Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-07
How We Should
Work Together
sermon D.!
REV. FLOYD W. TOIl<INS.
Te1u ~. John .,ii. .O-.e.

There has been much discussion re-
o"roins church unity. and to-day many
earnest men are planning for a con-
ference 1" discuss the matter. In Eng
ifnn lheTc Is - belief that one OF tho
results OF tho great war. when a
Fshteous peace is once and forever
established, viii be the coming to-
Sether OF tho different branches Of the
chuTch' as they sec how foolish and
"astefu! It l. for those who love Jesus
thrisf and long to serve Him TO be IN
ANY way opposed TO each other. God
Grant tfat the narrowncss and prctu-
ace OF men may not defeat this blessed
work OF The Holy Spirit. All Chris
iians should worship and work in fell
lo"shIp. however they may differ in
methods o! worship and WORK If |
AMI my l:iother Christian cannot pray
together and do Gods work together.
'hrn thcr: is something wanting in
our Christianity, and We should
hnmbly ask Cod TO help us sec what
the fault is
think however. tina, working to-
Seth'r viii lead TO our praying ,c-
Tcth"r. since true followers of chrin,
cannot work for Him without at the
same time praying to Him; mutual
'cryicc in the name Of Christ unites
mon almost without their knowledge.
!: IS the work OF Gods Spirit in their
that God calls us to united service.
Nature, a. weil tho Bible plainly
emphasizes harmony Of action. We arc
all posSesse,. of Individual gifts. but
We must merge those gifts into a
cCmmoI whole. have Just been read
ms lc:-@. from a man on one OF the
transports carrying orr soldiers 10
france. i'c describes the variety Or
men on ttc ship here group OF
OK .h"ina co" boys and here "a group
o: coilss. !Gcn; here AN ACTOR aud here
factory Tcrkcr: yet they we're ALI
enc. not only In their common voyage
and regulated drill. hut chiefly in their
PURPOSE light for the worlds free
don. anu righteousness. SO il is in life.
No two men arc alike. Zach has his
own experiences, his wn preferences.
his own gifts. but each and all have a
great work 10 do which cannot be done
unless they work together in brothcr!y
fashion ana in brothcr!y confidence
HISTORY FILLED WITH
ECCLESIASTICAL DISCUSSIONS
II Christianity had not been split UP
into parties. the result OF human error.
and II Ali had remained true 10 the
Masters teachings. tn. world would
have been converted long ago. Alas.
;hc pages OF history have been .lIcd.
not With missionary victories, but with
cco lcsiast!cal discussions and divisions
ways. No ono division II The church
can b!am smother for these battles ot
sword or tn.".oEy We do not know
the circumstances OF those old pee
pies and days we'll enough to judge.
Eut sc can surely blame ourselves IL.
In this twentieth century OF Chris
tian!t.'. ~. Terpetuate thes" disputes
and controversies. We must come to-
Eether. and iha; speedily and wori.
together TO make NJ FOR lost tine.
We can thank God for the agencies
(which nave Already done much TO bring
christians ;cG. ;hcr The Young Mems
christian Association. tho United So
cicty OF Christian Endeavcr. the Fed
Grafton OF Churches and the Kings
Daughters h:,v, made Us know each
other better and brought us together
in splendid service. History VIII re-
cord the happy results. and God vii!
bless ;le far-see!ns and faithful
founders OF these organizations which
have proved "the fellow ship Of Chris
tian minds We should all be loyal
10 these societies. and do all we can
20 advance the noble causes they repre-
sent. ] know OF nc gatherings SO i'm
preSsive and 50 real. and upon which
ann so sure the dear Christ sends His
iovins blessing as convention OF
the !. " e.. \. workers or OF the
Knitted society Of Christian Eadeavor
10 join ia the singing and worship. TO
listen TO the Gospel addresses, TO hear
reports OF work accomplished and the
1pans for forward movements must
make one feel tho spiritual unity which
shall. in due time, bring organic unity.
Yet we must remember that organic
inity does no; mean that we shah
Worship and work alike; ii means a
bigger thing. namely. that we shall al!
worship and WORK together in fellow
ship and mutual confidence and love.
CULTIVATE PERSONALLY
LOVING FRIENDSHIP
To forward this blessed fellowship
We must cultivate personally the most
owing trust and friendship. heard
atcly a touching story. which not
pnly shows how true hearts come to-
scther in spite Of outward differences,
ou, seems to indicate the good. TO
which referred above. that may result
From this sad war. on a great ocCa-
|,ion in 4 Roman Catholic cathedral
bishop was being buried after the
.;tual of tina; church. y congregational
Minister whom ] personally knew and
Hho was a close friend of the bishop.
vas present. As the procession passed
INTO the cathedral he was suddenly
erected. as he sat in pew, by one OF
ne officiating priests. who threw his
arms around him and kissed him.
They served together in the War Be-
ween the States. and the memories OF
heir fellowship on the battle field and
II tho camp were so precious that even
he solemn ceremonies Of the funeral
e their mutual friend could not hold
hem from a brothcrly embrace. We
hall know each other in Heaven: why
hot let the heart speak mere on earth?
n every community Christians Should
mbracc every opportunity to come to-
eether for worship and work. United
crvice Of this kind has made some
bf our towns vcritable places of
heavenly fellowship. How is ii in your
ommunity?
There are other divisions besides
hose resulting from religious differ
noes Political parties sometimes for
et the mutual aid they should give to
heir country while they acccntuatc
heir differing opinions and fight tor
party victory rather than for national
dvantage.
rARTY SPIRIT MUST NO'r
HOLD ONE RACK FROM DEITY