Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-13

% you to0 vast 01u1cUiS1eD N xne WV u
Christian union. Those who clAmor IN {
noisy and unthinkins manner for the In
| slant and prDmiocuous congIomerntioI
Of al CHRISTIANS into one church know
not what they do. They cannot even
| appreciate the gravity Of the situation.
Nothing short Of the wisdom which
cometh down from above. the charity
which thinketh no evil. and the loyalty
TO truth which has no alloy of partisan
rancor, will flt us even TO begin the her.
culcan task of gathering up the disjected
members Of Christs body. and rebuilding
them into living harmony. The task
OF bringing about Christian union In 10
beset with dIscouragements that not a
few who would rejoice to see It accom-
plished have no heart to prosecute II.
But let us not feel 10. II It Is q thing
to be desired. and II II ID one Of the all
things which are possible with God. then
lot us believe In II. 1t may not be seen In
our day. but we can at least do our little
part and leave the event In the hands Of
the patient and faithful God.
1t may very properly be asked by what
processes are We to seek to forward the
movement in favor Of Christian union. To
this several brief answers may be given.
l. We should strive honestly to make
sectarianism odious. As long as the peo-
pie are taught that denominationalism is
q part Of the Gospel economy. and that
the rivalries Of the sects are the best
spurs to Christian activity. we need not
hope for union. II We dignity these divis-
IONS. and think Of the several denomina-
lions as the different branches of an
army, each essential to the victorious
movement OF the whole. we do Just
that much toward putting Christian union
o.. - 4..s< f..A.. Lzlw
the Christian world to see the evils of
sectarianism. and to regard these divis-
Ions as wounds upon the body OF Christ.
then we will have taken the first step
toward Christian union.
2. We must cultivate interdenomina-
tional charity.
Thus far the spell OF sectarianism has
prevented. or at least interfered with, our
seeing the good In denominations who
differ in doctrine from us. We are not
called on or allowed to endorse the I'M
scriptural doctrines of any. but we are
called on the recognize and honor the
faith and piety of those who may be In
error on some points. You are not to
be charitable toward my errors. but you
must be charitable towards me. 1t Is
by seeing the good in each other we get
closer to each other. and are better pre-
DHTtu W lthu oft dlDtHNi Vbt Va 'o'h
ness into light As long as the different
hosts stand Off and treat
each other with naughty reserve ana
scowl at each others wrongs, there can
be no union. But II we will be cordial.
trustful. and helpful. then We will pres-
emily get close enough to join In pulling
down the separating bars.
Let me add. that so far as we can
without wlfully compromising the truth
Of God. We must cooperate with other
Some have the thought
that we must unite before we can work
together; but II IL equally true that we
must learn TO work together before we
can ever unite. II there be any common
ground on which we can meet for COM
mon service, let us occupy II, and that
will give u the best standpoint from
which to study our differences and to
plan for union.
3. We must labor to bring the Chris-
tian world to understand that the only
possible basis for union is the authority |
Of the Word Of God.
DECIDE BY GODS WORD.
To say that the only differences now
existing among Christians are those OF |
method and discipline Is a grave misstate- |
ment. That there are differences among |
Gods children on these subjects Is clear |
but even these are the outgrowth |
Of doctrinal disagreements. Besides these |
}ivergences and separations have to do |
with the Bible itself. its functions. Its exc |
;esis. its fundamental principles. When |
he Christian world shall come TO a full |
Of the authority Of the Word. |
md when all Of us are willing TO test our |
doctrines by that Word.
giving up what 1t does not sanction ana |
.dhering rigidly to what 1t commands.
We will be ready for Christian union.
When we are ready to discard our errors.
10 matter how long we have held them.
nd are willing to adopt whatever Is true.
hough we may not have held 1t before.
imply because it Is the teaching OF the
ord. we will be on the highway to
nion.
We are to come to the unity OF the
aith. 1t IS a journey and many get lost
n the road. and ii will take long |
ime to get there. but We are coming.
lowly we move. but we are moving. and
.fter a while we will all march into the
anne camp and be forever one.
For this our Lord prayed. Let our
lie be a devout amen to his prayer