LIBRARY 
 
 < or THE 
 
 Theological Seminary, 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 BX 8 .S35 1870 
 Schmucker, S. S. 1799-1873 
 The true unity of Christ s 
 church 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2015 
 
 https://archive.org/details/trueunityofchrisOOschm 
 
THE 
 
 TBLTE WITY OF CPIRIST'S 
 CHURCH: 
 
 BEING 
 
 A RENEWED APPEAL TO THE FRIENDS OF THE REDEEMER, 
 ON PRnriTIVE CHRISTIAN UNION, AND THE 
 HISTORY OF ITS CORRUPTION. 
 
 TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED 
 
 A MODIFIED FLAX FOE THE EE-UXIOX OF 
 ALL EVANGELICAL CHURCHES ; 
 
 EMBRACING AS INTEGKAL FARTS, 
 
 THE WORLD'S EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, 
 
 WITH ALL 1X9 NATIONAL BRANCHES. 
 
 By S. S. SCIIMUCKER, D.D. 
 
 ANSON D. F. KANDOLPU & CO., 
 770 Broadwat, cor. Oth Street. 
 1870. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress in tlie year 1870, by 
 
 Anson D. F. Randolph & Co., 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the ITnifcd States for the 
 Southern District of New York. 
 
 EnwAltn O. Jknkins, 
 rRIXTEIt AND STKREUTi t'ER, 
 SO Norlli Wlllliira .Street, N. Y. 
 
PREFACE TO THE EIEST EDITION. 
 
 The folloxv'ing Appeal is affectionately addi'essed to the 
 American churches of every denomination, m the convic- 
 tion that the subject of which it treats is of incalculable 
 importance to the conversion of the world, and in the hope 
 tnat the jilan of union proposed is accordant with the spirit 
 of the divine Master. On the American chiu'ches, so hai> 
 pily exempt fi"om all eutrammeling alliance with civil gov- 
 ernment, God seems specially to have devolved the duty to 
 review the history of his visible kingdom, and, instructed 
 by the lessons of former ages, to adopt an organization 
 which wQl aiTest the intestine strife of Christian brethren, 
 and unite all their energies in effective efforts to extend the 
 triumphs of the cross to every nation upon earth ; an or- 
 ganization which, whilst it will restore the church to the 
 substantial unity of the apostolic age, will also j^reserve that 
 until/ lliroiii/hdu/, llv. whole extent of her predicted triumphs 
 over the hmlhen ivorlil. 
 
 The writer feels it alike duo to himself, to his subject, 
 and to thoHe of whom he asks a hearing, to state that the 
 sentiments of the following appeal were not hastily adopted, 
 but are t'jc deliberate result of a conscientious study of tlie 
 
 (3) 
 
4 
 
 PRKFACK TO l-'IRST KDITIOX. 
 
 subject, fii'st lu'ged ou bim by providential cii'cumstances 
 about twenty years ago, and frequently since pursued by 
 extensive investigations into the organization and expe- 
 rience of the cliiu'cli in the differcmt ages of her histoiy. 
 In presenting these results, he sought the utmost brevity ; 
 and yet, as the popular reader was also contemplated, some 
 observations and statements were necessarily introduced, 
 which would be superfluous, were he wi-iting for the learned 
 alone. 
 
 He now commends these pages to the candid and indul- 
 gent exammation of " those that love the Lord," of every 
 name. He requests them to test the sentiments advanced, 
 not by their ecclesiastical standards, which are the work of 
 uninspired though good men, but by the law and the testi- 
 mony, by the mspired word of God. Let them solemnly 
 inquire, whether the Protestant churches, organized and 
 operating on the plan here proposed, would not approxi- 
 mate much nearer to the apostolic church than they now 
 do, whether they would not act much more eliicientl}' and 
 harmoniously in advancing the triumphs of the cross in the 
 heathen and papal world, and whether we might not even 
 hope again to see the days when surrounding observers 
 will exclaim, " See how these Christians love one another." 
 
 If much is to be effected in this great enterprise, it must 
 bo thi'ough the co-operation and iulluenco of religious edit- 
 ors and other prominent individuals in every denomination 
 of the Christian church, by the public expression of tlieir 
 opinions, and by the discussion of the subject in ecclesias- 
 tical judicatories, in theological institutions, and by indi- 
 
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 
 
 5 
 
 vidual congi'egatious. The writer, therefore, requests edit- 
 ors of rehgious periodicals aud papers favorable to the ob- 
 ject, whose dimensions admit of it, to transfer to their 
 columns, unaltered, the entire plan itself, in one or several 
 articles, including also the Apodolic, Protestant Confession, 
 and the mode of operation. He also particularly com- 
 mends this appeal to all " Societies for the promotion of 
 Christian Union " that exist or may be formed in our land. 
 And most of all would he commend it to the blessing and 
 disposal of that divine Saviour, fi-om a desire to advance 
 whose gioi-y ho trusts these pages proceeded. 
 
 S. S. SCHaiUCKER. 
 Theol. Sem., Gettysburg, March 26, 1838. 
 
 PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 The writer, having been encouraged by a number of 
 highly respectable aud mfluential brethren to pubhsh a 
 second edition of the Appeal and Plan of Union, was also 
 advised to procure a number of testimonials in reference to 
 the proposed plan. Tliis was deemed necessary in order 
 to call the attention of the community to it ; because the 
 Christian public seems to have settled down in the persua- 
 sion that no jjlan of a feasible nature can be devised to heal 
 the dissensions among the disciples of the Saviour. Such 
 testimonials have, tliereforo, been prefixed to the work ; 
 and it is intended irom time to time to add to their 
 number. 
 
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 
 
 A NUMBER of years have elapsed since the second edition 
 of this little volume on Christian Union has been out of 
 piint. The frequent inquiries for it, from different portions 
 of oui' land, the occasional discussions of the subject in 
 Christian periodicals and in different churches, as well as 
 the recent glorious re-union of the two principal branches 
 of the Presb_j'terian church, clearly evince the conviction of 
 Protestants in general that they must enter into some 
 nearer relations of miion and co-operation with each other, 
 if they would resist the deeplaid and steadily progressive 
 encroachments and schemes of Papal priests, sometimes 
 ignorantly executed by our Romish neighbors. Without 
 such concentration and concert, we may hope in vain to 
 defend our noble free-school system, or to secure the fi'ee 
 circulation of God's Holy Word, the charter of our privi- 
 leges, civil as well as pohiical, throughout our land, and 
 our own various public institutions ; or to prevent coiTupt 
 politicians from pei-verting our State and national funds 
 fi'om their legitimate uses to the support of Popery and 
 sectarianism. 
 
 These potent facts, together with the expected meeting 
 in our land of the AVorld's Evangelical Alliance, the 
 largest and most glorious practical Union Association which 
 the world has ever beheld, cannot fail to attmct the public 
 attention to this subject, and point out the present as a 
 suitable time for the re-issue of the present volume, whose 
 original publication was confessedly not without some in- 
 fluence in seeming the attention of British Christians to 
 the fonnation of this grc^t and blessed Alliance. 
 
PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. 
 
 7 
 
 To this will probably be added some results of a quarter 
 of a century's later observation and experience, terminating 
 in a modified plan for systematizing and biiuging into 
 closer connection the several Union organizations now exist- 
 ing detached in different parts of our land and of the 
 world. 
 
 The jilan accompamdng the former editions of this work 
 was not objected to by the most enlightened fi-iends of 
 Christian Union as defective in principle ; but its requisi- 
 tions were deemed too elevated for the existing state of the 
 church. Therefore, whilst we still retain it in the book as 
 the natiu'al and logical outgi-owth fi-oni the piinciples there 
 advocated, Ave have deemed it the dictate of practical wis- 
 dom to propose a modified, an experimental one, correct as 
 far as it goes, but not making so much innovation on the 
 present state of the churches ; yet, gradually and A\-ithout 
 fi-iction, elevating the fraternal relations of the churches 
 imtil such a union is at length attaiaed, under the guidance 
 of Providence, as the Master prayed for and will approve. 
 Thus, also, we feel fully assured that whilst we, as individ- 
 uals and as churches, faithfully obey the light we possess, 
 and secure the results within oui* reach, not exactly fore- 
 knowing "whereunto these things wUl grow," the blessed 
 and divine IJcdeemcr, who is now exalted to the right hand 
 of the Father, and governs the imivei-se for his own glory 
 and the benefit of his churcb, will infallibly direct and 
 oveiTule these movements for the accompUshment of liis 
 gracious p\u-poses. With these views, we commend this 
 Uttle volume to his diviac blessing and acceptance. 
 
 Getttsblrq, April 10, 1870. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To the several Branches of tJie Evangelical Alliance, 
 whose organization is the most successful realization 
 extant, of the sentiments inculcated in these pages, and 
 ivhose principles form the basis of the highest phase of 
 Christianity on earth, this volume is fraternally dedi- 
 cated by the author; n>ith the prayer, that by the 
 Master s blessing, it may conduce to the further confir- 
 jnation of His disciples, in the unity of the Spirit and 
 the bond of Peace. 
 
JNDEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 Acknowledjjmcnt of ecclesiastical and ministerial standing by 
 
 early Christians, ...... 115 
 
 Alliance, the World's Evangelical, history of, 30 ; this Appeal not 
 
 vatliout some iulluenee, ..... 30-33 
 Alliance, American Branch, why formed so late, 33 ; history of its 
 
 formation, 35, 30 ; its ditferent national branches, . 37 
 
 what it has already accomplished, . . . 37, 38 
 
 Amphictj'onic Councils, ...... 92 
 
 American Tract and S. School Societies discuss chiefly the common 
 
 ground of Christian doctrine, .... 145 
 
 Apostles' Creed, its early form, ..... 109 
 
 , additions made to, . . . . 100, 110 
 
 Apostolic, Protestant Confession, .... :iOS-213 
 
 Atonement, ....... 209 
 
 Augustine, on the necessity of church membership, . . 94 
 Baxter, Richard, on the tendency of sectarianism to aid Popery, 79, 80, 81 
 Baptism, tlie initiatory New Testament rite, ... 87 
 Baptist Church, its origin, ..... 135, 211 
 
 Bequests to the ehurcli, canon allowing it, . . . 137 
 
 Bible, the, the Religion of Protestants, .... 83 
 
 Bonds of Union post-apostolic, ..... 124, 125 
 
 Calvin's love of Union, ...... 131 
 
 Canon.s, early, on church matters. . . .1 10, 117, 119, 120 
 
 Calvinistie Church, or Presbyterian, its origin, . . 136 
 
 Canon, Scripture, ....... 208 
 
 Celsus, views of, on resurrection, 103, 107; on primitive Christian 
 
 Union, ....... 141 
 
 Chambers, Dr., testimony for Christian Union, . . 23 
 
 Church membership, essential to salvation, . . . 94, 95 
 
 , certiiicates of, necessary as passports in travelling, 119 
 
 Church edifices, when first erected, . . . . 68 
 
 Chambers, Dr. on Union, . . . • . 23 
 
 Church, of the, ....... 210 
 
 Clemni's Introduction, Vol. IV., .... 110 
 
 Civil Govcriiiiieut, ...... 213 
 
 Community of interest among Christians, . . . 70,71 
 Communion, sacramental, ministerial, . . 118, 119, 120, 193 
 
 Communion of Saints, ...... 214 
 
 Convention, Annual, of elders, in Cvprian's time, . . 92J 
 Confession, Apostolic, Protestant, 508-213 ; how formed, . 183 
 Councils, or Synods, ...... 123 
 
 Concert month. Christian, ..... 194 
 
 Congregational, or Independent Church, . . . 136 
 
 Conscience, liberty of, ..... . 213 
 
 Conversion of the" World, how many Missionaries required, 225 ; the 
 
 real olistacle, ....... 234 
 
 Corinth, divi.sions in church of, . . . . . 103 
 
 Councils or Synods, 125 ; Council Intor-dcnominational fonncd in 
 
 N. Y., 39, 40, 49; its designs, 43, 44; declaration on the nature 
 
 of Christian Union, . . . . . . 47,48 
 
 Cup, denial of the, to the laitv, ..... 213 
 
 Creed, the Apostles', .-o callell, cariy fonn, 109, 110, 124 
 — , addilioiis to, 110,111,124 
 
 (9) 
 
lO 
 
 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 Creeds Prot^tint, Coneensns of, .... 206 
 
 N'icene, -when adopted, 112 ; iU form enlarged as now fonnd 
 
 in the Episcopal Prayer book, 113 ; Greek original of, . 114 
 ■Creeds, trans-fundamental, ■what? .... 140 
 
 Cyprian cited, ....... 92, 15tt 
 
 D'aries, Pres., on the liberality of the early Presb. discipline in this 
 
 coontry, 176; his sermons recommended, . . 185 
 
 Denominations, origin of, ..... 133-1 ■J'i 
 
 Depravity, human, ...... "iOCt 
 
 Diversity of doctrinal views not fnllv provided against by Scripture, 
 
 97, 98, 99 ; existed in apostolic times, . . 100, 101, 103 
 Divisions, e\-Us of sectarian, ..... 2i 
 
 Divisions, sectarian, principle of, ... . 21 
 
 Differences amonf? the early Christians, .... 141, 142 
 
 Discipline, for non-fundamental errors in doctrine, vttojis, 
 
 1«9, 170, in, 172, 173 
 , the General Synod of the Lutheran Church limits disci- 
 pline to non-fundamentals, .... 174, 175, 177 
 
 Doubtful disputations on abstract doctrines in apostolic a^, 104 
 Episcopacy, low church, formerly more numerous, . 196 
 
 Episcopacy, 125, 126 ; Episcopal "chnrch, its ori^n, 135 
 Early, post-apostolic, history obscure, . . 83, 84 
 
 Easter, difference in celebrating it, 102 ; Dr. Murdock on, . 103 
 Education, Sectarian, evils of, .... . 74 
 
 Elders and Bishops, the same, ..... 125 
 
 Edifices, church, when first erected, .... 63 
 
 Epistolary, communion, primitive, .... 120, 121 
 
 Essential' features of church forms and practice are found in 
 
 Scripture, ....... 84 
 
 Eusebius' testimony on early Epistles, . . . 121 
 
 , on the dispute concerning Easter, ... 66 
 
 External bonds of Union, ..... 124-li:0 
 
 Favor of the State corrupted the Church, . . . 128 
 Features of our original Plan for Union, . . . 160 
 Fundamental doctrines form the body of American Tract and Sun- 
 day School publications, ..... 145 
 Fundamental doctrines, the profession of, alone essential, 106-lOS, 109 
 General Synod, Lutheran, on Christian Union, 23 
 Geo^pliical names given to the primitive chnrche-. 106 
 God essentially benevolent, . . . 81, 85 
 
 213 
 
 106 
 
 23 
 
 Government, civil, its power. 
 Green, Dr., A.-hbel, 'luoted, 
 Harris, Dr., of England, . 
 
 Heathen Lands, sectarianism hinders the gospel in, . 76, 77, 
 
 Heresy, primitive meaning of. 
 Houses of worship, earliest Christian, 
 
 Irenaeus' opinion on the primitive fundamental doctrines, 111, 112; 
 
 believed by all Christians 
 Interdenominational Union, its popularitj-, 
 Judgment, future, 
 
 Julian, the apostate, cause of his relapses. 
 Justification, .... 
 Justin, Martyr, on the Lord's day, or Sunday, 
 -, on primitive mode of worshii 
 
 59, 60, 61, KiS 
 68 
 
 112, 113 
 48 
 214 
 
 King's, Dr., Historv- of the Ev. Alliance, 
 Kunzc, Rev'd, of Prussia, 
 
 Labor secular, of ministers, conflicting carions on, V>2, 1.VJ ; Dr. 
 
 Ncindcr'i viwi on, ..... l.">3 
 
 2:n 
 
 II'. w 
 U">, 06, 07 
 30 
 23 
 
INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 Lay representatives in the first convention, or Synods, . 93 
 Liberality of Paul, ...... 20 
 
 Liberty of diffjronce on non-fundamentals oaghttobeallowed by all 
 
 cUnrches, . . . . . . . 172, 173 
 
 LutluT, hU ImmUity ; he opposes calling the church after him, 135 
 Latlieran Church, orijrin of, .... . 13i 
 
 General Sjniod of, favors Christian Union 23 
 
 Luther oi-ges men to study his works less and the Bible more, 147 
 
 , his liberality, ...... 173 
 
 Mitthews, Dr., his activity in orginizing the Inter-denominational 
 
 Coancil in New York, ..... 41— i9 
 
 MjUncht'nn, on ths Apo ales' Creed, cited, . . . 110 
 
 McrU: d'AulJi;^nc, Dr., on Christian Union, ... 23 
 Methodist Church, origin of, . ... 136 
 
 Ministeri.il communion and recognition, . . . 104, 195 
 Ministers' secular labor, opposite Canons on ; allowed, 153, etc ; for- 
 bidden, .... . 152, 1.55, 156 
 Missionary professorhips recommended, . . . 230 
 Missionarv Societies, non-interference between, . . 218 
 
 Monod, Rev., 23 
 
 Monthly Concert, Christian, . . . . . . 194 
 
 Moravian Church, or United Brethren (modern), orgin of, . 138 
 Names, sectarian, unscriptural, . . . ' . . 19 
 
 geographical alone used by the Apostles, . . lOlj 
 
 Names of members of tlie lirst Union Society, . . 1.5-17 
 
 6ubseril)ers to the Overture, . . .29, 20, 31 
 
 - participants in the formation of the American Branch of 
 
 the Ev. Alliance, . . . . . . 35, 30 
 
 , connecled wilh the organization of the Intcr-dcnominatioa:il 
 
 Council lit New York, . . • . . 41-47 
 
 Neander, Dr. th.; hiitorian, cited, .... 93 
 
 , on early Secular labor of ministers, . . . 1.53, 1.54 
 
 Nic -ne Crc3d, when a;lopteJ, Hi ; and why, . . 113 
 
 , enlarged, by Synod of Constantinople, . 113,113 
 
 , (Jreek original of, 114 ; Englisli version, . 113 
 
 Or^iuizition Protestant, cn;fectivo, .... 21-23 
 Origca, on urimitiTC diversity of opinions among Christians, 
 
 75, 141, 142, 143 
 
 , reply to Colsns, 141,143 
 
 Origin of Protoitint denominations, .... 133-136 
 Overture for Christian Union, ..... 18 
 St. Paul, the Apostle, labored for his support, 1.55 ; at what trade ? 155 
 Peter liad no more authority from Christ than the other apostles, 93 
 Peter had no power absolutelv to forgive sin, . . . 93 
 
 Planck, Dr., of Germany, his Letter to thcGeueral Synod, . 123 
 Popery, its origin in the 7lh century, ... 96, 97, 129 
 
 , unscriptural, . . . . 93, 94, etc, 
 
 Poat-apo-itolie bonds of Union, ..... 134 
 Palton, Dr., his activity in organizing the American Branch Alliance, 35 
 Prayer, cxtempr)rary, Justin Martyr on, . ... 21 
 Preachers, eertiiiii men appointed as, .... S7 
 Pri- bytcrian or Calviuistie ehurdi, its origin, . . . Wi 
 Pride, cccle-iaslifMl : . . . . 149, l.'O, 1.51 
 
 P.of ' sors'iips, Mii-ionary, recommended, instiM l of Polemical, 230 
 Prominence to be given to fiindainental truth, . 1^ 
 Protestant denominations, origin of, . 07-71 
 Protestantism, c:\usc of It* weaknC 'fl, . . .21, '32, 23 
 
12 
 
 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 
 
 Refonued Churcli, (German) its origin, . . . 135 
 
 , (Dutch) originates the Interdeuominatloual 
 
 Council, ....... 41 
 
 Roessler's Bibliothek, etc., . - . . . . 120 
 
 Sectarian divisions carnal, 03 ; none allowed by the apostles, 13, 515, 
 
 57, 01, 03 ; evil consequences of, . . . 70, 10(5, 107 
 
 Sectarian strife, causes of, .... . Vj", lod 
 
 Schism, . . . . . . . . 01, 63 
 
 Stoics, a sect, ....... til 
 
 Scripture proofs for Union, . . . 55, 56, 57, &c., 64 
 
 Examples — , ..... ()-l-66 
 
 Sabbath, Christian santitication of, . . . . 65, 137 
 
 , edict for, .... 137 
 
 Salvation, scripture plan of, through Christ, . . . 84, 83 
 Scriptures, impartial study of, hiudercd by Sectarian divisions, 73 ; 
 
 progress of the gospel impeded, . . . • '•'4, 75, 76 
 Sectarian idolatry or man worship, .... 140 
 
 , condemned by Luther, . . 147, 148, 149 
 
 Society for Christian Union, the first formed, 14; on the general 
 jir'inciples of this book, 14, 15 ; in Tract House, N. Y., 14; when, 
 14; members, 15, 17; overture, 17-39; action of the Lutheran 
 General Synod adopting the principles of this work, . 33 
 Son of God, ....... 209 
 
 State, union with tlie Church, 136; history of, . . 127 
 
 Stockton, Rev. Dr. on Union, ..... 23 
 
 Strife, Sectarian causes of, ..... 137, 156 
 
 Synod, or Council, at Jerusalem, a pro re nata mueling . 88, 89 
 Synods, stated, voluntary Associations, ... 93 
 
 , opposition to their earliest stated meetings, . . 93 
 
 Tertullian cited, 93 ; on Synods, .... 136 
 
 Training, sectarian, its intluenee, .... 144 
 
 Tranufuudamental Creeds, what ? .... 140 
 
 Transub.;tantiation, ...... 211 
 
 Trinity and God, ...... 209 
 
 Union, Christian, its nature, 19, 83, 8.5, 86; the Saviour's command, 
 18; not in subjection of the whole church to one judicatory, 19; 
 nor to one head, or pope, . . ... 19 
 
 Union, Features of our modified plan, 
 Union, Christ, consisted in unity of name. 
 Union, spirit of, increasing, 39, .51, .53, 53 ; Preliminaries of, 
 
 of Chur'-h and State, history of, 
 
 Christian, Nature and principles of, aflirmed, . 
 
 ■ Scriptural injunction 
 
 Quit}' of fundamentals, 19 ; not of minor points, 
 
 - visible church, theory of, by Cyprian, 
 
 in mutual acknowledgment, 
 
 in sacramental and ministerial communion, 
 
 Unity, absolute, of views, not provided for in Scripture, 45 
 
 99; Unity of s|)irit absolutely necessary, 
 Vater, testimony of, on early church cdilices, 
 Visible head or pope, uuscriptural, 
 Wesley, John, ...... 
 
 White, Hisliop, a low chnrclinian, 
 World, Convi'r.-.ion of, 319, 331 ; How many Mis.-ionaries needed, 22.5, 220 
 Worship, social, obligation to, .... 87 
 
 233, etc. 
 19, 106 
 54 
 
 137, 138 
 47, 48 
 .56 
 97 
 94, 95 
 
 19, ,53 
 
 20, 53 
 97, 98, 
 
 105 
 68 
 93, iH 
 136 
 ISHi 
 
^SOPERTY OF 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 TniRTr and two years have elajjsed since this little work 
 on the piinciples of Apostolic, Chiistiau luiion, with the 
 practical plan developed from them, was first addressed to 
 the American churches. An entire generation of professed 
 disciples of the Master has passed over the stage of action, 
 has gone to the place whither lie has gone before them ; 
 and yet his visible kingdom on cai-th, though much more 
 imbued with the spirit of love and union still remains 
 extensively divided. Nor, can it be denied, that in the 
 onward movements of the Redeemer's chariot wheels over 
 the nations, important progress has been made, and He 
 whose right it is to reign has taken the nations into his own 
 hand, and has guided them for the furtherance of his 
 own gracious purposes of truth, righteousness and human 
 hberty. The general principles of this plan of professed, 
 apostolic, Clu'istian union, found so sti'ong a response in 
 the hearts of believers, that thousands of the best and 
 ablest men in oui* land became deeply interested in its 
 success ; that s everal ed itjons of the bot)k wci'e called for 
 in less than a year, and the al)lest editoi's of the religious 
 press deemed the subject worthy of some discussion and 
 generally of decided commendation. Our ablest American 
 divines, and even distinguished stjitesmen, did not licsitate 
 
14 
 
 IXTRODUCTION. 
 
 to bear testimony iu favor of the general piinciples and 
 plan proposed in this work, at a time when such a course 
 demanded some moral corn-age ; since any plan to ejffect 
 this noble and cherished object of the Savioui-'s prayer, 
 had, imtil then, been deemed visionaiy. With a view to 
 give sti-ength to the cause, by concentrating to a focus the 
 rays of influence and light scattered over the different 
 parts of om- land, the writer published a number of lettei-s 
 received fi-om eminent individuals on the subject, and pre- 
 fixed them to the second edition of the work. As a 
 memorial to after times, of the noble men who at that ^ 
 early day took active part in behalf of the cause, they are 
 still retained in the present edition as an appendix.* 
 
 By the spiing of 1839 the interest in the unity of the 
 Chi'istian chrux-h had become so strong and extensive, that 
 a meeting was called, during the Anniversaries, on the Gth 
 of May, in the Tract Society's Rooms, for the piui^ose of 
 organizing a Society for the Pi-omotion of Christian Union, 
 Avhose principles had prerioiisly been discussed. As the 
 nan-ative possesses some personal interest to many indi- 
 viduals, and has become a reHc of the past, now rarely 
 met with, we transfer it to our pages in detail from the 
 New York Obserrcr, always the decided advocate of this 
 sacred cause, f 
 
 " Society fok the Peomotiox of CmasTi.\N Union. 
 
 " At a meeting of several gentlemen of various denomina- 
 tions, called on the 9th of May, at the Tract Committee 
 Iiooms, for the pm-posc of devising and adopting a plan to 
 unite Chi'istians of difierent denominations in a more inti- 
 mate and friendly alhance, the Ficv. Dr. Knox, of this city, 
 was called to the chaii", and the Rev. John Mai'sh was ap- 
 
 • See Appendix No. 1. f See N. T. Obse: vtr of May 18, 1889. 
 
INTRODUCTION". 
 
 pointed Secretary. The Divine blessing was invoked ; 
 and, after a statement of the object of the meeting, by 
 the Eev. DiV Schmucker, of the Lutheran churc;h, it was 
 unanimously resolved, That it is expedient at this time to 
 form and organize an American Association for the px'omo- 
 tion of Christian Union on apostohcal principles, accord- 
 ing to the genei'al plan proposed in the ' Fraternal Aj^pea,! 
 to the American Churches. 
 
 The following constitution was adopted : 
 
 Art. 1. This Society shall be called the American So- 
 ciety for the Promotion of Christian Unign on Apostolical 
 Pi'incijiles. 
 
 Art. 2. The design of this Society shall be, not to form 
 a new sect, but to establish more amicable relations beLween 
 the several orthodox Christian denominations. 
 
 Art. 3. The oiiicers of this Society shall be a President, 
 &c., to be chosen annually. 
 
 Art. 4. The business of this Society shall be, to discuss 
 the subject of Cliristian Union in all its relations ; to cir- 
 culate information concerning the Plan of Union presented 
 in the ' Fraternal Appeal to the American Churches ' ; to 
 raise funds for the circulation of publications elucidating 
 this plan, and to adopt such measui'cs as may be calculated 
 to call the attention of the different rehgious denominations 
 to this subject, and induce them to accede to the Union. 
 
 Art. 5. Associations for the promotion of Christian 
 Union, coinciding with the general object, and adopting the 
 fom'th article, shall, on apphcation, be acknowledged as 
 auxihary to this Society."* 
 
 * Tbe following officers were elected : 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 Rev. David Porter, D. D., of tiic Presbyterian cliurili, C';aMull, N. Y. 
 
 VICE PRESIDENTS. 
 
 Rev. Justin Edwnnls, 1). D., of tlm Congregational eli., Andover, Mosa. 
 
i6 
 
 IXTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 The history of tbis organization is soon told. That 
 meeting was held late in the week, after some of the most 
 active fiiends of the cause had left the city, who therefore 
 bad no opportunity for concert aiid lading of plans for 
 action. But, owing chiefly to the troubled state of the 
 ecclesiastical atmosphere, growing out of the late d snipted 
 condition and unhappy conflicts throughout the branches 
 of the Presbyterian church, the attention was diverted, and 
 httle progi'ess was made in this blessed work for several 
 years. 
 
 Five yeai's later, however, the cause of Union began to 
 reN-ive, and its friends felt encoiu-aged to resume operations 
 for renewed organization. Active coiTespondence had not 
 
 Rev. Charles Demme, D. D., of the Lutheran church, Philadelphia. 
 Rev. Pharcellns Church, D. D., of the Baptist church, Rochester, N. T. 
 Rev. Stephen H. T\Tig, D. D., of the Prot. Episcopal church, Phila. 
 Rev. John P. Durbin, of the Methodist Episcopal church, Carlisle, Pa. 
 Rev. F. A. Ranch, D. D., of the German Ref. church, Mercersburs:, Pa. 
 Right Rev. William H. Tan Vleck, of the Moravian ch., Salem, N. C. 
 Rev. A. Wylie, D. D., of the Associate Reformed church, Indiana. 
 Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D. D., of the Presbyterian ch., Schenectady, X. T. 
 Rev. Dr. Jennings, of the Prot. Methodist church, Baltimore, Md. 
 Rev. Samuel H. Cos, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, X. Y. 
 
 DIBECTOnS. 
 
 Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D. D., of the Evangelical Lutheran church, 
 Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 Rev. Thos. H. Skinner, D. D., of the Presbyterian ch., Xew York city. 
 Rev. Jamo? E. 'Welch, of the Baptist church, Burlington, X. J. 
 Prof. Moses Stuart, of the Congregational church, Andovcr, Mass. 
 Prof. Romeo Elton, of the Baptist church. Providence, R. L 
 Rev. Ernest L. Hazclius, of the Evangelical Luth. ch., Lexington, S. C. 
 Rev. Xathan S. S. Bcman, D. D., of the Presbyterian ch., Troy, X. Y. 
 Rev. Jeremiah Day, D.D., of the Congregational ch., Xew Haven, Conn. 
 Rev. Asa Turner, of the Presbyterian church, Denmark. Iowa. 
 Rev. William Hill, D. D., of the Presbyterian church, Winchester, Va. 
 Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, D D., of the Evangelical Luth. ch., Baltimore. 
 Zechariah Lewis, Esq., of the Presbyterian church, Brooklyn, X. Y. 
 Jacob Lex, Esq., of the Protestant Episcoiwl churdi, PhUadolphia. 
 Richard F. Hainos, Esq., of the Presbyterian church, Xew York city 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 17 
 
 been wholly intermitted. Accordingly in 1845 the writer 
 prepared a Cu'culai', expository of the general principles of 
 the plan of Union developed in his book. This he had 
 printed on a large sheet, then sent to each individual whose 
 name is attached to it, and afterwards pubhshed it by per- 
 mission with all the names, inviting a meeting at New York 
 during the ensuing Spi"ing of 1846. 
 
 This Overtui'e here finds its appropriate phice, as well to 
 indicate the progress of events, as also, with its roll of 
 honor, to give the tribute of respect due to those soldiers 
 of the cross who had stepped into the foremost ranks to 
 vindicate the unity of the Saviom-'s body, in ISi.j, the 
 infancy of pi-actical union. 
 
 Eev. ■William CoggswcU, D. D., of the Congrcgat'al ch., Boston, Mass. 
 "Willard Hall, Esq., of the Presbyterian church, Wilmington, DeL 
 David Gilbert, M. D., of the Evangelical Lutheran ch., Gettysburg, Pa. 
 Rev. Dr. Capers, of the Methodist Episcopal church, Charleston, 8. C. 
 Rev. Nehemiah Brown, of the Presbyterian church. New York city. 
 
 EXECrTIVE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, D. D. ; Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D. D. ; Rev. 
 Samuel H. Cox, D. D. ; Rev. John Marsh ; Rev. W. D. Strobel ; Rev. 
 John J. Owen ; Rev. Nehcmiah Brown. 
 
 CORRESPON'DIJ.'G SECRETAEIE3. 
 
 Rev. Samuel U. Cox, D. D. ; Rev. John J. Owen. 
 
 BECORDING SECRETARY. 
 
 : Rev. Benj'n Labaree. 
 
 TREASCRER. 
 
 Richard T. llaincs, Esq. 
 Resolved, Thai it be recommended to the Executive Committee, to 
 prepare and publish an address to the American churches, and to hold . 
 an anniversary in this city, in May next. Adjourned sine die. 
 
 Attest, J. Marsh, Secretary. 
 
 P. S. Editors of religious periodicals throughout the country, will con- 
 fer u favor by inserting the above in their columns. 
 
O^^RTUEE FOR CHRISTIAN UNION, 
 
 SUBMITTED FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE EVAICGEI.ICAL DENOMINA- 
 TIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 .^£!heistian Beethben, — The undersigned respectfully ad- 
 dress you in the name of the Lord Jesiis, qp the gi-eat and 
 cardinal interests of our common Christianity. That the 
 blessed Saviour designed an intimate union between the 
 different members of his ciystical^body, the church, is ele- 
 vated above aU doubt by his ovm declaration, '■ Onej^s your 
 Master, Christ, and ye are ailbrdhrcn." That the preserva- 
 tion of this union possessed supreme importance in his 
 view, he has himself taught us in his memoi'able prayer, 
 " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them _also who 
 shall believe on me through theu* word ; that they all may 
 be one, as thou Father art in me and I in thee, that they 
 also may be one in us, that the world may beUevo that 
 thou hast sent me." The climx-h is represented by the 
 great Apostle as "the body of Chiist," and we are taught 
 that " there is one body and one spuit, even as ye ai-e called 
 in one hope of yoiu- calling ; one Lord, one faith, one ba}> 
 tism ;" thus manifestly inculcating the spiiit of unity in the 
 church, and representing the entii'e commimity of believers 
 as substantially one body, into which aU are atlmittcd by 
 the ordinance baptism, and in which they profess substan- 
 tially the same faith and cherisli the same hopes. 
 
 This language, it is conceded, does not specify the precise 
 extent to which unity of visible organization shall be re- 
 quired. Nor is this fact determined elsewhere in Scripture 
 in the abstract. Yet does the metaphor of tlie apostlo 
 (i8) 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 19 
 
 manifestly imply intimacy of relation ; for, although there 
 are ordinarily different members belonging to one body, 
 they are always closely connected with each other. Yea, 
 this connection is vital, is essential to their existence, and 
 that member of the body becomes a putrid mass, which is 
 wholly severed from the living trunk. 
 
 Under these cu'cumstances it becomes a duty of surpass- 
 ing importance, to inquire, what are the nature and extent 
 of the union so highly prizsd by the Saviour, and so vital 
 to the prosperity of his body, the church. If the New Tes- 
 tament does not present a solution of tliis question in these, 
 the point is rirtually solved by the pracitice of the church 
 under the guidance of the Saviour and his inspu-ed apos- 
 tles. This union, if we mistake not, consisted not in the 
 subjection of the entire church in any country itndcr one 
 supreme judicatory ; much less in the subjugation of the 
 whole visible church on earth under one head or pope ; 
 neither did it consist in absolute imanimity of doctrinal 
 views ; for this did not exist even in the apostolic age. 
 But on the other hand, its features were : 
 
 a. Unity of name. Tlie whole body was styled the 
 
 Chridian chm'ch, and its different parts were discriminated 
 by the addition of geographical designations to the com- 
 mon name ; such as the chm'ch of Antioch, of Jemsalem, 
 of Corinth. Sectarian names, that is, names based upon 
 diversity of views or predilections, such as the church of 
 Paul, or of Apollos, or Cephas, or Luther, or Calvin, or 
 Wesley, were most unequivocally discountenanced. 
 , h. Uuityj n fun damentals, whilst diversity in non-csscu- 
 tials was conceded, and " the brother who was weak in the 
 faith was received, but not to doubtful disputation." 
 _jC. ^lutual acknowledgment of (!ac;h other's acts of di.sci- 
 pline. Hence " letters of commendation" (2 Cor. iii : 1- 
 
20 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 4) *\Yere required of traveling brethren, and even the so-called 
 Apostolic canons pro\"ided that persons under discipline in 
 the chm-ch of one place shall not be admitted to privileges 
 in another. 
 
 d. Sacramental and ministerial intercommunion wa"> a 
 highly important and influential feature. " For y\e being 
 many, are one bread and one body, because we are all par- 
 takers of that one bread." The practice of sacramental 
 communion extended indiscriminately to all whom they 
 acknowledged as true disciples of Chi-ist. " Forasmuch 
 (said Peter, in vindication of his communion with men un- 
 cu'cumcised) as God gave them the hke gift, as he did unto 
 us, who believed on the Lor J Jesus Christ, what was I, that 
 I could withstand God?" The existence of ministerial ac- 
 knowledgment and communion is incontestibly estabhshed 
 by the apostolic canons and synodical decrees, enacted to 
 guard against their abuse. 
 
