The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1895-10-29

teaching that there are no true chill
dren OF God within the Romish
church, but whilst rejoicing IN be-
lief directly contrary to this, they find
the Roman organization SO unscrip-
tural and the rite OF baptism so
perverted by it that they feel COM
PEELED TO treat converted Romanist
as one brought in from The world.
These things being noted we now
remark that the spirit of Presbyterian
ism is one of Catholic recognition of
other churches and of Christians true
by whatsoever specific name they may
be called. The ordination aud sacra-
mcnts of other churches which we be-
lieve to be members Of Christ's body,
are fully recognized even in cases in
which scriptural methods are not
closely followed. BY their fruits ye
shall know them" Is the touch stone
the master gave us. And Presbyte-
rianism looks rather 10 see II essential
purity of doctrine and holiness of life
be The marks of church than at
traditional points and obscure histori-
cal teachings. When the substance OF
Christian ordination or baptism is
present Christian fellowship is
promptly extended in recognition of
The ministry and sacraments. We
welcome Ana baptists to our commu-
ion table and Episcopal clergymen to
our pulpits, when either party is will
ing to accept our hospitality. We ie-
ceive members upon letters of dismiss
siou from Methodist, Congregational
or other Evangelical churches and
promptly grant letters which are to be
turned over 10 such churches. We ex-.
change pulpits with other denomina-
tions and unite in union services with
them. We work with Christians of all
denominations varieties in great re-
vival services, aud in organizations
like the Evangelical Alliance, PresbY-
terians are always prominent.
furthermore, the church has al
ways been main feature in the
support of union religious enterprises.
The American Bible Society, the
Tract Society, the Ameri-
eau Sunday School Union, the Young
Mems Christian Association, have
always found Presbyterians mos,
ready in a wholly undemominational
spirit to co operate with the people of
other churches in carrying forward
their forms of general work for Christ.
Indeed come Presbyterian Assemblies
have or,iered that some of these caus-
es should be placed side by side with
their own denominational collections
in the benevolent calender. This whole
matter has been, however SO well sum
med up by DR. Moses S. Hoge, Of Va,
hat we shall dismiss i; with quota
ion from one of his published address
'es on Presbyierianism. He says: But
while our church is distinguished by
lis loyalty to it's doctrinal standards, it
Is equally conspicuous for its Catho-
lefty of spirit" He is broad aud liberal
to recognize The fact that not
withstanding the differences existing
among Christians of other denomina-
lions as to forms of government and
modes of worship, that true Chris
ian unity may exist, even where there
g little outward uniformity, and that
his unity not only may but does and
must exist among those whose lives are
hid in Christ with God. We rejoice in
he belief that the true invisible Cath
,lic church is composed of those who
lold to Christ the Head and who by |
he connection are INCORPORATED in His |
body, and so made members of one
another, thus constituting the sacre-
'amenlal host over which He reigns on
,arth and who shall one day reign
With Him in His consummated King
iom in Heaven. We believe that there
8 this blessed unity existing among all
rue Christians whatever their eccles-
astcal organization or forms of wor-
hip, because all such derive their
piritual life from one source.
We can, therefore, without doing any
TO our principles or prefer
nces In the most cordial way, unite
With Christians of other names in the
and circulation of the
loly Scriptures, and when it pleases
Tod to pour down His Holy Spirit in