The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-13
STRENGTH IN UNITY
BISHOP EDsALL MAKES STRONG
PLEA AT CHURCH OF ST.
# # JOHN
MISSION OF CHRISTIANITY
Until All Denominations CAN Present
United Front, Progress Will
a~s-- Be, Necessarily Slow and
Unsatisfactory.

The Rt. Rev. Samuel Edsall, Episcopal
bishop of Minnesota, preached last even
ing IN the Church of st. John the Evan
gellst, Kent and Portland avenue. This
was the first time many OF the congrega-
ton heard him, and the church was full
His text was chosen from st. Paul's
eplstle to the Romans, occurring in the
service for the day. For as we have
many members in one body, and all
members have not the same Office, SO
we being many, are one in Christ"
Using these and the following verses
as a. basis, the bishop makes strong
plea for unity among all Christian bod
les He said st. Paul's words taught
what each member must do, and each
avoid, to live up to his highest nature.
Both Scripture and nature showed the
great advantage of harmony and unity
over discord and division. Some of the
WiSest reaSoningS of philosophy were
summed up in such plain and trite max
inns as Divided we fall united we
stand;" and I'm unity there is
strength" In natural history astron-
omy teaches through observations made
by means of the telescope the marvellous
harmony, and the orderly procession of
the great heavenly bodies, yet each had
its own motions. Many told US that
tyranny and anarchy were the horns Of
the one or the other. But long ere this
the Anglo-Saxon should have learned
that his truest happiness lay in liberty
regulated by law. And while there are
those abroad who cannot find any
safety they believe, except in tyranny,
and others, none except in the most I'M
bridled license, yet for the Anglo Saxon
a we'll regulated, lawabiding liberty
brought the highest happiness.
L, L. Il
are cooperative, and love and affection
were necessary to the security of the
individual, Will it also tended to the
welfare of the corporate whole.
Christianity, he asserted, had not ex-
erted the influence that it ought to have
done, when the great growth of popula-
ton and the immense advance of civil
ization is considered. But both among
men and women Of the most respectable
classes, there was a growing Indifference
to Christian duties, first the sanctity of
grew Indifferent to the services of. the
church. In only few homes today
was there. regular family worship, or
even grace said before meals. Then
men and women wonder that they hear Of
disorganized homes, and violated mar
riage vows, and divorces frequently OBJ
tanned on perjured evidence. Rome fell
with the breaking down OF the unity or
the family, and these things makes one
pause and wonder what fate awaits the
land.
Whether we analyze home life, or look
abroad, Christianity is seen enfeebled
and failing to exercise the influence it
ought, because of the lack Of unity. A
divided Christianity is an unmixed evil,
said the bishop. And he who introduces
further diseord, even though there be
an element Of truth in that for which
he is contending, commits a grievous
SIM
Only when all Christians were united,
he asserted, will Christianity exert that
great influence that it ought on the lives,
and in the families of all protesting
Christians.
Many of the congregation stayed a few
minutes after the service and greeted
the bishop personally.