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ry to themselves; they do mar die pros
pects of the speefff fulfillment of thit pro
phetic vision, which exhib^ffifi the ki%
dome of the world as becoming the
j£t
■
doms of our Lord aq| of his
They do this by submitting to be called
by names, which amount to a prohibition
of that union and concerCof jiction, so ne
cessary to produce that glorious result
We are informf^t that, even in the afys
of the apostles, schisms arose in the
church^ Some were admirers of Pauil,
others of Apollos, Cephas, &c. But tne
name Christian was stilHtetained. This
admiration of men made them no more
than Christians. And #ven in that divi
sion, what is the language of the inspired
Paul? 1 Cor i. 13. “ Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye
baptised in the name ofApulT ihapjai.
4. he says: “ For while one saith, I am of
Paul;' and another, I am d^Apollos; are
ye not carnal?” Can that which was iwi
jpul at one time, be justified at another?
; Jfhat which was carnal once, cannot be
spiritual now. Wes not this said of those
who- merely^ppMbwd preference for one
or the other of the Apostles, either af to
their doctrine, mode of address, or ability
in ^jgument? With how mnch more point
may it be said, “ Y#are carnal,” of those
who, at the present day, not *only differ
on doctrinal subjects*,but* carry their pre
ferences so far as to efcomraunicate all
t who will not defencPtheir opinion.
We ask any candid brother to examine
his own mind upon this subject. *Ax£ di
visions in the jehurch conducive ¥ its
prosperity, and the happiness of its, mem
Is there any other name by which the re
lationship of all her members can be so
easily recognised? Are not other names
based upon variance on minor poinjs? Is
on the woful tendency of names to pro
duce a carnal feeling, coldness in the di
vine life, dissensions among brethren, and
perfect paralysis in the efforts of those
who would apply balm to th§" wound*
How Jong this state 9 things shall exist,
to the detriment of Christ’s kingdom, we
canBpretend to say. Indications are
sorrauines favorable to a change. Seve
ral branches of the church differ so very
little i%any material poit^, that a union
would not only seem practicable, but ea
sy. And yet the attention of too few has
been arrested by this vital question.
Could we see the learning and talent
which are <hiily vested in tedious and vain
theological discussions, brought to bear
upon tha heavenly principle of union, we
should *1 revived, and.Jjegin to hope for
better days. %
How long will they delays How lar
will they suffer the pestilence of divisions
to spread its sway by their apathy? What
more signal vengeance could an all wise
God inflict upon his people, than to show
them the unsuccessfulness of^eir efforts
while in a divided state? Can the ancient
remark of worldlings, “ See how these
Christians love each other,” be applied to
dm disci|lfes of the present day? %The
time has come wjien to reni&in inactive is
sinful^L Having examined and found that
which we believe the oitly ground where
union can be effected^ we take a position
there,—-in the wordfof God,—and call
aloud for help. We would appeal to the *
various denominations to examine for
themselves; whether this is notfground
broad enough for all to stand upon. By
coming there, no article of faith, not even
the smallest, would be sacrificed. These
they profess to have taken from the scrip
tures. There they should bring them,
tfjNhere leave them. We love them in
Christ. We admire many of their insti
tutions. Bui the names by which they
choose to be distinguished, we cannot re