SECTARIANISM V. CHRISTIAN UNION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 141, 10 November 1871, Page 3

SECTARIANISM V. CHRISTIAN UNION.

(To the Editor of the Mount Ida Chronicle.

Sir, —Tour valuable paper being the onlv medium for the expression of public opinion on matters affecting the welfare of our little community, you will, I doubt not, insert a few remarks on a subject which has recently come under my notice. You and your readers are doubtless aware that for the last five years the spiritual wants of Naseby have been ministered to by the Rev. A. Dasent and (excepting during the time of the Rev. J. Burchett's residence at Mount Ida) Kev. H. Flamank as frequently as their othe/ duties, and the great extent of their districts, would allow. That to Mr. Flamank is due the credit and honor of having inaugurated public worship in this place, and that the erection of the Union Church was the result of the action he took on his first visit to Naseby in August, 1866. That the periodical visits of these two rev. gentlemen were insufficient for the wants of the district is patent to all; and the successful effort made by the Presbyterian body to supply that deficiency was both well-timed and acceptable. Had we been necessitated to await the consummation of the

very slow efforts of To Presbyterians to supply mr spiritual wants, our dearth wou! I, as results prove, been of four years longer duration, and who shall say less ? What but the great day shall declare the consequences to many who have gone the way ofall flesh, as well as to ourselves and our children. Thankful then ought we to be to those who took compassion on our need, and thus prepared the way for the boasted success of to-day. Let us beware lest our conduct savors of intolerance and bigotry, which was honorably and successfully resisted by the predecessors of the Presbyterian Church. These remarks are called forth by an expression of surprise by one of the members of the Presbyterian Committee that the 17e\\ Mr. Flamank should continue his visits, as well as by a rumor to the effect that contributions towards his support would be withdrawn if such visits are continued, as the spiritual requirements of the district are amply met and satisfied by the residence of the Rev. J. M'Cosh Smith at Naseby. Christian union is a beautiful thing in the prospective, and very desirable too I grant, but that it will soon be consummated so far as for the various sects of the Christian Church to drop their distinguishing names and adopt our form of worship is a matter of great doubt, scarcely to be lookedfor untilthe Millenium dawns on us.

Let no one, then, try to compel or coerce us into becoming Presbyterians against our will, or try, even indirectly, to deprive us of the only means of grace we enjoy (because in accordance with the form we have been accustomed to). By the bye I would like to know, Mr. Editor, if the officious gentleman, referred to above, has advised the Rev. Father Royer that there is no longer any necessity for his visitations ? —I am, &c, Toleration.