Union
of Churches Urged By
Rev. Jesse Halsey, Who Champions World Movement
Elimination
of sectarianism and willingness to go forward in one body for the sole
perpetuation of the spirit of righteousness and the worship of Christ was urged
by Rev. Jesse Halsey, in a sermon at Seventh Presbyterian Church, Madison road
and Cleinview avenue, yesterday.
“The
time has come for us to abandon personal differences and work unitedly on the
task,” said Rev. Mr. Halsey. “So far as I am concerned there is nothing
distinctive enough about a Presbyterian church to keep us from uniting with the
Congregational, the Methodist, and the Episcopal churches in one organic body.
That time of organic union may be far off, though it is a day devotedly to be
hoped for. In the meantime, let us co—operate in every way possible by working
toward the more remote goal.
“The
Inter-Church World Movement represents the most successful attempt at such
co-operation. Some things can be done together, even while the church remains
divided, such as united survey, the elimination of competition in mission work,
and a united drive for necessary funds.
“The
average business man has little patience with overlapping and denominational
competition, cares little for hairsplitting creedal differences, but is, as I see
him, tremendously interested in the cause of righteousness and the essential
tasks of the kingdom of God.
“I
have so great a respect for the ‘Faith once delivered’ that it goes back to the
day of a united Church, when men of all sorts companied together, and the sole
condition of membership was the possession of the spirit of Jesus; this was the
New Testament Church. There was large local differences in government in that
church, many varieties of theological opinion, and much diversity in worship,
but it was an effective organization for its divine purpose, held together by
loyalty to Jesus and consecration to His aims.
“Such
respect have I for that church and that ‘Faith’ that anything that emphasizes the
decisive and distinguishing doctrines of my denomination seems too modern to
enlist my allegiance. In other words, I am more interested in the Kingdom of
God, than in the Presbyterian Church.
“Publicity
has been given recently to an alleged opposition of Cincinnati delegates who
are to attend the Presbyterian General Assembly in World Movement. This report
is erroneous. No action has been taken by the Cincinnati Presbytery looking in
that direction: six out of eight of Cincinnati delegates are out for the
InterChurch Movement. An overwhelming majority of our people are for
co-operation rather than for a sectarian denomination interest first and
foremost.
“So
far as the minister of this church can shape its policies, and so far as he
understand the temper of the officers and members of the Seventh Church, this
church shall always stand for the great essential Christian teachings
concerning God and man’s duty. We welcome all the disciples in the perpetuation
of a distinctly Presbyterian dogma. Our interest is in the promotion of the
Kingdom of God and our creed lays an ethical emphasis rather an intellectual.
“So
long as denominations exist, we will be loyal in our own regiment. We find here
a congenial mode of church government, but we claim for it no divine right.
When the day for a unified command comes, we will thank God. And if we
understand the signs of the times, that day is approaching.”
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