A Strange Mixture

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

A Strange Mixture

In a recent number of the Illinois Baptist is given an account of a strange case of church union at Purcell, Okla. The denominations of that place, composed of the Trinity Methodist, the Methodist Episcopal, Campbellites, and Presbyterians, have entered into a covenant to provide a union church. The experiment is to extend over a period of one year. It is to be controlled by a board consisting of three members of each denomination, and non-denominational literature is to be used in the Sunday-school. Speaking of this attempt at church unity, the Western Recorder of Sept. 12, 1912, says:—

“Just imagine a sermon on infant baptism, and the reception it will receive at the hands of the Campbellite members; and one on Calvinism, and how it will set on the Arminians. We suppose it is a case where you ‘pays your money and takes your choice.’ . . . We freely predict that this amphibious, graminivorous, carnivorous chameleon will be short-lived, and full of trouble, and without any sort of verification of the scripture that it is pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. If there should be an addition to this queer institution, we are at a loss as to what he should be called. However, you can name him and take him. What next?”

True Christian unity can never be effected by an effort to subordinate denominational differences on the so-called non-essentials, and uniting on the essentials. This is but human devising, a man-made compromise. The true basis for Christian union is found in taking the Scriptures of Truth as the one standard of faith and conduct, and the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ as our one example.