The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-29
CRRIST'S CAL! To PETER
Sermon at Pearl Street Baptist Church by
Rev. {. TaImadge Root.

! The church exists 10 call men 10 repent.
ance In our text (Rey. 2:5) Christ calls
10 repentance the church itself But IL
II thus confesses sin. will II not lose
power? No. II will gain. Only a peni-
tent can preach a salvation from sin The
sef-righteous church Is always dumb.
said Rev. f. Talmsdge Root. feld see
retary Of the Federation OF Churches at
Pearl Street Baptist church yesterday
morning
What is the sin charged? Hast left
thy first love" This cannot mean lack
OF loyalty Ia Christ. for this is praised
/ in the previous verse. Tho "hrst love"
OF the early church was such that the
hea then exclaimed. Behold how the
Christians love one another" How often
since this could have been said only in
song.
Communities are peculiarly tempted 10
selhshness Corporations have no souls.
All our social problems today arise from
our failure TO see tina; the moral law
applies equally 10 corporations.
AS corporation, the church is tempt
ed In its name what cruel crimes Of per
secuticn have been perpetrated In its
name what petty sectarisnism persists
today. Nay. the local church. not de-
nomination is our idol and only increase
81 It's membership and income is counted
success" Disastrous are the conse-
cuences
Thousands OF dollars of home mission
airy money are wasted in needless dupli-
cation Of churches The heart OF the
Massachusetts civic lea que says that the
churches I'm many country towns are ~
ing their opportunity TO lead. and by their
divisions themselves becoming the occa-
sion of cliques and chickering's.
After union meetings In New Bedford.
a convert said: why did not thevpas-
tors get together before? Do you know
outsiders regard churches as little cor
porat tons each living for itself?"
SHOULD LIVE AS ONE.
What must the churches do 10 repent
Not found one great church, History
proves that each may mean the worst
selhshness. When man Is converted he
does not cease TO be an individual: he
ceases TO live selfish life. SO let the
churches use liberty in love Such Is the
Protestant and New Testament method
OF unity.
This is precisely what federation means.
II is Christ's present day call 10 repent
ance, The first step in loving is 10 know.
In our Rhode Island state council eleven
denominations are learning to know each
other.
For this purpose next November dele
gates OF Is denominations. with 1s 600
com nmNnlCaniS VIII meet In New Y OrK. ]
We are securing comfy In home missions |
avoiding overlapping in new work. and
exchanging fields I'm old. Between lo20
and 1870 one denomination Is said 10
have planted 5000 churches and turned
them over 10 another.
The time has come for all churches to
cultivate this spirit. Again. our parish !
plan yields splendid results to the visit
ing churches, but the best thing about II |
is that thereby the churches are finding |
for each other members and givers
Love must he shown also to the COM
munity. Said a Baptist layman: Some |
ask VIII those We find help us7' !
reply: That is not the question What |
does your church home mean 10 you? To /.
offer II 10 others must be our sole aim -
Yes Let US prove: we seek not yours. /
but YOU"
To commend our assertion Of a need /
which men do not feel. let US know and /
meet the needs which they do feel Such |
unselfsh services in sickness or sorrow \
will he KEYS 10 their hearts.
Thus federation is no mere method or /
machine. II means a miracle. Just the /
miracle needed 10 convince the world to-
day--the miracle that the churches
being many through love should live as
one.