join in q Pro.
test Against DOctrinal Agitation.
No More Heresy Trials or Revisions Desired
indianapolis Diyines in the Movement
Rev. Aliens First Sermon.

terrain laymen. have become thoroughly
convinced that the heresy trials, the revls-
ION of the creed and ell the doctrinal agita-
ton that has shaken the church in the past
few years has been productive of no good,
if not Of absolute harm. Recently protest
against any further movement of this kind
was circulated among the ministry. and 235
of the most prominent divines in the
Milburn, Haines. Rondthaler and Edison.
of this city. The protest was issued
under date OF last Friday, Feb. IL,
In printed form and bears the signatures OF
thirtytwo ministers In philadelphia. three
in Washington. four in Indianapolis. twelve
in Cleveland. three in Cincinnati, eight in
Chicago eight in Detroit, seven in Newark,
n. j., three In Brooklyn. four In Albany,
five in Rochester seven in Buffalo and
thirty-one in New York city, the rest of
cities throughout the Eastern States. IL
is entitled "A Plea for Peace and Work."
and reads as follows:
To those who are actively engaged in the min
istry OF Christ, the chief interest and the first
duty is the bringing OF the simple gospel home to
the hearts and lives of men.
This is the great work OF the church. TO which
everything else must give way. STE can only
win the favor OF God and the love of men by sim
gle-hearted devotion to the task OF preaching
and practIcng plain Christianity.
pastors i'm the Presbyterian Church we are filed
with the gravest fears lest the usefulness OF the
church should he hindered, ner peace disturbed
and her honor diminished by the prevalence Of
theological controversy and strife over doctrines
which are not essential.
We remember that there have been two sad
periods In the history OF our church in which this
has happened. We remember that our church
has been twice rent asunder by issues which
have been recognized shortly afterwards as I'M
necessary. We dread the possibility Of having
such "a painful experience repeated I'm our own
times. We are persuaded that the great body OF
the church. laymen and minister's have little
sympathy with the extremes of dogmatic con-
fict, anu are already weary OF the strife or
tongues. and are longing for peace and united
work. We feel that we do not speak for our
selves alone, but for the great multitude who
hold the same conviction in regard to the first
duty and main work OF the church. while repre-
senting at the same time, many different shades
OF theological opinion.
1t Is I'm this spirit that we join our voices in a
plain, straight forward. fraternal expression OF
the desire for harmony and united devotion TO
practical work. For this reason deprecate
any and every attempt to impose new tests OF
orthodoxy or to restrict the liberty hitherto en-
Joyed by those who sincerely subscribe to the
essential and necessary articles of the Presby
terrain Church. Especially would we deplore
any hasty addition by informal resolution, or by
judicial decision, to the confessional statement
OF the doctrine OF the Holy Scripture. We hold
firmly to the teaching OF the first chapter OF
Scriptures as the word Of God, the only tnfall-
bic rule of faith and practice We do not express
any individual opinion In regard to the theory OF
the inerrancy of the original autographs OF
Scripture in matters which are not essential to
religion. but differing as we may in regard To the
abstract truth OF that theory, we protest unitedy
and firmly against making assent to 1t test OF
Christian faith or OF good standing in the Pres
byterian ministry.
terests of peace and unity. in the interests OF
missionary enthusiasm aud progress, we take
this position clearly and firmly, and We cordially
invite all who agree with US to co operate Ia
maintaining these principles believingsthau the
end OF the commandment is love ont of pure
heart ana good conscience. and faith I'M
feigned. and that the surest defense OF the truth
is its unfaltering proclamation.
The Sixth Church's New Pastor.
Rev E. A. Allen. of Decatur. Ind, has
taken charge of the Sixth Presby teri
AM Church Of this city. He began his
work yesterday. by preaching to a full
house. The following is q brief synopsis
of his sermon:
Receive We the Holy spirit.-John, Xxx, 10.
Dear, Christian friends 1 know not that
| have chosen wisely or we'll my text this
morning. but / have chosen 1t because
feel that 1t is the most appropriate theme
In beginning my work in your midst. Less
ls known of the Holy Spirit than the other
persons of the Godhead. Until recently
Owens on the SPIRIT was the only work
that was to be found In our theological
/ feel that two errors are prevalent in our
church that need be corrected. First, we
hear the Spirit spoken of AS an influence,
we refer to Him by using the neuter
pronoun' it, This should not be. We
should always speak to Him as a person.
Another grave error Is that we feel that t he
Spirit is away off somewhere, and we need
some great man to come to town to brin q
HIM to US. Now. the Spirit is always
present but He does not always manifest
n nj w N
we grove him away. We say unto Him,
Away. we will not have Thee to rule over
u.s. Unfortunately for US, we do realize
often our high privilege, our power of com.
opening the doors of our hearts.
while the offices and work of the Holy
Spirit are many shall select four TO which
/ will briefly refer. He is a teacher. He
will guide US in the way of all truth.
The idea We get from the original is one
that-gOes- along by side. Hence He is con-
stantiy by our sides, always ready to teach
MS and correct our errors. he is one that
melts the human heart. The language of
the human heart is that Il am right and
everybody else is wrong When I began
my ministry l thought it possible to settle
domestic quarrels by pleasant words and
ways. But l found it impossible. Not
until the spirit of God touches the heart
do we find il possible to overcome all
trouble. Let US undertake tn clear our
sidewalk OF Ice on cold morning and
we'll find 1t difficult task. But one hour
of sunshine comes and the task Is done. 1t
is Just so with the Spirit. 1t softens the
hard heart when all things else fail.
Tho Holy Spirit cOnvinces us of sin.
Who of us who has not heard the still
small voice within say, 1t is wrong.
must not do it, when some dishonora BILE
act has been suggested to HIM. When the
grext Theodore Parker was q child he w as
passing pond and he raised his stick to
strike a frog. when he heard the cry don't.
He ran homo and asked his mother who 1t
was said don't His mother, as she took
her child in her arms. SAID: Some people
call it conscience. but prefer
to call it the voice of Cod
The Holy Spirit is comforter. 1t is He
that stands by us at the Rraveside of our
friends. How often we have been able to
reach the measure of our tears through His
intervention!
And now. dear friends. would we have
success in our church we must not grieye
away the Spirit With His presence in our
midst our success il assured. Without
Him we can do nothing. Receive ye the
Holy Spirit"
TIE RUSU Op INpP0VEMCNTC