Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-02-29
Union of Baptists and Disciples.

The following article bearing upon
question that is being given consid-
cradle thought these days, was written
for the Herald by a friend of the
movement in this city:
1he tendency toward union between
the Baptists and Disciples has recently
received new life by the great progress
made in western Canada. The move
ment there is but a few months old,
but already congregations have united
in about ten places. The prayers and
labors of the people are for speedy and
complete union. At Portage la Prairie,
Manitoba, these two bodies recently
consolidated their work. The Baptist
building and the Baptist preacher were
chosen for the new body. In regard to
the surrendered building the Western
Outlook, Baptist, says: at was a
most impressive gathering. Strong
men wept. Many, to whom the beau
tiful church home had a value far be-
yond the intrinsic, gave free vent to
their unfeigned sorrow in surrendering
it. The Baptist bretheren fully fell
lowshipped with them in their sorrow.
Indeed an onlooker might have thought
it was Baptist house that was being
surrendered. With an intensity of
feeling that cannot be described, both
congregations, by rising vote, heart
lily and unanimously endorsed the act
ion of the committee with reference to
property
Rev. W. j. Wright. Disciple, who
assisted Rev. w. T. Stackhouse, Bap-
fist, in bringing about this union says
Of the united church: "Thus was
constituted one of the strongest con-
gregations in Western Canada. 1t has
numbers, culture, ability and conse-
Grated wealth. Both former congrega-
tons were self supporting. and had
splendid prop erties and gave largely to
missions. The union will save, let us
say, So, 900 year. This. as we'll as
the price of the church which is to be
sold, will be put into the mission work
of that vast Northwest.
Mr.. Wright further says: "There
is nothing unnatural or forced about
this union movement. 1t is not an
effort to mix oil and water. 1t is not
an attempt to join things, which, like
sand. will not cohere. Rather, it is
the removal of restraints of former
Misunderstanding, and giving love
permission to do her perfect work.
Easily and naturally as two streams
approach and form a mightier one, sc
approach and coalesce these peoples in
Western Canada.
Division is an extravaganza use OF
both money and men. To continue il
longer when two bodies are alike il
faith and practice is sin. Of all the
institutions of our civilization few are
more uneconomic than the church.
And yet the church is civilization
greatest institution for good. To the
church of this generation, for the frs
time in the history of the world, the
unchristianized population of thu
world cries for the principles ant
teachings of the Gospel of love. The
church needs both money and men,
She can no longer afford the expensive
| Injuries of the Misunderstanding anC
bigotry of the past. The Baptists anC
Disciples of Western Canada are gett.
ing a new vision of Jesus Christ. This
union movement should turn the hearts
of Baptists and Disciples everywhere
from the past to the future, from the
heat of debate to the heart of the Cos.
pei. from jealousy and prejudice t.
love and fellowship. Then would b.
put into practice that saying of Jesus
"Not as | will but as thou wilt"