Unity or Unformity

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 July 1912, Page 3

Unity or Unformity

This was Mr Milner's subject on Sunday last, being the third of a series on the Chuich and its mission. He emphasied the fact that he did not plead for uniformity but for unity. Beware of th<> byepath of uniformity for its leads to formalism, and apart from that it has no place in scripture teaching. We are non comformiscs because we cannot conscientiously con*-, form to the articles of faith composed by men of the loth century : but the bible is implicit on this point, "There are diversities of ministrations, but the same Lord, there are diversities of workings but one God "(I Cor 12 ). There are many branches of the Christian Church each of which, like the various members of the physical bony, has its own particular function to preform. The trouble, is some members have exalted themselves over others, " and the eye hath said to the hand I have no need of thee "(Verse 21), thus causing sclxisms and jealousies in the body of Christ. If wo are true followers of Christ Jesus his prayer will be ours.'"' Not for these only "do T pray, but for them also who shall believe in me through their word, that they may all be one " And if we are to make progress toward this goal, we must'get back to the early standard of Christianity If ;any hath not tha spirit of Chribt.be'is noue of his" (Bom 8. 9, ). There are too many in the chuich, who are hidden rocks, who cause separations (Jude 12-19) Again we must recognise the grand truth of the sixth article, and "be ready to relinquish all-traditions that are not Bible doctrine. Further we must have a live Pr >testant Church, I use this name because it is a, scriptural one, and because it designates truly and forcibly the function we have to preform. The word does not 7nean one who protests, but one who witnesses (Latin pro, before and testor to witness), wo lind it used of the prophets whom Cxod sent to reconcile Judah to himself, and in the Latin Vulgate of Jerome (0554 A. D.\ and in the papal Yi.lgato of to day " Quos Protest antes illw " (2 (;hron"2l ]'J). What wfiro our Lords last words to the faithful deseipl&s on Mt Chvet " Ye shall be my witness .. . unto the uttermost parts of the earth " (Acts 1. 8). Let us then bo true protestants, ever boldly testifying of the faith once ana for all delivered tv the saints. Wo are here to witness for Christ, aud to show forth his excellencies, let up then press ou toward tho high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil o 12 16) giving deligence to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace ."