Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1907-08-23
Terms of subscription,
UNCONVENTIONAL UNITY AN
IMPROBABILITY


unity of the different churches and
denominations. Several years ago the
unity craze, (for little than a
"craze, - il was) swept over the
cuntry. Different denominations ap
pointed committees and passed reSO-
Iutions, and the matter seems to
have ended right there.
During the craze period many
wild statements were made 10y the
ministers and observation-disclosures
which would not have been made un-
der mature reflection.
AS matter Of fact, the religious
denominations are rs near together,
and as far apart as they ever were,
and the lines of diStinctiOn-denOm
national lineS-aFc more distinctly
drawn and more strongly emphasize
cd today then they have ever been,
and are being strengthened and re-
marked every year. For proof of this
statement il is only necessary 70 at
tend the general meetings OF the
different denominations, OF read the
church papers.
The building OF new churches, the
erection and endowment of denomi-
national schools, have, for their al
most sole object, the education Of
the young people along denomina-
lion lineS-indirectly,if not directly.
hn almost every speech on the subject
the plain and unqualified statement
Il made, that il is necessary To "hold
the young people Of our church.
That if We do not build this school or
this church, "Our children will drift
into school and churches of other de
nominations.
The object of the meeting of the
Lutheran Synod last week, the New
Lebanon Baptist Association this
week at Lebanon-the object of every
endowment of UNCONVENTIONAL
school-all these activities are for the
building up Of the distinctive doc
trineS of that particular denomina-
lion. If this were not true the cree
ton and endowment of denomina-
lional schools would cease.
The denominations are aS far apart
or farther apart perhaps. than they
ever were before. Ii is true, they un-
derstand each better, and there is less
friction because OF this than ever be-
fore. But, because of this better UNI
Outstanding, and an increased COOP
Grafton rs Il reSuHt. il must not Ice i'm
ferred that they are closer together
than before. They were rs close TO-
gether twenty years ago as now but
they didn't know il. They all under
stand each other better. Not single.
distinctive denominational tenet has
been dropped, or even modified. with
a long period, and each one. with i'll
NeaSing zeal and growth, is doing
all in its power 10 uphold and pro-
pagate its peculiar beliefs and doc
trines. And, until il is announced
OF christians has gone out of bus
mess, and Joined some other-bog
and boggy, the claim that church
unity is probable or even possible,
has no foundation in fact.
Another significant fact: No one of
the great denominations can be point
ed out as, in reality, desiring union,
unless it be the union proposed by
the snake t9 the frog. Each one
knows absolutely that il is right,
and each one holds out welcome
hand 10 the other to come in, but
the one or more willing 10 go has not
yet appeared, and there are no signs
of its being even on the road. And
well it is so, say some. y generous
rivalry and denomination pride slim
plates zeal and activity, and keeps
down bigotry, and even persecution.
Perhaps so, but there are some who
DO not approve of this method of pro-
noting rivalry, stimulating holy
zeal and keeping down. persecution.