Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-19

in the world. 1t is a far better and no
bier thing than that impossible and I'M
desirable organic union of all Christian
people in one huge, obese and apoplectic
organization. But some who never weary
Of calling for this useless union seem
to have no scruples concerning the viola
ton of scriptural unity. Their demand
for Christian union appears to be schis-
matte in it's nature, for their proposal
appears to be that all other churches
shall be swallowed up by their own. 1t
savours more of ecclesiastical ambition
and pride than of real catholicity. They
are quick to tell us that they are really
to recognize Christians of all churches,
ubt what is required is that they should
recognize the churches of all Christians.
Nothing is more schismatic than the ef-
fort to impose conditions Of Christian
fellowship upon others which the Holy
Scriptures do not impose. This was the
evil at which Paul aimed his fulmina-
tions in the Epistle to the Galatians. The
Judaizers of his time pursued him into
all the churches which he organized,
teaching the GENTLE converts that their
salvation was dependent upon the observ-
ance of certain Jewish ordinances. This
was In effect to nullify salvation by faith
in Christ, and to set up scheme of re-
demption by mere mechanical processes
of organization and ordinances. The
great Apostle to the Gentiles would have
none of 1t. Resisting this Apostle of He
brew succession and pretension he de-
clared Though we or an angel from
heaven preach any other gospel unto you
than that which we have preached unto
you, let him be accursed." He thus ana
thematized the schismatic demands of the
Judaizers that the Gentiles should be-
xxyIf nv "a
to their forms and ceremonies. He did
not propose to allow any one, whether
man or angel, to impose yoke of bond
age upon the freedom of the faith.
1t seems that Paul's battle will have
to be fought over in our day. Men are
preaching again union by submission to
their own sectarian tests and standards.
And this intolerance of other churches
seeks to get an unfa-e advantage by
posing as a burning desir> Tor Christian
unity.
We already have Christian unity among
multiplied millions of Christians who are
one in faith and love, although holding
membership in different ecclesiastical
bodies. Why do these sectaries refuse
to recognize and practice this Christian
unity? Who do they seek to disturb 1t
by their schismatic demands that all
souls shall come into their denomination?
Have they no appreciation of any unity
except that which is involved in univers-
sal uniformity under their own type?
Will they despise the unity of the Spirit
unless they can be permitted to impose
upon all Christians a union of mere form
and mechanical organization? II they
can not rise to higher heights of tolerance
and charity than that they may as we'll
understand that their demands will new
err be allowed and that their sectarianism
can not be disguised or concealed by any
pretentious pleas for the reunion OF
Christendom."
AS long as men have minds and think,
they will reach different conclusions
about many points, although they may
agree in the essentials of faith. To at
tempt to constrain them into a mechani-
cal uniformity in these matters would pe
injurious to them and harmful to the
cause of Christ. Enclosing them in a
huge ecclesiastical hippodrome while
they hold divergent views might make a
lively circus, but 1t certainly could not
promote any good end. Men are most eff
fective when most free and most sincere.
To pretend to agreement of opinion when
no such agreement exists in fact, is most
hurtful to character. To suppress opin-
ions is at least weakening, If 1t is not
something worse.
ne true pan AOI SAElSIldh unity
therefore, is that every man be fully per-
suaded in his own mind, and that he fall
in with that organization with which he
is agreed, and respect the organizations
of all other Christians. If that program
be not possible, certainly the more cum
bersome coercive program of one organi-
cation will never be found feasible. This
spiritual unity seems to have been the
program OF the primitive church. 1t ap-
pears that from the first there were
churches organized on the congregation
al plan, others on the Presbyterian plan,
and others after the Episcopal order; and
1t does not appear that they ever felt for
moment that they were not one In
Christ Jesus. They did not veX one an
other about non-essentiRls, nor S""'
hinder one another in standing fast in
the liberty wherewith Christ had made
them free. Least Of all, did any of them
assume air of superiority, and under
take to lay down propositions which I'll
others should accept before any fellow
ship could be had with them.
The early churches endeavored to keep
the unity OF the Spirit in the bond of
peace" and they seem not to have
thought or cared for that schismatic
union of enforced uniformity. 1t was for
this sort OF spiritual unity Jesus prayed
when he said on the night before the cru
cifixion, Neither pray 1 for these alone,
but for them also which shall believe on