The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-09
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR

Prayer Meeting Topic Fer tho Week
Beginning Sept. &c, 1911.
Topic.-My denomination: roots. trunk.
branches frtIit.--Acts xx, f-3S. Homo
rary members meeting) Edited by Rev.
Sherman II. Doyle. d. D.
Christian Endeavor has always EN-.
phasized denominat ional loyalty. Its in.
terdenominationalis has never meant
decentralization. 1t has stood for
tnterdenominationaI fellowship and CO.
operation in many moral and philan-
tbropic movements, but 1t has never
aimed or even desired to weaken the
ties that bind Christian young people
to the particular denomination to
which they belong. Instead the pur-
pose has ever been to strengthen these
ties by urging upon all truer ana
deeper knowledge Of the history, dis
tinctive characteristics and benevolent
and missionary activities of their re-
spective denominations. Moreover. good
results have been accomplished. Broad
er fellowship has increased love and
loyalty for our own and increasing
knowledge has inspired a greater inter
est and zeal in all UNCONVENTIONAL
agencies and activities.
The true church Is spiritual and IN
visible. 1t Is not IN external organ
ism, but Is composed Of living souls
bound by q living faith to Jesus Christ
az q personal and individual Saviour.
But when we consider the diverse ma
lures Of men and the many questions
involved in the subject OF religion We
are not surprised that there should be
many differences Of opinion and that
those holding similar views as to doc.
trine, church government or worship
should unite for fellowship, for wor'
ship and for service.
This has been the case, and the vari'
Gus Christian denominations are the
result. But this does not interfere
with the essential spiritual unity OF
the church, nor is 1t necessarily
hindrance to the advancement OF
Christ's kingdom. Each denomination
appeals to those whose bent of mind
finds greater satisfaction in It, and yet
all lead to Christ, the only Saviour.
The various denominations are but diff
ferent ways to the same end, and the
more reasonable and intelligent the
ways the greater the number likely to
reach the desired end. They are but
the different regiments of the same
army, and while III a way separated
yet they have but one captain and
lender, Jesus Christ. the great Head OF
the church and the Captain OF saliva
ton.
1t has always been true ana It al
ways will be true that
b.. Like q mighty army
Moves tho church OF God.
And the only possible way for the
army to succeed is for each soldier to
do his duty wherever he may be.
As soldiers in the Christian army
we will best advance the interests of
Christ's kingdom by love and loyalty
to our denominations. Let us know
why we belong to one rather than to
another, and pfooVe all, let us be inter.
ested and actively engaged in the wor.
ship and work Of the denomination tC
which we may belong. There IS nc
church Of Christ which Is not engaged
in doing something for the advance
ment Of His kingdom and the uplift
and betterment Of mankind. Let US
do our part in the church OF our choice
while we earnestly pray not only for
Gods blessing upon US, but upon His
church universal to the end that His
kingdom may come and His will be
done upon earth as in heaven.