A SHORT-LIVED “UNION.”
By William N. Glenn
A CORRESPONDENT of the California Christian Advocate (Methodist) says of a union revival held in Santa Rosa that “eight churches were in the union—Baptist, Christian, Presbyterian, Congregational, German M. E., the M. E. South, and our own. From beginning to end there was not the first sign of discord; all our peculiarities, isms, and hobbies were entirely laid aside, and we rallied around the cross of the Saviour, where, only, salvation is found.” What an acknowledgment is here expressed! Here are eight sects, professing to be Christian, professing to be Protestant, separated by organized “isms and hobbies,” which must be “laid aside” when they want to rally “around the cross of our Saviour, where, only, salvation is found.” It is admitted that there is no salvation in these “isms and hobbies;” but after two weeks of rallying around the cross of our Saviour, they all go back to their idols, which only serve to keep them separate. Why not remain in union, in a condition where there is “not the first sign of discord”? Is it not the Lord’s will that those who rally around the cross shall be “one,” as he and the Father are one? John 17:20–23. If that had been a genuine revival, those “isms and hobbies” of division would have remained “laid aside,” and the “union” would have lasted more than two weeks. Suppose two individuals have long been separated by bitter animosities, each deeming himself entrenched in absolute right, insomuch that reconciliation seems impossible unless one or the other yields entirely his position. But a “revivalist” comes along and induces them to mutually lay aside their differences and work together for the common cause which they profess to have uppermost in their hearts. They continue in harmony for two weeks, and then return to their old enmity, and go on as before. What would be said of such a union? Would it not be declared a sham? What, then, shall be said of the union of these differing sects, who so soon give up the unity and return to the Babylon of division and confusion of doctrine? What shall be said of such revivals? It would seem that “Ephraim is joined to his idols.” W. N. G.