THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

Albertland Gazette, Issue 5, 1 October 1863, Page 2

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

We have heard of an objection to our aim at realizing the one undivided Church.which assumes importance not so much as an.objection but rather as ari illustration of the ignorance of religion that prevails among its professors, and the extent to which that ignorance may create the discords of the church. It is said, by the objector that men cannot be expected "to change their religion " in coming out to New Zealand. What ideas can a chnstian have of Christians who can speak of "changinghis religion." Religion may be viewed in either of two aspects, or both; as obligation arising out of our felt relation to God, or as the inward realization of that relationship in. all its spiritual bearings. But in either of these aspects, how can a man speak of changing his religion ? As well might he «peak of changing his God. "We expect a man's religion to change 7iim, daily, and hourly; and surely if religion be a sense of duty arising put of the nearness of God, it must impart an. inexpressible sacrednesa to every human act, orif it be a profound inward sense of oneness with God, it must, to an equal extent elevate andennoble human existence, and in either case will powerfully change the man; but the idea of the man changing it is as remote from our thoughts as is the idea of his regulating afresh the arrangements of the solar system. How then can the objection arise? Clearlyfrom an ignorance of this character of real religion, and a confusion between religion and its forms. The outward forms of religion can be changed. But the individual *church we seek after, is not sufficiently dependent on. external forms to need any change in them. " It is our desire rather to cherish diversified forms if they can minister to spiritual life; and by no means to attain a uniformity. And surely if religion be the sublime, yet simple thing we have represented, its one hallowing spirit may pervade a body of disciples, however varied in their observance of external forms; and every form will be deepened in ■ its meaning and worth by the presence of that sacred orieness which suffers none of these external things to disturb the pure love, which is.the one sure sign of our^divine discipleship.