 _ e. Convention of the different churches of the lau 1 in 
 synod or council, for the puqDosc of mutual consultation 
 and ecclesiastical regulation. Of sujh a meeting we have 
 an example in Acts xv., and the earliest uninspired accounts 
 extant of .sraodical meetings in the second century, repre- 
 sent them as subscrring the same ends.f 
 
 _JThus was the great body of the ^prin^itive_c'hurch umted 
 in one fraternity by cords of love and mutual recognition ; 
 whilst those and those only were denied ecclesiastical com- 
 munion who were excommuniijated for immorality or de- 
 nounced as fundamentally cornipt in the faith. 
 
 * By later writers termed litenB commuuicatoria;, aud yoa/iiiaTa 
 KoivuviKa. 
 
 f For the historical proofs ol' tlic above positions, we must refer 
 to the Fmtcru;il Appeal, er Man of fliristiun Union, cd. 3. New 
 Yorl{, pul'Iifhed hy 'I'nylor. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 21 
 
 But how different the present condition of the Christian 
 church is, must be known to every intelhgent Mead of the 
 Redeemer, and has been the subject of ahnost imiversal 
 lamentation. Now she is cut up into sectarian branches, 
 into divisions based ou diversity of doctrinal riews or fonns 
 of government, and, not as in the times of the apostles, on 
 contigTiity of location. Different portions of the chui-ch 
 thus occujiy the same geogi-aphical location, and in the ab- 
 sence of express mutual recognition and demonstration of 
 substantial imity, aUenation of affections and conflicting in- 
 terests of various kinds, pecimiary, literaiy, theological and 
 sectarian natui'ally arise, which prove -nedges of discord to 
 sever the body of Chi-ist. And what enlightened friend of 
 Zion must not confess that it is the divided, the fractional, 
 the isolated, and in some measiu'e even the hostile condi- 
 tion of Protestantism, which has shorn the church of so 
 much of her strength ? Who can doubt that these divis- 
 ions tend to destroy community of interest and sympathy 
 of feeling among the members of the Christian family ; 
 that they cast a sectiuian veil over the mind in the study of 
 the sacred volume ; that they prejudice the ungodly world 
 against Christianity itself ; that they split up and fritter 
 away the energies of the Protestant world, paralyzing her 
 aggi'essive powers, and wasting, by want of concert and 
 often even in internal contention, those resoui'ces which 
 oiight to have been expended in converting the heathen and 
 papal world? 
 
 The weakness of Protestantism undoubtedl}- lies in its 
 divided and disjointed state ; or rather in the principle on 
 wliich its divisions are constructed. The faithful membei-s 
 of these departments of the Protestant church are indeed 
 actuated by proper motives, so far as the cultivation of 
 then* own liearts and their labors for the conversion of 
 others arc concerned ; nor can tlie professed object of tlicso 
 
22 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 associations themselves be repudiated, namely the more 
 successful advancement of trath aud righteousness ; but the 
 very principle of the division habitually obtrudes suiister or 
 at least secondary objects, so as virtually to postpone the 
 claims of fundamental Chi'istianity to those of separate 
 sects ; thus proving a grievous evil in Ziou, preventing the 
 necessary concentration of energies physical, intellectual 
 and moral, greatly impairing the moral influence of the 
 gospel, and impeding the formation of a correct Christian 
 pubUc sentiment throughout the world. 
 
 Happily the attention of the chiu-ch has been extensively 
 an-ested by the deficiencies of the present Protestant organ- 
 ization. To say nothing of the eflforts of eminent disciples 
 of Christ in the last two centai'ies, leading minds of the 
 present day, in our own and foreign lands, have had their 
 attention fixed upon it. Not a few have spoken through 
 the press, and there seems to be a prevailing impression 
 that the time is at hand when something should he done 
 in earnest to heal th°. great scliism, to resist the encroach- 
 ments of this Antichrist of the Protestant churches. In 
 om* o^-n country different associations have existed and 
 several imblic meetings have of late been held, attended by 
 some of the most respectable divines of our country', for the 
 promotion of Christian Union ; and the spmt of Chi-istian 
 union was increasingly manifest dming the anniversaries of 
 our national societies at New York last spring. In Europe 
 the effort has been headed by such men as R-jv. Dr. Merle 
 d'Aubigne of Geneva, Rev. IMonod of France, Rev. Kuutze 
 of Prussia, Dr. Harris of England, Dr. Chalmers of Scot- 
 land. " I tnist " (said Dr. Chalmers, when introducing to 
 the Assembly of the Free Church in Scotland his friondd 
 from the continent) " you will not chai'ge me with over- 
 liberality, if I say, as I do from my conscience, that among 
 the great majority of Evangelical Dis.senters in this couu- 
 
INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 23 
 
 try, I am not aware of any toiiics of difference, which I do 
 not regard as so many men of sti'aw, and I shall be exceed- 
 ingly glad if these gentlemen get the heai'ts of the various 
 denominations to meet together, and consent to make a 
 bonfire of them." Dui-ing the late session of that Assem- 
 bly, "a delightful meeting was held in Edinburgh, for the pro- 
 motion of Christian Union, at which the practice of union 
 was most happily exemplified, as was its theory forcibly 
 estabhshed. At this meeting not less than eight different 
 denominations were represented, viz : the Refonued chiu'ch 
 of France and Geneva, the Episcopal, the Fre3 church, the 
 Sece sion church, the Wesleyan Methodist, the BaptLst, and 
 the Independent chm'ches. A subsequent still larger meet- 
 ing was held a few weeks since, in Liverpool, in which per- 
 sons of nineteen different denominations participated, and 
 glorious progress for union was made. 
 
 In hke manner, at the recent meeting of the General 
 Synod of the Lutheran chui'ch in the United States, con- 
 vened in Philadelphia, tlic subject of Chi-istian Union was 
 discussed and acted on wilh great interest and deliberato- 
 ness. Two plans were proposed — one by the Rev. Dr. 
 Stockton, of the Protestant Methodist chui'ch, and one by 
 the chaii'mau of the General Synod's coumiittee. "Whilst 
 some features of the former wei'e regarded with much fa- 
 vor, the latter plan was adopted in full, as embodied in the 
 following resolutions : 
 
 /fc-o/m/, I. That a committee be apiJointcd by tliis body, 
 to be styled the " Ciminiltsc 0/ Oonferenco on Christian 
 Union." 
 
 IT. It shall he the duty of this committee to confer witli 
 similar ccmimittecs appouitcd by other religious denomina- 
 tions, and with other prominent individuals of different do- 
 nomuiations, on the great subject of Cliristian Union, and 
 to report to the next General Synod such measures as may 
 
24 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 be agi'eed vipon iu such conference, to be recommended to 
 the different rehgious denominations. 
 
 III. The design to be aimed at, by the measures thus to 
 be recommended, is not to amalgamate the sevei'al denom- 
 inations into one church, nor to impaii" in any degree the 
 independent control of each denomination over its owji 
 affairs and interests, but to present to the world a more 
 formal profession and practical proof of oui* mutual recog- 
 nition of each other as integi-al parts of the visible chui'ch 
 of Christ on eai-th, as well as of cur fundamental unity of 
 faith and reachuess to co-operate harmoniously in the ad- 
 vancement of ol)jects of common interest. 
 
 IV. That this committee shall consist of thi-ee ministers 
 and two laymen, belonging to some Sjmod or Synods, con- 
 nected with the General S^Tiod, and that they rejjort to the 
 next General Synod. 
 
 This committee, having consulted with the other sub- 
 scribers, we unitedly submit to you an outline of that plan 
 of imion by which we hope the evils of schism can bo grad- 
 ually obviated, and the great and glorious object of Clms- 
 tian Union be eventually attained. We premise, that in the 
 prosecution of this enterprise, the leadmgs of Providence 
 should be observed and followed. Such steps and such 
 only ought to be taken as the chui'ch or judicatory of what, 
 ever rank concerned, is prepared to adopt with considera- 
 ble unanimity. Attempts which terminate in new divisions 
 are obviously prematm-e and unwise. And we may pre- 
 mise as fundamental principles, that the plan to bo adopted 
 must possess the foUowmg attributes: I. It must require 
 of no one the renunciation of any doctrine or opinion be- 
 hevcd in by him to be true, nor the profession of any thing 
 he regards as eiToneous. The accession of any one denom- 
 ination to this union, docs not imply any sanction of the 
 peculiarities of any other. 2. It must concede to each de- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 25 
 
 nomination the riglit to retain its own organization for 
 government, discipline and worship, or to alter it at option. 
 3. It must dissuade no one from discussing fundamentals 
 and non-fimdamentals, if done in the spirit of Chi'istian 
 love. 4. The plan must be such as is apphcable to all 
 evangelical, fundamenlalhj orthodox churches, and must not 
 aim at inducing some of the denominations to relinquish 
 their peculiar views ; but must be based on the exLstmg 
 common gi-ound of doctrine, and erect a suijerstructui'e of 
 kindly feeling, and harmonious intercourse, and fraternal 
 co-operation. 5. Each denomination may at option adopt 
 any part or all the proposed featm-es of union. 
 
 With these preliminary specifications, we propose : 
 I. As one object of this union is to bear witness to the 
 truth, and as well to impress upon oxu'selves as to exhibit 
 to the world the fundamental docti'inal unity of the Evan- 
 gelical Pi'otestant chm'ches, therefore any dcnoniination 
 wishing to accede to this union can do so hy a resolution of its 
 higlii'st judicatory, embodying its assent to the common ground 
 Christian doctrine, as exhibited, for the 2)resent, in the a]> 
 pended selection from the articles of the principal Protestant 
 Confession'!. The most respectable writers on Christian 
 Union, and ecclesiastical boches also, so far as they have ex- 
 pressed themselves, have, with few exceptions, agreed that 
 the vital principle of Protestantism lies not in the peculiar- 
 ities of any sect, but in the points adopted by them all ; 
 and that the requisition of docti'inal agreement shall bo 
 confined to this common gi'ound of Protestant doctrine, to 
 ttie doctrines and usiiects of doctrine in which they are 
 known to agree. This may bo adopted as the expressed 
 sentiment of the principal friends of union. A preliminary 
 attempt has therefore been made to express this coininon 
 gi'oiuid of doctrine, in the very language of the dillerent 
 I'rotestant confos.sions. Tliis expos/' of doctrine, lot it be 
 2 
 
26 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 remembered, is not an original or new creed, but a selec- 
 tion of aiiicles or pai'ts of articles from the piincipal exist- 
 ing Protestant creeds, every part of wLicli has already been 
 sanctioned by one or other of the respective denominations. 
 Not a single original sentence is contained in it. If any 
 acknowledged, orthodox denomination should still find in 
 it a sentiment to which it objects, the clause expressing it 
 may be excepted in the vote of adoption, and it will there- 
 after be omitted by all ; for the design of this expoie is, 
 that it shall contain only the doctrines received by all the 
 so-called evangelical orthodox churches. It has, however, 
 already been examined and apjiroved by some of the most dis- 
 tinguished divines of our country, belonging to nine difiterent 
 denominations, and therefore probably contains no senti- 
 ment inconsistent with the received doctiines of any so-called 
 orthodox Protestant church. This expose, which as it con- 
 tains the so-called Apostles' creed and a fundamental di- 
 gest of the principal Protestant creeds, may be styled the 
 ^nited ApostoHcalPi-otesiant Confession, is here presented 
 only m a preliminary way, as one of the means to bring 
 about a general convention of delegates from the different 
 Protestant denominations of our land, and perhaps of other 
 lands ; and at such meeting it can be amended or an en- 
 tirely original one be adopted in its place. Yet, as it really 
 is the joint production and the joint property of the differ- 
 ent denominations, it will not only bear on its face the evi- 
 dence of union, but also be more welcome and be more 
 cordially received ; for, each wiU feel that it has contrib- 
 uted something to this common symbolic stock. It would, 
 moreover, be pleasant, as the several creeds promoted sep- 
 aration, to tui n them now into an instrument of union. A 
 creed on this principle of eclecticism can certainly be 
 formed satisfactory to all ; but it will be far more difficult 
 to frame an original one equally acoejitable. Such au 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 27 
 
 eclectic creed will moreover form a hisiorico-symholic union 
 and connection between the Church in the apostohc age, 
 in the age of the Reformation, and in om* own day — a fact 
 of no small importance in historical Christianity. 
 
 Each denomination will, however, retain its present 
 creed and other directories for the reception and discipline 
 of ministers and members, and may alter or amend them 
 at option as heretofore. 
 
 As the featm-es of this plan do not necessaiily interfere 
 with other denominational standards of government and 
 discipline, inferior judicatories of every grade, and even 
 individual congi-egations, can discuss its claims and exist- 
 ing engagements. Thus any conference, presbytery, classis, 
 synod and convention, can adopt the plan by voting their 
 assent to the proposed United ^Vpostolic Protestant Con- 
 fession, and resolving to practice such of the additional 
 featm-es as they may judge suitable to their case, and to 
 bring the subject before then higher judicatories. Inferior 
 judicatories might also appoint a delegate to a contiguous 
 co-ordinate judicatory of one or more sister chiu'ches. In- 
 dividual congregations might, in addition to assenting 
 to the expose of P rotestant doctrine, resolve to unite 
 with sister churches in voluntary associations for the 
 advaticement of the Bible, Tract, and Sabbath-School cause. 
 An annual or semi annual Union meeting of the dififerent 
 congregational sabbath-schools of a town or village or ward 
 of a city, to hear a sermon on some aspcot of the cause, 
 and for otlier exercises, Avould doubtless cultivate tlie spirit 
 of brotherly love, especially among the rising goneralioii. 
 In short, although the plan contemplates ultimately the 
 imity of spirit and fi-atcrnal co-operation of entire congrega- 
 tions, the cflfort nuist begin in every church with individ- 
 uals, and often find its way up through tlie inferior judica- 
 tories to those of the higher and the highest order. 
 
28 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 n. Let the supreme judicatories of the several orthodox 
 churches resolve to open and sustain a regular ecclesiasti- 
 cal iutercom'se by sending a delegate to the stated meetings 
 of the highest judicatory of each such denomination ; who 
 ought to be received as advisory members but have no 
 vote. This practice, which ah'eady exists between some 
 Protestant denominations, has been attended by the hap- 
 piest effects, and ought to bo extended as far as convenient 
 to aU. 
 
 ni. Co-operation of the different associated churches in 
 voluntary associations, local and general, should be encour- 
 aged, as far as the sentiment of the respective denomina- 
 tions is prepared for it, under constitutions avowing the 
 United Apostohc Protestant Confession, and secui'ing equal 
 rights to all its members. This principle is especially 
 applicable to Bible, Tract, Sabbath-School, and Foreign 
 Missionary Societies, and has akeady been introduced in a 
 large portion of the Protestant denominations. 
 
 IV. The Bible should as much as possible be made the 
 text-book, in all theological, congregational and sabbath- 
 school instruction. 
 
 V. One general Anniversary Celebi'ation should be held 
 at some central place, under the management of a commit- 
 tee of arrangements, one member of which is to be selected 
 from each confederated denomination, and after its formal 
 accession to the union, to bo a^jpoiuted by its supremo 
 judicatory. State and smaller union celebrations might 
 also be held, and occasionally, though not statedly, a 
 universal or oecumenical Protestant convention, hkc that 
 proposed in London in 1840. 
 
 VI. Free sacramental union ought to bo occasionally 
 practised by all whose views of duty allow it. 
 
 VII. The formal adoption of these features, or of any 
 part of them, if the first be included, shall constitute the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 29 
 
 adopting body an integral part of the Apostolic Protestant 
 Union. Should any denomination wish to, reserve any one 
 of the features, except the fii'st, for futm-e consideration, 
 such reservation shall not invalidate its accession to the 
 residue. 
 
 But in the name of the bleeding church, let us go for- 
 ward in this glorious work. The first and greatest advocate 
 of Christian Union, the Saviour himself, will go before us, 
 and light will shine on our path as we advance. We shall 
 see fi"om step to step, what his providence directs. Nor 
 can we doubt, that whether our object is accomplished in 
 our way or not, the effort will redound to the glory of God. 
 If it be found that we are not yet prepared to walk to- 
 gether, even in the things in which we are agreed, the 
 Master may tkrow us into the furnace of aiiliction, to melt 
 away our asperities. But amid all circumstances of en- 
 couragement or depression, let our motto be " Look upioard 
 and prrRs omcarcl," in reliance on the blessing of Him who 
 said, " Lo I am with you alwaj', even unto the end of the 
 world." * 
 
 * N. B. — The present plan is presented for the preliminary con- 
 sideration of the churches, and it is proposed to hold a meeting 
 during the Anniversaries in May nest, in New York, preparatory to 
 final action, at which all those favorable to the general object are 
 invited to attend. Further notice will be given. The major part 
 of the subscribers expect to be present. 
 
 S. S. Schmuckcr, D.D., Prof, of Tliool., Thcol. Sein., Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 C. P. Krauth, D.D., Pres. Pcnn. ColU'gc, Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 G. B. Miller, D.D., Prof. Thc-ol., Tlieol. Soni. Ilartwick, New York. 
 
 Hon. Win. C. Bouck, FuUonliani, New York. 
 
 C. A. Morri.-t, Esq., York, Penii. 
 
 Com. on. UhrUlian Un 'on, ctfllin Oi:». S;/no!l'tf Liilh. Oh. in Untied titates. 
 I\CV. J. Ilawcs, D.D., Pa.st. Congrcg. Cliurch, Hartford, Conn. 
 
 " L. BiR-oii, D.I)., Pa.-;t. Congrcg. Cliurcli, New Haven, Conn. 
 
 " Win. Hill, D.D., Past. Presb. Church, Winclicstcr, Pa. 
 
30 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 lu the meantime the winds of heaven had borne the 
 seed of these truths across the Atlantic, and a gxacious 
 Providence had honored this Httle woi'k by making it an 
 instrument in inviting attention of British Ckristians to 
 the feasibilty and importance of undertaking something 
 for the unity of the Redeemer's kingdom there, by the 
 formation of the Evangelical AUiavce. 
 
 In order to commend this volume to the serious 
 attention of the enhghtened friends of Ziou more exten- 
 sively in this country, the following statement of its happy 
 influence in Great Britain is presented to the reader. At 
 the formation of the Evangehcal Alliance in London in 
 1846, a pamphlet was distributed among the members, en- 
 titled Hidorical Sketch of the Emngelical Alliance." It 
 had been prepared by the Eev. Dr. King of Glasgow, at 
 the request of the Provisional Committee of a prehminary 
 meeting, and details the origin and preliminary steps for 
 the formation of the great Evangehcal Alliance at London, 
 which embraced about a thousand of the most distin- 
 guished Christians of all the principal donominations in- 
 
 Rev. L. Mayor, D.D., late Prof, of Thcol. in Tiieol. Seminary, Mcrcori- 
 burg, Pa. 
 
 " G. Spring, D.D., Puctor of Prosb. Cliurch, New York. 
 
 " G. W. BfUiunc, D.D., Pastor Reformed Dutch Churcli, Phila. 
 
 " R. Emory, President Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pcnn. 
 
 " J. P. Durbin, D D , Pastor of Methodist Episcopal Church and 
 
 late Professor Dickinson College. 
 " C. A. Goodrich, D.D., Prof, in Tlicol. Seminary, New Ilavcn, 
 
 Conn. 
 
 " R Baird, D.D., Secretary American Evangelical Society, N. Y. 
 " E. L Hazclius, D.D., Prof. Tlieol. Seminary, Lexington, S. U. 
 " B. P. Aydclott, D.D., of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Presi- 
 dent of Woodward College, Cincinnati. 
 " G. B. Checver, D.D., Editor of New York Evangelist. 
 " P. Church, D.D , Pastor Baptist Church, Rochester, N. Y. 
 " T. II Cox, D.D , Pastor Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 " D. McConaugliy, Prest. Washington College, Washington, Pcun. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 31 
 
 the Protestant world. It has since held meetings in Ger- 
 many, Holland, France, etc., and has confessedly exerted a 
 powerful influence in favor of rehgious liberty, of trae 
 piety, and of Christian union. 
 
 The pamphlet had been piinted in advance of the meet- 
 ing, and was distributed among its members in Exeter 
 Hall. After having mentioned the frequent injunctions of 
 God's Word to imion among the followers of the Saviour, 
 and the progi-ess of infidelity and popery, as calling for 
 greater activity among Chistians, that history proceeds as 
 follows : 
 
 " On the other hand the leadings of Pro"vidence pre- 
 sented uncommon facihties for Christian imion. The as- 
 perities of party which, in fonner ages, had obscured and 
 almost concealed the catholicity of the chui'ch, had become 
 softened and diminished. The principle of toleration, which 
 had once no open fi-ieud, had no more a declared foe ; and 
 this single change strongly indicated a great revolution of 
 sentiment. Religious and benevolent societies, embracing 
 Christians of different denominations, maintained their 
 
 Rev. F. Pond, D.D., Prof, of Theology, Theol. Seminary, Bangor. 
 " Win. Patton, D.D , Pastor Prc.ibytcrian Churcli, New York. 
 " B. Kurtz, D.D., Editor Lutlicrau Observer, Baitimore. 
 " ' A. Converse, Editor of Cliristian Observer, PLiladelpliia. 
 " J. Purlier, D D., Pastor of Presbyterian Cliureli, Pliiladelpliia. 
 " J. O. Morri.s, D.D., Pastor of Lutheran Cliurcli, Baltimore. 
 " J. E. Welsh, of Baptist Church, Burlington, New Jersey. 
 " H. P. Tappan, D.D., Professor University of New York. 
 " J. F. Berg, D.D., (iennan Reformed Chureli, Editor Prote.stant 
 
 Quarterly Review, Pliiladelpliia. 
 " F. Waters, D.D., Protestant Methodist Chureh, Baltimore. 
 
 Alex. Henry, Esfjr., Presbyterian Cliureli, Philadelphia. 
 " E. Heiner, Pastor German Reformed Church, Baltimore. 
 " (i. W. Musgrave, D.U., Pastor Presbyterian Church, Baltimore. 
 " B. C. Wolf, D D., Pastor (Icrnian Reformed Church, Baltimore. 
 " B. M. Smith, Pastor Presbyterian Cliureli, Staunton, Va. 
 " R. W. Bailey, Pre.ibyterl'.in CImreh, Staunton, Va. 
 
32 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ground and increased in strength, showiug the stability of 
 the foimdation on which they were reared. Interesting 
 moTements had taken place expressly for the promotion of 
 brotherhood, and the diffusion of its blessings. To notice 
 a few examples, and to begin vdih the remoled — much 
 praise is due to Dr. Schmucker of America, for his zealous 
 endeavore to associate Christians of different denominations 
 across the Atlantic, and to concentrate theii" efforts on 
 objects of common interest. Whatever may be thought of 
 his scheme of union, all Christians must admii-e the spirit 
 by which it was dictated, and rejoice in the ^jraci/ca/ good 
 of ivhidi the 2'n'Oposal and discussion of if, liavc hccn con- 
 fessedly productive." 
 
 It was just after American Christians had issued an iu- 
 vitation in the fall of 1845, and were enlisting an interest 
 for a meeting in New York, in May 1 84(5, that the invita- 
 tion came over the mighty deep, fi'om oui' British brethi-en 
 for a Convention to be held in London, duiing August of 
 the same year. It was this invitation to the World's Evan- 
 gelical Alliance in England, that led to the postponement of 
 the Convention, which had been appointed for the May 
 Anniversaries in New York, and for which the previous 
 
 Rev. C. G. Weyl, Editor Lutlicran Ilirtcnstimme, Baltimore. 
 
 " W. R. Do Witt, D.D., Pastor Presb. Church, Ilarrisburs, Venn. 
 " W. Hamilton, Methodist Episcopal Cluu-ch, Baltimore. 
 " J. C. Watson, Pastor of Presbyterian Church, Gettjsbur^, Penu. 
 " J. Collins, Pastor of Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore. 
 
 P. S. — An official communication has just been received, addressed 
 to the subscriber, as chairman of the Lutheran General Synod's 
 Committee on Union, from the following jyentlcmcn, as Commit- 
 tee of the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly for Christian 
 Union. S. S. Schmucker. 
 
 Rev. M. Bird, Cumberland Presbj'terian Church, Uniontown, Pa. 
 
 " A. M. Bryan, Cumberland Presbyterian Cliurch, Pilt.4)urj;-, Pa. 
 Alex. Miller, Esq., Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 33 
 
 Cii'cular invitation bearing ydth it the names of about fifty 
 of the most influential Christian ministers of various de- 
 nominations had been issued. This course was deemed 
 proper because many of the most active friends of our 
 enterprize would be absent, maldng the tour of Eui'ope in 
 advance of the London Convention ; and Kkewise because 
 it was thought courteous for us to await the action of the 
 larger meeting, which Christians from all the nations of 
 Europe were expected to attend. With these it might be 
 more profitable for the common cause, that American 
 Chi'istians shoidd first unite in counsel, and thereafter co-op- 
 erate in action as parts of a gi-eat whole iu oui* proper sphere. 
 
 On their return from London, the American delegation 
 held a meeting in Xew York, and an efibrt was made to 
 organize a Brandt Alliance for tliis country ; but here, 
 after having had a long discussion, the meeting differed on 
 the question so wannly debated in England, but which God 
 has now hapjjily for ever removed fi-om the arena of dis- 
 pute, namely, ^Vllether slaveholders shall be admitted to 
 membership in our benevolent institutions. Under these 
 circumstances the formation of an American Branch 
 AUiance was at that time iudcfinitely postponed. 
 
 From this time onward, it seemed as if the dove of peace 
 had iakcn her flight fi-om our country ; as if God had 
 given over our land, both North and Soutli, to strife 
 and contention on this imblessed subject, and permitted 
 men to run to extremes ; until by the thorough discussion 
 of the subject for years, the entire nation was compelled 
 to see the moral, the social, the political and physical evils 
 entailed by slaveiy upon our land. Tlius the great body 
 of Christians, patriots ajid philanthropists throughout our 
 nation, was prepared not only to acquiesce in the wonder- 
 ful solution of the problem of Emancipation, to whioii 
 Congressional legislation, and indeed all mere human 
 
 2'^ 
 
34 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 agency had proved utterly inadequate ; but also to glorify 
 Him that rules among the armies of heaven and the in- 
 habitants of earth, for the manifold blessings he has thus 
 bestowed upon our favored land. 
 
 This deliverance of four mLlhons of our fellow beings 
 from bondage having been accompHshed, peace has again 
 been restored to our borders, the spu'it of Christian love 
 has resumed its reign, and the desire of unity between the 
 disciples of the Lord is beginning to develop itself in 
 manifestations of returning union between several frag- 
 ments of the same church and different denominations of 
 the enthe Protestant family. 
 
 So advanced and far reaching had this feeling become in 
 our own country, that by the year 1 8GG, the chui'ches were 
 extensively prepared to resume the active connection with 
 the Evangehcal Alhance of Europe, by the Fobmation of 
 
 The Ameeicvn Branch Alliancs. 
 
 Accordingly, such a branch was fonnally organized at 
 New York, after several preliminary meetings, the particu- 
 lars of whose formation we jilace on record for future 
 reference, as given in the printed JVIiuutes then pubhshed 
 by the Association. 
 
 "At a meeting held on the 31st of January, chiefly to 
 appoint a committee to prepare a r(;i)()rt on the State of 
 Keligion m the United States, it was jiroposod that an 
 endeavor be made to form an American branch of the 
 Evangelical Alhance. A committee was selected to Issue a 
 cu'cular and ascertain as far as possible the opinion of the 
 evangelical churches on this matter. Many favorable 
 replies having been received, a meetmg was called for May 
 11th, 18G7, at the Iccturc rooni of the Mathson Squai'e 
 Presbyterian Church. A considerable number of influential 
 clergymen of all denominations attended. Rov. Mark 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 35 
 
 Hopkins, D. D., was called to the cliaii', and offered the 
 opening prayer. Rev. George W. Wood, D. D., reiJorted 
 that he had sent cut four hundred ciixulars, and had re- 
 ceived a large number of rephes, chiefly favorable, but few 
 dechniug to unite in the proposed movement. He read 
 letters fi-om Eev. Dr. J. iilcClintock, Rev. Dr. Howard Os- 
 good, Rev. Ai-chibald M. ]\Iorrison, Gambier, Ohio, Rev. Drs. 
 Skinner, Plummer, Jacobus and Bishop Smith, of Kentucky. 
 
 " It was moved by Rev. Dr. Wm. Patton, That we judge 
 it expedient to form an American branch of the Evangeli- 
 cal Alhance on the doctrinal basis adopted by that body in 
 184G. 
 
 "Dr. Patton supported the motion in a short speech. 
 Rev. H. B. Smith, D. D., presented the need of such an 
 organization in this cotmtry, and the benefits that might 
 be expected to flow fi-om it. Rev. Drs. Anderson, Wood, 
 Eddie, jNIarsh, and others, advocated the formation of an 
 Alhance, and the motion was unanimously adopted. 
 
 '■ It was ' Ramlccd, That a committee be appointed to form 
 a plan of organization, and to nominate permanent officers, 
 and that the following be the members of that committee 
 (denominations and names being in alphabetical order) : ' 
 
 " Baptid : Rov. Drs. II. S. W. Buckland, Howard Osgood, 
 and WiUiam R. Williamson. 
 
 " Cuiigregalional : Rev. Drs. W. J. Budington, D. B. Coe, 
 and Wm. Patton, 
 
 "Episcopal: Rev. Dn. Heman Dyer, Wm. A. IMuhlen- 
 bm'g, and A. H. Vinton. 
 
 " Itifonmd Dulrh : Rev. Drs. Thomas Do Witt, E. S. 
 Porter, and E. P. Rogers. 
 
 " Gei-mm R'foniml: liev. Drs. E. V. Gerhardt, H. Har- 
 baugh, and Phihp SchafT. 
 
 " Luthn-an : Rev. Drs. Charles Kiauth, S. S. Schrauckcr, 
 and .'Vug. Wedckind. 
 
36 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " Methodist : Eev. Drs. George E. Crooks, Daniel Currie, 
 and J. McClintock. 
 
 "Presbyterian {0. S.) : Eev. Drs. John M. I\Tebs, Pas- 
 ton, and J. M. Sterenson. 
 
 " Presbyterian (N. S.) : Eev. Drs. William Adams, Howard 
 Crosby, and G. W. Wood. 
 
 Resolved, That this committe be requested to meet on 
 the first Thursday in June, 1866, at 3 o'clock P. M., in this 
 place, to organize and proceed to the business proposed.' 
 
 " ' Resolved, That Eev. Dr. H. B. Smith, and others who 
 have taken part in the prehminary meetings be requested 
 to be present at this meeting of the committee.' 
 
 " It was stated that Dr. Smith would be in Europe at 
 the time of the sessions of the Alliance, and it was there- 
 upon 
 
 " ' Resolved, That Ect. Dr. H. B, Smith be requested to 
 present in person to the Alliance, at its meeting in HoUand, 
 the Eeport on the Condition of EeUgion in the United 
 States, prepared by the committee of which he is the chair- 
 man.' 
 
 " The meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the 
 Committee on Organization ; the call to be issued to all 
 evangehcal Chiistians. 
 
 "J. M. Ferris, Secretary." 
 The transactions of the first year of the American 
 Branch of the Evangehcal Alliance, can be i^rcsented in a 
 few words. 
 
 Since its complete organization it has been in corres- 
 pondence with the British organization, and was repre- 
 sented in the General Conference of the Alliance, in Am- 
 sterdam, Holland, in August, 1807. 
 
 After due consultation, the Executive Committee of the 
 American Alliance, sent an invitation to the Conference at 
 Amsterdam, to bold the next General Conference, or 
 
IXTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 37 
 
 World's Evangelical Alliance in the city of New York. 
 This ■«"as responded to most favorably at a meeting of the 
 delegates fi'om the several National Branches at Amster- 
 dam, and also afteiT\-ards at a meeting in England. 
 
 The design was fii'st to hold the meeting in September, 
 1SG9, and invitations were issued to the several National 
 Branches in foreign lands, and to all Evangehcal Chi'istiaus 
 thi-oughout the world. With a view to ascertain and matux-e 
 the feeluigs of the Chiistian conmiunity on the subject in this 
 comiti-y, a large number of the fiiends of the cause were 
 called together in December last, at the house of the Presi- 
 dent of the American Branch, the Hon. William E. Dodge, 
 which resulted in the general conviction of the desirable- 
 ness and feasibility of the proposed general meeting. The 
 necessary extensive pre2)aratious were accordingly com- 
 menced to accommodate this Convention and render it in 
 the highest degi'ce useful and agreeable. 
 
 But in the meantime information was received from the 
 British organization, fi'om Germany and elsewhere, lu-ging 
 the postponement of the meeting at New York at least one 
 year. It has therefore, after mature reflection, been re- 
 solved bv the Executive Committee to defer the meetiner 
 until September of the present year, 1870. 
 
 " The Alliance was organized in London in 1846, and it 
 now has branches in England, Scotland and L-eland, 
 France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, 
 Persia, the East and West Indies, Palestine, Australia, 
 New Zealand, in Afiica, and the United States of America. 
 Its objects are : 
 
 "To promote luiion of effort among Christians of dif- 
 ferent nations and names for the advancement of the 
 Redeemer's kingdom ; to tliis end it constitutes an organi- 
 zed body, witli mcinijcrs in all parts of the world tlu-ough 
 whom conesi)oudcncc and cooperation may be canned on. 
 
38 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Conferences are held from time to tunc in great religious 
 and commercial centres ; revivals of religion ai'e promoted f 
 meetings for concerted prayer are held throughout the 
 Avorld ; the rights of conscience and freedom of religious 
 worship in all countries are defended ; Christians exposed 
 to trials and difficulties are encouraged by expressions of 
 sympathy and the alms of then- brethren ; delegations and 
 memorials are sent to secui-e deliverance for those who ai'e 
 bound or persecuted for righteousness' sake in Roman 
 Cathohc, Mohammedan, Pagan, and Protestant countries ; a 
 bulwark of resistance is reared agaiust the aggi'essive 
 efforts of Romanism and infidehty ; measui'es are promo- 
 ted for the improvement of society, the progress of reUgious 
 instruction, the suppression of vice, the rehef of suffering 
 humanity, the sanctification of the sabbath, and the salva- 
 tion of men. 
 
 " In many countries the influence of the Alliance has 
 been jjowerful for the achievement of these great objects. 
 It has brought the mighty moral influence of united Evan- 
 gchcal Christendom to bear upon the lights of conscience 
 and the gi-eat question of reUgious liberty in Spain, Italy 
 Austria, Sweden and Turkey. It has proved a bond of 
 union and a strong tower of Protestants in Earo^De, whose, 
 minds and hearts have been strengthened by the grand 
 conferences held in London, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, and 
 Amsterdam, which have rallied aroiuid the standard of the 
 reformation the noblest philosophers, scholars, and teachers 
 of the age, and have presented to the world the ablest 
 defences of truth. It has associated in fraternal Cluistiau 
 sympathy, love, and labor for Christ and Christ's cause 
 and people, his friends in so many and so widely distant 
 countries, of all branches of the Holy CathoUc Chm-ch, 
 that it is a hvuig, real and glorious declaration of the 
 imity of the chmr.h ; and as it spreads its extending arras 
 
INTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 39 
 
 among the nations, bringing all them who love our Lord 
 Jesus, into fellowship of feeling, suffering and doing, it is 
 itself the offering and the answer of our Lord's prayer : 
 * That they all may bo one, as Thou, Father, art in me, and 
 I in thee, that they also may be one in us : that the world 
 may beHevc that Thou hast sent me.' '"* 
 
 THE STATE OF THE CHRISTL^ WORLD, 
 
 On the subject of Chridian Union, is in a high degree 
 favorable at this time. The leading intellects of the Pro- 
 testant nations are attentive to the progress of events, in 
 their bearing on this subject, and arc anticipating the oc- 
 cun-ence of some great developments in the ecclesiastical 
 world. They are also favorably disposed towards all weU 
 directed efforts for the mterests of true Christianity. Even 
 some of the crowned heads of Europe, have taken active 
 part in advancing the cause : whilst some of them would 
 probably with jileasure, resign the government of the 
 church as a heavy bui'den, so soon as they see that circum- 
 stances would promise a peaceable and successful transition 
 to a scpai'ation of Church and Jitate, such as exists i;i our 
 own happy country. This state of facts was most clearly 
 demonstrated by the late torn* of that learned, active and 
 successful Christian messenger, the Rev. Dr. P. Schaff, 
 who was commissioned by the Executive Committee of our 
 American Branch of the Alliance, to visit the i^romuient 
 cities and personages of Europe in the interest of the ^Uli- 
 ance, and to prepare the way for the contemplated meeting 
 in September next in New York. That tour was one con- 
 
 * Soc Firet Annuel Roport of the V.v. All. for tho F. R , p. fi. 
 
40 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tinued triumph of Cliristian sympathy, of frateiual feeling 
 and of divine favor. From all appearances, that meeting 
 will embody a large number of the leading intellects, not 
 only of om' own country, but also of different nations of 
 Europe, many of whom vnll be present personally, and 
 others by direct commrmications addressed to the Conven- 
 vention, detaihng their best thoughts and counsel on the 
 highest subjects of interest to the progress of the church 
 throughout the world, and to the glory of her great and di- 
 vine Head. This consummation we therefore look for with 
 deeiDest interest, fondly trusting, that by the sjjecial bless 
 ing of the Spirit of God, it will give a new impulse to the 
 cause of true Christianity, which will be felt in the four 
 quarters of the globe. 
 
 INTER -DENOMINATIONAL COUNCIL OF EVAN- 
 GELICiVL CHURCHES. 
 
 Whilst the preceding movements in behalf of union, 
 were developing themselves in connection with the Evan- 
 gelical Alliance, other similar influences were at work in 
 various portions of the land, which assumed a somewhat 
 different form. The objects contemiilated were the same, 
 and to a great extent also the persons engaged hi their 
 prosecution ; but the forms of organization adopted by 
 them were somewhat different. All the (/onfcrcnccs of the 
 Evangchcal AlHancc, both national and general, were con- 
 structed and conducted on the principle of voluntary asso- 
 ciationft of individuals. This is undoubtedly the best, yea 
 the only feasible form of. organziation for the Alliance, 
 both general and national in Europe, where church and 
 state are united. Owing to the union of the civil and cc- 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 41 
 
 desiastical institutioBS of those countries into one govern- 
 ment, the civil having, moreover, the paramount authority 
 and control, a different organization of the AUiance would 
 lead to a conflict with the civil government, to an imperium 
 in imperio, and often be productive of discord instead of 
 union. 
 
 But it is believed by many, that ia addition to the 
 National Branch of the Alliance, which has been established 
 in this country, some Confederation of the Evangelical 
 Denominations of our land as such, which should not in- 
 terfere with the interior organization and management of 
 the affairs of any denomination, but provide for cooijera- 
 tion and union in the prosecution of objects of common 
 interest, would tend greatly to give energy and increased 
 strength to the efforts of the Protestant chm-ches of our 
 land. 
 
 With these views the General Synod of the {Dutcli) Re- 
 fonned Church, in the year 186G, undertook to inaugm-ate 
 the subject, by the adoption of resolutions introduced by 
 the Kev. Dr. ^Matthews, since called to join in the celestial 
 union of the Redeemed in heaven from the foui* quarters 
 of the globe. Delegates were commissioned by Synod to 
 bear invitations to aU the highest judicatories of all the 
 leading denominations of our land to convene on the 2()th 
 of October, 18G9, to organize a Coimcil of EvangeHcal De- 
 nominations. 
 
 Accordingly the Council met at the appointed time, in 
 the city of New York, at the Reforaied Church on "Wash- 
 ington Square. Tlio (Council continued in session for 
 several days, holding tluee sessions per day and commenc- 
 ing each day with devotional exercises. 
 
 At the first meetmg Rev. Dr. Matthews acted as chair- 
 man, and the session was devoted to religious exercises by 
 Rev. Drs. IMatthewa, Schmuckcr, Waterbury, Crosby, 
 
42 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Harris, and others. After half an horn* spent in devotional 
 exercises, a temporary organization was eftected by the 
 selection of the Eight Rev. Dr. McEvaine of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church of Ohio, as chainnan, and Eev. Profes- 
 sor W. H. Crosby, of Pouglikeepsie, and 'Rev. Isaac S. 
 Hartley of this city, as secretaries. A nominating com- 
 mittee of three, with Dr. Howard Crosby at its head, was 
 then ai:)pointed to prepare a hst of officers for the pemia- 
 nent organization, and a business cDmmittee of five was 
 chosen, consisting of the following gentlemen : Eev. Dr. 
 J. M. jMatthews, Xew York, (Reformed), Rev. Dr. S. S. 
 Schmucker, Emeritus Professor in the Theological Semi- 
 uai-y, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, (Lutheran), Rev. Dr. W. 
 T. ITanis, (Methodist Episcopal), Rev. Dr. J. Cotton 
 Smith, Xew York, (Protestant Episcopal), and Rev. Prof. 
 Bacon, of New Haven, (Congi-egational. ) 
 
 The nominating committee reported Right Rev. Dr. 
 Mcllvaine, (Episcopal), Dr. C. D. Foss, (Methodist), Dr. J. 
 M. Matthews, (Reformed), Dr. S. S. Schmucker, (Lu- 
 theran), and Dr. J. B. Waterbmy, (Presb}i:erian), for pre- 
 sidents to act at the successive sessions of the Council ; 
 and Prof. Crosby and Dr. Hartley as secretaries. This 
 report was imanimously accepted. Letters were read from 
 the following persons, expressing their hearty sympathy 
 with the objects of the Council and then* regi-et that per- 
 manent duties prevented their attendance : President T. D. 
 WooLsey, of Yale College, Rev. Pro£ Harris, of the Bangor 
 (Me.) Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Dale. Rev. Prof. 
 Phelps, of Andover, (Mass,) Prof. Edwin Hall, of Aubui'n, 
 (N. Y.,) and Hon. Chief Justice S. P. Chase.* 
 
 * We add the names of the delegates who attended the couven- 
 tion, to show how large a proportion of them are the known friends 
 of the Es-angclical Alliance. 
 
 Rij^ht Rev. Bi:-hop Mcllvaine, Protestant Episcopal Church, Ohio. 
 
IXTRODUCTIOX. 
 
 43 
 
 During its sessions tlie Council after ample deliberation 
 adopted a brief form for permanent organization, in a few- 
 resolutions ; and also accejjted for consideration a sjUabus 
 of subjects, presented by Dr . Matthews, as suitable topics 
 for the discussion and action of the Convention at its pre- 
 sent and future meetings, among which were the follow- 
 ing : 
 
 1. E\-ils of schism among evangelical churches, and im- 
 portance of unity. 
 
 2. How can funds for education, provided by the State, 
 be secured from then abuse, or fi'om beiag used for the 
 dissemination of religious error ? 
 
 3. How to promote the work of Foreign Missions by 
 infusing a spirit of greater cathohcity and coojieration into 
 the whole system. 
 
 4. The new and solemn responsibilities of American 
 Christians, arisuig fi-om the unprecedented amount of un- 
 migration, not only fi-om Papal countries, but also from 
 the lands of paganism, as Cliina, Japan, etc. 
 
 5. How f;U' it LS expedient, and hi what maimer it is best 
 
 • Rev. Dr. James M. Matthews, Reformed Church. 
 Rev. Dr. J. B. Waterbury, Presbyterian Church, (Old School). 
 Rev. Dr. G. D. Abbott, Presbyterian Church (Old School), secretary 
 Evangelical Alliance. 
 
 Rev. Dr. W. T. Harris, eoiTesponding' member of the Missionary so- 
 ciety of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 Rev. Dr. 8. I. Prime, cd. N. York Observer, Presbyterian (Old School), 
 New York. 
 
 Rev. Dr. W. C. Roberts, Presbyterian (Old School), Elizabeth, N. J. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Joseph lloldich, Methodist, sec. American Bible Society. 
 
 Rev. Dr G. I Day, Free Will B ipti^t, editor Morning Star. 
 
 Rev. Dr O. B. Cheney, Free Will Baptist, president Bates College, 
 Lewiston, JIaine. 
 
 Rev. O. G. Blake, Free Will Baptist, New York. 
 
 Hod. I. O'Donndl, Free Will Baptist, Lowvillc, New York. 
 
 E W. Page, Free Will Baptist, New York 
 
 Rev. George I. Van Ve.=!h, Reformed Church, Little Falls, Passaic N. J. 
 
 Rev. Dr. A. C. Wcdekind, Lutheran Church, New York. 
 
 Rev. C. D. Foss, Methodist Episcopal Ch., Thirty-fourth street, N. Y. 
 
44 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 to employ the talent for teaching found among the laity of 
 the Chm-ch. 
 
 6. Preaching — The i^rimitive and apostohc element of 
 success. 
 
 7. The imperative duty of the churches, as such, to carry 
 the Gospel to the masses of the people. 
 
 8. Evils resulting fi-om the iiiadeqate support generally 
 given to the ministry by the churches in om* country'. 
 
 9. Duties of Chi-istians of the present day in reference 
 to the wide-spread corruption prevaihng among our civil 
 ralers. 
 
 10. How far the profanation of the Sabbath can be re- 
 medied or abated, by employing the power of the civil 
 magistrate for the pm'pose. 
 
 11. Intemperance — Eesponsibihties of Chi-istians in 
 America with regard to it. 
 
 12. The most deshable methods of fraternization in all 
 suitable locahties, by Conventions, etc. 
 
 13. EesiDonsibihty of Chi-istians iu oui- country as to 
 the Press, both secular and religious. 
 
 Rev. Albert S. Huut, Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, Brooklyn. 
 Mr. C . C. North, Methodist Episeopiil Church. 
 
 Mr. G. J. Hamilton, McthotMst Episcopal Ch., Lexington avenue, N. Y. 
 Rev. Dr. Van Nest, Reformed Church, Florence, Italy. 
 Hon. E. C. Benedict, Reformed Church, Tenth street, New Yorli. 
 Rev. John E. Cookman, Methodist Episcopal Ch., Morton street, N. Y. 
 Rev. Dr. S. S. Schmuekcr, Lutlieran Clmrch, Gettysburg, Penn. 
 Mr. John T. Nixon,, Presbyterian Church, (Old School), Bridgeport, 
 Connecticut. 
 
 Rev. Prof. George E. Day, Theological Department, Yale College, 
 New Haven, Conu. 
 Rev. Dr. Bacon, Theological School, New Haven, Conn. 
 Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby, Presbyterian (New School), New York. 
 Rev. Dr. C. S. Porter, Reformed Church, Broolclyn. 
 Prof. W. II. Crosby, Reformed Cliurch, Poughkecpsie. 
 Mr. A. D. Belknap, (Old School) Presbyterian, New York. 
 Rev. Dr. Tliomas De Witt, Reformed Church, New York. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 45 
 
 14. How can true apostolic piety be revived among 
 Christians ? 
 
 These and any other topics of common interest to all 
 parts of the church of Chi-ist, would form legitimate sub- 
 jects of debate and action at the meetings of this Council, 
 as they will at the conventions of the EvangeUcal Alhance. 
 
 The resolutions on permanent organization, were pre- 
 sented by Rev. Dr. Crosby, Chairman of the Committee 
 of five, appointed on that subject.* 
 
 The first resolution recognized the importance and pro- 
 priety of such annual meetings. The second pro^dded for 
 the appointment of delegates for sush Councils by the va- 
 rious denominations of evangehcal Christians, through 
 their highest judicatories, a uniform number of delegates 
 being allowed to each denomination, and in default of such 
 appointment, the delegates to be named by the Standing 
 Committee of the CouncU. The denominations to be re- 
 presented were : the Evangelical Baptist denomination, 
 the Congregational, the Episcopal, the (German) Re- 
 formed, the (Dutch) Reformed, the Lutheran, the Metho- 
 dist, the Moravian, and the Presbyterian and other de- 
 nominations. The third resolution i^rovidcd that a Stand- 
 ing Committee of nine be chosen, one member from each 
 of the denominations, to designate the time and place of 
 meeting eacli year, and to notify the different ecclesiasti- 
 cal bodies thereof. 
 
 The topics for discussion being under consideration, the 
 President suggested, that h\ order to render the transac- 
 tions of the future meetings of the Council, the more radi- 
 cal and useful, committees be appointed, each having some 
 practical subject assigned to it, to consult on and carefully to 
 
 * Tlio onliro Committee was as follows : Drs. Crosby, Bacou, 
 King, Scliinuckcr nnd J. Cotton Smith. 
 
46 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 examine the same, and present at the next meeting of the 
 Council a report embodying the best light that can be attain- 
 ed on it ; as also propose the -wisest measures for the action 
 of the Council and for recommendation to the chm-ches. 
 
 Professor Crosby moved the appointment of several com- 
 mittees of three members each, to report on the topics 
 hereimder specified, viz : 
 
 No. 1. — The Evils of Schism among Evaugeliciil Church- 
 es, and Importance of Unity. No. 2. — How can fimds for 
 Education, provided by the State, be seciu'ed fi-om their 
 abuse, or from being used for the dissemination of religious 
 error. No. 3. — EesiJonsibihties of Christians ia our coun- 
 ti-y as to the Press, both Secular and Eehgious. 
 
 The President then announced the following gentlemen 
 as committees to report on these subjects : 
 
 No. 1. — Eevs. Dr. Bacon, Dr. H. Crosby, and Dr. 
 Smith. No. 2. — Eev. Dr. Foss, E. H. Benedict, and Dr. 
 Abbott. No. 3. — Eev. Dr. Prime, Eev. J. S. Hartley, and 
 Eev. J. T. Day. 
 
 These are the principal items of business, which occupied 
 the attention of the Council, and were matm-cd to action 
 during the several days of the session ; together with one 
 other, which occupied the attention and elicited more 
 pleasing and delightful expressions of Christian fellowship 
 and brotherly love than any other. As the grand object of 
 the Comicil was Christian Union and Christian Love, and 
 co-operation of Chi*istians in advancing the interests of 
 the Eedeemer's Kingdom ; it was and is manifestly of the 
 utmost importance, that those here associated together 
 should agree in their views of what Chi-istian Union is, 
 and what are its legitimate fniits. 
 
 The following declaration of sentiments on the nature 
 and iiijluence of Christian Unioa, presented by Dr. Schmuck- 
 cr, at an early period of the convention, was discussed 
 
INTRODUCTION'. 
 
 47 
 
 with much interest, and in the most pleasing and fraternal 
 spirit dui"ing several sessions, and then adoiDted by the 
 Council : 
 
 " Ultcreas, This Convention, consisting of members of 
 different denominations, has assembled for the pui-pose of 
 deliberating on the common interest of our holy and divine 
 rehgiou, in the Ught of God's Word and the teachings of 
 His providence, in order to adopt such measures as may 
 promise to promote unity and brotherly love ; to husband 
 their resoui'ces and concentrate their energies for the 
 advancement of the grand interests of the Redeemer's king- 
 dom ; it is deemed proper to make a brief declai'ation of 
 sentiments, that aU may undf;rstand the high and holy 
 objects at which we aim, as well as the principles by which 
 we are governed in their attainment ; therefore, 
 
 " Eesol%'ed, Fird : That the union among the disciples 
 of Christ, enjoined in the Scriptures and so fervently 
 prayed for by the Saviom*, was not pi-imarily that of exter- 
 nal organization or organic xmity, but the sphitual union 
 by which all Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, bond or 
 free, have been made to drink of one spirit and constitute 
 one body. (1st Corinthians sii : i;}). 
 
 " Second: That wherever this si^ii-itual union is found, it 
 will malnifest itself by tlie love which is the badge of disci- 
 plcship (John xii : 35), in a desu'e for those several social 
 e.verciscs for worsliip ordained by the Saviour and his Apos- 
 tles, and by a tendency to union and co-operation in all 
 those duties and pursuits of life which engi-oss the attention 
 and employ the powers of the Christian through his pil- 
 giimage on earth. 
 
 " Third: That the same spiritual union, which exerts this 
 haiinonizing and Ixnievolent influence on Cliristians as 
 members of indivitlual congrcgxtions, tends to produce a 
 
48 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 similar influence on Christian congregations toward each 
 other throughout the land and thi-oughout the world, 
 
 " Fourth : That this spmtual union, if its principles are 
 fuithfuily reduced to practice, forbids all rivaky or jealousy 
 or opposition between Chi'istian chm-ches in the same vicin- 
 ity or country, or even in aU the different countries of the 
 earth. 
 
 Fiflh : And finally, that this same spiritual imion sanc- 
 tions and encourages aU such external aiTangements or 
 organizations, among Chiistians of any and all countries, 
 (such as synods, general assembhes, associations, conferen- 
 ces or councils, ) as are consistent with the instinictions of 
 God's Word, and calculated to cherish brotherly love and 
 co-operation, as far as they are practicable, and tend to 
 husband the resoui'ces and augment the etiiciency of the 
 church universal in advancing the intei*ests of true religion, 
 and extending the triumphs of Christ over the whole 
 eai-th." 
 
 The popularity of such an Inter-denominational Union, 
 is patent fi'om the fact, that the several leading denomina- 
 tions so promptly responded to the invitation of our (Dutch) 
 Reformed Brethren, by the appointment of delegates to the 
 Council, of whoso transactions we have just given a brief 
 sketch ; although the simultaneous meeting of several of the 
 most numerous general assemblies and synods, prevented 
 the attendance of one half the delegates. The idea exten- 
 sively prevails that such a Confederation of Denominations 
 has become a necessity in the present condition of the 
 American Churches. It is required in order to confer 
 luiity and elBciency on their efforts to resist the enemies of 
 tnxth and righteousness, as well as to arx'est the progress 
 and resist the encroachments of llomauism. 
 
 But dm'ing the formation of this Association, at cvciy 
 step of om* progi-ess, the conviction has forced itself on our 
 
/ 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 49 
 
 mijid", that the objects here contemplated are the very 
 same aimed at bj the American Branch of the Evangelical 
 Alliance. It appears, therefore, that -n e have two organi- 
 zations covering the same ground, conducted largely by 
 the same persons ; so that the meetings will be unneces- 
 sai'ily multiplied, and be felt burdensome by the chui'ches. 
 
 Now, to propose a detailed plan for uniting these two 
 into one, as well as to bring all the National Branches of 
 the Evangehcal Alliance, Foreign and American, into har- 
 monious and systematic connection vmder the World's 
 Evangelical Alliance, is the grand object proposed at the 
 close of the ensuing treatise. In the meantime, we intro- 
 duce the original work on the principles of Christian 
 Union in general, as a preparation for the enlightened 
 judgment and adjustment of all branches of union organi- 
 zations and of union measm-cs. Rightly iustnicted in the 
 true princi2)les of Scriptural unity, we shall occupy an ele- 
 vated standpoint, above all sectarian and party interests 
 and party aims, fi'om which Ave can survey the entire " field 
 of the world," as nearly as possible, in the spirit and mind 
 of Christ, and be enabled in these eventful days most suc- 
 cessfully to act out the prayer, which the Saviour taught 
 us to offer : " 7'h>/ kingdom come." 
 
 3 
 
FRATERNAL APPEAL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 AMERICAN CHURCHES. 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 The Obligation of Christian Union. 
 
 U.u-£Q iiyit, Tf/Qrjaov avTolr Iv tCi ui'ti/xari aov, ovf SiduKug fioi, Iva uaiv 
 
 tv, Koduc i/J.eig. — Jesus. 
 Elf Kvpiog, fila TzicTLr, Iv jia-TLafia. — PAUL. 
 
 When the sincere and unsopListieated Christian con- 
 templates the image of the church as delineated both in 
 theory and practice by the Saviour and his apostles, he 
 is charmed by its delightfid spirit of unity and brotherly 
 love. When he hears the beloved disciple declare 
 " God is love, and they that dwell in love dwell in 
 Gqd : " and again, " Beloved, let us love one another, 
 for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of 
 God, and knoweth God : " " He that loveth not, know- 
 eth not God ; for God is love : " and again, " Beloved, 
 if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another :" 
 " If any man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he 
 is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom ho 
 hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not 
 seen ? And this commandment have we from him, that 
 he who loveth God, love his brother also." AVheu the 
 Christian listens to such declarations as tliese, and 
 nmnerous others of similar import; when, forgetting 
 thinffs as they exist around him, he brings lii.s wlioh; 
 
 (51) 
 
52 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 soul under the influence of this love to God and the 
 brethren ; he perceives the moral beauty of these senti- 
 ments, and finds his heart vibrate in delightful unison 
 with them. But when he awakes frona this fascinating- 
 dream and beholds the body of Christ rent iuto ditfer- 
 ent divisions, separately organized, professing ditt'erent 
 creeds, denouncing each other as in error, and, often- 
 times, hating and being hated; his spirit is grieved 
 within liim, and he asks how can these things be among 
 brethren ? To the sacred record he turns his ejes in 
 vain for the sectarian parties which now constitute all 
 that is seen of the church of the Redeemer ; he finds 
 nothing there of Lutherans, of Presbyterians, of Method- 
 ists, of Episcopalians, of Baptists. But he sees that 
 when the formation of similar parties was attempted at 
 Corinth, Paul deemed it necessary to write them a long 
 letter, and besought them by the name of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ to have no divisions among them. Tlie 
 Christian is therefore consti-ained to mourn over the 
 desolations of Zion and to meet the solemn inquiry. Can- 
 not a balm be found for the idcerons divisions which 
 deface the body of Christ ? 
 
 Many such hearts there liappily arc at the present 
 day, which are relenting from the rigor of party organ- 
 ization and sectarian asperity. The love of Clnist, that 
 sacred flame whicli warms them, and bids tliem strive 
 together for the conversion of a world, also melts down 
 the walls of partition, which might well enough keep 
 Jews asiuider from Gentiles, but was never permitted 
 to sever one Jew from another, and much less ought 
 now to separate a Christian from his brother. Many 
 have a deep sense of the magnitude of the evil, though 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 53 
 
 they have no clear perception of the remedy : but they 
 knew that it was not so in the beginnizig, it will not be 
 so in the end, and it ought not to be so now. Many 
 are pondering these things in their hearts, and asking. 
 Ought brethren to be thus estranged ? Ought Ephraiin 
 thus to envy Judah, and Judah to vex Ephi'aiin ? Their 
 number too is multiplying. Brotherly love and Christian 
 liberality are on the whole progi'essive, and tender in- 
 creasing facilities, whilst they urge the imperious 
 obligation of this inquiry upon every enlightened and 
 sanctified intellect. Happily many of the ablest heads 
 and noblest hearts in Christendom feel called to review 
 the (jround lohich the Protestan t churches have ieen led to 
 assume^ partly hy ojytion, partly hy inconsideration, and 
 partly 1/y the coercion of circumstances. The successful 
 prosecution of this inquiry demands the casting off' of 
 the prejudices of education and long established habits, a 
 recurrence to the elementary principles of Christianity, 
 of christian doctrine, of christian government, of chris- 
 tian duty : and the men, be they ministers or be they 
 laymen, who would regard this subject with indifference, 
 or dismiss it with a sneer, may well inquire whether 
 the love of Christ dwells in them. In this great con- 
 cern not self-interest, but the interest of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom, should be the motive of our actions ; not vic- 
 tory, but truth should be our aim. 
 
 In this incipient stage of our discussion, Ave would 
 prcmi-c a few prineij)Ies, or draw a few lines, by which 
 the general course of our investigation may be recog- 
 nized, and the results in some degree be anticipated at 
 which we shall arrive. It is admitted, 
 
 (a^ As oni> Iwiuse cannot contain all the Clu-i.-li;in • in 
 
54 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 the world, or in a particular country, there must neces- 
 sarilj be different houses of worship. 
 
 (b) As all Christians in a particular country cannot 
 be incoi"porated into one congregation to enjoy the 
 ordinances of the gospel, and to execute the duties of 
 mutual edification, supervision and discipline ; there 
 must be different congregations^ as there were in the 
 days of the apostles ; whatever may be the proper prin- 
 ciple for their construction, and tlie jirojier bond for 
 their union with each other. 
 
 (c) "We premise as a point conceded, that all the several 
 denominations termed orthodox, which are but clusters 
 of such different congregations, are parts of the true 
 visible church of Christ ; because, in the conscientious 
 judgment of all enlightened Christians they hold the 
 essentials of the gospel scheme of faith and practice ; and 
 secondly, because the Saviour himself has aclcnowledged 
 them as such by the seal of liis grace and Spirit. " When 
 James, Cephas and John perceived the grace that was 
 given to says Paul, to the Galatians,* " they gave 
 to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship." 
 And where is the bigot who, at the present day, would 
 claim his to be the oidy true church, and thus repudiate 
 all others as synagogues of Satan ? 
 
 (d) As these denominations hold dissentient views on 
 some non-essential points, it is demonstrable that, on 
 each of these disputed points, one or other party must 
 be wrong, and, in the aggregate, that all except one of 
 them must entertain some error. I'or of two contrary 
 opinions oidy one can be true. l>ut the pretension 
 
 * Chap. 2: 9. 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 55 
 
 that any one sect is right in all things, and all others in 
 error so far as they diverge from this one, is highly im- 
 probable in itself, is forbidden by christian humility, by 
 a knowledge of human nature, and by the amount of 
 talent, learning and piety in all the several churches. 
 Hence some error, in all probability, is an attribute of 
 each sect. 
 
 (e) Finally, we premise that ministers and laymen, 
 though pious, are fallible, are sanctitied but in part and 
 hable to temptation from secular motives and feelings, 
 even in things pertaining to the Redeemer's kingdom. 
 Hence they are all under obligation to review their 
 course of thought and action, and ought to be willing, 
 for the glory of their God and Saviour, to retrace and 
 amend whatever may be found amiss. This obligation 
 devolves alike upon the writer and the reader. With 
 a deep impression of its importance, its claims are urged 
 on your present attention. 
 
 Under the presumption therefore that in these diver- 
 sities of opinion we are all more or less in error,- let us 
 inquire whether it is right that the body of Christ should 
 on account of these diversities be rent into so many dif- 
 ferent ])arts, under circumstances creating dilicrcnt in- 
 terests in each, and strongly tending to alienate their 
 affections, and dissolve that bond of fraternal love, by 
 which they should be united ; or whether it is the duty 
 of Christians to endeavor to heal these divisions, and 
 promote unity among all ^\•hom they profess to regard 
 as disciples of Christ. The will of our divine Master 
 will become appai'ent to us wliilst we successively con- 
 sider, 
 
 The Scriptural injunctiom^ 
 
56 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 The example of the apostles and primitive ChristianSy 
 and 
 
 Ihe consequences which these divisions produce. 
 
 In the wealthy and corrupt city of Connth, a Chris- 
 tian church had been planted by Paul, watered by the 
 eloquent ApoUos, and blessed by Him from Avhom alone 
 can come any genuine increase. In this church, it seems, 
 there appeared symptoms of the spirit of sectarianism, 
 that spirit " which now worketh " not only " among the 
 children of disobedieiice," " who have a name to live 
 whilst they are dead ; " but which often mars the enjoy- 
 ment and tarnishes the graces of the members of Christ's 
 spiritual body. The Corinthian brethren had long been 
 familiar with tlie several sects of heathen philosophers 
 and religionists, and by a natural transition were led to 
 an-ay themselves into parties according to some religious 
 differences which arose among them. Some said, "I 
 am of Paul," probably because he first laid the founda- 
 tion of the Corinthian church ; others said, " I am of 
 ApoUos," perhaps on account of his superior eloquence ; 
 and others said, " I am of Cephas," either because like 
 Peter, they cherished Jewish predilections, or were con- 
 verted by him elsewhere. Here, then, was an attempt 
 to introduce different sects or religious denominations 
 into the church of Christ, ranged under different lead- 
 ers, such as Paul, Apollos, Peter, Luther, Calvin, 
 Zuingli, or Wesley ; and what are the feelings of the 
 noble-minded Paul ? Does he approve of such a coui'sc ? 
 Let us hear his own words, my brethren, and pray that 
 the spiiit of our lacerated Master may enable us to un- 
 
 • Chap. iii. 10. Acts xviii. 11. 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 57 
 
 deretand them. " I beseecli jon, brethren, by the Lord 
 Jesus Christ," Qiv the hope you cherish through him, by 
 his suffering, by his blood,) I beseech you, " that ye all 
 speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions, 
 schisms (axioiiara), or sects among you ; but that ye be 
 joined together in the same mind and in the same 
 judgment. For it hath been declared to me concern- 
 ing you, my brethren, by them which are of the house 
 of Chloe, that there are contentions (ypideg) among you : 
 namely, that every one of you saith," either, " I am of 
 Paul " (he is my leader), " or I am of Apollos, or I am 
 of Peter, or I am of Christ. Is Christ " (i. e. the body 
 of Christ) " divided ? Was Paul " (or either of those 
 whose names ye assume, and whom ye wish to place at 
 the side of Christ as leaders or heads of the church) 
 " crucified for you ? Or Avere ye baptized into the name 
 of Paul ? " (or of Ajiollos, or of Peter, so that ye were 
 received into their church, and not into the church of 
 Clirist?) "T thank God'' (since ye thus abuse the 
 privilege of having been baptized by these distinguished 
 men) " that I baptized none of you except Crispus " (the 
 ruler of the synagogue) " and Gains " (whose hospitality 
 I enjoyed wliilst at Corinth) ; so that ye cannot with any 
 semblance of truth allege, that I baptized you in my 
 own name, and thus formed a peculiar sect of 
 Christians. 
 
 Such is the powerful and decided testimony given by 
 the inspired ajjostle Paul, against the spirit of sectarian- 
 ism. Ought not every man who believes himself a 
 Christian, to feel the force of tliis rebuke, and ask. Lord, 
 what wilt thou have me to do to heal thy lacei-ated 
 body ? The apostle does not even introduce into his 
 3* 
 
58 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 argument tlie nature of the points of diversity among 
 them, on account of "uhieh they were arraying them- 
 selves into different parties. The simple facts that they 
 were baptized into Christ, and into Christ alone, i. e, 
 were members of the church in good standing, and that 
 Christ must not be divided, are the only arguments 
 which he deems requisite to prove the iuipropriety of 
 their divisions and of their assumption of different 
 names. He would have them Christians, and nothing 
 but Christians ; not Pauline Christians, nor Apolline, 
 nor Ceplune, nor Lutheran, nor Calvinistic, nor Wes- 
 leyan Clmstians, not because he had any antipatliy 
 to Apollos or Peter ; but because any such divisions, 
 based on difference of opinions or personal attachments, 
 among Christian brethren, naturally tended to rend 
 asunder the body of Christ. Let it be distinctly remem- 
 bered, then, that the argument of Paul for the unity of 
 the Redeemer's visible church is twofold ; first, he main- 
 tains that this unity and the impropriety of divisions — 
 not on geographical, but on personal party-gi'ounds, are 
 evident ft'om the fact that all its members are baptized 
 into the name of Clu-ist alone ; and secondly, from the 
 fact that all divisions based on such differences are 
 equivalent to dividing the one body of Christ. Nor 
 does he here afHx any limitations- to these prmciples, and 
 no uninspired authoi'ity is competent to prescribe any 
 others than such as may indubitably flow from some 
 inspired declarations, or from the obvious nature of 
 Christianity itself. The apostle Paul, therefore, dis- 
 tinctly forbids the cutting up of those whom he would 
 acknowledge as Christians at all., into different parties 
 or sects. And this he docs even by anticipation, lor in 
 
THE OlSLIGATloN OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 59 
 
 all probability tbesc parties liad not yet fully separated 
 from one another, nor renounced ecclesiastical intercom- 
 munion. Yet there were in the apostolic age, as well as 
 at present, men who claimed to be Christians, but whom 
 this great apostle was unwilling to acknowledge as such, 
 and commanded " after the first and second admonition, 
 to reject." " 
 
 In the passage, " A man that is a heretic {alpeTiKov 
 dvOpomov) after the first and second admonition reject," 
 the apostle liimself limits the application of the prin- 
 ciples above urged on the Corinthians, by showing that 
 although he forbade the formation of sects or divisions 
 among Christians on the ground of difference, yet there 
 were occasionally persons in the ijhurch, who, if incor- 
 rigible, deserved to be cast out of it altogether. The 
 crime Avhich in the judgment of Paul merited this pun- 
 ishment, he designates by the term heretical (alperiichi')^ 
 which in the Engli>h language distinctly refers to one 
 who denies a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. The 
 original word also sometimes seems to have this sense ; 
 but more frequently it signifies a schismatic, one who 
 makes a division, or forms a sect. In the former ac- 
 ccptati6n, the passage inculcates the salutary duty, 
 acknowledged and practised by all the orthodox churches 
 of the land, of excluding from their communion, and 
 from membership, those who deny a fundamental doc- 
 trine of the gospel ; that is, a doctrine unitedly believed 
 by all the orthodox churches, and regarded as essential 
 by them. Some denominations would exercise still 
 greater rigor, and exclude from their communion the 
 
 * Titus iii. 10 
 
6o 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 believers of doctrines lield by such sister churches as 
 they professedly and sincerely regard as churches of 
 Christ. But Paul wholly repudiates those divisions 
 grounded on diversity of sentiment, among acknowledged 
 Christians, which would render it possible for a brother 
 Christian, when ejected from one portion of the Saviour's 
 chm'ch, to find admission to another. At all events, 
 the church in his day was not thus divided, and those 
 whose excommunication he enjoined, must be such, and 
 such alone, as in his judgment had forfeited all claim to 
 the Christian profession. The apostle's rule, therefore, 
 as limited by himself, ^vould be, that we ought not to 
 separate from our brethren for any error which we be- 
 lieve them to entertain, which does not in our most con- 
 scientious judgment deprive them of all claim to the 
 character of Christians. 
 
 The primitive import of the Greek word alpemg 
 (heresy) is selection, choice. Thus it is used by many 
 ancient Greek writers. The following passage of Aes- 
 chines Socrat. (Dial. II. 3.) amounts, if not to a defini- 
 tion, yet to the most appropriate exemplification of 
 this sense of the term : d 6e rig aoi 6i66iv aipeaiv -ovroiv, 
 ■norepov dv j3ovXoio. (If any one should give you the 
 choice of these two, which would you prefer ?) In this 
 sense we also meet it in the Septuagint; (Lev. 27: 18 
 and 21,) as equivalent to ni"ip free will, voluntarily. 
 
 It is also employed to designate a peculiar Icind of dis- 
 cipline or mode of living, that has been voluntarily 
 assmned. But its more common signification * is 
 
 * Rosenmiillcr defines A?pf(T(f thus : Xlptneu^ vox, per ee media est 
 LH/i in nialam partem sumitur, signifient idem quod oxw/tn ; sed ros- 
 triugitur ad ca dis^.iilea, quae fiunt cx opinionum diversitate. 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN" UNION. 
 
 6i 
 
 schism, division, sect. Thus Dionjs. Halic. (Ep. I. ad 
 Ammaeum. c. 7.) sajs of Aristotle : " He was not the 
 leader or head of a school, nor did he form a sect of his 
 own {pvre axo/Sjg //yovjuevof, ovr' Idiav Tre-oirjaCj^ aipeaiv.)" 
 It is used by classic writers to designate the several 
 pliilosophic sects, the Stoics, the Epicureans, the Peri- 
 patetics, etc. It occurs nine times in the J^ew Testa- 
 ment, and in the majority of cases it is translated sect 
 in the common version. In the other eases it might 
 with equal propriety be rendered in the same way,* as 
 indeed it is by many distinguished translators. In its 
 primitive and most current signification, therefore, the 
 word (aipeaig) conveys no reproach. It is used to desig- 
 nate the sect of Pharisee3,t the sect of Sadducees,:]: and 
 the sect of the Xazarenes or Christians.§ In all the 
 passages where it is rendered sect in the common ver- 
 sion, it signifies a party of persons who have separated 
 themselves from others professedly pursuing the same 
 end, over whom they profess to have some advantages. 
 Here we have sects substantially corresponding to those 
 of our days, sects based not on geographical lines, but 
 on doctrinal diversities like our own, and yet what does 
 
 * 2 Pet. 2: 1. 1 Cor. 11 : 9. 
 
 f Acts 15 : 5 : But tlierc arose up certain of the Hcrt {a'lpeaic) of the 
 Pharisees wlio believed, sayini;, that it was needful to circumciso 
 them, and to command Ihcin to keep the law of Mos'!."i. Acts 20 : 5 : 
 The Jewd know me from the be<^inuing if they would testify, that 
 after the most straitest sect {algeaic) of our religion, I lived a Phari- 
 see. 
 
