The Red Cloud chief., 1913-02-20
Very Thankful

am very thankful that an oppor.
Vupify IL thus afforded me to state In
brief way the purposes. principles and
progress OF the Christian people, and
in the making of these statements, l
trust that the same will be carefully
considered. certainly appreciate
speaking from "ye editors" platform,
for when words in this order are given
can be kept for future use, and are not
soon forgotten. They are many people
that do not understand the purpose
aud aims of the people that call them.
selves Christians, only we are not the
only Christians, but taking the name
OF Christians, but taking the name of
Christ, due to relationship We wear
that name only.
Our Purpose
The religious movement inaugnrated
by Thomas and Alexander Campbell in
Western Pennsylvania in the year
1909. had for its aim and motve.spring
the union Of all Christ's followers in
harmony with his own tender prayer,
Jno. II: -, 81. and in the plainest
declarations OF his Apostles, / Cor. Il:
10: Eph 4: l. 6 This original aim then
regarde 1 a chimerical and undesirable
but now approved by leading minds in
all religious bodies. has been the chief
force in moulding the reformation into
what it Is today
Principles.
In order to realize the above purpose
the Disciples of Christ have been led
20 adopt and advocate the following
principles: /. The Church of Christ
Is essentially and constitutionally one,
and all sects scisms In the zone BODY"
hindering fellowship and cooperation,
are contrary to the plainest scripturai
teaching. Col. 6: Is, 81.
2. Since Christianity. in its essen.
tial features, is revelation and not
an evolution. The true remedy for
our divisions Is complete return, In
taith and practice, to the Christianity
of Christ. Jud. 3.
8. This restoration OF original
Christianity involves: /. The restor.
alton Of the bible to its rightful place,
as the only rule Of faith and conduct,
aud the consequent surrender Of all
human creeds and confessions OF faith,
as bonds of union aud communion.
2, The restoration and use Of the
scriptursl names defining our relation
to Christ, and the disuse of all party
or ssctarian names which tend to per.
'petuats party spirit aud divisions. 8.
The restoration of the ancient aud
= divinely revealed confession Of faith,
rs the true basis or creed Of the
church. Matt 10: 10, II. 4. The res.
toration Of the apostolic baptism-ths
immersion Of penitent believers--ss
: alone authorized by the new testament
Rom. 8: 40. 5. The restoration of
'the new testament terms Of Christian
Fellowship, the recognition of all thus
baptized, rs members of Christi q
Church, whose union with each other
can only be broken by the forfeiture of
Christian character. Rom. II. 6. The
restaration Of the weekly communion
as the centssl act OF Christian wor.
ship. Acts. 20: Z.
L. While the unity Of the church
involves the restoration Of its Catholic
features, as above set forth, the pro
.gress of Christianity in the world de
mands more intelligent understand.
ing Of the bible, and the presen ton
OF more scriptural and rational
snethod OF svangeiization A fresh aud
independent study of the scriptures
has yielded the following conclusions:
i. While both the old aud new testa.
ments are inspired, the former with
its law, prophets snd Psalms, had a
special adaptation to Gods ancient
people, the Jews, and was intended "a
y preparation for the new and better
covenant in Christ, As the latter has q
special adaptation to those under the