The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-11-15
Bases of Christian Unity.

Editor Advertiser Permit a few
suggestions on the above topic in your
paper. as in some degree it may have
bearing upon the Stay away from
church, question. At least it is ques-
1ion upon which many Christians are
thinking deeply. They deplore the fact
that this lack of unity is in a great
measure, 1.-The cause of the lack of pow
er and efficiency of the churches"
Some though, console themselves with
the thought that there is no division"
and that ..all are united in purpose and
in spirit" But while this thought for
the time being affords some satisfac-
ton, yet, they soon reason, why, then,
so many different organizations, at such
great expense in erecting church build
ings, and maintaining the services, and
work of each individual church? Some
of them," they say, ARE hardly able to
maintain their existence, when if only
all would unite, what a union of forces,
resulting in power for good, and saving,
and better use of means there would
be- They then conclude that there is
something which each particular de-
nomination holds, and is unwilling to
give up in order that a union of all
may be effected. Even when Union
churches are at times organized, it Is
not unfrequent in their experience that
soon after. different bodies draw off by
themselves, and organize separately.
Why SO? 1t must be that they desire,
above all others, the teachings and doc
trines of the particular denomination
with which they affiliate, and not sim
ply because they prefer the name Meth
ooist, Baptist, etc, above others.
Others feel deeply over this matter
of division" and lack of unity"
These say. I'VE do not present a solid
front to the world, and because of this,
we are reproach to the world" The
finger of scorn is pointed at us, and we
are told, physician, heal myself
Others suggest that this diversity is
all in the order of God Does the Bible
teach that each separate company
should only have some small portion of
truth and experience? No. God has in
training a. people chosen, elect, precious.
They We're once the children of disobe-
dienee. disloyal to God. But now. Eye
are chosen generation, royal priest
hood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;
that We should show forth the praises
of Him who hath called you out of
darkness into His marvellous light;
which in time past were not a people,
but are now the people of God; which
had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy" And this people, en-
feebled and detective though they be,
are the only object on earth on which
has 11;- ord
While he extends to all the world bless
ings and the invitation to come to Him
and be saved, he commissions his an
gels to render divine help to every soul
that comes to Him in repentance and
contrition, and he comes personally by
his Holy Spirit into the midst of his
church
Let us look at the different letters,
written to the separate companies. of
the Apostolic church. To the disciples
who were to go out into all the world,
1t was said, Teaching them (the ma
tions), all things whatsoever 1 have
commanded you" To the company at
Ephesus it is written, THAT We might
be filed with all the fullness of God. -
To the church at Corinth the instruc-
ton is, THAT We come behind in no
gift" To the Roman brethren Paul
presented justification by faith, which
leaves a man accepting it, at peace
with God. To the Philippians it was
written, THAT yet may be blameless
and harmless the sons of God, without
rebuke in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation among whom We shine
as lights in the world The Colossian
had the standard of Christ in you the
hope of glory, whom we preach. warn