 X Acts ."3 : 17 : Then the Iiig"!! priest rose up and all they tliat wero 
 with him, which is the sect (wpcair) of the Sudduceea. 
 § Acts 34 : 5, 14 ; 23 : 22. 
 
62 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Paul say concerning such sects in the churcli of Christ ? 
 Using the very same word by which he designated the 
 sect of the Pharisees, (in an adjective form,) he declares : 
 Him that is a sectarian man (aipe-iKuv dvOpw-ov) an 
 oi'iginator or supporter of sects in the Christian Church, 
 after the first and second admonition, reject, exclude from 
 your communion and intercom'se, avoid. Here we have 
 the apostle again distinctly condemning the formation 
 of sects in tlie Christian Church, using the very identical 
 term by which the Pharisees and Sadducees are desig- 
 nated in the New Testament and the several sects of 
 their philosophers by classic Greeks. 
 
 Again, in tlie third chapter of his first epistle to the 
 Corinthians, '^^ Paul denounces such divisions in the 
 Christian Church as " carnal." " For, (says he) whereas 
 there is among you envying and strife and divi'^ions, 
 are ye not carnal, and walk as men ? For wliile one 
 saith I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, are ye 
 not carnal ? " How then can divisions essentially 
 similar, among modern Christians, be pleasing in the 
 sight of God ? In his letter to the Galatians, f this 
 same apostle classes these heresies or divisions among 
 " the works of the fleshy He beseeches the Romans, % 
 to "mark" {aiconelv), attentively to observe, or watch 
 those, " who cause divisions and offences, contrary to 
 the doctrine (or rather the instruction and advice) which 
 ye have learned : and avoid them." But it would be 
 
 *Vcr. 3, 4. 
 
 f Gal. 5 : 20 : Tlio works of the flcsli are — wrath, strife, heresies, 
 atpeaei^ (or sects, tlivisous). 
 t 16: 17. 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN' UNION. 63 
 
 an endless work to present all the passages, in wliich 
 the sacred volume inculcates the unity of the church, 
 and deprecates its disruption into sects. Let one other 
 passage terminate this branch of our argument. To the 
 same Cormthians,* he says : " For as the body is one, 
 and hath many members, and all the members of that 
 one body, being many, are one body ; so also is Christ. 
 For by one Spirit are vre all baptized into one body, 
 whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond 
 or free ; and have been all made to drink into one 
 Spirit. For the body is not one member but many. 
 Now they are many members, yet but one body. That 
 there should he no schism in the body ; but that the 
 members should have the same care one for another." f 
 It would seem then to be irresistibly evident, that the 
 unity of the church ought to be sacredly preserved by 
 all who love the Lord Jesus ; and without stopping, at 
 this stage of our investigation, to ascertain all the pre- 
 cise features of this unity, which will hereafter appear ; 
 it is evident that the union inculcated by the apostle, is 
 such, as is inconsistent with the diWsions which he repro- 
 bates, and such divisions substantially are those of the 
 present day, which are all based on some non-essential 
 difference of doctrine, forms of government, or mode of 
 worshi]) among acknowledged Christians. 
 
 But the obligation of Christians to preserve the unity 
 of the church, is evident from the example of the apostles, 
 of the apostolic and subsequent age. 
 
 It would be supci"fluous to affirm, that no one of the 
 apostles, or their fellow laborers established any sects in 
 
 * 13 : 12. 
 
 t See also Epli. 4 : 3-0. 
 
64 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 the Cliristiau Cburcli. Tlie bare supposition of tlie 
 contrary is absurd and revolting to eveiy mind 
 acquainted ^vith tlie inspired record. Yet what ample 
 ground Avas there for such a course, if it had been 
 regarded lawful ? There was difference of opinion 
 among the apostles, and difference among the first 
 Christians : but neither was regarded a^ a cause for 
 schism or division in the church. Paul differed from 
 Peter and disapproved of his conduct so much that (he 
 says) " at Antioch I withstood him to the face, for he 
 was to be blamed : " * yet neither of them dreamed of 
 forming a sect for the defence and propagation of his 
 distinctive views. Paul and Barnabas differed about 
 their arrangements for missionary operations, and when 
 the contention grew sliarp, each took as fellow-laborers 
 those whom he preferred, and thus prosecuted the 
 work; but it never entered into their minds to form 
 dififerent sects in the church. In the apostolic age tJiere 
 did exist differences of opinion and practice between 
 the Jewish and Gentile converts, far greater than those 
 which divide some of the religious denominations of our 
 land (the former enjoining circumcision f and other 
 ceremonial observances) ; % yet they did not divide tlie 
 church into different sects under the guidance of the 
 apostles. On the contrary the a})ostle enjoined mutual 
 forbearance. " One man (says Paul) esteemeth one 
 day above another : another esteemeth every day alike. 
 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
 
 * Oal. 2 : 11-14. f Acts 15 : 5. 
 
 \ Oal. 4 : 10 : Yo observe days and montlis and times and years. 
 I am afraid, etc. 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION 6$ 
 
 He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord ; 
 and he that regardeth not the dar, to the Lord he doth 
 not regard it. But why dost tliou judge (condemn) thy 
 brother ? or why dost thou set at nanght (despise) thy 
 brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment 
 seat of Christ.* ISTor did any schism actually arise from 
 these differences until the apostles had gone to their rest, 
 when in direct opposition to this advice, the Nazarenes, 
 in the reign of Adrian, separated from the body of 
 Christians, who, however, strongly disapproved of their 
 conduct. It is certain too that during several hundred 
 years, there continued to be persons in the church, who 
 exhibited a lingering attachment to the Mosaic cere- 
 monial observances, yet they were not excluded nor 
 advised to form themselves into a separate sect. The 
 observance of the Lord's day or Christian Sabbath was 
 un iversal ;t but some Christians during several centuries 
 
 . * Romans 14 : 5-10. 
 f On tlie subject of the primitive sanctification of the first day of 
 the week as the Christian Sabbath it may not be uninteresting to 
 adduce the testimony of Justin Marytr, wlio was born three or four 
 years after the death of the apostle John, in his Apology for the 
 Christians, presented to Antoninus Pius, A. D. 150. He says: "On 
 the day which is called Sandni/, all whether dwelling in the towns, 
 or in the villages, hold meeting, and the memoirs {' XTrit/ivtiuopevfiara) 
 of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read as much 
 as the time will permit ; thou the reader closing, the person presid- 
 ing, in a speech exhorts and excites to an imitation of those excel- 
 lent examples ; then wo all rise and pour forth united prayers, and 
 when we close our prayers, as was before said, bread is brought for- 
 ward, and wine and water; and the presiding ollicer utters prayers 
 and thanksgivings according to his ability {onti Arvu/iii: ili>rij>)a.ni\ tho 
 people respond by saying Amen. A distribution and participation 
 of the things blessed, takes place to each one present, and to those 
 
66 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 continued also to observe the Jewish Sabbath as a sacred 
 day. The time for the observance of Easter was another 
 point of difference and even of warm controversy ; yet 
 excepting some intolerant individuals neither party 
 seriously thought of dividing the church or disowning 
 their brethren on this ground.* Had these difierences 
 existed in our time, who can doubt not only that separate 
 sects would have grown out of them, but that their for- 
 mation would be approved by Christians generally ? 
 ITay is not this question decided by facts ? Is there not 
 a sect of some extent in our land, the Seventh Day 
 Baptists, who differ from other baptists only in regard 
 to the time of observing the Christian Sabbath; they 
 believing that the seventh day continues to be the pro- 
 per one under the New Testament dispensation, as it 
 was under the Old ? But in the apostolic churches it 
 
 absent it is sent hy tlie deacons. Those wlio are prosperous and 
 willing, give what they choose, each according to his own pleasure ; 
 and what is collected is deposited with the presiding officer, and he 
 carefully relieves the orphans and widows, and those who from sick- 
 ness or other causes are needy, and also those that are in prison, 
 and the strangers that are residing with us, and in short all that 
 have need of lielp. We all commonly hold our assemblies on Sun- 
 day, because it is the first day on which God changed the darkness 
 and matter and framed the world; and Jesus Ghrid our Sanour, 
 on the same day, arose from the dead." Murdock's Mos. L p. 
 164-5. 
 
 * The testimony of Eusebius on this point is very satisfactory. 
 Ho says (Book V. chap. 23), " there was a considerable discussion 
 raised about tliis time in consequence of a diffi'rence of opinion 
 respecting the obscTvanee of the festival (of the Saviour's) pass- 
 over." After narrating the history of this discussion and the efforts 
 of Victor, bisliop of Ifonie, to break communion with those who 
 differed from him, Eusebius quotes an extract from a letter written 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 6/ 
 
 was different. There all ^vho were regarded as Chris- 
 tians and lived in the same place, also belonged to the 
 same church, and worshipped together, agreeing to 
 differ in peace on minor points, and remembering that 
 no Christian has a right to judge, that is, to condemn his 
 brotlier Christian on account of his conscientious differ- 
 ence of opinion. Each one was to be fully persuaded 
 in his own mind, and prepare to stand with his brother 
 before the judgment seat of Christ. Neither was to sit 
 in judgment on the other, Christ was to judge both ; 
 and until his final award their differences were to be 
 borne in love. 
 
 Let it be borne in mind, then, that in the apostolic 
 agCj when the church was governed by inspired servants 
 of God, and for some time after, there was not in the 
 Avliole christian world any such thing as different sects 
 
 l)y Ircnaeus to Victor to porsuade liim to peace. " And though 
 (says Irenacus to Victor) tlicy (the 'earlier bishops) tliemselvcs did 
 not keep it, they wore not the less at peace with those from 
 churches where it was kept, whenever they came to them. Neither 
 at any time did they cast off any, merely for the sake of form. But 
 those v(;ry presbyters before thee, who did not observe it, sent the 
 cucliarist to those of cliurches who did. And when the blessed 
 Polycarp went to Rome, in the time of Anicetus, and they had a 
 little difference among themselves, about others matters al.so, they 
 wore immediately niconciled, not disputinf^ much with one anotlKU- 
 on this head. For Anicetus could not persuade I'olycurp not to 
 observe it ; because he had always observed it with John, the dis- 
 ciple of our Lord, and tlu) rest of the apostles, with whom he as.so- 
 ciated. Which thinnrs being so, they communed together, and in the 
 church Anicetus yielded to .Polycarp : they separated from each 
 other in peace, all the church being at peace, both those that observed 
 and those that did not observe, maintaining tlie peace." Kus<'b. 
 Book V. chap. 24. 
 
68 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 of acknowledged Christians. All who professed to be 
 Christians, and resided in the same place, belonged to 
 the same church. And if, as was probably the case in 
 large cities, they met at different honses for worship, 
 they nevei'theless all regarded each other as members 
 of the same church or congregation ; they all frequently 
 communed together, and the reason of different places 
 for meeting, was not diversity of opinions among them, 
 but because private houses in wliich they assembled, 
 having had no churches till the third century,* could 
 not contain them all. Heretics there were, who denied 
 some essential doctrines of Christianity. These were 
 excluded from the church in which they had resided, 
 and were then disowned by all other Christian churches. 
 But different sects of Christians, aelcnowlcdging each 
 other as Chi'istians, yet separated on the ground of 
 diversity of opinions, such as the different denomina- 
 tions of Protestants are, had no existence, and were 
 utterly imlcnown in the apostolic age ; nor was the 
 great body of the church ever thus cut up, in her purest 
 day during the earlier centuries. We read of the church 
 at Corinth, the church at Ephcsus, the church in Rome, 
 the church in Smyrna, the church in Thyatira, the 
 church in Philadelphia, the church in Jerusalem, the 
 church at Philipjii, and in many other places ; but 
 never of the Pauline church in Corinth, nor of the 
 chnreli that follows Apollos, nor of the cinirch of (ienlilc 
 
 * Houses for Christian worship were erected during the reign 
 of Alosaiuler Scverus between A. D. 222-235 : yet Vater supposes 
 them to have existed at tlie close of the 2d century. In the year 
 A. D. ;j03, there were forty Cliristian churches in Rome, and Dio- 
 clcsian, the tyrant, ordered them to be razed to llio grouud. 
 
THE OBLIGATIOX OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 69 
 
 convert?, nor of tlie clmrcli of Jewish converts, nor of 
 the church that retains the observance of the Jewish 
 Sabbath, nor of the church that does not. In short, 
 Christians in those dajs were called Christians and 
 nothing but Christians ; and one christian church was 
 distinguished from another only by the name of the 
 place in which it was located. This ought certainly to 
 be a solemn fact to those who have taken it for granted 
 that sectarian divisions of the churcli are right, that they 
 are doing God service by their utmost elforts to per- 
 petuate them, by inscribing on the tender and infant 
 mind the lineaments of tlieii* denominational peculiarity. 
 One thing does appear undeniable. If the sectarian 
 form of Christianity be its best mode of development, 
 the blessed Saviour himself — with reverence be it 
 spoken ! — the Saviour and his apostles failed to give it 
 their injunction ; on the contrary, enjoined and practiced 
 directly the reverse ! ! The writer does not from these 
 facts infer tlie obligation of all Christians immediately to 
 renounce their ])resent organizations and merge into one 
 church. Difficulties now exist between some denomina- 
 tions, arising from honest diversity of views on church 
 govermncnt, which did not exist in the apostolic age, and 
 which render it impossible for persons thus differing to 
 unite geographically ; l)ut sectarian organization may 
 immediately be divested of its most baneful intluences 
 by counter arrangements, and the essence of christian 
 union may exist among all, and ouglit to be promoted 
 inmiediately, as will be seen in a subsequent stage of 
 this discussion. As to a union of all the churches of 
 the land in one compact ecclesiastical system of judica- 
 ture, such a one did not exist in the apostolic age, is 
 undesirable and dangerous. 
 
70 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 But the importance of spiritual unity in the body of 
 Christ, and the duty of promoting it, is further demon- 
 strated by the hanrful effects of sectarian divisions. 
 
 Sectarian divisions, divisions on tlie ground of dif- 
 ference, tend to destroy that community of interest, 
 and sympathy of feeling which the Saviour and liis 
 apostles so lu'gently inculcate. How fervently does 
 our blessed Lord supplicate for the unity of all his 
 followers ! " Neither pray I for these (the apostles) 
 alone, but for them also who shall believe on me 
 through their word ; that they may all be one, as thon 
 Father art in me and I in thee " * — that there may be 
 among them that nnity of counsel, of feeling, of pur- 
 pose, of action which exists between the Father and 
 the Son. What can be more reasonable ? If all his 
 disciples, all who " believe in him through the word," 
 are hereafter to inhabit the same heaven, to surround 
 the same throne of God and the Lamb ; would not the 
 principle of Sectarian divisions carry discord into those 
 harmonious ranks, would it not mar their heavenly 
 hallelujahs and grate upon the ears of angels and the 
 Lamb ! ISTo ! sectarianism is an acknowledged and — 
 alas ! that it should be so — a cherished trait of the 
 chui'ch on earth, which will never, never be admitted 
 into heaven. And who can doubt that the neai-er Ave 
 can bring the church on earth to the character of the 
 church in heaven, the more pleasing will she be to 
 him that purchased her with his blood? Accordingly 
 Paul informs us : " That there should be no schism in 
 the body ; but that the members should have the same 
 
 * John 17 : 20, 2L 
 
THE OBLIGATION OV CHRISTIAN UNION. 7 1 
 
 care one yo)' another j and if one member snlFer, all 
 the members suffer with it, or if one member be hon- 
 ored, all the members rejoice with it." But, gracious 
 Lord ! is not directly the reverse of this but too fre- 
 quently witnessed ? Does not the great mass of the 
 several religious denominations of our land, exhibit any 
 thing else than " the same care," for the other members 
 of Christ's bod}' ? If one denomination suffers, fails of 
 success or meets with disgrace in some unworthy mem- 
 bers, do not surrounding denominations rather at least 
 tacitly and cheerfully acquiesce if not rejoice, hoping 
 that thus more room will be made and facility ofiered 
 fur their own eidargement ? We do not find that mem- 
 bers of the same family thus cordially acquiesce or 
 triumph in each others' misfortune or disgrace. If one 
 brother is visited by any calamity, if he falls a victim 
 to intemperance and bears about in his bloated face the 
 ensign of his disgrace, do we find his brothers and sis- 
 ters rejoice in it or indifierent about it? Do they not 
 rather sympathize, feel hurt themselves, and mourn 
 over his downfall ? Thus ought it to be among all who 
 deserve the name of Christ. Thus would it be, if the 
 community of interest in tlie Saviours family had not 
 been impaired by sectarian divisions, which place 
 several distinct religious fiimilies on the same ground, 
 with fccparate pecuniary interests, with conflicting pre- 
 judices, witli rival sectarian aims ! In the apostolic age 
 and for centuries after it, only one Christian Church 
 occupied tiie same field, and t/ius threc-foarlhs of the 
 causes which origitiata contention among modern 
 
 ♦ 1 Cor. 12 : 25. 
 
72 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Christioms were avoided. Tliese separate interests will 
 always create contention, rivaliy and jealousies among 
 fallible men, sanctified but in part, as long as they are 
 not removed or tlieir intluence in some way counter- 
 acted. And, as they did not belong to the church con- 
 stituted by the Saviour and his apostles, tlie solemn 
 duty devolves on all Christians to inquire, IIow can this 
 evil be remedied ? 
 
 Agam, sectarian divisions of the church impede the 
 impartial study of the sacred volume by ministers and 
 laymen. The doctrines believed by what are termed 
 the orthodox churches, as "well as their forms of govern- 
 ment and worship, may be divided into two classes, 
 those which are undisputed and held by all in common, 
 and those which are disputed by some of them, and 
 which distinguish the sects from each other. Tlie sec- 
 tarian principle builds a wall of defence around the 
 peculiar opinions of each sect. It enlists all Christians 
 in defence of the peculiarities of their denomination, 
 and creates powerful motives of a self-interested and 
 miholy character in vindication of these peculiarities, 
 rather than of the grand truths of Christianity, which 
 are essential to the salvation of all ; motives which 
 appeal to the pride of some, to the avarice of others, 
 and to the ambition of a third class. Each member is 
 taught by the very principles of his sinful nature to 
 feel identified with the peculiar interests of his sect. 
 His vanity is flattered l)y the supposed respectability 
 of his sect, his ambition is at least tempted by the 
 prospect of extended influence or distinction in the 
 ministry or as a layman in the ecclesiastical councils of 
 his extensive and respectahle church, and his avarice is 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 73 
 
 concerned in diminishing liis own expenses hy the in- 
 creasing numbers of his fellow-members, or if a minister, 
 hy the ample support which he may obtain. We would 
 not insinuate that all Christians are influenced by these 
 unamiable motives, nor that any true disciple of the 
 Sa\nour is mainly actuated by them. But we fear that 
 the majority of ministers and laymen, are more in- 
 fluenced by these secular considerations than they arc 
 themselves aware. Accordingly, the peculiarities of sect 
 acquire a factitious importance, are often inculcated 
 with as much assiduity as the great and cardinal doc- 
 trines of the gospel. Endless and useless controversies 
 about these points agitate the church, and disturb her 
 peace. These peculiarities are instilled into the tender 
 minds of children, and are often represented as involv- 
 ing the marrow of salvation. Prejudices are raised in 
 their behalf. The tenets of other denominations are 
 often kept out of view, or stated in a manner but ill 
 calculated for an impartial investigation of God's truth. 
 The antipathies of the social circle are sometimes arrayed 
 in opposition, and, may I say, sometimes in ridicule of 
 other denominations ; and even the gentler sex, sisters 
 of her of Hctliany, who, sitting at the Master's feet, im- 
 bibed the streams of his love ; sisters of them, who, true 
 to their affection, were 
 
 " Last at the cross and earliest at the grave," 
 
 have hated that Saviour in the person of his followers, 
 because they wore not the badge of their sect ! have 
 forgotten that their rchgion is love, — that charity, divine 
 chanty is the brightest ornament of their nature ! Un- 
 der such circumstances, doubl.^ of the sectiUMau peculi- 
 4 
 
74 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 arities inculcated, would expose the ingenuous youth who 
 should avow them, to social inconveuiencies, to paren- 
 tal disapprobation, and rarely does he enjoy ample op- 
 portunity for impartial investigation, before adult age. 
 The fact that, almost invariably, young persons adopt 
 and prefer the peculiar sectarian views of their parents, 
 is a demonstrative proof that their irrcference is not 
 huili mainly on argument, that the mode of religious 
 education in the different churches is unfavorable to im- 
 partial investigation. The simple circumstance of 
 parental belief, is assuredly no satisfactory proof of the 
 creed which we adopt on account of it. For the same 
 reason, we should have been Mohammedans, if born in 
 Tm'key, Papists in Italy, and woi'shippers of the Grand 
 Lama in Thibet. And ministers of the gospel have 
 still greater obstacles to surmount, as their disbelief of 
 the peculiarities of their sect tarnishes their reputation 
 with their associates, yea, not luifrequently excludes 
 them from their pastoral charge, and their families fi'om 
 daily bread ! Is it not evident, then, that the state of 
 the Christian Church amongst us is unfavorable to the 
 impartial study of the volume of divine truth ? 
 
 Lastly, the principle of sectarian divisions powerfully 
 retards the spiritual conquests of Christianity over the 
 world. "Who that knows aught of the dinne life, can 
 doubt, that in proportion as he i)ernuts pi-idc, envy, 
 jealousy, hatred to arise in his heart, the spirit of piety 
 languishes, his graces decline and his sense of the divine 
 presence is impaired ? But sectarianism, by which in 
 tliis discussion we generally mean tlic principle of 
 divisions on the ground of difteronce in iion-osscntials 
 among those who profess to regard each other as fel- 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 75 
 
 low-Christians — sectarianism indubitably creates various 
 conflicting interests, presents numerous occasions and 
 temptations to envy, hatred, jealousy, slander, and 
 creates an azotic atmosphere around the Christian, in 
 wliich the flame of piety cannot burn with lustre, and 
 not unfrcquently expires. 
 
 What observer of transpiring scenes can doubt that 
 the sectarian stiife and animosity between the churches, 
 deter many sinners from making religion the subject 
 of their chief concern and from being converted to 
 God ? The Saviour prayed : " That they all may be 
 one, as thou Father ai't in me and I in thee ; that they 
 may also be one in us ; that the world may believe that 
 thou hast sent meP Here then, the Saviour himself 
 informs us what influence unity among his followers 
 Avas designed to eftect ; history tells that when the sur- 
 rounding heathen were constrained to say, " See how 
 these Christians love one another," the moral influence 
 of their example was amazing : and Avho can doubt that 
 inverse causes produce inverse e fleets ? ''Who is not 
 aware, tliat infidelity itself derives its choicest weapons 
 from the divisions existing in the Christian Church? 
 One of the two reasons assigned fur the apostasy of 
 Juhan the emperor was, that when he saw the dissen- 
 sions of Christians, and their rancor against each 
 other, he took refurje from their hroils in the quid of 
 Paganism.^'' * 
 
 JIow often docs not the principle of sect, exclude the 
 blessed Saviour from oin- villages and sparsely jiopulatcd 
 sections of country, in which united Christians might 
 
 * Sec Harris' excellent work on " Union," p. 101. Boston cd. 
 
76 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 support the gospel ; but cut up into jealous and dis- 
 cordant sects, and hating one another as though each 
 believed a different Christ, all remain destitute of the 
 stated means of grace ! The occasional visits of minis- 
 ters of different sects serve to confirm each party in its 
 ovra predilections, and thus we often witness the melan- 
 choly spectacle of the Saviour excluded from such 
 places by the dissensions of his professed friends, and 
 sinners shut out from the sanctuary of God because saints 
 cannot agree whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas shall 
 minister unto them. 
 
 ]^or is tlie principle of sect, less unfriendly to the 
 spread of the gosjpel in heathen lands. By often 
 stationing on the same ground at home, more men than 
 are necessary, or can be suppoi"ted, laborere are impro- 
 perly withdrawn from the destitute portions of the field, 
 which is " the world ; " conflicting interests unavoidably 
 arise among the ministers and churches thus crowded 
 together; as all cannot long continue, a struggle for 
 existence is carried on, more or less openly, and with 
 different degrees of violence, until the failure of one or 
 more drives them fi-om the field, and makes room for 
 the others. ISTor is this conflict to be attributed so 
 much to the want of piety in the parties, as to that 
 actual conflict of interest which unavoidably results 
 from the influence of sects. But certainly every true 
 Christian must deplore this state of things, and it is the 
 writer's deliberate conviction, that one of the bitterest 
 ingredients in the cup of ministerial sorrow, in many 
 portions of our land, is this unholy and unhappy strife 
 among brothers. In short it is a solenni and mournful 
 truth, that sectarianism, the principle of sect, in a great 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 77 
 
 measure changes the direction in -nhich the energies of 
 the church are applied, transfers the seat of war from 
 Pagan to Christian lands, and from the territory of 
 Clirist's enemies into the very family of his friends ! In 
 tlie beginning, the Church of the Redeemer, at peace at 
 home, directed all her surplus energies against the 
 world around her and the world of Jews and Gentiles 
 in foreign lands. The war was waged not by one por- 
 tion of Christ's family against another, but emphatically 
 and distinctly by the church against the world ; such 
 was the almighty force of the spiritual artillery wielded 
 in this holy wai-, that in about three hundred years the 
 little band of fishermen and tent-makers fought tlieir 
 Avay to the utmost bounds of the Eoman empire, and 
 the banner of King Jesus, which was first unfurled in 
 tlie valleys of Judea, was waving in triumph over the 
 pahace of the Cajsars. But who can deny that the 
 Church of Christ is now "a house divided against 
 itself; " that a large portion of the energies of Christian 
 sects is now expended in contending with each otlier, 
 in building up walls of partition, in fortifying and de- 
 fending those peculiar views by Avhich they are kept 
 asunder? The wai- is no longer a foreign, it is an 
 intestine one. AVhat a lamentable waste of men and 
 funds is caused by multii)lying the number of sectarian 
 institutions far beyond the actual necessities of the 
 Church! How large a portion of the periodical liter- 
 ature of the day is occupied in these family feuds, and 
 consists of mere " doubtful disputations ! " lluw large 
 a portion oi ministerial talent is placed in requisition to 
 sustain this conflict! JIow many ])recii)us hoin-s of 
 time are thus api)licd! If all the time and talent and 
 
78 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 effort spent by the orthodox Protestant Cliui'clies in 
 disputing with one another about the points of their 
 dilierence, since the blessed Eeformation, had been 
 devoted to the projects of benevolent entei-prize for the 
 unconverted heathen world, who can calculate the pro- 
 gress that might have been made in evangelizing the 
 Gentile nations ? Let every true disciple of the Saviour 
 inquire, why do six hundred millions of onr fellow-men 
 languish in the shadows of death eighteen hundred 
 years after the blessed gosjjel has been entrusted to 
 Christian hands for them ? Fifty and five times has the 
 entire population of the globe been swept into eternity, 
 since the Saviom* commissioned his disciples to publish 
 the glad tidings to every creature. "Wlio that has wit- 
 nessed the prompt and ovenvhehning blessing of God 
 on the eflbrts of the little band of Christians in Europe 
 and America during the last sixty years ; who that has 
 seen a nation new-created almost in a day in the isles 
 of the Pacific, and witnessed the standard of the cross 
 erected in Africa, in Greece, in Turkey, in Hindostan, 
 in Ceylon, in China, and many other places ; and the 
 glorious gospel of the Son of God translated into more 
 than one hundred and fifty languages ; who that reflects 
 on the millions of Bibles and the tens ot millions of 
 tracts which the united bands of liberal-minded Chris- 
 tians have sent forth, can doubt that if the Christian 
 Church had not become secularized by the unhappy 
 union with the civil government xmder Constantino in 
 the fourth century, the world had long ago been evan- 
 gelized ? Or if the Protestant Church had not been 
 split into so many parties by adopting the new, and we 
 must beUeve unauthorized aud pernicious doctrine, that 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. 79 
 
 they had a right to adopt fur themselves and require 
 of others as tenus of commmiion, not only the funda- 
 mental doctrines which were required in the earlier 
 centuries and were supposed sufficient for hundreds of 
 years after the apostolic age, but also as many additional 
 and dhpnt'id points as they pleased, thus dividing the 
 body of Christ and creating internal dissension ; who 
 that is acquainted with her history can donbt that 
 greater, far greater inroads would have been made into 
 the dominions of the papal beast ; and the glorioxis gospel 
 of the Son of God, in the three centuries since the Ee- 
 r formation, have been carried to the ends of the earth? 
 " Thousands," says the excellent Baxter, '■ have already 
 , been drawn to Popery, and conlirmed in it, by the divis- 
 j ions of Protestants. And I am persuaded that all the 
 arguments in Bellarmine, and all their other treatises, 
 have not been so efiectwal to make Papists, as the mul- 
 titude of sects among ourselves.*' But, in the work of 
 evangelizing the heathen world, the consequences of our 
 divisions tlireateu to be peculiarly disastrous. " In the 
 heathen themselves we have to encounter all the blind- 
 ness, superstition, prejudice, pride, enmity, and sensu- 
 ahty of the human heart. In presenting Cliristianity 
 we profess to present a system of perfect light — of ra- 
 tional and consistent divinity, embracing principles 
 universal and benign ; of unlimited benevolence, and 
 magnammous generosity; of matchless condescension, 
 long-suffering, and meekness ; of transcendent peaceful- 
 nesa and love ; of pure sjiirituality ; a system which has 
 Eternal Love for its Author, Incarnate Love for its 
 Mediator, and the redemption of men for its object. 
 The niissiunaries, too, who ])rcscnt it, must be regarded 
 
8o 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 as professing not only by leaving country and home, 
 and enduring hardships, but hj the manner and all the 
 circiunstances of conducting the mission, to give in their 
 own persons a direct practical exemplification of the 
 system. They are the burning and shining light by 
 wliich the heathen must read tlie gospel. Now suppose 
 that in the very act of presenting the gospel, the mis- 
 sionaries fall into collisions, bitterness, and wrath of 
 sectarianism, and one cries out, I am a Baptist, hear 
 me, and another, I am an Episcopalian, hear me, and 
 another, I am a Presbyterian, hear me, and another, I 
 am of the American Board of Missions, hear me, and an- 
 other, I am of the General Assembly's Board, hear me, 
 we may well conceive that the first effect produced 
 would be amazement ; and the next, ridicule and con- 
 tempt. ' ^Vliat ! ' they would reply, ' Ave thought ye all 
 professed to preach Jesus Christ ; we thought your re- 
 ligion was harmony and love. What are these other 
 names which Ave hear ? Yf hat means this strife amonj^ 
 yourselves ? First settle your system among yoiirselves, 
 before you attempt to propagate it. First learn to love 
 one another, and then Ave Avill begin to believe that 
 love prompts your endeavors to convert us. For the 
 present we Avill remain content Avith the religion of our 
 fathers, Avhich has at least the merit of consistency, 
 and does not embroil us with each other in matters of 
 faith.' 
 
 "It may be said that scenes like this have not occur- 
 red, and that the missionaries of the several sects en- 
 gaged in the propagation of the gospel arc harmonious 
 co-Avorkers. The records of missions, hoAvcver, Avill 
 prove to us that something like this has taken place, 
 
THE OBLIGATION OF CHRISTIAN UNION. Si 
 
 and that at the present moment there are principles 
 avou'ed in relation to missions, "which threaten dissen- 
 sion and strife, which must extend their baleful influ- 
 ence to the very fields of missiouarj labor. But if 
 such scenes had not been witnessed, and the red flag of 
 sectarianism has not wrapped in its thick folds the 
 white banner of gospel charity, in heathen lands, to what 
 is it to be attributed, but to the forbearance and wis- 
 dom of the missionaries, who saw that the contentious 
 of sect would prove a devastating war within their own 
 camp, and blast their prospects of enlightening the hea- 
 then? There, where the enemy is strong, they have 
 indeed seen the necessity of union among themselv'es. 
 There, where they have been compelled to retire within 
 the strongest intrenchments of their religion, they have 
 learned that these intrenchments are not in the dogmas 
 of sect, but in the great principles which are embraced 
 by their common faith. But unless the disunion of sect 
 be speedily done away, the time mast soon come when 
 the fierce wars at home will be carried abroad ; and 
 then the heathen lands, like the plain of Acre, will be 
 the field of hot strife between foreign belligerents, who 
 after the battle, shall retire in weakness and disarray, 
 and leave the country impossessed. "We take the posi- 
 tion, and we believe it tenable, that the gospel caimot 
 accomplish its great triumph, and collect the redeemed 
 from every land, until the law of Christ be fulfilled by 
 these Protestant sects. Jesus Christ will not sustain 
 us, the Holy Spirit will not overshadow us with his 
 presence ; we shall waste those very energies and in- 
 strumentalities which arc required for the work ; we 
 shall not possess the character requisite for the work ; 
 
82 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 we shall be impeded in our moveinents among tlie hea- 
 then, and prove their scorn and derision ; like the Israel- 
 ites of old, we shall die in the wilderness in view of the 
 promised land, and leave the glory and the blessedness 
 of crossing the Jordan to a generation who understand 
 our Christianity better, and imbibe its pure spirit with- 
 out these gross and bitter mixtures."* 
 
 Such then being the mournful consequences of that 
 disum'on against which the Saviour and his apostles so 
 urgently admonished their followers, we feel with dou- 
 ble force that the church has been guilty of suicidal 
 error, and that it is the solemn duty of every friend of 
 Jesus sincerely to inquire. Lord, what wouldst thou 
 have me to do to heal the wounds of thy dismembered 
 body? 
 
 See the late work "A Leaf from tlie Tree of Life," p. 47, &c. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE NATtTRE OF PEIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 Deeply impressed with the conviction that the 
 blessed Saviour and his apostles have explicitly inhib- 
 ited the division of the body of Christ into sectarian 
 parties or factions, and fully pursuaded that these divis- 
 ions which exist among Pi'otestants generally, at least 
 lo'ith their present concomitants, are highly prejudicial 
 to the prosperity of Zion ; let us approach the inquiry, 
 What is the more imviediate and specific nature of that 
 union which characterized the primitive church, and 
 which it is obligatory on us to promote ? As Protest- 
 ants, who are ready to exclaim with Cliillingworth, 
 " The Bible, the BiUe,^'' is the only infallible source of 
 our religion, we must naturally turn our eyes to its sa- 
 cred pages and survey our subject from that high van- 
 tage ground ; nor can we with safety rely on the prac- 
 tice of the church in any subsequent age, except in so 
 far as it accords with apostolical example, or at least is 
 a manifest development of principles clearly inculcated 
 in the gospel. It is indeed worthy of remark, that wc 
 know next to nothing of the history of tho Christian 
 church (luring more than a hundred years after its first 
 establishment, except what is contained in the Kew 
 Testament. This has often been regretted by men ; 
 
 (8^) 
 
84 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 but God has doubtless designedly enveloped that early 
 period of ber uninspired bistory in darkness, to compel 
 us to rest entirely on bis own infallible word, and to 
 draw a clear and broad line of distinction between tbe 
 autbority of bis inspired servants and tbat of tbe fatbers 
 of tlie cburcb in after aa^es. Tbe dictates of reason as 
 well as tbe bistory and practice of tbe earlier ages 
 wben known, may afford an occasional illustration of 
 onr subject ; yet, a^ Protestants, we can acknowledge 
 notbing as essential to tbe cbaracter of tbe cburcb, or 
 tbe duties of lier members, wbicb is not distinctly con- 
 tained in tbe sacred volume. 
 
 Enligbtened reason does, indeed, prepare tbe way for 
 tbe teacbings of Sci'ipture. It dictates tbat God tbe 
 Infinite One, is tbe cbief good of tbe universe, tbe Be- 
 ing wbose favor is life, and wbose loving kindness is 
 better tban life, and tbat He must deligbt in tbe bap- 
 piness of tbe creatures He bas made. Tbis benevolence 
 of His nature is confirmed by tbe numberless contri- 
 vances witb wbicb He bas filled tbe eartb, tbe manifest 
 design, as well as actual effect of wbicb is, to promote tbe 
 bappiness of sentient creatures. Tbe religion of nature, 
 tberefore, as far as it extends, proclaims tbe benevolence 
 of its autbor. But all tbis is placed beyond doubt by 
 tb% declaration of God's Holy Word, wbiob explicitly 
 afRrms tbe welcome doctrine, tbat God is love, or be- 
 nevolence. 1 Jolm iv : 8. 
 
