Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-31
ByBishOp w. A.Candler


There are many in our day who decry
the existence of religious denominations,
and never weary of denouncing denom-
inationalism.
They account the existence of relig-
ious bodies in separate and distinct
organizations as an evil sectarianiSm,
and refuse to see that the denomination
al units have come into existence under
the providence of God. and have per-
formed the highest services on behalf
of the religious welfare OF mankind. In
opposition to these mistaken men that
eminent preacher, Rev. Charles E. Jeffer-
son, d. D.. speaks as follows:
uniformity, like a bewitching
dream, still haunts many minds; but
il is an ignis fatuus which leads ma
tions into quagmires. II by It's
fruits we are to judge denomina-
tionalism, the conclusion is unes-
capable that il has met the mex
orable needs of a growing world
1t is only by division and subdivi-
sion that an army is rendered et-
fective, and so it is only by group
ing Christians around regimental
standards that the Church OF Christ
at the present stage of development
becomes manageable and capable of
doing its largest work. soldier
does not show disrespect to the ar
my when he is loyal to his regl-
ment His value to the army is
measured by his value to his own
division commander. 1t is only when
separate regiments are kept to
high standard of action that the
army comes into possession of con-
quering power.
Every preacher is most loyal to
the whole Church of Christ when he
is most faithful to his own denom-
ination. Denominational fidelity is an
essential of catholic effectiveness.
The figure of an army and its subdi-
visions, which Mr.. jefferson employs,
is quite apt. The christian army is d.
vided into separate bodies as it ought
to be, and probably always will be. Moth
ing would be gained, but much lost, IL
all christian men and women OF the
world could be brought together in one
ecclesiastical organization. Such huge
mechanical enclosure would not minis
ter to that unity of the spirit which
is enjoincd by the Holy Scriptures; but
would tend to arouse contention and
strife. The whole body of the faithful
is more truly one as the case now
stands than if all the christians in the
government.
Moreover, a huge organism would
speedily become arrogant and cor
rupt There would be needed a su-
preme executive head of this organ
ization, surrounded and assisted by
an ecclesiastical oligarchy. There
can be no doubt of the consequences,
which would follow in such case.
No man is great enough nor wise
enough to be the head of world
wide organization, political or relig-
ious God has never permitted any
man to aspire to universal domin-
ion without overthrowing him. When
Alexander coveted universal empire,
he came to an early death, and the
exile of Napoleon on a lonely island
in an unfrequented sea was the prov
idential judgment upon man who
INDUCED aspirations like those
which filed the bosom of the vain
Alexander. An ecclesiastical Alex
ander, or Napoleon, would be just
as reprehensible as the political
examples mentioned
Sometimes the words of the Savior,
in his high priestly prayer. are per-
verted by those who argue for the merS-
ing of all Churches into one. They are
fond of quoting the part of the prayer
in which Jesus said. Neither for those
only do / pray, but for them also thai
believe on me through their word that
they may all be one; even as thou Fa-
Their are in me, and / in Thee, that
they also may be one in us, that the
world may believe that Thou didst send
me-
This prayer of Jesus is the hottest
utterance recorded on the pages of his
tory, and a perversiOn of it is little
short of blasphemy. Every careful stu
dent of the Word of God knows that
the unity for which the Master prayed
in that momentous hour was not a unity
of organization. It is a proclamation C
his prayer to affirm that a mechanical
union can in any wise express the inef-
fable relations of the Godhead.
That wise and devout minister Dean