The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-04-22
Saturday Digit
@aHkc By Rev. r. E. DAWSON
Y /MAhAJ Rutland, VI.
WHAT'S IN A NAME
International Bible Lesson for
April IS, 'oo-(Acts II: 1890; ~: rs

Jerusalem in Palestine and Antioch
In Asia Minor are the double stars of
the New Testament Church. Tho
FIRST twelve chapters OF the Book Of
Acts cluster around the Holy City
with Peter as the prominent charac.
ter, then another star appears at An
tloch, shining with equal brilliancy,
with Paul as the chief parsonage.
From these two luminous bodies the
light OF the gospel streams out through
all the world. Here at Antioch We
come to the place where, either In de-
rision or in logical necessity, the
church received it's baptismal name,
the disciples were called Christians
first at Antioch" Just as the name
Methodist was applied to the follow
srs OF Wesley because OF his method
cal. systematic way of doing things,
and is now accepted and gloried In By
a great church, 80 the Lutheran
church points back to Martin Luther,
and the Christian church Is often nick
named, Campbellltes, because 1t was
founded by Alexander Campbell. Thus
the name Christian, which once meant
merely Christ-men, was soon hailed
as a mark OF honor by his followers.
MultItudlnous Sects.
Since that time sects and denomna-
tions have, multiplied rapidly. There
are in this country alone nearly two
hundred different ecclesiastical bodies.
not to mention the great host Of In
dependent organization and individual
gtx L. ~ A IL
ventists-first day, seventh day, and
every day; thirteen kinds Of Baptist,
regular, irregular, and defective, Cal
whist, free will, and general, hard
shell, soft-shell and scrambled; six
kinds OF Christians; twelve kinds OF
I.utherans; twelve kinds of Mennon-
ties; seventeen kinds of Methodists.
free, primitive and episcopal, timer
ant and stationary; thirteen kinds Of
German Methodists, speaking the
same language but differing as to the
Interpretation of doctrinal points;
twelve kinds of Presbyterians. old
school, new school, and no school, sky
blue and variegated in theology; sew
en- kinds of Catholics.
Individual Views.
Not only so. but when 1t comes to n
question OF theological belief there
are nearly as many creeds as their are
individuals in the various churches.
It is doubtful II any two persons could
be found, anywhere, who would abso-
lutely agree on points Of doctrine.
John Calvin is famous for his 'iivc
points" predestination. irresistible
grace. original sin, particular redemV-
ton and perseverance OF the saints,
but Jacobus Arminius puts over
against that five-pointed star, another
OF equal shape and brilliancy, condi-
tional predestlnation, necessity OF per-
Sonal faith, the new birth through the
Spirit. the ability of man to resist the
grace of God, and the possibility OF
falling from grace.
These ideas in their thousanG-fo,d
ramifications are to be found in more
or less degree in all thinking men,
and they explain in part the reason
for so many denominations. And yet
1t is but small part of the reason.
Very few people take the trouble to
sit down and examine creeds and con
fessions OF faith before selecting
church with which to unite. The vast
majority simply say: What's in o
name? and unite with the one that is
most convenient. People are born
Baptists, Congregationalists, Method
lists. Their ancestors for generations
have all been connected with these de-
nominations. BY birth, and education,
and training and temperament they
are there. They know what their own
church believes. but they know not
and care not what anybody else be-
lieves. Others arein the church because
they were converted in such a revival
under the preaching Of such man.
Some are there because they married
a certain woman instead Of a certain
other woman. There are those who
Join one church rather than another
because the best people so to that
church. II is popular, and they are
looking for trade; and some there are
who get min at the preacher and go
of and join another church in order 70
spite him.
Tho Family Name.
Wnats In manner Nothing-and
everything. So far as sects and de-
nominations go there Is no particular
virtue In title: SO far as the great
family name christian goes. every
thing Is In name. IL man Is not
Christian his decentralization will
not save him. He may unite with
them all In succession but they will
not move him an inch towards the
pearly gate. He may subscribe to
Calvin's fve points or those OF Armi-
MUS but his subscription will not be
worth the paper 1t is written upon
The reason why the disciples wero
called Christians at Antioch Is be,
cause they were christians. That is to
say, they were followers Of Christ.
they were acting out the Christ spirit,