The Coconino sun. (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1898-1978, 1915-09-17

results are brought about through the
connective reinforcements of denomi-
national work. A world wide interest
thus interlocks with the local church.
1t is a part of the branch of the great
whole.
While, in general, UNCONVENTIONAL
church is the result in the establish
ment Of christian worship in a new
community, because of the assistance
of missionary funds, modification
appears here and there, where the
people of community join together
in a so-called union church. This
usually occurs where no church pre-
viously existed Such church has
strictly independent local govern
ment The members retain their Sc
parate UNCONVENTIONAL connections.
But their efforts are fused to provide
Bible instruction for the young and
to maintain christian worship. 1t is
found, however, on the whole, as at
tested by experience, that the demo-
minational church is stronger, more
cohesive, more definite, and works to
better and more harmonious purpose
than the so-called union, or even fed
Grated church.
The strictly independent local
church is the Congregational church.
1t was the form of church organiza-
ton of the Pilgrims and Puritans who
settled this country. 1t has rendered
vast service to our national life. Many
distinguished names appear among its
annals. 1t is great power today.
Yet it lacks the cohesiveness of de-
nominational connection and unified
drive which is essential in the most
effective christian work. The weak
ness of disconnection is manifest in
the often conflicting Interpretation of
the Word of God Doctrinally, the
Congregational church is just what its
present local minister makes it. If
he is a man of God, and faithful to
his evangelical message, the church
will flourish in the community. 1t is
a one man church, in this sense.
Should the minister be unsound, and
fail in his evangelical message, the
community will suffer corresponding
ly, and some other church is certain
to spring up to give the needed spir-
itual ministry. This is the history of
the Congregational church in this
country. The Unitarian division may
have its compensating elements, and
have been the occasion of bringing
about larger charity among the
churches. But it also introduced
doctrinal features that must be guard
ed against in evangelical work. A
safe man, doctrinally, might be fol-
lowed by man who would undo much
of the good work his predecessor had
done. This is possible, in measure,
in any church. But in the Congrega-
tional church the minister is not held
accountable to any doctrinal standard
When the deity of Jesus Christ is de-
MED, and the redemptive work of
Pentecost is ignored, and even OPP
posed, the church becomes a misnomer
and forfeits it's divine charter.
The church, by whatsoever name it
may be called, surrenders its right to
the confidence and support of COM
munity when it substitutes esthetics,
or art, or social form, for the evan
| gelical message of salvation and
eternal life. The Holy Spirit will not
honor it's work. Men everywhere, as
true christians, receive the saving
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. With
out that the world is hopelessly lost.
Nor can they relax their efforts until
the whole race is redeemed. A true
christian ministry will utilize all re-
fining and cultural elements. But it
will realize the deeper cultures as the
inner life is made sound and whole
and manifests the beauty of the outer
form as the sincere expression of a
Christ-like life. Mere culture may
cloak the most objectionable hypo-
crisy. The well developed lines of
strictly outer cultural work are re-
cognized and supported by the best
people everywhere. Sometimes, too,
by those who are not so good. But a
/ pepole can dwell together in unity on
ly as they are sincere and righteous,
and exercise good will toward each
other. No power can displace selfish
ness and false ideals except the love
of Christ. The salvation and culture
of the soul should be the first consid-
Grafton in church life. With that
dominant, it will win, and the support
of its work will not be mere matter
of financial economy or retrenchment,
but of rendering to God His due for
4 A. e