 The strongest of all evidences of tbis benevolence, 
 contained in Scriptiu'c is, tbat " God so loved the 
 world, (hat He gave His only begotten Son, that ichoso- 
 erver beUeveth in Ilim shoidd not ]>erish bid have cve?'- 
 lasting HfeP If, tben, tbe religion of nature is founded 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 85 
 
 upon the divine love or benevolence, Low nuicL more 
 must benevojence or love in all its developments dis- 
 tinguish Christianity, tlio religion based upon the ap- 
 pearance of the Son of God on earth, for the redemp- 
 tion of the fallen race of man, by the sacrifice of Him- 
 self! 
 
 Such is accordingly the description of our holy reli- 
 gion contained in the blessed Word. That inspired 
 record presents Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Au- 
 thor of our religion, as the perfection of benevolence. 
 It tells us, lie forsook the glories of heaven, and the 
 adoration of angels and archangels, descended upon 
 earth, and assumed our nature amid circnmstances of 
 great self-denial and suticring ; He Avent about doing 
 good, healing all manner of diseases, administering to 
 the wants of the poor, and comforting the disconsolate. 
 As the same mind was to be in His disciples, the mem- 
 bers of His church were to be characterized by the 
 same benevolence or love, were to resemble the God 
 whom they worshipped. " A new commandment I give 
 unto you, that ye love one another : as I have loved 
 you, that ye also love one another. By tliis shall men 
 know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to 
 another." John xiii : 34, 35. " This is my command- 
 ment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you." 
 And we are further informed tliat those disciples ful- 
 'fiUed the commands of their Divine Master. "The 
 multitude of them that believed, were of one heart and 
 of one soul." 
 
 But love implies attachment, communion, and unity 
 of spirit, not discord and separation. Accordingly, 
 Christians were early regarded as one body, that is, the 
 
86 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 church constituted bv them was reo-arded as one. 
 "For bj wie spirit we are all baptized into owe body, 
 Avhether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond 
 or free, and have been all made to drink into one 
 Spirit." 1 Cor. xii : 13. "\Ye have " one Lord, one 
 faith, one baptism ;" and they were one body and one 
 Spirit, as they were all called in one hope of their call- 
 ing. From all these declarations, it is undeniable that 
 Christians were all to constitute one body ; that unity 
 was designed to characterize the Cluircli of the Ee- 
 deemer on earth as well as in heaven. 
 
 But the question returns upon us, What is the nature 
 of the union here described and enjoined ? 
 
 {a.) Its leading attribute, evidently, was to be love, 
 henevolence. All Christians were to love one another, 
 and to do good unto all men, and especially to them who 
 are of the household of faith. 
 
 (b.) They were all to possess one and the same faith, 
 namely, in the atoning sacrifice of the liedecmer i a 
 justifying faith ; reljing not on their own works, but 
 on the righteousness of Christ ; a foith not necessarily 
 of equal strength in all, but the same in kind ; that 
 faith which works by love, and purities the heart, and 
 overcomes the world. Thus says that eminent man of 
 God, Spener : " Christians are all one in the community 
 of spiritual blessings. ISo one has a better God, or bet- 
 ter Christ, or Spirit, or foith, than the other, although 
 one may enjo}' them more than another." Or, the 
 term {-Tiaru-) fuith, may be understood in the ohjedive 
 sense, {fides qvm a^editur, the faith which is believed,) 
 as signifying the doctrines of Christianity, those great 
 truths, which the Saviour and Ilis a])ostIes had taught 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UXIOX. 
 
 87 
 
 the early Christians, the profession of which all appli- 
 cants for admission to the church Avere required to make. 
 These truths were, certainly, not more numerous or ex- 
 tended than the so-called Apostle's Creed, consisting of 
 the belief in Father, Son and Holy Ghost, w-ith the 
 leading acts of each person. It seems most probable 
 that while justifying faith was cliiefly intended, both 
 may also have been included, for a true and saving faith 
 in the Eedeemer would naturally imply those cardinal 
 doctrines here contemplated. 
 
 ((?.) And they were all to be admitted into external 
 union with this body of the Church, by Baptism, the 
 initiatory ordinance of the Christian Church. 
 
 id.) Christians were all to assemhle together statedly 
 for prayer, as well as for reading and hearing the 
 Scriptures expounded. 
 
 {e.) Certain men were appointed to preach the ^Yord, 
 to publish the Gospel to eveiy creature, and were 
 termed elders, or bishops, or pastore. 
 
 if.) And other men were selected as deacons, to min- 
 ister at tables, to distribute the alms, and attend to the 
 temporalities of the Chm'ch. 
 
 But no instruction was given as to how many Chris- 
 tians should assemble at one place, before another place 
 of worship should be selected, and another church be 
 organized by choosing the necessary officers, elders or 
 preachers, and deacons. 
 
 Nor were any directions left on record as to any ad- 
 ditional external bonds, if. any, by which the unity of 
 the Spirit, so essential and salutary, should bo expressed, 
 pronjotcd or preserved, throughout the future history of 
 the church. 
 
88 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 It is certaiu that this union did not consist in any 
 compact ecclesiastical organisation of the entire church 
 in a nation or empire, under one supreme judicatory. 
 
 Exceptiug an occasional interposition of apostolical 
 anthority, we are informed that each church attended 
 to its own aifairs of government and discipline. Ad- 
 dressing the Corinthians,*'' Paul says, " Do not ye judge 
 (/cptve-e) them that are within ? Therefore put ye away 
 {e^dpare) from among yourselves that wicked person ;" 
 manifestly attributing to the Corinthians the right to 
 discipline and exclude an unworthy member from their 
 body. The same right of supervision and discipline 
 over her members is attributed to each individual 
 church by the Saviour himself :t " If thy brother tres- 
 pass against thee, go and tell him his fault between 
 thee and him alone" — and eventually, if other means 
 should fail, " tell it to the church^ Nor do we find in 
 either of these cases any ultimate reference to a judica- 
 tory consisting of representatives from several, much 
 less from all other Christian churches.* The phraseol- 
 ogyj of the New Testament evidently implies that 
 each church was a distinct and complete church and a 
 member of the body of Christ. It is, however, equally 
 certain that the New Testament presents, in addition 
 to several minor consultations, one example of a 
 coimcil or synod, § whose members were the apos- 
 tles, elders, preachers, and brethren, (that is, lay 
 members,)" and who assembled at Jerusalem for 
 
 *lCor. v;13. + Matt, sviii : 15-17. See also 3 Cor. ii. 7. 
 X 1 Gal. i : 3, 1 Cor. xvi : 1. 3 Cor. <\-iii : 1. 1 Thcss. ii : 14. 
 Acts ix : 31 ; xv : 41. § Acts xv. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN' UNION'. 
 
 89 
 
 the purpose of settling a dispute touching the obh'- 
 obh'gation of Christian converts to observe " the law of 
 Moses, etc." This sraod Avas convened for a special 
 purpose, wasa^/'O re nata convention, and although it 
 fully sanctions the call of such meetings as often as ne- 
 cessary, and justifies a provision for stated meetings if 
 experience establishes their necessity and utility ; yet 
 it cannot with any plausibility be alleged that the 
 churches were then regularly united into such synods, 
 or that such meetinocs were held reijularlv, at fixed 
 times. Had they been of annual recurrence, Vvho can 
 doubt that some trace of the fact, or allusion to it, would 
 be found in the Acts of the Apostles or the epistles of 
 Paul, which cover a period of about thirty years, and 
 narrate or allude to the prominent events in the history 
 of the church during that period \ These facts ui-ge 
 upon our attention several important positions, the 
 value of which will be more evident in the sequel. 
 They are these : 
 
 (a.) That the divine Head of the church has intrusted 
 the great mass of the dut'es and privileges of his king- 
 dom to the individual churches in their primanj capa- 
 city. Hence, though the churches ought to take counsel 
 with each other, and for this pui-pose may have stated 
 meetinrfs, and constitute regular synods, tliey should 
 not sufier any encroachments on their rights, nor per- 
 mit too mudi of their business to be transacted by these 
 <ii??e^afe</ associations, presbyteries or synods. The neg- 
 lect of this caution gradually robbed the churches of 
 their rights and liberties in past ages, and fostered that 
 incubus of Christianity, the papal liierarchy at liome. 
 
 (&.) The diity of fraternal consultation and union 
 
go 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 of counsel oitght not to he neglected hy the church in the 
 discharge of her duties. This principle evidently affords 
 sanction to the various associations among the churches 
 sucli as presbyteries, synods, conferences, etc., for the 
 pui'poses of mutual counsel, encouragement and co- 
 operation in the performance of such duties as can best 
 be accomplished by conjunction of means and efforts. 
 Yet the history of past ages distinctly admonishes us to 
 beware of the natural tendency to consolidation in 
 churcli as well as state. There is doubtless danger of 
 the concentration of power in the hands of ecclesiast- 
 ical judicatories, which has in former ages, alas ! been 
 but too frequently abused to purposes of oppression and 
 bloodshed, to the destruction of liberty of conscience, 
 and the hindrance of the Eedeemcr's spiritual king- 
 dom. It appears inexpedient for the churches to de- 
 volve on their delegated judicatories such duties as they 
 can j^erform as well in their primary capacity for an- 
 other reason ; because, when duties of various kinds are 
 accumulated on any individual bodies, they must neces- 
 sarily be less able to discharge them all with efficiency. 
 
 It is evident, then, that in the apostolic age the unity 
 of the church did not consist in a compact conjunction 
 of all her parts in an ecclesiastical judicatory. On the 
 contrary, we have no accounts of any synods or coun- 
 cils after that age, until the lattei' part of the second 
 century. Yet Eusebius, the earliest author by whom 
 the transactions of these councils are recorded, uses the 
 following language, from which it is probable tliat such 
 councils were nothing new, and tliat similar ones had 
 been occasionally held during the previous seventy-five 
 years which had iutervcned since the death of the last 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 91 
 
 apostle :* " About this time appeared Novatus, a pres- 
 byter of the cbiircb of Eome, and a man elated Avith 
 baugbtiness against tbose (that bad fallen), as if tbere 
 were no room for tbem to bope for salvation, not even 
 if they performed all things which belong to a genuine 
 conversion, and a pure confession. He thus became 
 the leader of the peculiar sect of those wlio, inflated by 
 vain imaginations, called themselves Cathari. A very 
 large council being held at Eome on this account, at 
 which sixty bishops and a still greater niimber of pres- 
 byters and deacons were present, and the pastors of the 
 remaining provinces, having, according to their loca- 
 tion, dehberated separately Avbat should be done, this 
 decree was passed by all : That Novatus and those who 
 60 arrogantly united with him, and those who had 
 chosen to adopt the uncharitable and most inhuman 
 opinion of the man, should be ranked among such as are 
 aliens from the church (excluded); but that such of the 
 brethren as had fallen during the calamity (persecution) 
 should be treated and healed with the remedies of re- 
 pentance." 
 
 * Euseb. Book 6, Chapter 43. 'EnetdT} jreg ry Kara tovtuv upOfif 
 iwepr/Oavii} Noovuto^ rij^ 'I'u/miuv iKKlrjaia^ irpeapvTepoc, <^C I^VK^' ovotj^ 
 avTotc auTT/piac t/-i6or, iirjd' el Tzuvra rii etc tinaTpo<l>iiv yujialai' koI ku- 
 OofiHv l^ofioXiiyTjoiv iTTiTelolev, lAiac alpeaeu^ rCiv kotu ?^oyiafiov (pvmtjaiv 
 KaOnp»ii( lavTobg dirof^vuvTuv, dpxvy^>i KafKaTarai. i(j> ^ avvudov uey'ia- 
 r>ir Izi 'Vo/irjc avyKpuTtiOeiaTjc, efi/Kovra fiiv rbv upiO/iov InioKonuv, ■K7.ti- 
 bvuv de In ftuXkov Trpea/ivTepuv re koI ^laKovuv, Idcu^ re Karh rur Tionrac 
 l^rapxlaf rCtv Kara xi'-ipav ttoi/icvuv nepl rov vpuKnov thaTKeijiafievuv, iW>y- 
 fia naplaTarai toIi; ttuoi ' Tor filv Noovutov u/m toI<; ovtC ovveTapfleiac, 
 Touf re avvevduKeiv tij /iiaa<5e>.<p(j koI dTzavSpuTroTaTri yvufitj t upd/iof 
 npoatpo/ivtviwc, (v u?,?.oTpioir r;}r iKK/ijmac i/yeioOai • toiV M tii m-ii^np^ 
 neQiKfirTuKOTac tCji> dih/ifiuv, luaOai Km Orpmrivnv ro?f t/Jc /leTnvo'iac 
 ^apfiuKoic—EM^ Ziniiiu iiiinnn, Vol. I. p. Kil, AC,-). 
 
92 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 This is tlie earliest account extant of any regular 
 synod after the apostolic age. The absence of even the 
 least intimation, that this assembly was any thing novel, 
 confers some probability on the supposition that other 
 similar meetings had occasionally occurred before. But 
 it was not until the close of the second, or beginning of 
 the third century, that these associations began to hold 
 Tegular and stated meetings. This practice was first 
 introduced in Greece, where the popular mind had been 
 familiarized to such stated representative conventions, 
 by the Amphictyonic Council, and would naturally be 
 inclined to transfer .to the Church what had proved so 
 acceptable in State.* Still the inti'oduction of regular 
 stated meetings bad to encomiter some opposition, for 
 Tertullian, in the commencement of the third century, 
 found it necessary to undertake their dcfence.f By 
 the middle of the third century, however, these stated 
 annual meetings had become very general.;}: Lay re- 
 presentatives were at first admitted to these councils, 
 as the " brethren " evidently had been in the apostolic 
 age; but in process of time the bishops secured all this 
 power to themselves. § These conventions were merely 
 
 * Sec Neander's Kirchengeschichte, Vol. I. p. 322. TertuUian's 
 words are, "Aguntiir per Graecias ilia cenis in locis concilia, ex 
 imiversis ccclesiis, per quae ct altiora quacque in commune tracian- 
 tur et ipsa represcntatio totius nominis Christiani magna venora- 
 tione celebratur." De .Jcjunii?;, c. 13. 
 
 \ " Ista solennia, quibua tunc pracscns patrocinatus cat sornio." — 
 Tertullian. 
 
 X Cyprian. Ep. 40. and Firmilianus, (apud Cyprian. Ep. 75.) of 
 Cappadocia : Noces8ario apud nos (it, ut persingulos annos seniores 
 ct pracpositi in unum convoniamus, ad diapononda ea quae curao 
 nostrae comniissa sunt. Noandcr sup. cit. p. 322. 
 
 § Neander sup. cit. p. 324. » 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 93 
 
 provincial, and embraced the churches of only one par- 
 ticular country or province. The entire Christian 
 Church was not yet united by any supreme judicatory, 
 having jurisdiction over all its parts, as eventually 
 occurred under the papal hierarchy ; but here we find 
 for the fii^st time a visible union of all the acknowledged 
 churches in a particular country under one ecclesias- 
 tical judicatory. Such an extensive union in one judi- 
 catory, could not long fail to abridge freedom of inves- 
 tigation and liberty of conscience, if its powers were 
 not purely those of an advisory council, and its advice 
 confined to matters originating between the smaller 
 judicatories and contcmi)lating their relation to each 
 other, and the progress of the Church in general. 
 
 Again, the primitive unity of the Church of Christ 
 did not consist in the organization of the whole church 
 on earth under one visible head, such as the Pope at 
 Rome and the Papal hierarchy. AVe shall not here 
 top to prove, that the power given alike by the Saviour 
 I all the apostles," could not confer any peculiar au- 
 liiority on Peter: nor that Peter's having professed the 
 doctrine of the Saviour's Messiahship, on which the 
 Lord founded his Church, does not ])rove that he founded 
 it: on Peter himself, making him and his successors his 
 \ icara upon earth. It is admitted by all Protestants 
 
 < Mntt. IG : 19 : And I will fjivc unto tlieo (Peter v. 18) tlie keys of 
 kingdom of heaven : and wliatsoever thou shtilt hind on eiirtli, 
 ill l)e hound in heaven ; suid whatsoever thou shalt I0080 on I'urtli 
 ull l)e loosed in heaven, ("hap. 18: 1,18: At the same time came 
 I 111- disciples unto Jesu.i, etc, — He said— Verily I say unto you (dis- 
 l iples, v. li whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, sliall be bound in 
 heaven : and whatsoever yc ehall loose on earth, shall be loosed in 
 1 1 raven 
 
94 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 that the Pope is a creature as utterly unknown to the 
 Bible as is the Grand Lama of the Tartars. It is well 
 known that the Papal hierarchy is the gradual produc- 
 tion of many centuries of corruption. In the third cen- 
 tury the churches of a particular kingdom or province 
 were united by provincial synods ; but it remained for 
 the ardent African bishop Cyprian, after the middle of 
 the tliird century, by an unliappy confusion of the 
 visible with the invisible Church, to develope in all its 
 hneaments the theory of a necessary visible union of the 
 whole Church on earth in one uniform external organ- 
 ization, imder a definite apostolic succession of bishops, 
 as the essential channel of the Spirit's influences on 
 earth, transmitted by ordination.^' It is only under the 
 influence of this confused thcoiw, that enlightened and 
 good men could believe in the impossibility of salvation 
 Avithout the pales of their own visible church ! that 
 such a man as Augustine could advance the following 
 sentiments in the official epistle of the Synod assembled 
 at Cirta in the year 412 : Quisquis ab hac catholica 
 ecclesia fuerit separatus, quantumlibet laudabiliter se 
 yivere existimet, hoc solo seelere, quod a Christi unitate 
 disjunctus est, non habebit vitam seel ij'a Dei manet 
 sxiper ipsum. Quisquis autem in ecclesia bene vixerit, 
 nihil ei praejudicant aliena peccata, quia unusquisque 
 in ea proprium onus portabit et quicunque in ca corpus 
 Cliristi manducaverit indigne, judicium sibi mandueat 
 ct hihit, quo satis ostendit apostolus, qnia non alteri 
 numducat sed sibi — commuuio malorum non niaculat 
 aliquera participatione saci'amentorum, sed consensione 
 
 • Neandcr's Kircbengcscliiclite, Vol. L p. 330, 331. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 95 
 
 factorum.* And in his own work " De fide et symbolo," 
 written about twenty years earlier, be says : f " We 
 helieve that the church is hoth holy and universal (i. e. 
 one). The heretics, however, also denominate their con- 
 gregations churches. But they, hj entertaining false 
 views concerning God, do violence to the Christian faith : 
 the schismatics on the other hand, although they agree 
 with us in doctrine, forsahe hrotherly love hy creating 
 pernicious divisions^ 
 
 It is easily perceptible how tliis erroneous idea of the 
 necessary visible combination of all the churches under 
 one organization, as the supposed exclusive channel of 
 the divine influence and favor, would naturally tend to 
 facilitate the ultimate adoption of the Papal liicrarchy ; 
 for here, and here alone, in the holy father, is to be found 
 one visible, tangible head, adapted to the one universal 
 visible Church. That this opinion, however, was not 
 that of the apostles or of the apostolic age, is confirmed 
 by the concuiTent testimony of all writers in the earlier 
 
 * Fuclia' Bibliotliek dcr Kirchenversammlungcn, Vol. III. p. 303. 
 "Whoever separates himself from this universal church, however 
 praiseworthy he may suppose his general conduct to be, shall not 
 ol)tain life on account of this mine alone, that he is separated from 
 the unity of Christ, ljut the lorath of God abidith on him. But who- 
 ever leads an oxemi)lary life in the cliurch, shall not be injured by 
 the sins of others, because in it (the church) every one shall bear 
 his own burden, and whoever catcth the body of Christ unworthily, 
 shall eat and drink judgment to himself, by which the apostle 
 clearly shows, that as he eats not for another, but for himself, — it is 
 not the communion with the wicked' in the reception of tlui sacra- 
 iii'nts which contaminates any one, but his assent to their evil 
 deeds." 
 
 t Itoc.-slcr's liibliothek der Kirchuuvatcr. \'ol. IV. ]>. '21(». 
 
96 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 centuries. On this subject an interesting testimony has 
 reached us in the Apostolic Canons, so called because 
 the work professes to be, and in the niain is, a collection 
 of the principal customs and regulations for the govern- 
 ment, discipline, etc., of the Christian Church during 
 the first four centuries from the days of the apostles. 
 It was most probably compiled shortly after the time 
 of Augustine, in the middle of the fifth ceutury, and 
 clearly proves that the exclusive pretensions of the 
 bishop of Rome were not acknowledged even at that 
 time. It reads thus : 
 
 Canon 33. The hishops of each nation should Icnow 
 the principal one among them, and regard him as their 
 head {rovq emaKOTTovq tKaarov tOvovg eidevai XPV ~ov Iv av- 
 Toiq TTpurov, Kail TjyEtadai avrov <Lg Ke<paXT]v) and V7idertake 
 nothing of importance without his advice. But each one 
 should himself attend to what belongs to his own church 
 and neighbourhood. Bat even he ought to do nothing 
 without consultation xoith others (akXa ixrjde eKeivog dvev 
 TTjg ~avr(i)v yviojirjg ttoleito) re). JEfei'ein consists the true 
 unity {of the church), and such a course vnll tend' to the 
 glory of God through Jesus Christ, iii the Holy Spirit.^^ 
 
 In short it is well known, that the bishop of Eome 
 did not obtain even the title of universal bishop until, 
 in the seventh century, " Boniface III. engaged Pho- 
 cas the Grecian Emperor, who waded to the throne 
 through the blood of Mauritius, to take from the bishop 
 of Constantinople the title of oecumenical or univo'sal 
 bishop, and to confer it on the lioman pontift".'' His 
 dii;nity as a temporal p7'ince he did not receive till in 
 the eighth century, when the usurper Pepin, in consid- 
 eration of the aid allbvdod him by the pontiff in trca- 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTION UNION. 
 
 97 
 
 -onablj dethroning liis predecessor, granted " the exar- 
 chate of Eavenna, and Peutapolis" to the Koman pon- 
 tiff, and his successors in the pretended apostolic see of 
 St. Peter. There can, therefore, be no question as to 
 the truth of our position, that the primitive church was 
 iiot united under one visible head, such as the pope and 
 ])apal hierarchy. 
 
 Finally, it is certain that the unity of the jprimitive 
 fhurch did not consist in absolute unanimity in reli- 
 gious sentiments. This assertion may appear startling 
 to some. " What !" (many of my readers may be ready 
 to exclaim) " was there any diversity of opinion in the 
 primitive church, under apostolic guidance ? We have 
 always supposed that there existed a perfect agreement 
 on all points among the first Christians, and that the 
 ])ropor method to restore the primitive purity of the 
 church is to insist on agreement on all points from those 
 \\ \\o would imite with us as a church of Christ." This 
 (i])inioh has also prevailed for many centuries, and has 
 been the proiitic mother of extensive and incalculable 
 \ lis in the Christian church. It has led to the perse- 
 1 ution and death of millions of om* fellow-men imdcr 
 the papal dominion ; it has caused endless divisions and 
 cnvyings and strife in the Protestant churches. 
 
 Its fallacy, we think, appears from the following 
 considerations : 
 
 It is rendered highly probable by the fact that the 
 Scriptures contain no provision to preserve absolute 
 iinijij of sentiment on all points of religious doctrine 
 and worship, if it ever had existed. Many points of 
 doctrine and forms which men at present regard as im- 
 portant, are not decided at all in the sacred vobuuo. 
 5 
 
98 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Other points are inculcated in indefinite language, 
 wliicli admits of several constructions. The diversity 
 of views derived from these records by the several re- 
 ligious denominations of equal piety, of equal talent and 
 equal sincerity, indisputably establishes the fact, that 
 they do not contain provision for absolute unity of sen- 
 timent among Christians. 'Now, as all admit the sub- 
 stantial similarity of the oral instructions of the apostles 
 to the primitive Christians, and their written instruc- 
 tions in the sacred volume, it follows that tlie impres- 
 sions made on an audience of primitive Christians would 
 be the same ; except, perhaps, in the case of a few in- 
 di^dduals who might have opportunity of personal inter- 
 views and more minute inquiry with tlie apostles. With 
 the greatest facility the Author of our holy religion 
 could have made such provision. lie did by inspira- 
 tion endow liis apostles with every requisite qualification 
 not naturally possessed by them, and led them into all 
 necessary truth. Now, as they have left many points 
 of doctrine and forms of worship and government unde- 
 cided, and as they do not express with philosophical 
 precision the doctrines which they do teach, it is a just 
 inference that one reason Avhy these minor dift'erences 
 are not obviated in the church, and all truly pious, 
 able and faithful Christians do not agree on all points 
 is, that the sacred volume has not made provision for 
 such absolute unanimity. Let no one here assert that 
 human language is so deficient, and the education and 
 lial)its of men so diverse, that they Avill impose different 
 constructions on any composition. The contrary is the 
 case. Even iminspircd men of well-disciplined mind, 
 have often expressed their views on these topics in Ian- 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 99 
 
 guage which is not misunderstood. Is there any doubt 
 in any well informed mind, as to the opinions taught on 
 the several topics which separate the principal Protest- 
 ant churches, bj Calvin in his Institutes, or by Whitby 
 on the Five Points ? In regard to the meaning of some 
 Protestant creeds there has been, it is true, not a little 
 controversy. But the framers of these Corifessions de- 
 signedly used language somewhat generic and indefi- 
 nite, in order that persons of not entirely accordant 
 sentiments might sign them, and modern disputants of 
 each party have endeavored to prove these creeds favor- 
 able only to their own views. Or, j)ersons charged 
 with deviation from an adopted creed, and believing 
 themselves to adhere to its general tenor, are naturally 
 inclined to interpret its indefinite or generic terms in 
 favor of their own views, whilst their opponents pursu- 
 ing a contrary course, strain those same expressions as 
 far as possible in a different direction. But it will not 
 be denied, that it would be no difficult task for any 
 ■well educated divine to make, in a single octavo page, 
 such a statement of doctrines, as would distinguish any 
 one of the prominent Protestant denominations from 
 all others — to frame a creed, concerning whose real 
 meaning there would be no difference of opinion. 
 Thei'efore, as the written instructions of the apostles 
 and othei" inspired writers do not contain provision to 
 produce absolute unanimity among the pious since the 
 apostolic age, and as these very written in.-tructiuns 
 were addressed to the primitive Christians, and were 
 the only inspired instructions which many of them pos- 
 sessed ; there can be but little doubt, that if a dozen of 
 those Christians had been rccpiirod to state their views 
 
lOO 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL, 
 
 on all the points of diversity between Protestant Chris- 
 tians, it would have been found, that tlie impressions 
 then made by these books, were not more definite than 
 those which they now produce on the same points of 
 doctrine. And as the oral teaching of the apostles 
 was doubtless substantially the same as their recorded 
 instructions, the impression made by them on the en- 
 tire primitive church was probably the same, so far as 
 doctrines are concerned ; whilst it is evident, that in 
 regard to the apostles' mode of worship and church 
 government, there could have been but one opinion, 
 among those who had witnessed them with their own 
 eyes. Again, the fact that the Bible is not constituted 
 so as to obviate this diversity of sentiment, when it 
 might easily have been so formed by the hand of in- 
 spiration, is conclusive proof that the points of diver- 
 sity among real and enlightened Christians, are not 
 and cannot be of essential importance. 
 
 But the existence of diversity/ of opinion in the apos- 
 tolic churches is pjlaced beyond all possible doubt by the 
 express declaration of the apostle Paul. Knowing that 
 such differences would continue to exist in after ages, 
 he has also prescribed regulations for our conduct to- 
 wards those who may differ from us:* "Ilim that is 
 weak in the faith (doctrines, Jude iii.) receive yo, but 
 not (in order) to (engage in) dispxitations Avith him 
 about doubtful matters. For one believeth that lie 
 may eat all things : another, who is weak, eateth 
 herbs. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eat- 
 eth not ; and let not him that eateth not, judge him 
 
 * Roin. xiv : 1-13. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 lOI 
 
 that eateth ; for God hatli received him. "Who art thou 
 that judgest another man's servant ? To his own mas- 
 ter ho standeth or falleth. One man esteemeth one 
 day above anotiier ; another esteemeth every day alike. 
 Let every man he fully persuaded in hla own mind. 
 He that regardeth the da}-, regardeth it to the Lord ; 
 and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth 
 not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for 
 he giveth God thanks ; and he that eateth not, to the 
 Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. But why 
 dost thou judge thy brother ? or why dost thou set at 
 nought thy brother ? for we shall all stand before the 
 judgment seat of Christ." 
 
 Here then we have the express testimony of the 
 apostle, that differences of opinion did exist among the 
 primitive Christians at Rome in reference to at least 
 two points, the diversity of meats and the question 
 whether all days should be regarded as equally holy, 
 or whether tlie Jewish distinction of days should be ob- 
 served by Cliristians. Both the points of difference are 
 moreover of such a character, relating to matters of 
 fact, tangible and visible in their nature, that any regu- 
 lation which the apostle may have previously given, 
 Christians would be aided in comprehending, by ob- 
 serving the example and practice of tlie apostles them- 
 selves. Tliey were matters, too, concerning one of 
 which he had seven years before expressed his opinion 
 in pretty evident language to the Galatian brethren, 
 when he said " IIow turn ye again to the weak and 
 beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again to be in 
 
 * Gal. : iv : 10. 
 
I02 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 bondage ? Ye obsevve days and months and times and 
 years ; I am afraid of yon lest I have bestowed upon 
 you labor in vain." And bow does the apostle settle 
 this dispute among the Romans ? IIow does he intro- 
 duce perfect unity of sentiment among them on tliis 
 point of Christian duty? It is worthy of special ob- 
 servation, that he does not even attempt to induce them 
 all to think alike ; but enjoins on each one obedience 
 to the dictates of his own conscience, and on all absti- 
 nence from every attempt to condemn or censure their 
 brethren for honest difference of opinion ; he enjoins on 
 all nnitual forbearance and brotherly uiiity ! Be it re- 
 membered, too, that this point of diflerence among the 
 primitive Christians,* is one, on which the declarations 
 of the ]^ew Testament have produced pretty general 
 unanimity among modern Protestant Christians, whilst 
 it is a matter of historical notoriety that the diversity 
 on this very topic was not entirely banished from the 
 primitive church a century after all the books of the 
 New Testament, touching on the subject, had been 
 written. 
 
 Again, look at the church of Corinth itself, whose 
 attempts at division Paul so decidedly censured. The 
 apostle explicitly informs us, that some members of the 
 Corinthia:i church dented the resurrection of the hody. 
 As to tha I'eason of their denial, whether the leaven of 
 the Sadducees had infected them, or whether, as 
 Greeks, they were misled by their philosophy, falsely so 
 
 * According to the earliest records extnut, the difference in the 
 time of celebrating: Enster is referred to the apostles themsclve?. 
 See Dr. Murdock's Mosheim, I. 102. lo:^, 101 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 called, and with Celsus despised tlie doctrine as " the 
 hope of worms," the iXmg okcjXtjkwv, we know not ; but 
 for the fact Paul is our authoiutj. " How," he remarks, 
 " say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the 
 dead f ' He then advances several aro;uments in favor 
 of the doctrine, answers the philosophical objections to 
 it, and proves the fallacy of their opinion on this sub- 
 ject ; but not the least intimation is given, that those 
 who believe in the resurrection, should separate from 
 those who denied it. This doctrine had not, it is true, 
 been so amply unfolded by any inspired writer as is 
 done by Paul in his epistle to these very men, and we 
 are unable to perceive how any believer in the Scrip- 
 tures could now deny this doctrine. Yet the fact of 
 the resurrection, to say nothing of the Old Testament, 
 had been distinctly affirmed by the Saviour and his 
 apostles, as must have been known to tlic Corinthians. 
 
 It is therefore absolutely certain that the bond of 
 primitive union Avas not that of perfect unity of senti- 
 ment on religious subjects, even in the days of the apos- 
 tles themselves. That differences on other topics, espe- 
 cially on minor points of abstract doctrine, also existed, 
 is evident from the fact expressly declared, that some 
 even went so far as to fall into fundamental doc- 
 trinal error, such as to " deny the Lord that bought 
 them." iVow every rational man will admit, that the 
 progi-ess of the human mind in the fluctuation of opin- 
 ions is gradual, and that whore the extremes occurred, 
 the intermediate gradations most probably existed. 
 It seems almost impossible for u mind elevate<l l)iit a 
 single grade above savageis.m, when, fur example, the 
 doctrine was taught that Chi'ist nuide an atonement fur 
 
104 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 sinners, not to advert to the persons for wlioin tliis 
 atonement was made, and to understand the declar- 
 ations of tlie gospel as teaching, that it was made for 
 somebody, either for all men, or for a portion of man- 
 kind. But although we have no reason to imagine that 
 the same books which are differently understood by 
 modern Chi'istians, could have produced absolute unity 
 of opinion among them, we find no certain t)-aces of 
 dissension about points of abstract doctrine. As these 
 abstract ditierences had no perceptible influence on 
 Chi'istian practice, the primitive CIu*istians probably 
 did not even compare their views on many points of 
 modern controversy, and may have difiered on some 
 minor topics without knowing it. Yet on some points 
 they differed and discussed ; but Paul dissuades them 
 from indulging in "doubtful disputations."* 
 
 Having thus, as we suppose, satisfactorily ascertained 
 that the bond of union among the apostolic churches 
 did not comisi in a compact ecclesiastical organization of 
 the entire church in any nation or country under one su- 
 preme judicatory ; nor in the organization of the ivhole 
 church on earth under one visible head, such as the pope and 
 papal hierarchy ; and finally, that it did not consist in 
 absolute unanimity of religious sentiment ; it remains for 
 us to inquire into the positive elements which did com- 
 pose it. Whilst each congregation transacted its ordi- 
 nary business of government and discipline for itself, 
 
 * Rom. xiv : 1. Him that ia weak in tlic faith (who has not fully 
 apprehondcd all the Christian doctrines) receive ye, but not to 
 doubtful disputations (jifi f(f diaKq'iacic; diakoyionC)v, without deciding 
 ou his scruples). 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 105 
 
 and constituted as it were one member of tlie body of 
 Christ, what were the ties by which these several mem- 
 bers were united together, and by \vhich the spirit of 
 brotlierlj love was preserved among them i 
 
 "We here pre-suppose the prevalence among the prim- 
 itive Christians of that unitv of spirit, which gave 
 
 I.IFI-: AND VALUE TO ALL THE EXTERNAL FORMS OF UNION. 
 
 Without this, the church, even if externally bound to- 
 gether by a bond of iron, would be a lifeless trunk des- 
 titute of that pervading spirit that gives interest and 
 animation to the whole. But on this subject we are 
 not permitted to cherish a moment's doubt. We are 
 expressly told by Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles :* 
 " And the muUilude of them that believed, tcere of one heart 
 and of one soid." Then it was that the disciples contin- 
 ued " with one accord, breaking bread from houte to 
 house, and did eat their meat with gladness and with 
 singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with 
 the people."t It is this unity of spirit, this undissera- 
 bled brotherly love, cherished in their bosoms and man- 
 ifested in their conduct towards each other, which in- 
 vested the example of the primitive church with such 
 an omnipotence uf moral influence, and extorted from 
 the surrounding heathen themselves the exclamation : 
 " See how these Christians love one another." But 
 our object at this time is to ascertain what wore the 
 principal external means of manifesting and pei-petu- 
 ating this unity of spirit among the primitive Christian 
 churches. 
 
