The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-22
RELIGIOUS EDITORIALS FOR
SUNDAY

blessing, not unm1Xed, but still a DleSS-
Eng. We hold that the Gospel car has
moved with more CELEBRITY and into
more distant fields because Of the
many differing bodies in the ono
Church of Christ, than would have
been possible if they mad not existed.
They have afforded an earnest, gen.
erous and in late years a genuine
christian rivalry in esaying to do
good. to save souls and to preach the
glorious Gospel of the Son Of God.
There used to be far too much of bit
aerness, of a~ntagOnism, of unchristian
ASSUMPTION and ferociOus dOgmatism
among the different branches. But
now the deep seated asperities have
TO a great extent disappeared, and
men of the sects who love Jesus and
glory in the hope of eternal salvation
are more gentle and tolerant and wise,
and do not damn with vigor and heap
~maIediction upon the heads of other
christian bodies preaching the very
same Gospel, seeking to save sinners
Through and by the same precious
blood of the Lamb, striving to extend
fthe bounds of the Kingdom of Right
eousness and to glOrify the same 2dor-
table n merciful Heavenly Father.
while it may be a matter for regret,
ff not for surprise, that all believers
I'm the Lord Jesus Christ, cannot see
truth always in the same light, INC
interpret the Word precisely from the
same standing point and with the
same governing laws of eXigesis, see
ing eye to eye, but this fact does not
initiate against the fact that the di-
visions in the army of the Lord nave
not prevented exhibitions of high
conservation, noble Self-SacrlflceS
splendid valor, intense zeal, lofty as
vibrations and purposes and grand sue
cess. The Bible, so far as we know,
docs not promise that in the earthly pill
grimage the sincere followers Of the
Erucifed and Risen Lord shall all see
alike, think alike, or act alike, or
Ehat they shall have the same views
and convictions as to Church govern
.ment and the best way of operating
flor the salvation of the world. But
the Bible does promise that beyond
this sad vale of tears, in the upper and
better Kingdom, where the saints are
indeed perfected, exalted, saved, that
then all shall see face to face
gwhen 1.-The Lord shall bring again
Zion" Can any one be sure that it
would be better for the human race
ST all the denominations were brought
into loving fellowship and into the
..L-- e H. fn;+I onob hn1u nh1n-
doning all opinions and convictions
that divided, all focking together in
stead of leaving all the church organi-
cations to work OF their own honest
aines, but in fellowship and love for
the others, and striving to surpass
each other in good works, in sincere
christian emulation, saving souls and
glorifying God? Save all the souls
possible, strive to magnify your calling,
work Gin the unity of the Spirit" if not
TN the same order and polity, and thus
show to the world the softenlng,
purifying iberalizing, sanctifying pow
Ger of the religion of the Lord Jesus
Christ. The Christian brings forth
khe fruits of peace, holiness and con-
Secration. That is a poor, beggarly,
mnsatisfying and insufficient life that
brings forth less tina these. The fruit
of the Spirit are holiness, prayer,
faith, self-denial, separation from the
world, a life of conservation and SER
vice and praise. Harmony is what is
wanted among Christian believers in
Ehe great work of s~oul-saving, and not
Ehe same garments and shibboleths
aand politics. Agree to disagree in love,
and hold your religious opinions in
genuine Christian charity and fOrbear-
lance. In Soul-saving there ought to
tie real and sincere Christian unity.
The Christian races are h out
come of soul regeneration. Without
Che new birth by the power of the
Holy Ghost the fruits will not be
Been. What are they as described by
st. Paul in his letter to the Galatians
kv:22, %, 25.) But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffer-
Eng, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek
mess temperance; against such there
Us no law"
Men must be honest with themselves,
having positive convictions. having a
clear understanding of fundamentals
I'm religion, knowing we'll the difference
Between right and wrong, able to pene-
krate sophisms and not to mistake an
Immoral principle Cor the moral, low
ting the truth and ready for sacrifice.
&n intelligent, studious, sincere mind
Evil be always broadening and learn
ting. When Mr.. Gladstone was charg-
ed with inconsistencies in his public
eareer he laughed at it, and said he
had been learning ever since he a
.ntered political life. Positive convic-
ions are worth a great deal, but do
lot shut out light or be afraid of the