Morris tribune., 1906-03-03
CHURCH COLUMN
By j. c. shetland.

troubles sure to come. 1t was too
bad he should bring these Affections
upon himself and the community
They say "Here you have the Ger
man church of Pepperton, the Nor
wegian Mission, the M. E. church
the Presbyterians who belong a
Donnelly, the Baptists, the Congrega
tionalists, Lutherans, some Catholics
They seem to be working together
But you'll see. You are like the
greese who sat on one nest. Wher
the little ones pipped the shell the
geese began to fight, and broke ur
the nest and killed all the goslings
You'll see."
Yes. We shall see that the love OF
Christ is mightier than any church
Save your fearful conmiseration till
it is needed. Union meetings ending in
mutual affection, and in honor to Him
who is above every name, are not an
impossibility. The method of union
gospel meetings is perfectly fair.
Each convert signs card; on which
is his name, address, and church per-
ference. At the end of the meetings
these cards are put into the hands of
the pastors whether Methodist, Luth-
eran, Catholic, or Reformed Dutch.
The converts are at once in touch
with the church of their choice. On
one occasion the writer had conduct
ed meeting at which several had
indicated no church preference. He
read the list at the last union service.
They called out the name of regiment
of the army of the Lord they chose
to enter and the matter was settled.
A last invitation was given, more
came forward to enter upon the
Christian life So lido not foolish
yourself' with the idea this is to end
in quarrel. 1t is not.
But what of these who take part In
union gospel meetings but join no
church. They usually go back to
their sins. Experience shows that a
good soldier of the cross must have
his name on the roll, must be drilled
to do his best work. The reason for
joining a particular regiment Or de-
may not be much better
understood than it was by Tommy.
He had been in union meetings and
at the close said:
Tommy-"Say uncle Harry, how do
the Methodists take membersW
Uncle Harry-[who is not posted)
"On suspicion. This paper tells of a
man taken that way"
Tommy-sENo, uncle, that can't be
it. It is a long word and begins
with P"
Uncle Harry-"P rohibition?"
Aunt Emma-"Wh Harry, that is
q political party"
Uucle Harry redestinati- n?'
Aunt Emma-'That is Presbyter-
iann
Uucle Harry -'Procrastination."
Aunt Emma-EEThatis the Universal
list way [ think"
Uncle Harry 'EProsecution?"
Aunt Emma-"May be that is it.
Which way do you mean to join
Tommy"
Tommy. Persecution [ guess"
Tommy finally Joined the Presbyter-
ians, found hearts and homes open to
him for His sake, was held as a
younger brother, became a trained
worker and a college president.
A converts "a babe in Christ" who
needs to be fed, taught, trained,
up. We do not put dear
little baby up against the wall and
say "Now walk straight or we will
cast you out" A class for catechism,
for probation, for confirmation is
good but it is better to make the
a confirmed student, a !
disciple of Christ. Faith is conf
dence, born of knowledge. The best
church to join is the one that helps !
most.
The Congregational church has
after these meetings the following
outline of work.
1920 a. m. Morning Service, twelve
sermons on "Jesus'', the life of the
Master from birth to ascention.
1890 M. Sunday School
400 D. m. Junior Endeavor
$3.50 %. m. Christian Endeavor
Society.
1880 p. m. Evening Service, twelve
sermons on the Parallels, the illustra-
tons by our Lord, part of these are
to be revival meetings
1880 Thursday, Prayer meeting and
Bible study.
Thursday from 1880 to 900 p. m.
To learn the will of Christ. Bible
readings on the gospel according to