Individualism of Church and Sect
“INDIVIDUALISM OF CHURCH AND SECT.”—Beecher “would not like to have his plum trees bear peaches, nor his peaches bear apples,” but he has a tree for each kind of fruit.” He applies the illustration as follows: “There may be unity with difference. Separateness may be formed into one generic whole, while each one has its peculiar function to perform. The total fruitfulness of Christianity springs out of this individualism of church and sect.” This illustration is lame for the reason that there are but two kinds of fruit contemplated by the gospel: one “the fruit of the Spirit,” the other, “the works of the flesh.” This compliment to the sects, that each one is to develop some trait of Christian character, is a deceitful palaver.—Church Advocate*.