 I. The firet means of imion was entire unity of name : 
 
 * Acts iv : 33. 
 5* 
 
 t ActB ii : 40. 
 
io6 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 tliat is, the careful avoidance of all names, wliieli im- 
 plied difference or division. In the apostolic age, the 
 followers of the Redeemer were technically called 
 Christians, and only Christians. The churches in dif- 
 ferent places were distinguished by geographical desig- 
 nations, and bj' these alone. We read of the church at 
 Jerusalem, the church at Corinth, the church at Rome, 
 etc., but not of the Pauline or Apolline or Cephine 
 church, nor of a church named after any other person 
 })ut Him, who bought the church — not a part of the 
 church, but the whole church, with his blood. Let it 
 not be supposed that this is an unimportant feature of 
 Christian union. Paul the apostle did not thus regard 
 it, when he so promptly met and repelled the attempt 
 of those at Corinth, who adopted such sectarian names, 
 saying, " I am of Paul and I am of Apollos and I am 
 of Cephas." He expressly forbade their adoption of 
 such names, declaring that by so doing they implied, 
 that their adopted leaders had died for them, and that 
 they had been baptized into their names. The senti- 
 me :.ts of the church, d u-ing the earlier centuries, may 
 be learned from the declaration of Lactantius at the 
 commencement of the fourth century : " The Monta- 
 nists, Novatians, Yalentinians, or whatever else they 
 may call themselves, have ceased to be Christians, be- 
 cause they have renounced the name of Christians, and 
 called themselves by the names of men." (Instit. div. 
 1. IV. c. 30.) This estimate of tlie importance of unity 
 of name, is doubtless overwrought; yet the influence 
 of different names is far from being unimportant at 
 present. " Names are things," said that distinguished 
 and laborious servant of Christ, the Rev. Dr. A. Green, 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 107 
 
 when on assuming the editorial chair of " The Presbyte- 
 rian Magazine," he changed its title to Christian Ad- 
 vocate. His reasons for this alteration he thus assio-ns : 
 "We usually form some judgment of a puhlication 
 from its title ; and, indeed, it is for this very pm-pose 
 that a title is given. Xow on hearing of a Presbylerian 
 Magazine, some, it appears, have set it down at once as a 
 sectarian work, of which the main and ultimate design 
 would be to diffuse and defend the doctrines and opin- 
 ions which are peculiar to the Presbyterians, and on 
 this account they have resolved to give it no encom*- 
 agement." What is here acknowledged of the term 
 Presbyterian, is equally true of every other sectarian 
 name of Christian churches. Whilst it is conceded 
 that the substitution of geographical for sectarian names 
 could not remove the whole difficulty, it is equally cer- 
 tain that it would not be without its influence. Even 
 Celsus, the bitter foe of Christians, Avhen charging on 
 them as criminal the differences on non-essentials which 
 prevailed among them in his day, was compelled to ac- 
 knowledge iis one bond of union among them, their 
 lailtij of wime. Thousands of enlightened, true Chris- 
 tians of different denominations differ only in name. 
 And thousands there are among the more ignorant, who 
 exhibit much acerbity of spirit against other sects, and 
 l^rcpossession for their own, and yet ai'c ignorant of all 
 the points of distinction between them except {\\e names. 
 
 The second bond of union among the primitive 
 churches, was iinilij of oj)inion on all fundamenlal doc- 
 trines thai is, the profession of a creed of fundamentals. 
 That the primitive Christians, notwithstanding their 
 minor diderences, did agree on all fundaiiicntal doc- 
 
io8 
 
 FRATERNAL ArrEAL. 
 
 trines, is evident, because tliej possessed either the 
 oral instruction of the apostles, or the same sacred I'ec- 
 ords of them which have produced such nnitj in fun- 
 damentals among modern Christians. This is presiip- 
 posed by the apostle's injunction, "eai'nestly to contend 
 for the faith once delivered to the saints ;" foi', before 
 they could contend for the faith, they must have a 
 general understanding among them at least as to what 
 the fundamentals of that faith are, for they were also 
 commanded to abstain from " doubtful disputations," 
 and not " to judge" their brethren for minor differ- 
 ences. It is finally proved by the fact, that they re- 
 quired of every candidate for baptism a profession of 
 his creed of faith prior to the administration of the or- 
 dinance : " If thou believesf (said Philip to the eunuch) 
 " luith all thine heart, thou mayest he hapizeid. And he an- 
 sivered and said, I believe thai Jesus Christ is the So7i of 
 God.''''^ The custom of requiring of all applicants for 
 baptism a confession of their faith in the fundamentals 
 of the gospel, seems to have been general throughout 
 the whole church. For among the earlier documents 
 of Christian antiquity that have readied us, there is 
 one which, by the concurrent testimony of the Christian 
 fathers, is an authentic substantial collection of the sev- 
 eral points of doctrine to which this assent was required 
 from the century after the apostles, we mean tlie so- 
 called Apostles' Creed. This creed is highly interesting 
 and important, especially to modern Clu-istians ; first, 
 because it shows what the primitive church universally 
 understood the Scriptures to teach ; and secondly, be- 
 
 * Acts viii : 37. See also Rom. xii : 6. 2 Tim. i : 14. Jude v : 3. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 109 
 
 cause it incontestablj establishes the fact, that the 
 primitive church, when guided by the inspired apos- 
 tles, and soon after, deemed it lawful to require unanimity 
 only in fundamental doctrines in order to the unity of the 
 church. This creed, let it be further remembered, was 
 the only one which was adopted in the church of Christ 
 until the fourth century, in which the council of JSTice 
 adopted one of the same import, and of but little 
 greater length. Some small variations are found in the 
 earliest copies, but substantially it reads thus:*/Z»6- 
 
 *The earliest copies of this symbol are in the Latin language. 
 There are several various readings extant, which probably origin- 
 ated in different Western churches, which used this symbol. We 
 shall give the symbol, together with the various readings in paren- 
 theses, so that the reader may at one glance see the whole, and also 
 perceive that even with the added variations, it was still a creed 
 which all orthodox Protestants can subscribe : 
 
 I. Credo in (unum) Deum, Patrem omnipotcntcm creatorem coeli 
 et terrae (" creatorem coeli et terrce " defuit in orient, et Rom. antique 
 symbolo ; in Aquilejensi autem positum erat, " invidbilem et iinpas- 
 sibilem.") 
 
 II. Et in Jesum Christum filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum, 
 ("et in unum Dominum nostrum, Jesum Christum, filium ejus uni- 
 gcnitum," ita addendo et transponendo legit olim Ecclesia orien- 
 talis.) Quiconceptus est de Spiritu sancto ; natns ex Maria virgine 
 ('•qui natuscst do Spiritu sancto ox Maria virgine" communis olim 
 lectio erat.) Passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus et sepul- 
 tu8, descendit ad infcrna ; ( ' crucifixus sub Pontio Pilato et sepultus" 
 Bimpliciter olim multi Icgebant ; Aquilojenso tandem symbolum 
 addidit " descendit ad infcrna ;" ex quo symbolo Sec. VI. Romana 
 ecclesia hanc appondicem suo symbolo insoruit) t(?rtia dio rosurrcxit 
 a mortals ; asccndit ad coelos ; sedut ad dtixtnim Dei Patris omnipo- 
 tentia. Inde venturus est judicaco vivos et mortuos. 
 
 III. Credo in sjjiritum sanctum {et in spiritum sanctum" olim), 
 Sauctam (" wnaw" orientales addiderunt) Erclcsinni ("atliolicam ; 
 eauctorum communionem. "catholicam, ex sanctorum communio- 
 
1 10 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 li&ve in God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven 
 and earth : 
 
 And in Jesus Christ, his onlij Son our Lm^d j who 
 was conceived hy the Holy Ghost, horn of the vit'gin 
 Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 
 dead and hurled. The third day he rose from the 
 dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on ths right 
 hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall 
 come to judge the gu ide and the dead. 
 
 Ihelieve in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic) or uni- 
 
 neni" ex Niceno forsan symbolo insertum, olim defuit), Remissio- 
 nem peccatorum ; Carnis (hujus symb. Aquilej. addidit) resurrectio- 
 nera ; et vitam aeternam. Amen. (" vitam aetemam" in plerisque 
 olim symbolis desiderabatur.) See Clemm's Einlcitung in die Reli- 
 gion und Theologie, Vol. IV., p. 459. 
 
 Gieseler, iu his history, period K., AD. 117 - 193. remarks, " In 
 opposition to the bold speculations of the Gnostics, the orthodox 
 church was now led to establish a rcgula fidei or rule of faith, com- 
 prehending the doctrines which could be shown, in the conscious- 
 ness of all Christians, as well as the writings of the apostles, to bo 
 the basis of Christianity; and which being themselves beyond all 
 farther discussion, were to be distinctly recognized in all future 
 speculations. To correspond with this, the originally simple condi- 
 tions of the baptismal profession (crv/jjSolov) were now extended ; 
 though the form was always lengthened or shortened to suit the 
 particular views of different churches." In his note, he adds, 6 
 Kavuv LKKltjai aauKoc Clemens. Alex. Strom. VL, p. 803 ; u kuvuv tti^ 
 ay.rj^Eiar, Iren. i. 1. in fine. This rule of faith was therefore not a 
 fixed rule handed down from the apostles, (conf Tcrtull. do prescrip. 
 c. 13. llxc regula a Christo, ut probabitur iustituta ; c. 21, omnis 
 doctrina quam ccclesitc ab Apoatolis, Apostoli a Christo, Christus a- 
 Deo acce])it ; c. 37, regula quam ocdesia ab Apo,stolis, Apostoli a 
 Christo, Cliristus a Deo tradidit ) nor was its authority jilaced above 
 that of the Scriptures, as asserted first by Lessing, and later by 
 D(!hbriifk, in " Philip Malancthoii der (■ilaubenslehrer," Bonn 1826; 
 p. 17, 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 versaT) church / the communion of saints y the forgive- 
 nsss of sins ; the resurrection of the hody^ and the life 
 everlasting. 
 
 To tliis, some copies add the sentence " descended 
 into hades, or the place of departed spirits ;" but it 
 was not found in the creed of the Latin churches, until 
 the sixth century. Here then we have the series of 
 doctrines, the belief of wliich was the bond of union in 
 the church of Christ during three hundred years ; and 
 was regarded as sufficient for ecclesiastical union, with- 
 out any inquiry as to differences on minor points. All 
 who adojited these doctrines and adorned them by a 
 consistent walk, were regarded as worthy members 
 of the one, universal church of Christ, were everywhere 
 admitted to sacramental communion by right. All 
 professing these doctrines, and residing in the same 
 place, were united into one. church, and worshipped to- 
 gether; and different Christian churches, occupying 
 the same geographical gi'ound, and distinguished from 
 each other by differences concerning doctrines not con- 
 tained in this creed, had no existence in the church for 
 several centuries : were totally unknown during the 
 golden age of Christianity. To this summary of doc- 
 trine some few articles were added in after ages by dif- 
 ferent councils, to meet several fundamental heresies 
 which arose. But the additions arc few, and generally 
 composed with studious brevity. In reference to these 
 doctrines, which he had just before expressed in his 
 own language, Irenaeus, a strcjmous defender of the 
 faith against various heretics, a disciple of Polycarp, 
 the friend of the apostle John, makes the following re- 
 marks (ivlucli are fquaUy ajqjUcablc to the several orlJiodox 
 
112 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Protestant churches, though they are so lamentably di- 
 vided) : " Tliis faith the church has received, and though 
 dispersed over the whole world, assiduously preserves 
 as if she inhabited a single house ; and believes in 
 these things as having but one heart and one soul : and 
 with perfect harmonj' proclaims, teaches, hands down 
 these things, as though she had but one mouth. For 
 though there are various and dissimilar languages in the 
 world, yet the power of the fiitli transmitted is one and 
 the same. Neither the churches in Germany^ nor in 
 Iberia [Spain), nor among the Celiac (in France), nor in 
 the East, nor in Eg)"pt, nor in Lybia, nor in the middle 
 regions of the world (Jerusalem and the adjacent dis- 
 tricts) believe or teach any other doctrines. But as the 
 sun is one and the same throughout the whole ; so the 
 preaching of the truth shines everywhere, and enlight- 
 ens all men, who are willing to come to a knowledge 
 of truth. Nor will the most powerful in speech among 
 the governors of the churches say any thing more than 
 these (for no one can be above his master) ; nor the 
 most feeble any thing less. For as there is but one 
 faith, he that is able to speak much cannot enlarge ; 
 nor he who can say little diminish it."* 
 
 In the earlier part of the fourth century (A.D. 325) 
 the Nicene creed was adopted in order to exclude the 
 Arians from the church. It is little else than a repeti- 
 tion of the apostles' creed, with several clauses refer- 
 ring to the error of the Arians. The synod of Con- 
 stantinople, about fifty -six years afterwards (A.D. 381), 
 
 Irenaeus adv. haereses, L. L c. 3. p. 46. ek. Qrabe; and Mason's 
 riea, p. 41. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 still further enlarged this summary, by the addition of 
 several clauses concerning the worship of the Holy 
 Spirit, the validity of baptism, etc. This creed, as en- 
 larged by the synod of Ccnstantinople, is contained in 
 the s}Tnbols of the Lutheran church in Europe, and also 
 iu the Prayer Book of our Protestant Episcopal breth- 
 ren ill this country. It reads thus : 
 
 " I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker 
 of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and in- 
 visible. 
 
 "And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten 
 Son of God, begotten of liis Father before all worlds ; 
 God of God, Light of Light, true God of the true God, 
 begotten not made, being of one substance with the 
 Father, by whom all things were made ; who for us 
 men and for our salvation, came down from heaven and 
 was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the virgin Mary, 
 and was made man and was crucified also for us under 
 Pontius Pilate. He sufi'ered and was buried, and the 
 thii-d day he rose again, according to the Scriptures, 
 and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand 
 of the Father : and he shall come again with glory to 
 judge botli the quick and the dead; whose kingdom 
 shall have no end, 
 
 "And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and 
 Giver of life, who proccedeth from the Father and the 
 Son, who with the Father and tlie Son together is wor- 
 shipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And 
 I believe in one catholic and apostolic church. I ac- 
 knowledge one baptism for the remission of sins ; and I 
 
114 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 look for the resurrection of tlie dead and the life of the 
 world to come."" 
 
 These symbols, let it be remembered, vre adduce not 
 for the purpose of proving the doctrines contained in 
 them (a point to be established only by the Scriptures) 
 but in order to establish two facts highly important to 
 om* inquiry, viz : 1, that the early Christians did require 
 assent to certain articles of Clu-istian faith ; and 2, that 
 these articles, to which assent was demanded, were only 
 fundamental doctrines and facts of the Christian reli- 
 gion. 
 
 It is thus evident that rmiti/ of opinion on funda- 
 mental doctrines, and on those alone, constituted one of 
 the principal bonds of union among churches in the 
 eai'ly ages. It is moreover clear, as the several ortho- 
 dox Protestant churches of our land cordially embrace 
 all the doctrines enumerated by Irenaeus and the Apos- 
 tles' and the Xicene creeds, that they ought not, on the 
 principles of primitive Christianity, to be cut up into 
 different sects, but should be united into one universal 
 
 * The following is the Greek original of the Niccne Creed, as 
 preserved in the History of Socrates, L. I. c. 8. By a comparison of 
 it with the above version, the reader may distinguish the additions 
 made by the council of Constantinople. 
 
 TliGTevoiiev clg ha Qcov, irarepa TravTOKpoTopa, rravTuv upmuv re Kai 
 aoparuv TroirjTjjv. Kai ci^ tva Kvpwv Irjaovv Xpiarov, tuv vlov tov Qeov, 
 yevvijOevra Ik tov UaTpug povoyevT), tovt' lartv Ik r^f ovaiac tov TlaTpof;, 
 Qeov Ik Oeov km <pu^ Ik ^urof, Oeov tD^rjOivov Ik Qeov uXt)Oivov, ysvvijOiv-a 
 ou TTOtrjdevTa, d/ioovaiov ti.> Ilarpt, 6i ov ra Travra iyevero, ra -s (v 7u oi- 
 pav(j, Kai ra Iv ti) ■)'rj, 81 i/jia^ uvdpuKov^, Kai 6ia tt/v {//lerepav ourtjQiav 
 KaTc?kdovra Kai aapKudevra Kai evavdgujrriaavTa naOovra Kai uvaaravra tt) 
 TQiTt] finepa, uvekOovTa fif rouf oipavov^, IpxofiEvov Kptvai fwvTQf Kai ve- 
 KDOUf. Kai c'lr TO uyiov TTvev/ia. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNIOX. 
 
 church. But instead of all the Protestant churches 
 embracina: one common creed of fundamentals, and 
 holding it up to the view of the world as the SA-rabol of 
 their unity in the faith, as Christians did in the earlier 
 ages at every case of baptism, the use of different 
 creeds naturally inculcates the idea of doctrinal difter- 
 ence, instead of unity ; and their great length, by 
 bringing to light all the minor differences, and ranking 
 them indiscriminately with fundamentals, and making 
 them the bases of separate churches, inevitably must 
 tend to throw into the shade our real fundamental 
 union, and perpetuate the schisms in the body of 
 Christ. 
 
 The third bond of union among the primitive Chris- 
 tians wiis the mutual acknowledrjment of each otheis ads 
 of discijdine. If an individual was excommunicated or 
 under censure in one church, he could not obtain ad- 
 mission into any other. As a security against imposi- 
 tion, it was customary for persons in good standing, 
 when travelling into strange places, to take letters of 
 
 The above was the original fonn of the creed, and contains all that 
 catechumens were required to repeat as thciY confession. The follow- 
 ing clause was, however, added by the Niceno fathers, and all minis- 
 ters were r('quir(!d also to subscribe to it : Totf (5e Xeyovrac in i,v -ore 
 uTi uvK J/V, Kat TT^iT/v :ytvvrj0^vai oik t/v, km vti ovK uvruv tyevero, 7/ ii e-e- 
 Ifar vTzoijTaseur 7) ovrjiac (paoKOvre^ eivai, 1) kqiotov, j) tqetztov, y ul7oiuT'tv 
 Tov vhiv Tov Oeov, ni'aOf/iariZei 1/ uyia koOo/iki/ koi a-ocToliurj eKK'/j/rjio, 
 1. P. The holy, catliolic, and aposii'lic church condemns (the ojjiniou 
 of) those who say that there was a time when the Son of God did 
 not exist, and tliat before he was begotten he did not exist, and that 
 he was made out of things that were not, or who say that he is of 
 some other hypostasis or substance, or that ho was created, or that 
 he is changeable, suljject to variation. See Clemtn's Einloitung in 
 die Hi'ligion uiid Theologii", Vol. IV. p. 4()l-'r). 
 
Ii6 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL, 
 
 introduction, or certificates of their good standing from 
 their pastor. "When any one was destitute of such cer- 
 tificate, his application for chnrcli privileges was always 
 rejected. To these letters Paul refers, and expresses 
 the opinion, that he would need no such document 
 among the Corinthians, as he was well known to them : 
 " Need we, as some others, epistles of commendallon to 
 you, or letters of commendation from you ? Ye are our 
 epistle, WTitten in our hearts, known and read of all 
 men."''^ This same custom was prescribed in the 
 chm'ch for centuries, and nmnerous synodical decrees 
 were enacted for its confirmation. In the apostolic 
 Canons or Eegulations we find the following : 
 
 Canon 12. tl<; KArjpiKO^ ?/ XaiKog d(j)(jjptaiievo^, r]roL aSeK- 
 Tog, CLTreXOoiv elq erepa ttoaei, S^^ff^] nvev ypafifiartjv ovarari- 
 Koiv, a.<popi^i:aO(i) km 6 de^afievog icat b dexdeig.''^ That this re- 
 gulation prevailed from the very days of the apostles, is 
 highly probable, because, as we have seen, Paul himself 
 makes mention of letters of this nature. At the oecu- 
 menical or general council held at J^ice, in the year 
 A.D. 325, at which were present ministers from the 
 greater part of the Christian world, the following reso- 
 lution, or canon, was adopted : 
 
 Hesolution or Canon 5. In regard to tJwse persons, 
 whetJier clergymen w laymen, who have heen excommu- 
 nicated by a hishoj), the existmg 7'ule is to he retained, 
 
 * 3 Cor. iii: 1-4. 
 f If any excom municated clergyman or a layman wJiohas been ex- 
 covimunicated, or denied adinisdon (as ineinber of the church), go to 
 another city and is received itithout letters of recommcndntion, both 
 he who received him, and the person thus received shall he excommu- 
 nicated. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 117 
 
 namely, that they shall not he restored by any other than 
 hy the one xoho excommunicated them. Inquiry ought, 
 however, to he instituted, tohether their expulsion from 
 tJie church was not occasioned hy a contentious spirit 
 or some other mean or hostile passion. And in order 
 that this may he properly done, there shall annually he 
 two synods held in each province, and at these meetings 
 of the hishops suitable examinations shall he instituted, 
 in order that every person may see the justice of the ex- 
 communication of those who transgressed against (the 
 regulations of) the hishop, until the assemblage of hish- 
 ops shall, if they see fit, pronounce a milder sentence. 
 One of those sy nodical meetings shall he held before the 
 spring fast, iJie other in the fall''' 
 
 At the council or synod of Antioch, held in A.D. 311, 
 sixteen years after that at i^^ice, a resolution of just the 
 came import was passed : 
 
 Resolution C. If any person has been excommuni- 
 cated hj his hiahop, he shall not be restored hy any one 
 else than that bishop himself, unless his case has been 
 examined by the council or synod, and a milder sen- 
 tence been obtained. This regulation shall be appli- 
 cable alike P) laymen, presbyters, deacons, and all the 
 clergy. \ 
 
 From these testimonies it is ahundantly evident, that 
 the churches in the earlier centuries fully acknowledged 
 the disciplinarian acts of each other; nor is it difficult 
 to perceive the salutary influence which would result 
 from such mutual marks of confidence. Carried to a 
 
 * Fuchs' Bil)liotbek der Kirclicnvorfiammlnnfion, Vol. I. p. 395. 
 t Fuchs' Bibliothek dor Kircliouversamiulungcn, Vol. II., p. 62. 
 
ii8 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 reasonable extent, they would give an eflScacy to clinrch 
 discipline, which it has almost entirely lost in modem 
 times. This regulation Avonld cherish brotherly love 
 between the churches, and tend to give visibility to 
 their union. 
 
 The fourtli T)ond of union among the primitive 
 Christiam was sacramental and ministerial com- 
 munion. This featm'e is one of very extensive appli- 
 cation and most salutary influence on tho different por- 
 tions of the Christian Church. The apostle Paul may 
 be regarded as inculcating it in his declaration to the 
 Christians at Corinth ; " For we heing many^ are one 
 bread and one hody (that is, you at Corinth, I and my 
 fellow-Christians here at Ephesus, fi-om the midst of 
 whom I am addressing you, are one body) ; for we are 
 all partakers of that one hreadP* Accordingly we 
 find that in the earliest period to which the records of 
 Christian antiquity extend, every church received to 
 communion, as fully as its own members, the members 
 and ministers of every other acknowledged Christian 
 Church on earth, upon evidence of their good standing. 
 Strangers coming from other churches were required to 
 present letters or certificates of their standing ; and all 
 Cliristians, whether clergy or laymen, regarded it as a 
 duty to commune with the members of any other church 
 at which they might happen to be present. It was a 
 common custom for Christians in the earlier centuries, 
 when travelling, to take sucli certificates of mombershij) 
 with tliem ; and wlien stopping in a city or town, they 
 sought out the Christians living in it, and received from 
 
 » 1 Cor. 10 : 17. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 119 
 
 them every mark of attention and friendship. These 
 letters were termed Uterae formatae or ypamia-a 
 rerv-wiieva, as they were of a particular form to pi*e- 
 vent counterfeits ; they were sometimes denominated 
 epistolae communicator iae^ or ypaiifiara fcotvo)viKa, letters 
 of ecclesiastical communion or fellowship. * 
 
 The broad principle of scriptural Christian com- 
 munion extends indiscriminately to all whom we regard 
 as true disciples of Christ. Thus it is laid down by 
 Peter in his vindication, when censured for communing 
 with Gentile converts : " Thou wentest in to men uncir- 
 cumcised and didst eat with them." f His argument is 
 thus summed up, after he had detailed the facts on 
 which it rested : " Forasmxich as God gave them the 
 nice gift., as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord 
 Jesus Christ / what was /, that I could withstand 
 God?'' 
 
 It is equally certain that ministerial communion and 
 official acknowledgment pervaded the church in her 
 primitive ages. The regulations made by difterent 
 synods or councils to prevent the abuse of this privilege 
 incontestibly establisli its existence. But even in the 
 apostolic canons we find the following : 
 
 Canon 32. M;;(Jeva twv ^evcov tmaKonuv 7) TtpeafivTtpov 
 ■q 6iaKov(ov dvev avarariKUv ~poa6ex£o0ai ' Kai ercKpepoixe- 
 V(jjv avrojv dvaKpiveaOuaav • ■ mi iijisv uai KTjpvKt g ev- 
 atfina^ —poadE^eaOioaav • kI rfe fxeye, tt]v xp^^av avrov<; tT<- 
 
 * Ncandcr's Allpcmeine Qcscliichte der Christlichen Religion und 
 Kirche, Vol. I., p. 320. 
 
 f Acts 11 : 3, 17. 
 
120 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 XopT]yr]aavreq, eig Kaivwviav avrovg [it] -poqde^EaOe • 7ToXX.a 
 yap Kara avvap-dyrjv yiverai* 
 
 At the synod of Carthage, held a. d. 348 or 349, it 
 "was resolved that " no one shall receive a minister with- 
 out letters from his hisJiop.^'' f 
 
 If furnished with suitable testimonials a minister in 
 one part of the church "was ackno"wledged as such in 
 every other, and if present at public "worship "was or- 
 dinarily invited to take part in conducting the ser- 
 vices. 
 
 The tendency "which such free sacramental inter- 
 communion as opportunity offers, "with all over the 
 Avhole earth "who present credible evidence of genuine 
 discipleship, cannot readily be calculated. The views 
 and principles and feelings which it pre-supposes, con- 
 stitute important elements of the millennial imion of 
 the future church, God grant their speedy dissemina- 
 tion over the church universal I 
 
 The fifth means by which unity was promoted and 
 preserved among the ])rimitive Christians, was occasional 
 epistolary communication. Of this foct we have abun- 
 dant proof in the epistles of Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius 
 and BaiTiabas, who are termed apostolic fathers, because 
 
 * Let no one receive strange (foreign) bishops or presbyters or 
 deacons without letters of recommendation ; and the letters that arc 
 broupht must be examined. If they prove to be pious preachers 
 (preachers of |)iety) let them be received : but if they do not, th^ir 
 immediate necessities should be supplied, but they must not be re- 
 CL'ived into communion. For many instances of fraud have occurred 
 in this matter." Roessler's Bibliothek der Kirchenviiter, Vol., IV., 
 p. 240. 
 
 f Fuchs' Bibliothek der Kirchenversammlungen, Vol. 111., p. 35. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 121 
 
 tliey lived partly in the apostolic age. Some of these 
 pistles are doubtless spurious and all corrupted, yet 
 enough remains to answer the purpose for which we 
 adduce them, to show that they were letters written to 
 different churches to promote doctrinal and ecclesiastical 
 union among them. The age immediately subsequent 
 to the apostles furnishes numerous instances of such 
 ( pistolary communion of the churches. From Eusebius 
 v/e learn that Dionysius of Corinth about the year a. d. 
 100, sent abroad numerous epistles of tliis kind. " And 
 first (sajs Eusebius*) we must speak of Dionysius, who 
 was appointed over the church at Corinth, and imparted 
 freely not only to his own jieople, but to others abroad 
 also, the blessings of lus divine labors. But he was 
 most useful to all in the general epistles which he ad- 
 dressed to the churches. One of them is addressed to 
 the Lacedaemonians, and contains instructions in the 
 true relirjion, and inculcates jy'eace and unity ; one also 
 to the Athenians, exciting them to the faith and tlie life 
 prescribed by the gospel, from wliich he shows that they 
 had swer^'ed, so that they had nearly fallen from the 
 truth since the martyrdom of Publius, their leader 
 (bishop) which happened in the persecutions of those 
 
 * Eusebius IV. ch. 23. Kai npCirov ye izepl ^lovva'iov ^ariov • 5rt 
 Tf T;/f Iv KoQLvOi.) TTapoiKiac Ti'/c Int^KOTTi/c lyKexe'iQiaTO Opivov, iial ur 
 T^f tvOtov i^i?.o~ov'ia^ oil fiovov Toic vtt' avTov, a/.?.' 7/(^7) koI rate iiri Ti'/r 
 d?^?.odaTTt',f u<ptl6vu)C tKoivuvei ' xploifinTarov u-aaiv iavTov Kadiarar, iv 
 oif vTTmTToi'TO KaOo7.LKni<; npni; ruf {KK?.jimac tTHOTo'/.ai^' uv tariv, ii fiiv 
 Kph( \aKeflat/iovtov^, oQOoio^lar KaTf/xl/TiKTi, ei(fr/vTir re koI ivuatuc v:to- 
 OtTiKT) ■ {/ fit TTpi/f '\nt]vacovc, dciyfpTiKTi niariua Kal Ti}a KorurO einyyeTi- 
 lov ■jnliTtia^ • ;/f d?.tyupriadvTaa ITicyxel, ev fiinpov 6eiv dnoaravTac 
 ToD Xoyov, ovirfp tov TrpoearCiTa airHv Uovn'kov ii :grvQi}aai Kara roi'f 
 roTK ovvrjlf) /iKoyrioi<i. 
 
 6 
 
122 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 times." The necessity of sucli letters as means of Chris- 
 tian instruction, is at present superseded by the universal 
 dissemination of the holy Scriptures ; yet as bonds of 
 Christian union, they may still be occasionally resorted 
 to with the happiest results, especially between Chris- 
 tians of distant countries as a substitute for personal in- 
 tercoui'se. We cannot but commend the epistle of the 
 venerable Dr. Planck of Germany, to the General 
 Synod of the Lutheran Church in this country, as also 
 the epistles of the Congregational and Presbyterian 
 Churches of the United States to the Christians of the 
 same denomination in Europe. Still, all these epistles 
 bear on their front the badge of schism ; for they were 
 addressed by particular sects of Christians, not to Chris- 
 tians of another country generally, but only to Christians 
 of the same sect. They are epistles from followers of 
 Paul and Apollos in one land, to disciples of the same 
 leaders in another. So completely has sectarianism 
 separated the several denominations, that by many it is 
 regarded immodest to address any others than those of 
 their own sect. Instead of that community of interest 
 between all the members of Christ's body, which the 
 apostle inculcates, " so that all the members should have 
 the same care one for another, and whether one member 
 suffer, all the members suffer with it ; " * sectarianism 
 has taught each member of the body to stand aloof from 
 tlie others, has taught them by no means to have the 
 same care ojie for another ! ! " 
 
 The last bond of primitive union M'as the occasional 
 consultation of different churches by representatives 
 
 * 1 Cor. 12 : 26. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 1 23 
 
 convened in a council or synod. This means of pro- 
 moting imity among Christians was for several reasons 
 not very frequently resorted to in the apostolic age. 
 The continual jom-neys of the apostles tended in a meas- 
 ure to answer the same purpose. How often councils 
 for mutual consultation were held, prior to that at 
 Eome, mentioned by Eusebius, we know not ; but the 
 principle being sanctioned by the apostolic example, 
 Acts XV., the chmx'h should apply it just as extensively 
 as is found to promote the spirit of imion, bi'otherly 
 love and order among Christians. As, however, neither 
 Christ nor his apostles have appointed such lodies as 
 courts of judicature or appeal, it is probable, that 
 whatever business of tliis kind is referred to the more 
 extensive judicatories, their decisions should be regarded 
 mainly as advisory, and should have no other force than 
 results from the evidence alleged in support of the 
 opinion given. The danger of such General Synods, 
 Assemblies, or Conventions, arises not so much from 
 the number of churches represented in them, as from 
 the groat nuniber of the delegates, from the degree of 
 power conferred on them by the elementary members 
 of Christ's body, tlic individual churches ; and from the 
 amount of actual husiness which is tranff erred from, 
 the churclies in their elementary capacity, to these judi- 
 catories. If the delegation be small, so that the whole 
 body will not be unwieldy ; if the business transacted 
 be not such as pro])crly belongs to the individual 
 churches ; if it relate only to the general interests of the 
 church ; and if the powers of the body be only advisory, 
 this principle of mutual consultation might to a certain 
 extent be safely employed. 
 
124 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Post-Apostolic, External Bonds of Union. 
 
 Having thus discussed tlie nature and extent of the 
 nnity of the Christian Church during the lifetime of the 
 Apostles, it may not be amiss to add a few words on the 
 additional bonds of external union, which were added 
 in dift'erent ages, after those devoted servants of Christ 
 had been removed to the upper sanctuary. For it is 
 undeniable that externally the Church of Christ was 
 more compactly bound together during a thousand 
 years bufure the Reformation of the 16th century, than 
 it had been in the first three centuries of its existence. 
 
 Of course those som*ces of spiritual union, which were 
 operative in the apostolic era, such as oneness or same- 
 ness of our holy calling, of our spiritual blessings, of our 
 living, justifjnng faith, must continue in all after-times, 
 *is they belong to the essentials of Christianity itself. 
 The same is true of the several outward manifestations 
 and means of union, such as one baptism, one faith in 
 the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, then pro- 
 fessed by all at baptism, a creed or faith subsequently 
 developed into the so-called Apostles' Creed. Indeed, 
 we suppose this unanimous jpublio and frequent profes- 
 sion of the oecumenical Creeds of fundamentals, by all 
 the churches in all lands, together with free sacramen- 
 tal communion between all in good standing, contrib- 
 uted more in all ages than any other one external means, 
 to preserve and manifest the unity of all belie\'ers. 
 
 Ihit in the progress of the Cliui-ch through successive 
 centuries and over distant lands, some external bonds 
 were added, unknown in the apostolic age, which con- 
 ferred on the Church the aspect of greater outward 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 125 
 
 unity ; althougli it is a subject of uncertainty and dis- 
 pute, whether they advanced the best interests of the 
 kingdom of Christ, whether they increased or diminished 
 true unity of spirit. The majority of these innovations 
 in the external organization of the Church are regarded 
 by Protestants in Europe and America as injurious, as 
 de\'iations from the inspired model of Church goveini- 
 ment found in the New Testament. Certain it is, that 
 without some of them, Popery could never have had an 
 existence. What then are these additional external 
 bonds ? 
 
 Councils or Synods and Diocesan Episcopacy present 
 themselves _^rs^, in the order of time. The term " bishop" 
 (im(T«on-o{-) is doubtless found in the New Testament to 
 designate an officer in the primitive Chui-ch ; but that 
 officer was the ordinary minister of a parish, who is also 
 Bomctimcs termed " elder " {-npealiO-Tipog). The iden- 
 tity of these terms as to import is evident from a cam- 
 parison of Acts xx. 17 and 28 ; Titns i. 5 and 7; where 
 the same persons arc designated by both names. Hence, 
 all our ministei-s are bishops in the New Testament 
 sense, and might probably with some advantage to the 
 mere English reader of Scripture, still be called so. 
 But about the close of the second century, the bishops 
 in cities and lai-ger towns, acquired a control over those 
 in the surrounding coimtry, which impaiitj' continued 
 to grow until it in^nclied diocesan episcopacy, and 
 abridged the ])riinilivc rights both of the laity and 
 the ordinary ministers. jN'ow it is contended, that the 
 influence and control of each bishop, and in later times, 
 Btill more of the metropolitans and the patriarchs, 
 tended to unite more closely the several churches and 
 
126 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 ministers of eacli diocese. But whilst tliis may be ad- 
 mitted, so far as outward union is concerned, it is clear 
 that its influence was limited to the diocese, and thus 
 the churches of dilferent dioceses or patriarchates were 
 less connected with each other than before. 
 
 Simultaneously with the rise of episcopacy, and in 
 some places, a few years before it. Christians, both niin- 
 isters and laymen, feeling the necessity of mutual con- 
 sultation, began to hold Conventions or Synods in par- 
 ticular emergencies, such as the controversies concern- 
 ing the time of Easter, and concerning Montanism, 
 about the year a. d. 150; and stated meetings with 
 delegates for consultation on the conmion interests of 
 the churches were held, especially in Greece, about a. d. 
 200, as described by Tertulhan (De Jejunus, c. 13). 
 That these syuodical conventions, if properly conducted, 
 would exert a powei-ful influence in cementing together 
 those who attend them, and thus promote both the in- 
 ternal and external unity of the church, is undeniable. 
 Hence, they soon became popular, although they were 
 less frequent after the union of church and state. 
 But then the emperors, on special occasions, convened 
 larger and general councils, and enfoi"'';ed their enact- 
 ments. 
 
 The third external bond for the unity of the Chris- 
 tian Church, was the Union of Church and State by 
 Constantine and his successors, beginning about the 
 year a. d. 312, concerning which indefinite views are 
 entertained by the great mass of readers. This union 
 was not, as is often supposed, eflected suddenly, by a 
 single edict or imperial decree. It was the result of 
 successive laws in favor of Christianity. 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 127 
 
 The first was the edict of toleration, issued a. d. 312, 
 which secured unrestricted liberty to both heathen, and 
 Christians throughout the empire, to worship God ac- 
 cording to their own conscientious convictions, as well 
 as entire liberty to all, to change their religion and 
 adopt that which they pi'eferred. 
 
 Another law, enacted, as Sozomen supposes, in the 
 year a. d. 313, others a. d. 321, forbade the desecration. 
 c)f the Lord's day or Christian Sabbath, by secular labor 
 or business of the civil courts, excepting only cases of 
 necessity and the liberation of slaves. 
 
 A tliird exempted Christian ministers from the 
 liability to be called on to act as civil officers, or per- 
 form civil services. 
 
