Christian Union by Editor

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1875

Christian Union.

By Editor

WORDS among the churches of the present day, seem to have lost their significance. The Lord God of Israel told his people they would be holy if they kept his commandments. Now we find professors of religion boasting of the highest type of "holiness" who openly break God's commandments. And more, they teach that obedience to the whole law of God is a hindrance to holiness! A more marked case of putting darkness for light was never known among any people. Again, the Lord commanded his people to be of one mind, to speak the same thing, and to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Of late they have sought for union on a different basis. Not to be united in spirit, in judgment, in doctrine, and in word, but to be united in personal courtesies, in mere outside civilities, and this they call "union of Christians!" For what more than courtesy, or expediency, is a union which leaves each party with all their sectarianisms complete? What does such a union amount to?

Of late many who profess to be Adventists have talked long and loud about this union. They try by every means to coalesce with denominations whom they profess to think entertain the most grievous errors. With far more show of consistency the denominations often hold them off, and refuse to recognize them. We have lately seen some notable instances of this.

But now comes the last and least-looked-for move toward "union." It is of the factions claiming to be Advent believers in parts of New England. Eld. H. Pratt, in the Crisis of March 3, thus expresses himself, and quotes as follows:—

"THE SCALES FALLING.

"In Springfield, Mass., where the cause has been bleeding for years by division, a new era seems to be dawning. The old path of oneness, unity in Christ, apparently is being sought out. God help to find it. And if unity in Christ can be effected in Springfield, among Adventists, then why not in other places? The following from the Springfield Republican of Feb. 13, 1875, is the true outlook for to-day:— "'It is well known that, of late years, the sect of Adventists has been broken up into sections, there being three of these represented in this city, known as "old-school Adventists," "age to come Adventists," and "non-resurrectionists"; and the same division has existed throughout the denomination, to some extent. Recently, however, a movement has taken place in this city toward the union of these different branches for evangelical work, which reached its conclusion, last evening, in the formation of the Springfield Adventists Union, composed of the old-school and age-to-comeists, the others holding themselves aloof, for the present, but with some prospect of eventually coming in.'"