The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-09


Methoaists say that the Episcopalisns are
not churchmen because Trey 90 LOT ar
cent the Methodist system or govern
ment and worship. The one great ana
glorious fact IL that we all accept CHRIST
as king. II there is TO be any true anu
general Church unity II will be on the
basis OF the single fact Of the kingship
OF Christ.
UNITY AND uSrrrcATIoN.
There is difference between Church
unity and Church unihcation. we may
have Church unity without unincauon'
If we treat each other In all ways as
EQUALS in the kingdom OF Christ, each
denomination candldiy admitting that II
IL only a part OF the Church, cordially
extending all privileges Of citizenship 10
every Christian. IL is not by any means
certain that the consolidation or all de-
nominations will follow; nor II IL dld u
II likely that this result would be ad-
vantageous to the kingdom. IL would no
doubt reduce the number OF denomina-
lions, but many would stiii agree 10 oii-
for about non-essentials. II Is best TOT
the nation that there be different organi-
cations OF persons. who hold different
views Of governmental administration, all
being LOYAL TO the national cor sutution'
II Is probable that the Church Will be
purer and more efficient because mere
are denominations. but denominauona'
spirit should never go so far as 10 I'M
church any portion OF the Kingdom OF
Christ.
wHERE THE CHARTER rs POUND
This view is in keeping with the true
mission of the Church on earth. which Is
plainly stated In the Scriptures. Inc
charter Is found I'm the Kings commanu'
IAN mower is given unto Me, IN Heaven
and on earth. Go we into all the world
and preach the Gospel 10 every creature
baptizing them in the name OF tne a'nei
and of the Son and of the Holy Ihost'
and 10. / am with you always even UNI"
the end OF the world co...,I 4.
THAT the preaching Of the Gospel IS
,be great business of the Church, and
hantizine an incidental duty, important
h,t no. essential as 10 the form OF us
administration, is clear from 81 fauI
manfred declaration: 81 thank Goa
hantized none OF you but Crispus ana
Gaius. for Christ sent me not 70 pap
Tive hut TO preach the Gospel. Ana
mar any particular form of Churcn gov
eminent or worship is not essehtlal II
Main from the fact that no allusloll
whatever Is made TO these matters III 'he
commission OF the Church.
What Is meant by the comihahu,
"preach the Gospel?' The greatest OF
the APOSTLES said. Il preach Christ ana
Him crucihed." SO the Gospel is 'Chrlsl
md Him crueifed personal
divine. omniIitent king. and christ the
one and only sacrifice for sim the ousi-
moss Of the Church Of Christ is 10 preaCh
Christ as the Saviour of the world.
The administration of sacraments ana
ordinances is a part of this preaching OF
,ather p means to the end; but the mold
ing IN of a orucifed and risen Saviour,
Jesus Christ, is the supreme mission Vi
the Church.
ONLY CHRIST TO De PREACHED.
This excIudes the preaching of politics,
s.neat,onalisrn. and all but Christ. Every
sermon should be preached Just as *
would be If the preacher fet II was "
be his last, which, indeed, II may pc aS
II viii often be the last some pooi so
will hear, and as If Christ were Nisio'S
nresent, listening 10 every WORD
The Church militant the Chuicn vi
LII &C. one and its essential unity can
no, ne destroyed II may be marreu'
and its unity obscured by sectiondisni
and discord. but If allegiance to christ
he its principle Of unity, all VINO give
their allegiance TO Him are one Two
sections of His kingdom may be Al VAR
ance with one another. but they are one
hacause they both belong 20 Him ana Do'h
acknowledge Him as king. NOW uey
ought 10 acknowledge enc announcer any
II Christ bestows His blessing ana ms
spirit upon any denomination ne
knowledges them as HIS, ana an i1'S peo
ME should confess them as DrelhIen'
The church is the only perennial or
ganization that history has ever known
ara IL stands to-day the most lniluehliai'
Cor n holds the wealth. the learning
and the power of the civilized world.
II shall conquer with the aid OF the
Holy Spirit and plant the cross ao ,o' .
ali human institutions-sCciai' scleil''ii',
literary. and political AT the hs me u
Jesus every knee shall DOW. ny ~
militant shall become the Church llluil-
,bant and shall march cut Of time AT
last into the, gates of the golden cry
crowned with glory and everlasting Hsh''
GRAos-sTRfET CHURCH.
The Sacrament of the Lords supper was
administered at the Grace-Street fres-
hvterian church Sunday, and number
Of members were received INTO the
church. two on profession of faith.
In the morning Dr. Fairs sermon was
from the sixty-nrst chapter and tenth
verse OF Isaiah; The robe OF righteous
ness" At night DIR. Fair preached
peculiarly strong sermon from the nisl
chapter and eighth verse of job AN
upright man."
CHURCH OF THE COVENANT.
The Rev. J. Calvin Stewart preached
two sermons Sunday at the Church oil
the Covenant. The subject of the morn
ing's discourse was Matthew, xvii, 3d.
And sitting down they watched Him
there" M
AT night the text was Genesis. xL' 81
last clause: And Terah died In Haran'
AMONG THE CIIHOLiCS.