New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22
DR. BOOTH on CHRISTIAN UNION.
LOYALTY THE FIRST STEP
TOWARD THIS END-A PEACE con
FERENCE PROPOSED

Saratoga. May q CspeciaD christian Union and
Denomlnatonal Loyalty" WAS the theme OF the SER
mon delivered by Or Robert Russell Booth this
morning Before announcing his text he made a
| statement regarding the steps taken during the
wear looking toward Christian unity and the efforts
made 70 clear the debts from the Boards % the
pr.sbytcrlan Church. His text taken from the
savlours prayer that the disciples might be one He
said that there were three specific statutes In tAis
act Of mcdatoral legislation % II is the union OF
believers only which IS here considered ana DENIED
y, Tho Kind % union which ~ IN the mind Of Christ
4. also brought before in the Hight OF an example
CD A statement Of the reason for which this unity
Of Christians was desired by Christ was that the
world may believe that Thou hast sent me
True Christian union according 10 DR.. Booth. does
not lie I'm uniformity OF structu or OF government
and no strictness Of such uniformity ever can Sc
cure f. The union among His believing followers
FOR which chr.st lntercedes does not lie In the line
OF dcnomInaona agreement. or In the surrender OF
ma,ured well-dehned and conscientious religious
convictions on the part OF some branches OF The
Church TO others. Rejecting the union which Is pro-
cured by uniformity. and that which requires the
renunclation and suppression Of sincere CONVICTIONS
one may find the basis Of the unity OF Chrsts dls-
clples I'm the one life whicl they have received
through faith in Him. and in the ministrations Of
the one spirit by whom they are guided into the
pa tbs OF truth and duty.
PRE-EMINENT CLAIM OF THE CHURCH.
DR. Booth then took up the questions associated
with UNCONVENTIONAL loyalty. stating his view OF tho
positlon of the Church in reference TO
the Bible the doctrines the polity and the progress
OF the Kingdom Of Christ. eulog.zng the work of
home and foreign missionaries. lie closed his ser
mon with the following appeal:
Hrethren OF the General Assembly: We have now
considered the Sciiptural View OF the unity OF
Chrst's disciples, and have seen tat II Is c3hsIl-
tued by the existence OF that divine ne Wnleh re
souls OF all VINO are uiliteu 10 nun
by faith and that II Is revealed ana matureu oy
tbc exercise of that brothery love which draws to-
GET her int, one family all who sincerely acknowl-
edge the Lord Jesus CArst az the mead or TINS sp,
compa tibe with the main tenance OF those convic-
sons and preferences which are the products or the
gr1yth OF the divine life in the individual soul We
have seen too that this Church OF ours Is estab-
lished upon solid Scripurnl grounds and that there
are qualities Of good inherent in its doctrine and
poty which properly call for the loyal respect and
earnest support of all who are associated within IL
by the pledge OF a faith pghted to God and to man
We may thus heartily respond to and adopt the say
Ing Of Bishop Simpson, OF the Methodist Churg en-
land while also live TO love every other church
that exalts our Christ
But with these principles recognized and pro-
claimed we may not forget. least OK all should we
forget here that this Presbyterian Church mas
pre-eminent claim 10 our highest devotion ana ger
vice What we are to do for the good OF the world.
for the salvat OF souls. for the honor or christ
viii be most effectively done through our fidelity to
the trust which this Church has placed in our
charge and by this we mean that We should be IN
dividuaIly true her standards. her polity, her
Government and her methods of work. while We re-
ga ri with respect and affection all those who enter
tain other views If they give evidence OF love 10 the
one Master WAC Is head all who are members
OF His mystical body. the Church universal mis-
of Old has been the position OF the Presbyterian
fellowship In this attitude this Church has stood
I'm our land like a rock amid waves OF contention
And in this attitude must abide II we are TO con-
TRUE TO DO the great work for Christ 10 which we
are called. But unhappily, we are at TINS time
forced TO confront some adverse conditions when
are the occasion OF widespread Apprehension ana
grief.
MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE DENOMlNA-
TON.
There are to say the least. Misunderstanding
among us which threaten TO diminish II not TO over
throw this old-iime loyalty which was. not long
ago the all pervadng characteristic OF the officers
and members OF this beloved Church. God FORBID
that on this occasion should utter one accusing or
discriminating word concerning any VINO sln-