 A fourth^ issued a. d. 321, authorized all* men to 
 bequeath to the Christian Church, any and as much 
 property as they pleased. 
 
 A fifth law, of a. d. 323, made it a high penal offence, 
 punishable by corporal chastisement or a heavy fine, to 
 coerce a professor of Christianity to participate in any 
 heathen sacrifices. And 
 
 A sixth excluded all who sei)aratcd from the Chris- 
 tian Church, thus patronized by the government, from 
 all the privileges and immunities granted to it, 
 
 A seventh ordered considerable sums to be paid from 
 the State treasury, for tlie support of the Christian 
 ministers in Africa. •^^ 
 
 It must be evident, tliat such an intimate union be- 
 tween Church and State, causing the ministry to be 
 
 * EuHchitis' Hist. EcdcKiiintica, x. (!, and Manso's Life of Constuii- 
 tlno the Great, p. 97. 
 
128 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 dependent on the civil government for their permanence 
 and favor, and making it the interest of every minister 
 to support the civil government, would, by the mutual 
 self-interest of both parties, form such a bond of external 
 union of the Chm'ch throughout the whole nation, that 
 the unity of the church would be just as secure and last- 
 ing as that of the government itself. Yea, dynasty 
 might succeed dynasty, and one revolution follow an- 
 other in the nation ; it would always be to the interest 
 of the successfid party to protect and favor the priests 
 on account of their influence over the people, and the 
 interest of the priests to sustain the existing govern- 
 ment, from which they derived their protection and 
 safety. 
 
 But it must be equally evident that the dependence 
 of the church for security on the smiles of civil officers, 
 very many of whom were strangers to piety, instead of 
 on her Almighty Head, who promised to bs with her 
 always, even unto the end of the world, must have been, 
 as history informs us it was, highly detrimental to her 
 spirituality. Bishops and patriarchs appeared in com- 
 pany with the civil dignitaries at court, and on all 
 special public occasions. This inspired them with a 
 fondness for the pomp and splendor which they wit- 
 nessed around them ; and to please those dignitaries, 
 they introduced them in their own public exercises. 
 From this time clerical vestments became more fashion- 
 able ; and the example of the higher clergy could not 
 fail to exert an inlluence throughout the church gener- 
 ally. This union, deleterious as it often proved to the 
 s])iritual interests of the church, was IVaught with so 
 many external advantages to both parties, that it was 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. 
 
 129 
 
 perpetuated, not only to the time of tlie Reformation, 
 in the sixteenth century, but with various important 
 improvements, luitil the pi'csent day in Europe. 
 
 The fourth and last, and most deleterious external 
 bond of union, was the Papacy, which entwined itself 
 as a net-work around all the nations of Europe and by 
 making common cause with emperors, kings and nobles, 
 succeeded by the aid of the civil governments and the 
 terrors of the bloody Inquisition, in suppressing all at- 
 tempts at reformation or separation from her pale, until 
 God raised up the intrepid reformers of the sixteenth 
 century. 
 
 From these statements it is evident that all those ad- 
 ditional external bonds of union, adopted throughout 
 the history of the church in after ages, are mere matters 
 of human expediency, which the church is bound to 
 retain or reject, as experience may have proved them 
 useful or the contrary. Of this kind are Stated Synods, 
 Diocesan bishops, Written Creeds beyond the Bible ; 
 Sectarian Creeds, that is. Creeds based on diversities 
 of views among acknowledged Christians ; the Union 
 of Church and State, that is the surrender by the 
 church to the civil government of certain rights and 
 duties, enjoined on her by the Saviour and His apostles. 
 It is, therefore, proper for believers in every age and 
 land, to examine these external additions, which have 
 been adopted in the progress of the church over the 
 earth, and to retain what the Master has ajiproved by 
 His divine blessing, to aniend what seems to be de- 
 fective, and utterly to reject what is radically wrong 
 and inconsistent with the lx!st interests of the llcdoem- 
 cr's kingdom. The discussion of these subjects, in the 
 6* 
 
I30 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Spirit of Christ, is therefore the sacred duty of those 
 disciples of the Master, whose situation affords them 
 the necessary infonnation and oppoi'tunity. Otherwise, 
 how could we justify the course of Luther and liis 
 worthy coadjutors, by Avhom the whole frame-work of 
 Komanism was reviewed and condemned, whilst the 
 Church itself was rescued from the depths of corruption 
 and superstition, and restored in a great measure to her 
 primitive purity ? 
 
 The discussions on the subject of Christian Union, 
 the various propositions for the external union of the 
 several homogeneous denominations, which have but 
 little doctrinal difference, and nothing in their modes 
 of government to divide them, augur favorably for the 
 cause of our blessed Redeemer. They will promote 
 spiritual as well as external union in the body of Christ, 
 and tend to enlighten the minds of many simjjle, be- 
 nighted individuals, who honestly believe that the whole 
 framework of their denominational oi'ganization, with 
 all its peculiarities, was verily introduced and com- 
 manded by the Saviour and his apostles themselves. 
 Only let truth, and not victory, be the object aimed at ; 
 and the spirit of Christ, as well as a siucei'e desire for 
 the spiritual unity of the church, universally direct the 
 discussions. 
 
 "We have thus endeavoi'ed faithfully to exhibit the 
 features which constituted the unity of the primitive 
 church. Let us now pursue the subject further, deduce 
 the i)riuciples furnished by these facts, and finally de- 
 velope a ])laii to restore the unity of the body of Christ 
 on the same a])oRtolic principles which constituted it in 
 the primitive ages; a consunnnation which ought to be 
 
PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN UNION. I3I 
 
 devoutly wished for by every disciple of that Saviour 
 who so earnestly prayed for the union of his followers ; 
 an object so dear to tlie heart of the noble-minded Cal- 
 vin, that to accomplish it he says : " xls to myself ^ were 
 I nicely to he of any service, I would not hesitate, were 
 it necessary, fur sucJi a jpxivpose, to cross ten scas.^^ 
 (Quantum ad me attinet siquis mei usus fore videbitur, 
 ne decem quidem, maria, si opus sit, ob eam rem traji- 
 cere pigeat. Calvin's Ej^ist., p. 61.) 
 
CHAPTEE III. 
 
 OBIGIN' OF THE PEOTESTAifT CHUKCnES, A^sD CAUSES OF 
 STRIPE AilOXa TIIESr. 
 
 AVhixst contemplating tlie cliurcli of the Redeemer 
 from the time when the Master tabernacled in the 
 flesh, to the present day, we are, as was formerly re- 
 marked, forcibly struck by the contrast between her 
 manifest spiritual unity in the earlier centuries, her 
 closer and increasing external organic connection diar- 
 ing one thousand years, especially under the papacy ; 
 and then the multitude of her external divisions since 
 the Eeformation. During the earliest period, the 
 great mass of the orthodox Christian community on 
 earth constituted one universal or catholic spiritual 
 church; excepting only several comparatively small 
 clusters of Christians, such as the Donatists and IS'ova- 
 tians. During the second period, the visible church 
 was held together in ignorance, superstition, and cor- 
 ruption, by the terrors of the Romish Inquisition and 
 other papal bonds of union. Now, the purest portion 
 of God's heritage, the Protestant world, is cleft into a 
 multitude of parties, each claiming superior i)urity, 
 each maintaining a separate ecclesiastical organization 
 on the basis of doctrinal diversity. The separation of 
 the Protestants from the Papal hierarchy was an insu- 
 j)erable duty ; for Rome had poisoned the fountains of 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CilURCIIES. 1 33 
 
 truth by her corruptious, and death or a refusal to 
 drink from her cup was the only alternative. " Baby- 
 lon, the great, was fallen" under the divine displeasure, 
 and " the voice from heaven " must be obeyed, " Come 
 out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her 
 sins, and that ye receive not her plagues.'^' But that 
 the Protestants themselves should afterwards sepai-ate 
 from each other ; should break communion with those 
 whom they professed to regard as brethren, was incon- 
 sistent with the practice of the apostolic church, and, 
 at least in the extent to which it was carried, and the 
 principle on which it was based, detrimental to the in- 
 terests of the Christian cause. But it must not be for- 
 gotten that the position thus assumed was, so far as its 
 ulterior results are concerned, rather adventitious than 
 designed. The Protestant churclies struggled into ex- 
 istence amid circumstances of excitement, oppression 
 and agitation, both civil and ecclesiastical. This state 
 of things was liighly unpropitious alike to tlie forma- 
 tion of perfect views of church polity in theory, and 
 their introduction in practice. The Reformation itself 
 could not have been effected, unless aided by the civil 
 ann, which j)rotectcd its agents from jiapal vengeance. 
 A total exclusion of the civil authorities from ecclesi- 
 astical action would probably have blasted the Eeform- 
 ation in the bud; even if the views of the earlier lie- 
 formers had led them to desire such exclusion. Owing 
 partly to these circumstance's, and partly to the reuiains 
 of papal bigotry still adhering to them, the Protestants 
 in ditfereut countries successively assumed organiza- 
 
 * Rev. xviii : 3, 4. 
 
134 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 tions not only entii'ely separate, as in some respects 
 they properly miglit be, but having little reference to 
 the church as a lohole, and calcnlated to cast into the 
 back ground the fundamental unity which actually ex- 
 ists between them. Without entering into a detail of 
 their origin, it may not be amiss, in v^iew of the popu- 
 lar reader, to advert to the successive dates of their 
 formation. 
 
 The Lictheran church grew up with the Reformation 
 itself, which commenced in 1517. The early history of 
 the one, in Germany, Denmark, Prussia, Sweden and 
 Norway also describes the origin of the other. The 
 commencement of the church may be dated, either 
 from 1520, when Luther renounced his allegiance to 
 popery, by committing the emblems of papal power, 
 the bulls and canons, to the flames ; or, more properly, it 
 may be fixed at 1530, when the reformers presented 
 their confession of faith to the emperor and diet at 
 Augsburg. It is to be regretted, that this eldest branch 
 of the Protestant church subsequently accepted a secta- 
 rian name. They thus fostered excessive reverence for 
 the opinions of an illustrious yet fixllible servant of God, 
 and erecting them into a standard of orthodoxy, made 
 his doctrinal attainments the ne plus ultra of ecclesias- 
 tical reform. For, the church being termed Lutheran, 
 it was a very popular argument, which bigots did not 
 fail to Avield, that he who rejected any of Luther's opin- 
 ions was untrue to the church which bore his name. 
 Had the generic designation at .first assumed been ad- 
 hered to, and only genei'ic principles been adopted for 
 the organization of the church, tlie work of I'cforma- 
 tion might have l)ecn gradually advanced until every 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I35 
 
 vestige of popery was obliterated, without hurling the 
 charge of unfaithfulness at any one. Yet, it is but jus- 
 tice to that distinq-uished servant of God to add, tbat 
 the name was given to his followers by his enemies in 
 derision, whilst he protested against it with his accus- 
 tomed energy. "I beg (said lie) that men would ab- 
 stain from using my name, and would caU themselves 
 not Lutherans, but Christians. "What is Luther ? My 
 doctrine is not mine. Neither was I crucified for any 
 one. Paul would not suffer Christians to be called 
 after hira, nor Peter, but after Chi-ist (1 Cor. iii : 4, 5). 
 Why should it happen to me, poor corruptible food of 
 worms, that the disciples of Christ should be called after 
 my abominable name? Be it not so, beloved friends, 
 but let us extirpate party names, and be called Chris- 
 tians ; for it is the doctrine of Christ that we teach." 
 
 The German lief oi^mcd church was next established, 
 through the agency of that distinguished servant of 
 Christ, Zwingli. lie commenced his public efforts as a 
 Kefurmer in 1519, by opposing the sale of indulgences 
 by the Romish agent Sampson. In 1531 a permanent 
 religious peace was made in Switzerland, securing mu- 
 tual toleration both to the Reformed and to the Cath- 
 olics, and thus stability was given to tliis portion of the 
 Protestant church. 
 
 The Episcopal church may be dated from 1533, when 
 'Henry VIII. renounced his allegiance to the pope, and 
 Bcparatod the church of England from the ])apal see ; 
 although the work of actually reforming this church 
 ■was accomplished at a later date. 
 
 The modern Baptist church may be referred to the 
 year 1535, when Menno Sinum commenced his career; 
 or to 1536, when it was regularly organized. 
 
136 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 The CalvmistiG or Presbyterian cJmrch, using the 
 phrase to designate the church established by Calvin 
 himself, inay be dated at 1536, when he was appointed 
 minister at Geneva, or more properly at 15i2, when he 
 established tlie presbytery there. 
 
 The Presbyterian church in England, Scotland and 
 America may be regarded as a continuation of the 
 church founded by this eminent servant of God. 
 
 The Congregational or Independent chtcrch may be 
 dated from 1616, when the first Independent or Con- 
 gregational church was organized in England by Mr. 
 Jacob. 
 
 The modern Moravian church or church of the 
 United Brethren may be regarded as originating in 
 1727, Avhen Count Zinzendorf and Baron Waterville 
 were selected as directors of the fraternity. The Con- 
 gregational, Moravian and Baptist churches trace their 
 origin to Christian communities prior to the Reforma- 
 tion. But our design is merely to enumerate the dates 
 of the existing most extensive Protestant denominations ; 
 in doing whicli, we have selected the earliest iJeriods, 
 in order that readers of no particular church might dis- 
 sent or feel aggrieved. 
 
 The oi'igin of the Methodist church may be traced to 
 1729, when its honored founder, Mr. John "Wesley, and 
 Mr. Morgan commenced their meetings for the prac- 
 tical study of the sacred volume. 
 
 Numerous other denominations of minor extent are 
 found among us, whose principles coincide more or less 
 with those of the churches here specified. All these 
 together constitute the aggregate body of Protestants, 
 and are the great mass of the visible church of the Ive- 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 
 
 deemer, engaged in promoting his mediatorial reign on 
 earth, and owned by his Spirit's blessing. 
 
 Causes of sectarian strife lyetween the different branches 
 of the Protestant church. 
 
 In continental Europe the sectarian principle is not 
 exhibited in its full development. There, either the 
 Lutheran or Reformed church and, in some instances, 
 both are established by law ; and the number of dis- 
 senters, where any exist, is very small. In England, 
 where a greater amonnt of liberty is enjoyed, and the 
 press is unshackled, dissenters from the established 
 church are far more numerous. But it is only in these 
 United States, where Christianity has been divorced 
 from the civil government, and restored to its primitive 
 dependence on its own moral power, that all sects are 
 on pel-feet equality, and the natural tendency of secta- 
 rianism is witnessed in its full latitude. The separa- 
 tion between church and state is worthy of all praise, 
 and demands our warmest gratitude to Heaven. It 
 has restored the American Protestant church to the 
 original advantages of the golden age of Christianity in 
 the apostolic days. In tliis land of refuge for oppressed 
 Europe, God has placed his ])eople in circumstances 
 most auspicious for the gradual " i)erfecting'' of his 
 visible kiugdoui. Here we are enabled, unencumbered 
 by entangling alliances with civil government, to re- 
 
 * During the last tliirty years tbo olxstaclcB to tho estaljlislimcut 
 of dissenting churches hnvo been in a great degree removed, and 
 both the Methodists and Baptists have established a number of 
 churches in Germany and Sweden. 
 
138 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 view tlie liistoiy of the Redeemer's kingdom for eight- 
 een hundred years, to trace the rise and progress of 
 error in all its forms, to witness the etfeets of every dif- 
 ferent measure, and by a species of experimental eclec- 
 ticism, rejecting every thing injurious, to combine all 
 that has proved advantageous, and incorporate it in the 
 structure and relations of the Protestant church. And 
 lias not God, in his providence, called us to this work ? 
 Has he not, by our peculiar situation, imposed on us 
 this obligation? Ought not every man, be he minister 
 or layman, who wields some influence in any Christian 
 denomination, strive to rise to the level of this sublime 
 undei'taking, and inquire : Whence originates the strife 
 among the different branches of the Protestant church ; 
 and how may their union on apostolic principles be 
 most successfully effected ? Among the causes of this 
 strife wc may enumerate the following : 
 
 1. The absence of any visible bond, or indication of union^ 
 hcUveen the different churches in any city, town or neigh- 
 borhood, whilst each of them is connected to other churches 
 elsewhere of its own denomination. This circumstance 
 constantly cherishes the unfriendly conviction, that 
 each church prefers other distant churches to its own 
 neighboring brethren. If the churches were all inde- 
 pendent, having no closer connection with any others 
 abroad, than with their neighbors at home, there would 
 be less occasion for this feeling. No bond of outward 
 union at all, would be more conducive to brotherly love 
 anion"' neiirhbors, than a bond which excludes those 
 around us, and unites us to others afar off. The effect 
 of this stimulant to apathy or disregard between neigh- 
 boring disci])les of the same Saviour is witnessed in our 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 
 
 cities, wliicli contain several churches of the same de- 
 nomination, united by a common confession and by 
 their Synodical or Presbyterial relations. How much 
 nearer do the churches of the same denomination feel 
 to each other, than to other sects not thus connected, 
 though equally and sometimes more contiguous ! 
 
 2. The next cause of strife among churches is their 
 separate organization on the (/round of doctrinal diver- 
 sity. Separate organization becomes necessary in any 
 association whose members are numerous, and spread 
 over a large extent of countiy. This is no less the case 
 in cliurch than in state. But the most natural ground 
 of division among those professedly belonging to the 
 Bame great family, and aiming at the same ends, is geo- 
 graphical proximity ; as is seen in the division of our 
 common country into States and these again into coun- 
 ties, and as was the case in the Christian church in the 
 apostolic age. But when the division is made accord- 
 ing to a principle totally different from this, when it is 
 actually made on the ground of difierence between cer- 
 tain portions of this common family, it constantly holds 
 up to view not only the existence of some diiference, 
 but also tlie fact, that this difference is so important as 
 to require those entertaining it to separate from one 
 another. Jv'ow as of two conflicting opinions only one 
 can be true, it also im])lie8, that each party regards 
 the other as in important error, and that itself professes 
 superior purity. This is virtually judging our brother, 
 and perpetuating the recollection of our judgment by 
 founding on it a peculiarity in the structure of our ec- 
 clesiastical organization. This circumstance is obvi- 
 ously calculated to beget unfriendly feelings, and to 
 
140 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 cherisli bigotry ; and its effect will be proportioned to 
 the density and exclusiveness of the organization based 
 on it. In the primitive cbnrcli, when no different de- 
 nominations of Christians existed, but all professors of 
 Christianity, of contiguous residence, whether they en- 
 tirely agreed in opinion or not, belonged to the same 
 church, the bigotry and pride of the luiman heart 
 found food only in the separate interests of neighbor- 
 ing churches occupying different ground. But to this 
 is now unhappily added the conflict of interests result- 
 ing from the occupancy of the same ground by two 
 churches, as also the conflicting interests of separate 
 extended ecclesiastical organizations aiming to occupy 
 the same location. 
 
 3. The third source of sectarian strife may be found 
 in the use of tramfandamental creeds* We have 
 already seen that creeds properly constructed are useful 
 in the church. We believe it may easily be established 
 that either in written or oral form they are essential. 
 They existed in the primitive church in the latter form, 
 and were productive of good and only good. They 
 were soon reduced to writing in the so-called Apostles' 
 creed, and served as a bond of union during the first 
 four centuries of the church, among all who held the 
 fundamentals of truth. But at that time creeds were 
 confined to fundamentals. ISTeither the Apostles' nor 
 the Nicene creed amounts to more than a single octavo 
 page ; and to the whole of the former and most of the 
 
 * By transfundamental creeds wo would designate those creeds 
 which embody not only the undisputed doctrines of Christianity, 
 but also the sectarian peculiarities of some particular denomination. 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I4I 
 
 latter all the different orthodox churches of the present 
 day could subscribe. That the brevity of these creeds 
 did not arise from the absence of diversity of view is 
 certain. It has been proved in a former part of this 
 Appeal, that there did exist differences of opinion, even 
 in the apostolic age, on some points, regarded by us as 
 highly important. To that evidence, fully satisfactory, 
 because derived from God's infallible word, we would 
 here subjoin a highly important passage from Origen, 
 to prove that sucli diversities of opinion continued to 
 characterize the church from that day tiU the middle 
 of the third century, at which time he wrote. The 
 apostolic fathers, also, would afford us important testi- 
 mony on this point. Their writings have, indeed, 
 reached us in a corrupted state ; yet enough remains 
 fully to answer our purpose ; for the diffei"ences which 
 they endeavor to allay must have existed. We shall, 
 however, confine ourselves to the passage from Origen, 
 which we believe has not before been presented to the 
 American public. Origen, let it be borne in mind, was 
 the most learned Christian writer who had appeared 
 from the time of the apostles. He was bom but eighty- 
 five years after St. John's death, and therefore may 
 have seen persons who lived in the apostolic age. The 
 infidel Celsus had asserted that in the bejiinninor when 
 Christians were few in number, there was mianimity 
 on all points, but that in his day, the latter part of the 
 second century (a. d. ITC), they differed on many sub- 
 jects. The following is Origeii's reply : " J>ut he (Cel- 
 Bus) also asserts, that they (the primitive Christians) all 
 agreed in their opinions; not observing that from the 
 beginning there were different opinions among be- 
 
142 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 lievers (Christians) as to the selection, of the books to 
 be regarded as divine. Moreover, whilst the apostles 
 were yet preaching, and those who were eye-witnesses 
 were teaching the things which they had learned of 
 Jesus, there was not a little dispute among the Jewish 
 believers, concerning those gentiles who embraced the 
 Christian doctrines, whether it was their duty to ob- 
 serve the Jewish rites ; or whether the burden of clean 
 and unclean meats might not be removed, as unneces- 
 sary, from those among the gentiles who abandon the 
 customs of their fathers and believe in Jesus. And in 
 the epistles of Paul we perceive that in the time of 
 those who had seen Jesus, some were found who called 
 in question the resurrection, and disputed whether it 
 had not already taken place ; and also concerning the 
 day of the Lord, whether it was just at hand or not ; 
 and that (admonition) to avoid profane, vain babblings 
 and the oppositions of knowledge, felsely so called, 
 which some j)rofessing, have made shipwreck concern- 
 ing the faith ; hence it is manifest that from the very 
 beginning certain differences of opinion occurred, at 
 a time when (as Celsus supposes) the number of the 
 believers was yet small. Tlien, when discoursing about 
 the differences of opinion amongst Christians, he up- 
 braids us, saying that when the Christians became im- 
 merous and were scattered abroad, they were repeat- 
 edly split u]i and cut into parties, each wishing to main- 
 tain their own position, and then (he adds) dividing 
 again, and quarrelling among themselves: until, so to 
 spealc, they agreed in only one thing, that is, in name, if 
 even for shame's sake they still have this left in com- 
 mon ; but that in all otlier things they differ. To this 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I43 
 
 we reply, that there never has been a subject whose 
 principles are of any moment and of importance in 
 life, concerning which diiferent opinions have not ex- 
 isted. Thus, because medicine is nsefid and necessary 
 to the human family, there are many disputed points 
 in it relating to the different modes of curing the dis- 
 eased. Hence diflerent parties (schools or systems) in 
 medicine are confessedly formed among the Greeks, 
 and I believe also among such of the barbarous nations 
 as avail themselves of the healing art. And again, be- 
 cause philosophy professes to teach the truth and in- 
 structs us in a knowled":e of the thin"[S which exist, 
 and how avo ought to live, and aims at showing what 
 will be advantageous to our race, it has many topics of 
 dispute. Hence in philosophy, also, there are very 
 many parties (systems, schools), some more and others 
 less distinguished." 
 
 Here, then, we have the testimony alike of the most 
 distinguished infidel and Christian of the second and 
 third centuries, to the existence of differences of oj)inion 
 (not separate ecclesiastical organizations) in the Chris- 
 tian church ; yet at that time the only creed which it 
 was deemed projier to use was that termed the Apos- 
 tles' creed. In short, there is no doubt, that the diffcr- 
 
 * Origencs contra Celsum, pp. 120, 121. edit. Hoeschclii.— It is 
 evident from the context, and certain from history, tliiit Oii<ren 
 when speakinp of numerous dilToronces anions the Clirisstians of 
 his day, uses tlie word aiQean to ni^cnify diversities of opinion, or 
 Hystems of opinions and parties maintaininfr them, without any 
 separate ecclesiastical ortjanization based on them, and without in- 
 terruption of sacramental, ministerial and ecclesiastical intercom- 
 munion of the parties. We have accordingly thus rendered it in 
 the vcreion in the text. 
 
144 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 eut SO called orthodox Protestant cliurclies are, in real- 
 ity, as much united in the fundamental doctrines of 
 Christianity as the church in the earlier centuries was. 
 But modern creeds, instead of giving prou)inence to this 
 unity, and preserving it by adding a few sentences to 
 these venerable ancient confessions, in order to exclude 
 the fundamental errors which have sprung up since tlie 
 fourth century, are swelled some to fifty and some to a 
 hundred times their size ! ! Thus they necessarily em- 
 brace so many minor points of doctri^ie and opinion, 
 that few of the members of the churches professing 
 them do in reality believe all tlieir contents ! AYhen 
 the minor points of diff'erence are embodied in a creed, 
 they become the stereotyped characteristics of a new 
 sect, and enlist in their defence many of the unsancti- 
 fied principles of our nature. They become wedges 
 of dissension to split in pieces the body of Christ, they 
 form permanent barriers of division and bulwarks of 
 schism in his church. 
 
 4. The fourth cause of alienation among Christians 
 is the sectarian t aining of ths ising generatin . l^o 
 principle is more fully established in the philosophy of 
 mind, no fact more uniformly attested by the expe- 
 rience of ages, than that the impressions of early life 
 are most lasting, that the prejudices of childhood and 
 youth pursue us tlii-ough every subsequent period of 
 life. And whoever faithfully traces to its source the 
 sectarian alienation of Christians will, we think, be con- 
 strained to attribute much of it to early sectarian train- 
 ing. 
 
 In the religious educatiou of children, the l>il)lc 
 should as much aspo;isiblo bo used as the book of study 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I45 
 
 and recitation, and such other elementary works and 
 catechisms as are mainly confined to the common 
 ground of Christian doctrine, that ground occupied by 
 the publications of the American Tract and Sunday- 
 School Societies, which is certainly of sufficient latitude. 
 The peculiarities of particular churches may, indeed, 
 and naturally will occasionally be touched on, but they 
 ought to be represented as of inferior importance, com- 
 pared with the common Christianity. And when onr 
 own denomination is the special topic of instruction, 
 children should be distinctly informed, that tlie other 
 denominations are our brethren, who love and serve 
 tlie same Saviour, and are as sincere, and perhaps as 
 pleasing to God as we are, though they differ from us 
 on some minor points. But how often do not many pa- 
 rents, in the presence of their children, exhibit their 
 prejudices against other religious denominations % How 
 much more frequently do they exalt their own denomi- 
 nation above all others, either directly or by compara- 
 tive allusions? Are there not some parents, and, alas 
 that it should be so ! some pastors too, who strive even 
 by direct effort to instil a disregard for others and a 
 preference for their own sect into the minds of children, 
 long before they are competent to comprehend or esti- 
 mate the grovmds of "the supposed preference ? What 
 else is this than an efibrt to sow the seeds of sheer pre- 
 judice in the tender minds of children ? It is right that 
 the prepossessions and antipathies of youth should be 
 not indeed excited, but pr()])erly directed ; yet, fur tho 
 bleeding Saviour's sake, let the former be enlisted in 
 the favor of ('hristianity, not of sectarianism, and the 
 latter be directed against the enemies of the crosi;, and 
 7 
 
146 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 not against tliose whom we profess to acknowledge as 
 its friends ! 
 
 5, The next source of alienation among Christians, 
 is what ma}' he termed sectarian idolatry or 
 worship, inordinate veneration for distinguished theo- 
 logians, such as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Wesley and 
 others. What candid man, possessing any extensive 
 acquaintance with the literature of past ages, can deny 
 that the deference awarded to the opinions and practice 
 of these men is altogether inordinate, entirely heyoud 
 what is due to the merits of other men, and far above 
 the measure of their actual superiority. Protestants 
 justly censure the Romish church for reposing such 
 confidence in the authority of the ancient Fathers, that 
 is, of distinguished theologians of the first four or five 
 centuries of the Christian church. Yet it may be 
 doubted whether some Protestants have not inadver- 
 tently conceded to some of these modern Fathei« an in- 
 fluence somewhat similar, possibh' in a few cases even 
 equal in degree. T4ie names of these good and great 
 yet fallible men, have become identified with certain 
 distinguishing non-fundamental doctrines which they 
 held, and by which they were distinguished from others. 
 Their authority and influence, acquired by their zeal 
 and success in behalf of the common Christianity, are 
 thus often used as a shield of protection for these minor 
 peculiarities. The very designation of these peculiari- 
 ties by personal names, calls into play sectarian associ- 
 ations, and sinister feelings, and is a kind of covert ap- 
 peal to tlie authority of these Fathers. 
 
 Moreover, each sect is prone to cultivate almost ex- 
 clusively the literature of its own denomination. Enter 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I47 
 
 the theological schools or the private hbraries of minis- 
 ters, and jou will find that generally Lutherans and 
 Calvinists and Episcopalians and Baptists and Method- 
 ists devote most of their time to the study of authors 
 of their own denominations, and this peculiarity may 
 be distinctly traced in the hbraries of many lay Chris- 
 tians. Many of these distinguished servants of God 
 would have grieved to think of the sectarian use which 
 posterity has made of their names and literary labors. 
 Listen to the language of Luther, whose name and 
 •works were for two centuries especially thus employed 
 in Germany for purposes of strife : " I had cherished 
 the hope, that henceforth men would apply to the holy 
 Scriptures themselves, and let my books alone ; as they 
 have now accomplished their end and have conducted 
 the hearts of men to the Scriptures, which was my de- 
 sign in writing them. "What profit is ihere in the mak- 
 ing of many books, and yet remaining ignorant of the 
 book of books ? Better far to drink out of the fountain 
 itself, than out of the little rivulets which have con- 
 ducted you to it.* Whoever now wishes to have my 
 books, I entreat him by no means to let them be an ob- 
 stacle to his studying the Scriptures tliemsclves. But 
 let him look upon my books, as I do on the decretals of 
 the ])opes and books of the sophists, that is, though I 
 occasionally look into them to see what they performed, 
 and to examine the history of the times, I by no means 
 study them under the impression, that I must do as 
 they teach.''t Yet there is reason to fear, that some 
 
 * Luther's Duiitsclio Worko, B. 14. S. 423. 
 \ Luthor's Deutsclio Wt rko, B. 14. S. 400. 
 
148 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 good men have, hj early and long continued training, 
 become so mucli accustomed to test and value their 
 vieAvs, rather as being Lutheran or Calvinistic than 
 biblical — that they have so long been in the habit of 
 dwelling on the conformity of their sentiments to those 
 of Luther, Calvin, Wesley, or some other Avorthy of the 
 church, that they would feel deeply distressed and al- 
 most lost, if these names were wrested from them ! In 
 the spirit of such sectarianism we might eommisei'ate 
 the condition of the primitive discii)lcs, whose Chris- 
 tianity was based on the Saviour alone ! AVe might 
 exclaim, " Unhappy Paul, thou hadst no Luther nor 
 Calvin nor Wesley to glory in, whose name thou couldst 
 bear in addition to that of Christ !" But were such the 
 feelings of Paul ? lie might himself have been a Lu- 
 ther, a Calvin, a Wesley, his name the watchword of a 
 sect; but the noble minded Paul would glory only in 
 Christ. He would not allow the adoption of any sec- 
 tarian name in the clmrdi. Sectarian names and party 
 divisions he denounced as carnal. " Therefore (said 
 he) "let no man glory in men; for they are all youi-s 
 (they are all the property of the Avhole church), whether 
 Paul or Apollos or Cephas" (and we may add Luther 
 and Calvin and Wesley) : " all are yours, and ye are 
 Christ's, and Christ is God's. So then (ourw^) let a man 
 consider us (me and Apollos, etc.) as ministers of 
 Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (Jbut in)t as 
 leaders of parties)."'^' He would have all believers called 
 Christians and onl^ Christians. All that this nanae 
 implied he wished to be, and neither more nor less. 
 
 * 1 Cor. iii: 21— ivrl. 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I49 
 
 IJappy day ! Avlien this spirit shall return to the church ! 
 Then she may celebrate a jubilee, a glorious jubilee ; 
 and it will literally be not a centennial, but a millen- 
 nial jubilee. The last thousand years will have wit- 
 nessed but one ! ! 
 
 Nor would we pass in silence a collateral evil, result- 
 ing from the almost exclusive cultivation of sectarian 
 literature. As this literature is all of a date subsequent 
 to the Reformation, its perusal impresses the Protest- 
 ant laity with the modern origin of our churches ; and 
 leaves them in almost total darkness as to our real iden- 
 tity with the church of the earlier ages. Hence our 
 people are unduly impressed by the Romish claim to 
 superior antiquity, and an advantage is conceded to 
 papists of which they cunningly avail themselves. If 
 Protestants selected their literature pronii-cuously from 
 among the different sects according to the intrinsic 
 merits of the writers, it would tend much to promote 
 actual unity and mntual esteem among themselves; 
 and if, Ijoth in their literature and creeds, they gave 
 greater prominence to their identity with the primitive 
 church, they would make the laity feel their connection 
 with the Christians of the earlier centuries, and thus 
 nullify the most popular argument by which papists 
 proselyie Protestant members. 
 
 C. Another source of sectarian di-cord, is ecclesiast- 
 ical jjride. As long as man is sanctified but in part, 
 this element of native depravity will more or less iiillii- 
 ence the disciples of Christ; will seek and often find 
 fuel even iu the sanctuary of God. Each sect is natu- 
 rally disposed to regard its institutions and its ministers 
 as the mcA learned and able, or its members as most 
 
FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 genteel, or its rites most fasliionable, its churclies most 
 splendid, or its members the most pious, its ptxles as far 
 the best road to heaven. Ministers are tempted to be 
 influenced by the feet, that thej regard ilieir churches 
 as presenting the most conspicuous theatre for the dis- 
 play of their talents, or holding out the fairest pros- 
 pects of advancement; their jiudiences as the most in- 
 telligent, their support as the most liberal, or as best 
 secured against contingencies. Hence they are in dan- 
 ger of looking on their less favored neighboi's with se- 
 cret disrespect ; of cherishing ecclesiastical pride, and 
 having their judgment Avarped by it. We do not as- 
 sert that all ministers or laymen yield to the influence 
 of this temptation, yet happy is that man, Avho, on an 
 im]iartial examination of his feelings as in the presence 
 of God, stands fidly acquitted by his own conscience! 
 That caution here is not superfluous, was evidently the 
 opinion of the great apostle of the gentiles, who having 
 himself repelled all sectarian honore, gives double force 
 to his admonition : " These things, brethren, I have 
 figuratively transferred (applied) to myself and to Apol- 
 los, for your sakes, that ye might learn by us not to 
 • esteem ministers (see v. 1) above what is written (in v. 
 1, and ch. iii : 5 — ix : 21), that no one of you may, on 
 account of one (minister), be puffed up against an- 
 other!!" 
 
 7. The last source of sectarian discord to be noticed 
 is conflict of pocuninry iniercst between neighboring 
 ministers and churches. This principle applies to the 
 feelings of the minister in regard to his salary, which 
 depends in some measure on the increase of his church. 
 In reference to laymen, it applies to their raising fuiuls 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 151 
 
 for all ecclesiastical purposes. The more their cliiu'cli 
 prospers and receives additions, the more Avill their pe- 
 cuniary liabilities be divided, tlie more easily will the 
 burden rest on their shoulders. Hence both pastors 
 and people are tempted to envy and jealousy towards 
 their Christian neighboi's of other denominations, be- 
 cause the success of either party is more or less at the 
 expense of the other. The success of either, diminishes 
 the amount of materials for the others to act on, and 
 this is a matter of serious moment to tlie parties, espe- 
 cially in smaller towns and villages, where often twice 
 as many ministers are stationed as are needed, or as 
 can be supported. 
 
 From this difficulty the primitive church was almost 
 entirely exempt. In the earlier ages it was customary 
 to appoint, that is, ordain several elders, or as we now 
 term them ministers, in ever}"- church, who divided the 
 pastoral labor between them, and generally continued 
 to jf^osecute their secular business, thus in a (jreat meas- 
 ure supporting tJtemselves ; whilst it was customary 
 from the beginning to provide for those who went 
 abroad as missionaries, and travelled from place to 
 place. '^^ The only fund of the church was that which 
 arose from the voluntary offerings of the members on 
 each Lord's day. This fund, however, was considerable ; 
 and it Mas ])robably as a stinudus to liberality, that the 
 custom of reading off the names of the contributors was 
 introduced; though its professed design was to com- 
 mend them to the special prayers of the church. f lu 
 
 * Fuchs' Bibliothck dcr Kirchenversammlungcn, Vol. I., p. 72,73. 
 t Ibid, Vol. I., p. 73. 
 
