The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-19
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
DIR. Blanchard's Sermon at Congress
Square Church.

The Rev. DR.. Henry Blanchard, pastor
Of the Congress square First Univessalist
church, preached sermon yesterday
morning on "The Church Of Christ and
tha Churches Of the Thsolosians." The
texts were taken from the twelfth and
sixteenth chapters Of the Gospel accord
ing TO Matthew.
For whososver shall do the will Of my
Father which 10 In heaven, the same
IL my bFotner and sister and mother"
"And I say unto thee, that thou art
Peter, and upon this rock 1.-THE confession
that / am the CHRISTI will build my
church."
A great debate has been carried ON, for
many centuries, conoeraing the origin
Of the Christian church. The participants
have been very earnest and very positive.
Men learned, wise, noble, have been
ON opposing sides. The debate Is not yet
ended. 1t will not be concluded for many
years to como. Meanwhile the vast
scholarship OF today is helping onward
the coming decision. For my own part,
I believe that the greatest scholars have
already reached an agreement. They will
be denounced, but they will finally con-
quer. AL reformsrs are &C first opposed.
Copernicus WAS opposed. was denounced,
b ut his system prevails today. Darwin
was opposed, WAS denounced, but svolu-
ton now Ia the word of science. The
days hasten on when the great majority
of scholars will agree and their decision
will be accepted. / believe that that
decision will be in accord with the views
of the liberal party In the church
l wish, then, to study with you,
humbly and earnestly. the great theme
of he origin of the Christian church.
/ wish to show how different are the
churches of the Theologians from the
Church of Christ. II it were possible,
gladly would l appeal to all the people Of
Maine to consider the facts to be pre-
sented. For their intelligence and love
OF truth have profound respect. They
wish TO think before they are ready to
believe. They will heed the words Of
Jssus-"Why even OF yourselves judge 70
not what is right" would gladly win
their confidence and assent. should
be happy II my Arguments Esem to them
courteous, candid, oogent. Upon the
path of earnest seeking after truth. We
will all prpoeed-liberals and conserva-
tivea We will love all men, and, main
tanning manfully our own opinions, will
respect those which we cannot accept.
Let us begin, then, with question.
How shall we find out the origin Of the
Christian church, Is not the answer
thisi In the writings. gospels and
epistles, which tell us OF the deeds and
thoughts of the earliest followers Of
Jesus and of his own words and deeds.
Other writings exist besides those of the
New Testament which help us greatly.
Especially important is "Ths Teaching Of
the Twelve" discovered In recent years.
Il not Jesus good authority He said:
whatsoever shall do the will of my
Father which is In heaven, the same IL
my brother and sister and mother"
upon his rock--the confession that I am
the Christi will built my church. I"
We may say. then, that the Church Of
Christ Is composed Of those who strive to
do the will of God under the leadership
Of Jesus Christ. AS We read there early
documents. we see that the bond Of union
was love and the belief was that Jesus