Year: 1879

THE UNIFICATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH


SERMON BY REV. DIR. NEWMAN.


Tho Rev. DR.. Newman preached in the evening
on the Qualification Of the Christian Church."
taking his text from John. xviii. 20. 21-"Neither
pray for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe me through their word; that they
all may be one; thou. Father, art in me.
and I in thee. that they may also be in
u.s. that the world may believe that thou hast sent
me-" The preacher said Not less than five plans
have been proposed for the unifcaon Of the Chris
tian Church-an ultra democracy, church with
out supremacy and without subordnation; an
ecclesiastical autocracy. or the enthronement of
single ruling mind to dictate the faith and practice Of
all believers; ecclesiastical uniformity to dis
cipline and ceremonies of worship; an identity
of opinion on and all ud3n pGnss a,sS doctrine ne
Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sin.
All these plans have their exceences and their de-
fects, and one Of the number can be adjudged
equal the intellectual capacity and religious wants
of all men. Each has been tested and each has
been found wanting: The right to command and the
duty obey Indispensable to the discipline and
efficiency of any Christian organization. Submission
to q single ruling mind would not necessarily bo
vital union. Uniformity would simply be conform
ity without the communion of saints.


IDENTITY BELIEF IMPOSSIBLE.


Identity of religious belief is impossible, the
mind of each man is cast in a different mould, and
he will think on any given subject according to his
mental structure and degree OF intelligence; and





of the world is the corner stone of any Christian
church. vet that is not the whole OF doctrnal
truth. We should, therefore, look for plat
form which all Christian men stand
in the individuality OF their opinions. subject
to be judged only by the Holy Bible There must be
and should be o profound respect for the religious
opinions entertained by the several denominations
which compose the Christian world. 1t is great
fact that these UNCONVENTIONAL bodies had their origin
in conscientious belief in their Interpretation of the
Bible. cannot demand an Episcopalian Baptist
to believe as do, can they require me to
render my belief. II Is not too much to affirm that
each denomination has its providentia mission to
complish and should be sustained in the same. 1t
is enough for know that Catholics and Profess
tants Greeks and Armenians, and the great subdivi
sions of the Protestant Church. stand upon the fun
damental doctrines of Christianity expressed in
the Apostles Creed Minor differences of opinion pre-
vailed among the apostles and to be found to-day
in every branch of the Christian Church; and wo
have no reason to believe that the time will
come when these minor differences will give place
perfect harmony. The highest form of Christian
who differ from AS republican form OF govern
ment not adapted to all grades of civilization.
neither is any form of church government now
known to the world adapted to all conditions of the
Christian lifc


BRoTrERLy


We are. therefore, To seek the uni6cation of the
Christian Church in the manifestation of brotherly
love- combined efforts for the relief of distressed
humanity, aud for the conversion of this world to
Christ This is the only union that is practicable
Parties and cries should be hushed party strfes
should denominational rvalries should be
cluded. No Christian should belittle himself
to boast that he is Presbyterian, Baptist, an
Episcopalan, but rather that he is follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ. To this end must concede the
faibiity of human the right of private judg
ment and the non-importanco OF forms of worship.
For this uinon tho Divine Master prayed for this
the apostolic letters were written, and for this We