The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-17
A NEW CHURCH.
Recently Organized by Forty Good PEG
pie In Great Falls.

Recently Organized by Forty Good PeO-
pie In Great Falls.
Forty OF the good people OF @ eat Falls
have formed The First Liberal Church, "
with declaration OF principles which they
should call creed" IL 10 be the principles
Of a church. q platform II IL DO the prin-
cIplss OF political party, and q 'constitu-
tion" IL it be an association for ordinary
religious work.
Bot IL they call themselves q church their
declaration Of principles must be called a
creed, according 20 the universal custom
for the last 100 years or since she Apos-
ties Creed was ado ted by the churches.
This creed, which begins with an English
participal version of creed" consists of
thitty articles, ak more than the Apostles
Creed. When We read this declaration Of
principles 10 becomes evident IL il not =
creed, for they unite TO promote that uni
vsrsal religion Of mankind which teaches
the unity Of tue work, the unity ofIAterests
/ Of al in the unive sal paternity OF God p"
/ They thersfoTs plant themselves on a plat
I form far above the religions Of ZOrOaster,
Confucius. Aahamed. Noses and even
Jesus of Nazareth. They adopt no
standard Of fsith. neither the PEN
teteuoh, the gospels nor the koran.
They are not Boodists, Jews, Christians o or
Mahomedans. Why then call themselves a
church? A church Is a body OF Christians
the bride OF Jesus. They can scarcely call
Themselves a ohurch when they plant their
feet on a platform above all churches, oil
religious systems, on the universal Dater-
nifty Of God.
Il was borne upward till trod among
the heira ely OF God" II is difficult to
sss how q society with their feet on a lat
form so high above all religious systems,
should call themselves church. a society
Of Christians. the humble followers Of
Jesus Of Nazareth. This is an ineongruity
that puzzles ne.
A church without = saviour would be like
an sleetiio lamp without electricity or
BRIDE without a bridegroom. since their
declaration OF principles does not so much
as intimate whether the be any Car 81 or
Christians. Thomas Payne could Subscribe
20 the creed Of this church; for he believed
in God and ell such good works. All DR.
sons are eligible for membe shin who will
unite on the basis of she principles snun.
ciated, and who will pledge themselves TO
carry Out the obiects OF this society.
Our friends Al Great Falls will excuse Us
for these friendly criticisms. IL 10 Is de-
sigued to be called O. rch then let the
creed or snuncistion Of uliuciples make 10
a church, but II 10 is - be a society doing
good works in the name of God, then let II
be called a liberal society. The good peO-
rls of q eat Falls have done so many
things so well, they should do this with ths
same good liberal spirit.
hey say religion 10 a matter OF life aud
not Of dogma. Of character aud not Of
creed"
II this means anything. 10 means too
much, for this creed of the First Liberal
church has thirty dogmas incorporated
into H. more than there are In the Apost es'
creed. But there ia 10 place for ding in a
declaration Of principles. Swift wac a
master Of filings; but he INDUCED In them
outside Of oTssoa, and against the highest
game:
Il who love 10 have a fling
10th ~ senate house and king
q. q. SWALLOW.