South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-06-27
MAKES PLEA FOR
UNIVERSAL FAITH
DR.. Law Points Out Weak
nesses aud Inefficiency of
Present Division.

Of Christ divided today are the non
essentials and secondary things.
Thank God that the age OF theolog-
teal debates and public discussions is
past. we hope. forever"
Choosing FOR his Sunday morning
e~rmon the subject zone Universe.
Church" Rev. Charles II. Law in 4
rather short talk pointed out % his
congregation the tragedy Of chris
tianity."
His sermon 20 the parishioners Of
the stuI1 Memorial Methodist church
was as follows.
'esecta ria uisra = the tragedy %
Christianity today A divided Chris
tianity Is an enfeebled religion. Di-
vision and subdivision can mean
nothing but weakness and tnef-
hciency. Jesus never intended that
his church should be divided. He
declared that there shall be one
flock and one shepherd. In that
great last prayer OF his IN the seven
tenth chapter OF John. he prays
four times that they may be one.
even as we are one Paul asks the
church al Corinth Is Christ d.
vfded?' The answer today would be
yes judging from the nearly 200
different denominations IN the
United states The church is the
body OF Christ. A divided body is
sickly and enfeebled one. The
great Physician IL needed today 70
heal this sickly body the church.
Harmful Effects.
"Sectarianism has many harmful
effects II divides the forces OF
righteousness which should present
a united front. Il fosters the wrong
kind or rivalry and breeds unbroth-
erly strife and jealousies, Theolog-
teal differences have made enemies
OF those who should practice the
Brotherhood OF man. II divides
community life and activities. It is
poor economy that many cOmmuni-
ties are Over-churched while Others
are without religious privileges OF
church worship. Duplication OF
work from sectarianism means an
underpaid ministry and poor
churches with less efficient pastors.
Church divisions have come
about largely because OF differences
in non-essentials. The things that
today are the nom essentials and sec
ondzry things. Thank God that the
age OF theological debates and pup
Tic discussions IS past. we hope. Tor
ever The church has divided and
subdivided because Of differences Of
doctrines. creeds. rituals forms and
ceremonies, sacraments. dress, pol
tty and what not The reformation
under Luther came from revolt
against a corrupt church. the
Methodist church came as a protest
against worldliness in English life.
But our creeds. our forms and cere-
monies. our dress, our pOlity. will
not in and of themselves make US
true followers Of the one Shepherd.
Outward Forms must signify an in
ner life that is Christlike.
There should be one universal
church for the following reasons;
There is but one God and Father Of
all. all are children OF this one
Father and therefore brothers and
sisters: we have but one Christ. one
Savior. one Shepherd. one Head OF
the Church. one example; we are
lead and comforted by one Holy
Bible. one text book: we live on the
same earth and work in the same
Kingdom OF God; we pray TO the
same God: all Christians expect TO
20 10 the same Heaven where there
will be no divisions: It is divine
economy Of time, work and money
10 unite: one church will mean a
united community life and common
social and religious conscience; one
universal church viii strengthen the
Christian forces many fold. united
we stand. divided we fall: every
community will be adequately
churched and none over-churched;
a united church can preach Iller
gospel Of brotherly love and sacri-
fetal service. not competition but
more cooperation would be secured;
the love OF God would bind all to-
gether. all the world would soon be-
come Christian.
Creed Simple.
The creed Of this one universal
church would be simple in content.
All the creed needed would be
Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God.
with all thy heart-and thy neigh
ship will be sCleCtive. It's polty
will be democratic IN nature with
love ruling as in perfect family life.
Faith and practical Christian works
will be united. This one church will
be adequate 10 meet all the needs OF
All or life OF body. mind and soul
10 will be missionary in outlook and
program and carry the Gospel 20 all
lands and peoples. Il will be
World League OF Christians. a true
brotherhood and sisterhood Of all
peoples regardless Of race OF Ian
guagc.
In Chr.st there is no east or west.
In Him no south nor north,
Rut one great fellowship Of love.
throughout the whole wide EARTH
join bands then. brothers OF the faitl
Whatcer your race may be-
Who serves my Father as a son
Is surely kin 20 me- "
John OXenham.
The thinnest thing in nature "a
fha black ers0t that qDDcors on a