The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1895-05-25
Christian Unity.


nal and walk as men?n
The encyclicsl of Leo XIII to the En-
glish people, the discussion of the Chi
cago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, the writ.
ings of Prof. Shields of Princeton, with
other movements, are indications thai
considerable portion of the christian
world are appreciating the desirability
of church unity
The great need of such unity is seen
by all, yet many are convinced that, at
present, there is more imperative de-
mapd for another kind OF unity, unity
which must necessarily precede any
considerable step toward unifcation of
the churches, namely christian union.
Observing the divisions of tine christian
church and noting the spirit which ami
mates them, one is reminded ofthe con-
ditions which prevailed in the early
Corinthian church. It will be remem-
bered that some of these christians had
broken away from the unity of the
church and said, ~ am of Paul, the
apostle of liberty" Others, 81 am of
Peter others, 81 am of Apollos, the
eloquent and scholarly Creek" yet
others, 81 am of Christi perhaps the
latter laid claim to a spirituality super
Tor to that of the others Hence, parties
were formed and the disiples of Jesus
became followers of men. Different
views were held; some claimed exclus-
i've possession of truth and looked upon
their brethren as having no truth at
all, party was arrayed against party,
dissension and bitterness existed where
peace and love should haYe reigned.
This is, to great extent, picture of
the church at the present time. Or
ganization opposed to organization,
faction to faction, correctness of view
regarded as of greater importance than
correctness of heart; these things are
but manifestations of that same spirit
which brought disgrace upon the Cor
inthian church centuries ago. Some
maybe disposed to deny the accuracy |
of the analogy, if so, we would ask them |
to explain several facts with which we
we are familiar Why do protesting
christians refuse to attend the church
of another body, when attendance upon
their own is impossible? Why do they
decline to aid in christian work, unless
under the auspices of their own party?
why do we find ill-feeling and jealousy
between two or more churches of one
city? And why do we have ia small
western towns, two, three and four
organizations, where one
would suffice? Again, to what does the
fact that the energies of So called christ
Ians are more easily aroused in struggles
Of sect with sect than in the conflict of
Christ with the world? We believe ;
shese questions to have only one an !
'wer; party spirit is in excess of christ
lin spirit. ST. Paul's estimate of these q
'artisans, who are jealous and envious,
Who place their "churchianityn before
heir christianity, is, "For whereas
here is among you jealousy and strife, {
re ye not carnal?" Thus, bigotry and
ectarianism are csrnal, are opposed to r
pirituality, and all christians are sup i
osed to be spiritual, therefore pos y
essed oflove. We commend a consid- q
ration of Paul's estimate to all sectar- ii
ms. also his argument used 10 meet the fl
'nditions confronting him. The APP il
'tle knew that christianity was union "
18th love and yet he was called upon to II
ce disunion and hate. How to bring NJ
'out christian union was the problem. 81
+. PauPs method was very different n,
ON that frequently adopted; he did n,
1t declare that all men must think in or
e same channel, neither did he say d.
at his own thinking was the right m
linking nor demand that the diciples of
Aploos must abandon their own a,
ews and adopt his; this is the method av
opted in the present day, the partisan IN
ethod which only increases tile evil it tic
sks to remedy. The way of the APP
lie was very different. He knew that
ferent minds see different sides of
'th' that one truth appeals TO Aplolos
another to Peter, that these truths, DR.
'ether, 20 10 make up the truth in col
rist, and hence, because be vas not mi
rely tolerant but of catholic mind VII
declined to assume partisan atti- col
lie or 10 use sectarian argument Is
tead, the Apostle appealed to bap- ,
n. Were We baptized into the -,
ne Of Paul or Apollos or Cephas?" a.
:, whatever may be the notions en- bo,
aimed Of christian baptism, all can g,s
ee on the point emphasized by ST. sal