The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-02

What the ultimate and early union
of all Christian churches in one great
church organization is possible is the
belief Of the Congregationalist and
Christian World, and having this in
Gated with leading educators and Chris
tian workers thruout the land request
ing suggestions for platform which
might be adopted by such a great union
of denominations without infringing
upon their present special creeds in
any undesirable or hurtful way.
The paper publishes a platform for
united church with the explanation
that, ..'Of the men who share in the
following symposium, one is presi-
dent of theological seminary, one is
college president, several are profess
sors in universities or theological SEM
1naries, five pastors of prominent
churches and one or two are laymen.'
The platform follows:
The Platform.
First-We will love and serve the God
who wills the good Of all his children,
and when obeyed makes earth a heaven.
Second-We will adore and follow Jesus
Christ as Gods son who does his
perfect will.
Third-We will honor and emulate
Gods spirit in every man who strives to
follow Christ in doing the divine will.
Fourth-We will condemn as sin
against God all greed and lust and pride
and hate and sloth that seeks gain by
others loss or pleasure by others pain
Fffth-We will appeal to the latent
good IN evil men, and show Gods kind
ness to them even when we rebuke their
unkindness to their fellows.
Sixth-We will forgive. and assure of
fOrp1UanaSS hn po1n tEo i,-
slant he is heartily ashamed Of himself,
and sorry for the wrong he has done.
Seventh-We will relieve and redress
the poor and maltreated; comfort and
cheer the sick and stranded; and bring
Gods gifts Of patience and fortitude into
their pruned and chastened lives.
Eighth-We will bear to those about to
die, and to those who mourn the loss of
dear ones, the message of Gods eternal
goodness. and the assurance that no in
dividuals share in his great life Of love
can ever come to naught.
Ninth-We will build up a community
Of persons united in love to God and
man. under such officers, forms of organ
1zatfon and modes Of worship as expert
ence has developed or expediency may
suggest; excluding from fellowship none
save such exclude themselves from the
truth they cannot see and the love they
cannot feel.
Tenth-We will observe baptism and
the Lords Supper as symbols of the re-
nunciation Of the selfish life, and COM
munion with God, with Christ, and with
all true Christians. in sacrifcial service.
Eleventh-We will cherish as sacred all
writings which clearly and simply set
forth Gods will as the guide to conduct
and the secret Of blessedness; holding in
highest reverence the Bible, which,
Judged by this standard, has stood the
test Of time.
Twelfth-We will set apart one day In
seven, and portions Of every day, to cul-
tivate and communicate the sense of the
presence and guidance Of God in our in
d1v1dual and social life.
Thirteenth-We will give fair share
of our income to the extension of Gods
kingdom in missions and settleme nts be-
yond the range Of our immediate circle,
and the reach Of our individual efforts
Fourteenth-We will cooperate with
all other Christian churches in the wor-
ship and service of God.
Fifteenth-We will foster and promote
all schools and studies which reverently
appreciate and honestly interpret those
laws of nature and those works Of man
wherein Gods thoughts are written.
Sixteenth-We will use and enjoy as
HoQ Soou SHlS the thlnSS That are
pleasant and healthful; we will discard
and discourage the things that corrupt
and degrade; leaving to each individual
Christian conscience the decision of what
to accept and what to forego.
Seventeenth-We will support the fam
lily as Gods institution for uniting man
and woman in love, for rearing children
In virtue, and for ministering to the aged
In tenderness; we will counsel due con-
sideration before marriage, and forbear-
ance and forgiveness until seventy times
seven in the delicate adjustments of fam