Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-02-05
They DISCUSS
CHURCH UNION
Large Audience Last
Night at N. E.
Church.

The union services last night at the
Methodist church drew forth a large
audience, many people being unable to
find seating room. Rev. Mr.. Hubbell of
the Christian church and DR.. w. I.
custer of the NJ E. church discussed
the question, should the Churches of
Lewiston Be United?"
Mr.. Hubbell spoke forcefully of the
imperative need of such unity, bas-
ing his argument on the three propo-
sitions: OF saving necessary expense;
of doing the work In a better way and
in direct way answering the prayer
of the Savior for the unity of believers
as found in the 18th chapter of Johns
gospel.
After showing the divine command
for unity and making the statement
that he was arguing not for mere tole-
ration, but for oneness, he spoke of
how such unity could not be brought
about.
| First--Not by merely overlooking |
differences. Many of our hindrances
disappear as mere prejudices when we
turn to the essentials of Christianity |
and to the plain teaching Of the Word
of God said Mr.. Hubbell. Again, it
can not be brought about by one de-
nomination overriding all the others.
You get strife and contention IN such
an effort, but not unity of the spirit in
the bonds of peace. Then naturally.
we ask the question. How can 1t be?
Well, have no pet plan of my own
to give you and if l did ii would not
be authoritative. l do not know what
Brother custer has to suggest, but we
go back to Him who has the right to
; speak upon this momentous question.
Paul realized the sins of division and
urged his Ephesian brethren to dwell
! together in the spirit or unity and in
the bonds of peace. And then laid down
! the basis of such a unity. do not ask
you to heed me- but hear the inspired
Apostle Ephesians 4 There is one
body and one spirit, even as We are
called in one hope Of your calling;
one Lord, one faith. one baptism, one
God and Father of all who is over all,
and through all and in all
These are the God given essentials
to unity. The one body is the church
of God and means there is but one
I church. If you are a true Christian
! you are member of that body.
Baptism Not in the Way.
Then why these petty divisions
They are not God given. But. say
Z vTbaYa than ha ~
! tism You should not limit us to hu,
Z one True. | would not but the in
! spired Apostle does Baptism should
not stand in the way of unity because
! have heard Brother custer say he
! would baptiZe you in any way YOU de-
sired. Therefore, one form is COM
mon to us all and to be consisten We
will not let that which is -essentia
j: maintain divisions. We can all accep
( the form of burial as founded on Ro
4 mans GA.
] How much do you pray for unity O
Z the churches of Lewiston? Let us fnt
] common ground in Gods word an'
n stand in the unity of the faith and II
I the bonds of peace"
\ Rev Custer spoke briefly to the con
! gregation stating that within Is year
y Lewiston would see organic union o
= the churches; that the largest churc
p would be centrally located and eac
4 church would have it's specified see
= ton of the city. He did not agree wit
4 Rev Hubbelrs presentation of the ba
: sis of unity. saying that there woul
( be freedom In these non-essentials an
! declared it impossible to agree on sue
x a question as the form of baptism
1.-The baptism spoken of in the Bib
is tie baptism of the spirit" continue
! DR.. Custer. we should agree on ii
- fundamentals and leave thu ncider
tails to the individuals themselves.
= The spirit of the meeting was han
monious and many earnest testimonial
followed the preaching. All declare
II themselves happy to be in such III
RI ion service.
"a At the conclusion of the serVit
= there We're two additions to the Metl
s. odist church.
Il Mr.. Chestnut sang Meriam's Song
= Triumph at the services in the NJ.
church last night Although the so
was much appreciated Mr.. thesnl