152 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 the third century, when the intelligence of the churches 
 had increased and the duties of ministers had be- 
 come so greatly multiplied as to require their entire 
 time, they were in some countries prohibited from fol- 
 lowing any secular profession, as we learn from Cyprian,* 
 and other sources. Tiie sixth of the Apostolic Canons 
 reads thus : 
 
 Canon 6. Neither a hisJwp, presbyter nor deacon shall 
 engage in secular employmen t, on pain of being deposed 
 from office. 
 
 And the fortieth canon is as follows : 
 
 Canon 40. We ordain that the bishop shall have the 
 control of the congregational property. For as the pre- 
 cious soxds of men are committed to his care, much more 
 ought he to have the control of the church property, that 
 he may f reely arrange every thing, that he may aid the 
 poor through the instrumentality of the presbyters and. 
 deacons, in the fear of God and in all honesty. lie 
 shall also be permitted to apply a portion of it to his 
 own indispensable ivants, if he needs it, as also for 
 strange Christians who have come as guests / and in these 
 cases it is not necessary to suffer any want {iieraXaiifiaveiv 
 
 Kai av-rov twv deovrcov, elye dcEiro, el^ Tag dvayKaiag 
 avTCO XP^'^C'? i^*^^ eTTi^evovjievcjv ddeXrpwv, (if Kara nrjdeva 
 rpoTTov avTovg varepeiaOai). 
 
 The fifty-eighth canon likewise relates to this sub- 
 ject : 
 
 Canon 58. Jf a bisJwp refuse to supply the indis- 
 
 * Cjpriani cj). CO. to tlic church at Furnae. Neaudcr, sup. cit. p. 
 805. 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. I 53 
 
 pensahle wants of a 2^007' minister (uamely from the 
 church funds) Jie shall he set aside / and if he still 
 refuses to do it, let him he deposed as a murderer of his 
 brethren/^ 
 
 At the Synod of Elvira, (in Spain, near the site of 
 the present Granada,) the date of -which is not entirely 
 certain, though fixed with probability about the year 
 313, a restriction was imposed on ministers, by the 
 eighteenth canon, which however pre-supposes that iu 
 Spain the secular business of ministers was not yet 
 entirely prohibited. 
 
 Canon 18. Bishops, elders and deacons shall not leave 
 their place of residence for the sake of trade, nor tra- 
 verse the provinces for the purposes of attending pro- 
 fitable fairs. They may, for the purpose of gaining a 
 subsistence, send a son, or freedman, or hireling, or 
 friend, or any one else ; and if they wish to pursue 
 any secula/r business, let it be within their province.'f 
 
 In accordance witli the.-e on'ginal documents, is the 
 opinion of Dr. Neander,:}: who is confessedly the most 
 learned writer of the present age, on the ancient history 
 of the churcli. " It is almost certain (says he) that in 
 the begi ruling, those who held offices iu the church, 
 continued to pursue their secular business, and thereby 
 
 * Roessler's Bibliotbek der Kirchenviitcr, Vol. IV., p. 232, 242,248. 
 
 t Ibid, Vol. IV., p. 280, 281. Episcopi, Presbyteri et Diacones de 
 Incis 8uis ncjjotiancli causa non ^liscodant ; nec circumcuntcs pro- 
 vinciaH (luaostiiosa.s umidinns sectentur. Sane ad victuin Bibi con- 
 quircndiim aut filimii, aut liltcrtuin, aiit mprccnaiiuin, aut aniicum, 
 ant quciiilibct iiiittant, et ki voliierint nugoliari, intra provinciam 
 negoticntur. 
 
 t Died July 14th, 1850. 
 
 7* 
 
154 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 supported tlieir families, as tliej had previously done. 
 The congregations, which consisted chiefly of the poor, 
 ■were scarcely able to provide for the support of their 
 ministers (presbyters) and deacons, especially as at that 
 time many other demands were made on the congrega- 
 tional treasury, such as for the support of the destitute 
 widows, of the poor, of the sick, and of orphans. And 
 it may be that the ministers often belonged to the 
 wealthiest members of the church, and indeed this must 
 often have been the case, as their office required a de- 
 gree of previous cultivation of mind and manners, which 
 could more frequently be found among persons in the 
 higher or middle walks of life, than among the lower 
 classes of society. If it was necessary that the presby- 
 ters or bishops, as they were in all respects to be an 
 example to the flock, should also have been distinguish- 
 ed among the Chi'istians for their hospitality (1 Tim. 
 3 : 2), they must have belonged to those in easy circum- 
 stances, of whom the number was not large, — and how 
 could such persons have permitted themselves to be sup- 
 ported by the savings of their more needy brethren ! 
 The apostle Paul does indeed declare, that the mission- 
 aries who went abroad to publish the gospel, are entitled 
 to a support from those for whose spiritual benefit they 
 labor, but we cannot hence infer the same in regard to 
 the officers of individual congregations. The former 
 could not well unite their secular profession with the 
 duties of their spintual calling, although to the self- 
 denial of Paul even this v.'as possible. But the latter 
 could at first easily combine their secular pi'ofession 
 Avith their ecclesiastical office. I^or was there any tln'ng 
 ofiensive in such a union according to the primitive 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 1 55 
 
 views of the Christians ; for they -u-ere convinced that 
 every earthly calling also could be sanctified by the 
 cliristian design for which it is pursued, and they knew 
 that even the great apostle in cases of necessity followed 
 a secular business,* whilst engaged in publishing tlie 
 gospel. But when the congregations became larger, 
 and the duties of the cliurch ofHcers more numerous ; 
 when the duty of teaching was chiefly confined to the 
 ministers, as the office of the ministei's required all their 
 time and exertions if they would perform them faith- 
 fully ; it was often no longer possible for them to pro- 
 vide for their own support, and the congregations hav- 
 ing become larger, contained more wealth, and were 
 now able to support them. The salary of the ministers 
 was paid out of the congregational treasury, which was 
 supplied by a voluntary contribution from each member 
 at the meeting for public worship on every Lord's day, 
 or as in Northern AlVica, on the first Sunday of 
 each mouth. Miuistere were now urged to abstain 
 
 * Acts xviii : 3 ; XX : 34, 35. A good doal of interest has been 
 evinced in the question, what the exact trade was, at which the 
 apostle wjnietinics worked ; whether from mere curiosity, or a de- 
 sire to throw light upon the; question, wliat kind of secular labor 
 best comports with the clerical profession. The term employed by 
 Luke is OKiivoxniorj, which is variously understood, by some as sig- 
 nifying manufacturer of mattresses, by others, of tools, others of tcitt- 
 cloth ; but by the great majority, including the authors of our com- 
 mon English version, as signifying tcnt-mnkers. In our own coun- 
 try the most proper profession, by which the minister can supple- 
 ment his inadequate salarj', is that of teaching school, which comes 
 nearest to the ministerial profession in its nature, and also aflbrds 
 most freepient op|)ortunities to inculcate religious instruction. Seo 
 also 1 Cor. iv : 12, etc. ; 2 Cor. vi : 4, 5. 
 
156 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 from worldly husiness ; and in the third century they 
 were absolutely prohibited from all such employment, 
 even from the duties of a guardian. This regulation 
 was doubtless founded on a very good reason, and was 
 intended for the very salutary purpose of preventing 
 the clergy from forgetting their sacred calling amid 
 their worldly engagements ; for we see fi'om the work 
 of Cyprian, De lapsis, that during the long-continued 
 peace, a worldly spirit had already crcpt in among the 
 bishops, and that, immersed in secular business, they 
 neglected their spiritual duties and. the welfare of their 
 churches." * 
 
 Such then are the undoubted facts in the case. In 
 the beginning there was not, there could not be any 
 conflict of pecuniary interest between adjoining minis- 
 ters and congregations. But it is evident that even after 
 it became necessary for ministers to relinquish their 
 secular business and be supported by their congrega- 
 tions, which they had a clear right to demand as soon 
 as the congregations were large enough to support them, 
 as Paul distinctly teaches in 1 Cor, ix., scarcely any 
 more difficulty could arise ; because there being but one 
 denomination of Christians, there could not be several 
 conflicting churches aiming to occupy the same ground, 
 and the cases would be rare in which more ministers 
 would be stationed in one place, than the popxilation 
 required and could support. 
 
 How great the difficulties arc, which now arise from 
 this source is well knoAvn. Yet they might be greatly 
 
 * Ncandor's Allgemcino Gcschlchtc dcr cliristlichcn Religion und 
 Kirchc, Vol. L, p. 303, 304, 303. 
 
STRIFE AMONG PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 1 57 
 
 diminished by the plan of union hereafter proposed, if 
 (I) the confederated denominations would resolve not to 
 send into any neighborhood more ministers than would 
 constitute a reasonable supply, say one to every thou- 
 sand souls. (2) Let all the members of the confederated 
 churches, resident in such bounds unite in supporting 
 one and the same minister. And (3) if the Avhole con- 
 federated population of such a district is unable to fur- 
 nish an adequate support for a minister, let application 
 be made to the Ilome Missionary Society for aid. Thus 
 would the funds of the church be better husbanded and 
 more judiciously and extensively applied ; many labor- 
 ers v»"0uld be spared for destitute portions of our land 
 and of our globe, brotherly love would more abound in 
 the church at home, and unity of spirit be greatly pro- 
 moted. 
 
CHAPTER TV. 
 
 EEMEDY FOR THESE EVILS, OK PLAN FOE THE KESTORATION 
 OF CATHOLIC UNION ON APOSTOLIC PRINCIPLES. 
 
 Any plan of union, in order to possess a claim to the 
 attention of the different christian denominations gener- 
 ally, must be based on apostolic principles, must be 
 accordant ^Yith the spirit and principles of the New 
 Testament, or deducible from them. It must leave 
 untouched the unalienable rights and obligations of 
 Christians, and therefore must possess the following 
 attributes : 
 
 1. It must require of no one the renunciation of any 
 doctrine or opinion believed by him to be scriptural or 
 true. 
 
 2. It must concede to each denomination or branch of 
 the Church of Christ, the right to retain its own organ- 
 ization, or to alter or amend it at option, leaving every 
 tiling relative to government, discipline, and worship, 
 to be managed by each denomination according to its 
 own views for the time being. Tlie principle of 
 ecclesiastical associations is scriptural ; the mode of its 
 application and tlie extent of its use, are not decided 
 by the sacred volume, and therefore are just matter for 
 private judgment and progressive experience. 
 
 3. It must dissuade no one from discussing fimda- 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 mentals and non-fimdameutals in the spirit of christian 
 love, and amicably showing why he believes some non- 
 fundamental opinions held by any of his brethren to be 
 incorrect. Controversies might even exist among the 
 confederated brethren, under the influence of scriptural 
 union ; but they would be divested of most of their 
 bitterness, because the points at issue would confessedly 
 be non-fundamental, having little or no perceptible in- 
 fluence on christian practice, involving no pecuniary 
 loss by ejection from a pastoral .relation, and menacing 
 no ecclesiastical disabilities. 
 
 4. The plan nmst be applicable to all the orthodox 
 christian denominations, to all that arc regarded as por- 
 tions of Christ's visible church on earth. It must em- 
 brace all whom the apostles and primitive Christians 
 would have admitted to the one catholic or universal 
 church ; all whom God has owned by the influence of 
 his Spirit and grace. Upon this ground James, Peter, 
 and John admitted Paul, who had formerly been a 
 persecutor of the brethren, and "gave to him the right 
 hand of fellowship." * The Saviour never enjoined on 
 men the duty of flxing the terms of coninumion in his 
 church. This he has himself done in his word by pre- 
 cept and by the apostolic example; and we are treading 
 on forbidden ground when we sepai'ate those whom 
 God by his grace and Spirit hath joined together. 
 This is indeed not the design of the diflerent denomina- 
 tions, but is it not too true, that it is virtually the result 
 of the present state of sectarian division I 
 
 * Gal. ii. 9 : When James, Cephas, and John, perceived the prace 
 that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right 
 han<l of rdlowship. 
 
i6o 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Having now considered the character of primitive 
 unity, and the causes of discord in the different 
 "branches of the Protestant church, let us take om* 
 stand on the liigh ground of apostolic principles, and 
 from that elevated post survey the divided heritage of 
 the Saviour, and inquire how may the spirit, and, as 
 far as possible, the form of primitive unity be restored '{ 
 And may that blessed Saviour, who promised wisdom 
 from above to them that ask it, to lead them into all 
 necessary truth, grant us the tuition of his Spirit to 
 guide and bless this humble effort for the accomplish- 
 ment of his own fervent prayer in behalf of his disci- 
 ples : " That they all may be one ; as thou. Father, art 
 in me, and I in thee." 
 
 I. Some few advocates of union have proposed, that 
 all others should abandon their systems and peculiari- 
 ties, and unite with them by conforming in all things 
 to their views and practice. 
 
 As this method violates the unalienable rights and 
 obligations of Christians, by requiring the abandonment 
 of what they believe truth, and the practice of what 
 they consider error, it cannot be regarded as judicious, 
 or as promising any success. It would, moreover, be- 
 tray extreme Aveakness for any one Christian sect, at 
 this late day, to calculate on the universal adoption of 
 its peculiarities by all others. Better, far better will it 
 be, that all endeavor to forget sectarian differences, and 
 co-operate for the publication of the Gospel to the 
 600,000,000 of perishing heathen, with a degree of ar- 
 dor and cordiality, which will make us wear the ap- 
 pearance of one church. 
 
 II. It has been pro]i")sc(l, tliat eacli denomination 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 I6l 
 
 should renounce its standards of doctrine and govern- 
 ment and worship, and then all unite in one new, short 
 confession, embracing only those doctrines held in com- 
 mon bj all, and establishing such a system of govern- 
 ment as all could conscientiously adopt ; whilst entire 
 liberty and privilege of diversity sliould be enjoyed by 
 all on every point not determined by the new stand- 
 ards. 
 
 This plan is liberal in its jirinciples, violates none of ' 
 the imalienable rights and obligations of Christians, 
 and therefore possesses claims of the highest order. It, 
 however, mistakes uniformity for union, and lacks one 
 attribute of a proper union for Christians, on an apos- 
 tolic basis. The apostles and primitive churches main- 
 tained unity with all whom they acknowledged as 
 Christians; but this plan, we fear, is not applicable to 
 all orthodox Christian denominations. It would prom- 
 ise a union of the Congregationalists, the Presbyterians, 
 the Luthci-ans, the German Eeformed, the Dutch Re- 
 formed, the Baptists, and, in short, of all those ortho- 
 dox donominations, which hold parity of ministers. 
 The Moravians, or United Brethren also could unite so 
 far as doctrine is concerned, for, as they adopt and have 
 always held the Augsburg Confession, there would be 
 no difficulty. The same is true, so far as doctrine is 
 concerned, of the Episcopal church, the Methodist, and 
 all other churches which practice diocesan episcopacy 
 in our land. But the writer is unable to perceive how 
 these denominations could all unite on any middle 
 ground of church goverament. We must either have 
 diocesan bishops or practice ministerial parity ; and 
 any plan, constructed on the principle of uniformity, 
 
l62 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 must adopt cither the oue or the other, and/eould not 
 enjoin both. But these churches are as orthodox and 
 pious as any others, and God has as distinctly owned 
 them as his own; so that we should feel criminal iu 
 virtually pronouncing that unclean which God has 
 sanctified, were we to advocate a plan of union which 
 Avould exclude either the friends of ministerial parity or 
 imparity. But if this plan were even feasible, its adop- 
 tion Avould probably not result in much good ; as it 
 would collect into one bod}', for religious worship, those 
 whose modes and habits of worship are so materially 
 diverse as to justify the anticipation of but little har- 
 mony or edification. 
 
 III. Without enlarging our work by an account of 
 the different attempts at Christian union, which have 
 been made in the Protestant church, and which are 
 familiar to students of ecclesiastical history, we shall 
 proceed to spread before our readers the scheme to 
 which we invite their special attention. Our own plan, 
 winch appears to us more accordant with the requisite 
 attributes of a plan for Christian union on apostolic 
 principles, more feasible, and more safe, is embraced 
 in the follow-ing features : 
 
 First Featuee. The several Christian denominations 
 shall retain each its own present ecclesiastical organiza- 
 tion, government, discipline, and mode of worship. It 
 is conceded by the great body of Christians, that the 
 Scriptures do not determine all the particulars of any 
 system of church govermnent, but leave the matter, ex- 
 cepting some important outlines, to the conscientious 
 judgment and experience of the church in every age, 
 and under every form of civil government ; and the few 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 M-lio tliink they find tlieir entire system of government 
 in Scripture, do not regard it as so essential as to lead 
 them to deny the Christian character of others. Hence 
 every church has an equal right deliberately to test her 
 forms of ecclesiastical organization by experience ; and 
 diversity of practice on this j)oint, ought neither to pre- 
 clude ecclesiastical communion, nor impede substantial 
 union among the parties. This principle is distinctly 
 avowed in the motlier symbol of Protestantism, the 
 Augsburg Confession : " For the true unity of the 
 church (say the confessors) nothing more is required 
 than agreement concerning the doctrines of the Gospel, 
 and the administration of tlie sacraments. Nor is it 
 necessary that the same human traditions, that is, rites 
 and ceremonies instituted by men, should be every- 
 where observed."* It is indeed true, that whilst many 
 churches have no connection whatever with each other, 
 even though contiguous, others are united together 
 more closely than any of the apostolic churches were. 
 But the questions whether and when they shall relax 
 these sectarian bonds, should be left to their own decis- 
 ion. The evils of too close a union in extended bodies 
 are beginning to be extensively felt ; and if through 
 the influence of the impartial investigation, fostered by 
 the kind of union proposed in this Appeal, some 
 churches should relinquish any features of their eccle- 
 siastical organization, as is entirely possible; they have 
 full liberty to reform themselves, and, under the pro- 
 gressive I 'ujht of God' s providence, gradually, to assume 
 towards each other and towards the great body of the 
 
 * Auppburff Confepsion, Art. VII. 
 
164 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Protestant churchy ichatever relation and organization 
 appear to them hest adapted to the millennial age. But 
 the attempt to unite all the churches in our land under 
 the control of one judicatory of supervision, jurisdiction, 
 and appeal, appears to the writer neither desirable nor 
 safe. It would be a distinct approximation to a new 
 hierarchj. Yerj extensive courts are too cumbersome 
 for efficient action, business is retarded, power tends to 
 accumulation, the rights of conscience are in danger of 
 being infringed either by statute, or by an accmnulated 
 moral influence which crushes all that refuses to submit 
 to its dictation. 
 
 Moreover, so long as men entertain materially differ- 
 ent \'iews of government and modes of worship, it can- 
 not be conducive to harmony or edification, to compress 
 them into any one form. The attempt to promote 
 union by the immediate abandonment of existing or- 
 ganizations, would seem to be inexpedient also for an- 
 other reason. Experience proves it dangerous suddenly 
 to unsettle the long established habits of the commu- 
 nity ; lest being released from the old, they fail gene- 
 rally to settle down with firmness on any thing new 
 that is better. An attempt to break up existing organ- 
 izations would, moreover, cast into imcertainty and 
 confusion the various interests of churcb.es and pastors, 
 and might open the door for encroachment of the strong 
 upon the weak, of the more talented on the less, of the 
 rich upon the poor. It is a dictate of wisdom not to 
 place ourselves at the mercy even of professed Chris- 
 tians when we can avoid it. Accoi'dingly the first fea- 
 ture of our plan, by stipulating that each denomination 
 shall retain its organization as long as it shall see fit, 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 165 
 
 provides against this clanger, and leaves each denomi- 
 nation as an independent coramnnity to watcli the ef- 
 fects of the other features hereafter proposed, and de- 
 cide for itself how far to accede to the terms of union, 
 and how long to adhere to them. It also provides for 
 the indulgence of existing diversities and preferences so 
 long as they shall continue ; whilst the other features 
 will gradually tend to diminish them ; thus inviting ex- 
 ternal unif )rmity no faster than unity of spirit and of 
 views has fully prepared the way. And, finally, this 
 feature would leave untouched the relations, govern- 
 ment and charters of the various religious, theological 
 and benevolent institutions, whilst the goieral plan of 
 union would promote unity of spirit and efficient co- 
 operation among them all, for accelerating the grand 
 enterprise of the Christian church to preach the gospel 
 to every rational creature. 
 
 Second Featlre. Let each of the confedei^ated de- 
 nominations formally o'esolve for itself^ not to disci- 
 pline any member or minister, for Jwldlng a doctrine 
 believed hy any other denomination whose Christian 
 character they acJaioivledge, provided his deportment he 
 vnexceptionahle, and he conform to the rules of the gov- 
 ernment, discipline and worship adopted hy said denom- 
 ination. This would bo actually retaining in good 
 standing all M-hom the apostles would have retained. 
 And yet, such is the influence of habit and long famil- 
 iarity with sectarian organizaticms, that to some this 
 feature of our plan will ajipear altogether impractica- 
 ble. But if it is so in any portion of the church, it 
 must be from want of Christian charity, of that gnTfc 
 enjoined l)y the apostle, "not to judge a brother''' (Ro- 
 
i66 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 mans xiv.), from indisposition or inability to obey the 
 apostolic precept, to receive those Avho are weak in the 
 faith, hut not to douhtful disjjniation. If then it be only 
 onr want of charity which disqualifies us for the adop- 
 tion of this featiu-e of union, let us not assail it ; but set 
 about reforming ourselves, and enlarging our hearts, until 
 they cordially respond to the injunction of the great apos- 
 tle of the Gentiles, to receive those who are weak (in our 
 judgment, defective) in the faith ; in error, as Ave think, in 
 some minor doctrines. It is true, the apostle Peter de- 
 nounced some as false teachers, and Paul commanded 
 the excommunication of others ; but what were the 
 crimes or heresies of which these persons were con- 
 victed ? If they were such as all the orthodox churches 
 would unite in regarding an ample ground of excom- 
 munication ; and if in no instance the apostles enjoined 
 discipline for a point which any orthodox denomina- 
 tion would regard a> insufficient ; then the apostolic 
 example affords full sanction for our plan, because this 
 is exactly the ground which it assumes, and by its pro- 
 visions aU would be excluded whom the apostles would 
 reject ; and is not that enough ? As to false doctrine, 
 we find Peter denouncing those as /"alse teachers who 
 " bring in damnable heresies {alpeaeiq dnaXetag, destruc- 
 tive heresies or divisions), den i/ing even tJie Lord thai bouffhi 
 ihem.^'^ And, it is scarcely necessary to say, that such 
 errorists would unhesitatingly be excluded by the terms 
 of the proposed union, as they also were from the 
 churches of the earlier centuries by the apostles' creed. 
 Peter denounced Simon Magus as "having neither 
 
 * 2 Pet. ii : 1. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 167 
 
 part nor lot in this matter," but it was for attempting 
 to bribe the apostles and lelieving that the miraculous 
 gifts of God could be purchased with money.* The 
 apostle Paul wishes the Galatians to cut off certain per- 
 sons ;t but they were guilty of having denied the doc- 
 trine of salvation by grace on account of the merits of 
 Christ ; they made " Christ of no effect,":}: maintaining 
 (professedly, not by mere inference of others) that men 
 must be "justified by the law;"§ thus "preaching an- 
 other gospel,"! and denying a fundamental doctrine, 
 held by all the orthodox denominations, that salvation 
 is by grace, through the merits of Christ. And in his 
 first epistle to Timothy, the same apostle predicts, that 
 " in aftertimes some shaU depart (or rather, aposta- 
 tize, aTToa-iiaovraL) from the faith. And what was it in 
 them which he denounced as aj)o.slaci/ from the faith ? 
 He himself informs us, that it was " giving heed to se- 
 ducing spirits," and believing the doctrines concerning 
 (not devils, but daijioi'liov demons, or) inferior deities, 
 such as worshipped heroes or saints, " speaking lies in 
 hypocrisy," " having their conscience seared," " forbid- 
 ding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats." 
 Here again it will be conceded, that any church deserv- 
 ing the name of orthodox, would not hesitate to exclude 
 any one who should be chargeable with the counts sum- 
 med ui) by the apostle, and so mournfully applicable to 
 the Roinish church. And, finally, the beloved apostle 
 John warns his readcre against some false teachers, 
 whom he styles antichrists, liut wliat does he repre- 
 
 * Acts viii : 0, 10. f Onl. v : 13. i Ibid, v : ^ § Acts v : 4. 
 II Gal. i : 6, f», 0. 
 
FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 sent them as teaching ? " "Who is the har, but he who 
 denieih that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah promised in 
 the Old Testament) ? He is the antichrist, that denieth 
 the Father and the Son.'''* And, " Many deceivers are 
 entered into the world, who do not confess that Jems 
 Christ came into the world, this is a deceiver and an anti- 
 clirist."f Now these, if we mistake not, are all the in- 
 stances in which the apostles either expressly enjoined 
 excommunication for error in doctrine, or denounced 
 the errorists in language implying that they ought to 
 be regarded, not as erring brethren, but as aj^ostates 
 from Christianity ; and, as not one of these errors is 
 held by any of the so-called orthodox churches, as every 
 one of them is denounced by them, the plan we propose 
 would reach them all, and thus the rigor of discipline 
 be quite as great as the apostles enjoined. 
 
 In addition to these errors in doctrine, the apostle 
 has enumerated a list of practical abuses, as proper 
 causes of ecclesiastical discipline, lest a little leaven of 
 sin should corrupt the whole church; namely, incest,:}: 
 fornication, dishonesty in the pursuit of wealth, idola- 
 try, railing, drunkenness, and extortion. To this class 
 also belongs the apostle's injunction : " A man that is a 
 schismatic {aipzriKov, a maker of divisions or sects or par- 
 ties in the church),§ after the first and second admoui- 
 
 * 1 John ii : 22. f 2 Jobu v. 7. % 1 Cor. v : xi. 
 
 § Tliis version, after much examination, seems to the writer the 
 true one. It is sustained by tliree fourths of the best critics, such 
 as Micliiiclis, ^^clilcusner, Wuhl, Do Wette, Stoltz, Ileuinann, Van 
 Ess, Seller, etc. Hut should ve even adopt the common version, the 
 passage is inapijlicablc, as the context does not decide what errors 
 tho apostle considered herceies. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 169 
 
 tion reject," and that of tlie Saviour to exclude one 
 " who ■will not hear the church." Yet as these are not 
 doctrinal abeiTations, they are not affected by the plan 
 of union, since its first feature provides that each de- 
 nomination sliaU retain its rules of government, disci- 
 pline and worship, or modify them at pleasure. 
 
 And is there no passage in Scriptm'e justifying disci- 
 pline for doctrinal errors of a minor grade ? The apos- 
 tle does, indeed, command us " earnestly to contend for 
 the faith once delivered to the saints." Yet, as he does 
 not specify how we ought to contend, whether by 
 preaching, or writing, or ecclesiastical discipline, it is 
 uncertain whether discipline was meant. And admit- 
 ting that he also intended discipline, it seems reasona- 
 ble that it should be employed only in defence of those 
 doctrines which were certainly delivered to the saints ; 
 and he could not have meant that some saints should 
 turn their brethren out of the church, for liolding sen- 
 timents which othei-s whom they acknowledged to be 
 , saints, and who remained in the church, believed to be 
 I a part of the gospel of Christ. If excommunicatio:i 
 were one of the appointed means for asreiiainwg the 
 truth, it might with i)ropriety be applied in doubtful 
 I f cases. But the New Testament represents it as a pen- 
 alty, to be inflicted on those who have so criminally and 
 materially forsaken the jjath of truth or of virtue, as to 
 i be imworthy of the Christian name.* Hence it ought 
 not to be ajjplied in reference to points on which Chris- 
 tians of ccpial piety, talent and grace are in debate, 
 whether they belong to the gospel of Christ or not. 
 
 * Matt, xviil : 17. 
 
 8 
 
I/O 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL, 
 
 That we are not allowed, in ref!;ard to matters dis- 
 puted among Christians, to act as if we were certainly 
 right, is evident from the express injunctions of the 
 apostles to the contrar3^ We are commanded to "re- 
 ceive him that is weak in the faith (him who, in our 
 judgment, is in error on some points) ; but not to doubt- 
 ful disputations" (not for the purpose of disputing' 
 about his scruples, or deciding on them)."^" Again, 
 " Let every one be fully persuaded in his own mind." 
 Again, " Why dost thou judge (condemn) thy brother? 
 or why dost thou set at nought thy brother ? for we 
 shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. "f 
 Paul warns Timothy against " doting about questions 
 and strifes of words, whereof come envy, strifes, rail- 
 ings, evil surmisings (unjust suspicions), perverse dis- 
 putings of men of corrupt minds,'' etc.^ Again, " Of 
 these things put them in remembrance, charging them 
 before the Lord, that they strive not about words to no 
 profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." And 
 again, " Follow charity, peace, with them that call on 
 the Lord out of a pure heart ; but foolish and (diratdevTnvg) 
 untaught questions {questions xoliicli Jiad not heen de- 
 cided hy the apostles) avoid, knowing that they do gen- 
 der strifes. ''§ 
 
 We are, therefore, commanded on the one hand to 
 " cut off those antichrists who preach another gospel," 
 and on the other, not to judge (condemn, or pass sen- 
 tence on) him whom, on the whole, we regard as a 
 brother ; but to receive him and to avoid foolish and 
 
 * Rom. xiv : 1. f xiv : 5—10. X 1 Tim. vi : 4 . 
 
 §2Tim.ii: U, 23 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 171 
 
 untaught questions, questions not clearly decided in 
 ScEiPTUEE. If we unite these two precepts into one, 
 tliey will be equivalent, we tliink, to the general com- 
 mand to discipline men for denying what is certainly 
 an essential part of the gospel of Christ, but not for 
 any doctrine about which acknowledged Christians dif- 
 fer, and which is therefore doubtful. For we suppose 
 the following rule will be found a fair, safe and tangi- 
 ble one : " Tliat all those doctrines which the great hody 
 of all Christians whom God has owned hy his grace and 
 Spirit, and who have free access to the Scriptures, agree 
 in finding in them, are certainly tauglit there ; and all those 
 points on which they differ are less certain, are doublful. 
 This rule is based on the dictates of common sense, 
 that if the Scriptures are a revelation from God to man, 
 they must on all points necessary to salvation, be intel- 
 ligible to all impartial and competent inquirers ; and 
 that true Christians, who are engaged in daily efforts to 
 serve God, and who bear in their hearts and exhibit in 
 their lives the evidences of God's grace and Spirit, are 
 the most sincere, impartial and competent inquirers 
 into his word. Xow we suppose, that the great mass 
 of true Christians in our land will be conqjrohcnded 
 not in any one sect, but in the aggregate of all the or- 
 thodox Protestant denominations. 
 
 Again, the judgment of each denomination, as to the 
 most important points of doctrine taught in the Scrip- 
 tures is confessedly set forth by the creed which it pro- 
 fesses. Hence those doctrines which are taught in com- 
 mon by the creeds of all the'BO-called orthodox Protest- 
 ant denominations, and as far as thus unitedly taught, 
 nuvy l)e safely regarded as clearly revealed in the Itnok 
 
172 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 of God. "We limit the rule to Protestant denominations, 
 because in the papal sect, the mass of the people have 
 not access to the word of God, and believe the doctrines 
 of their creed simply because their church teaches them. 
 It is limited to orthodox denominations, because there 
 are unhappily some in our land professing to receive the 
 Scriptures, but in reahty rejecting their divine inspira- 
 tion, and, as we are constrained to believe, denying the 
 Lord that bought them, and preaching another Christ. 
 Let it not be supposed, that this rule resembles that of the 
 Eomanists, who explain the Scriptures according to the 
 pretended mianimous consent of the fatliers ; for those 
 fathers instead of constituting the great mass or major- 
 ity of behevers in any age, were not one in a million. 
 Nor could the mass of believers in any age fall under 
 our rule, unless they had fi'ce and uncontrolled access 
 to the Scriptures, either in the original, if its languages 
 were vernacular to them, or in a faithful version. It 
 could therefore apply only to the Protestant churches, 
 and to the churches of the first few centuries before 
 ecclesiastical enactments intei-fered with the free un- 
 biassed use of the Scriptures. And concerning the 
 opinions of the mass of believers in the earlier centuries, 
 we know next to nothing, except that they received the 
 so-called Apostles' creed. 
 
 "We are thus conducted, by Scripture and reason, to 
 the ado])tion of the second feature of the proposed 
 catholic union, namely, not to discipline a hi'other, whose 
 deportment is miexceptionahle, and who conforms to our 
 existing regulations of government, discipline and wor- 
 ship, for holding a doctrine helieved hj any acknowl- 
 edged orthodox denomination. This practice, so far as 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 1/3 
 
 the Scriptures enable us to judge, accords witli that of 
 the apostolic churches ; it certainly agrees Avith the 
 practice of the church in the first three centui-ies after 
 the apostles^ for thev disciplined only for the denial of 
 a doctrine taught in the Apostles' creed, all of which 
 doctrines are received b^, every orthodox denomination. 
 jS'ot one of the distinguishing points on wliich Protest- 
 ants differ is determined in either the Apostles' or the 
 Nicene creed, and therefore it is indisputable, that any- 
 one of these denominations would have been received 
 and retained (not disciplined) bj all other portions of 
 the so-called universal (catholic) church. 
 
 And why ought not the different branches of the 
 Protestant church to adopt this rule? That persons 
 differing on these disputed doctrinal points, but agree- 
 ing in their views of church government, discipline and 
 mode of \yorship, can live harmoniously in the same 
 church, and cooperate cordially in the duties and priv- 
 ileges of church members, is not a matter of mere specu- 
 lative conjecture. It is a notorious fact that in every 
 denomination there are not a few among the pious laity, 
 living and cordially cooperating in the same church, 
 who differ from each other as much as the creeds of the 
 several denominations difler. The writer has person- 
 ally known many instances of ihis kind in Lutheran, 
 Presbyterian and Episcopal churches, and has no doubt 
 that cases equally frequent occur in other denominations. 
 If this can be done by pious laymen, there is no reason 
 why pious ministers could not live together in the same 
 unity of spirit, notwithstanding minor diffcrenciis in 
 doctrinal views; especially if they were taught in their 
 theological course themselves to regard as less im]>orfant 
 
174 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 the several points wliicli separate the orthodox churches, 
 and in their public exercises to laj the more stress on 
 the cardinal doctrines of the christian scheme. But the 
 feasibility of this principle ought not to be regarded as 
 problematical. The thing can be done, for it has been 
 done, repeatedly, on a large scale, and in different 
 churches. It has been acted on in the American 
 Lutheran church for some time. About ten years 
 ago,'^ the writer, by appointment of the General 
 Synod, drafted a Constitution for Synods, which has 
 been adopted by all the Synods connected with it. 
 Entertaining, then, the views which he is now advocat- 
 ing, this constitution was made to require of candidates 
 for licensure and ordination, unconditional assent to the 
 Bible as the inspired word of God and only infallible rule 
 of faith and practice, but only to its fundamental doc- 
 trines as taught in the Augsburg Confession. The plan 
 has worked well, decidedly well. In some portions of 
 Europe also, such as Sweden and Denmark, Avhere the 
 entire population often belongs to one Protestant church, 
 all the j)eople worship together in harmony and with 
 edihcation, regardless of existing diversities of opinion. 
 It is well known that in the Episcopal church ministers 
 of different doctrinal views exist and labor in friendship. 
 " Perhaps *' (says the liberal and amiable author of 
 'Hints on CathoHc Union,' f) ''there is not a shade or 
 variety of theological opinion, within the circle of 
 evangelical truth, that has not had an advocate among 
 
 * Now forty, in 1S70. 
 
 t Sec Hints on Catholic Union, l)y a Presbyter of tlio Protostunt 
 Episcopal Church, p. 40. New York, 18CG. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 175 
 
 the divines of the Church of England." " The United 
 Christian Churches established in Scotland, including 
 Cahnnists, Baxterians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Inde- 
 pendents and Methodists are said to exhibit the dehght- 
 ful spectacle of christians of almost every variety of 
 sentiment entertained by the orthodox, walking toge- 
 ther in harmony and love."* Xow this is receiving 
 into the same church persons differing materially about 
 the mode of worship and church government, whilst 
 our plan proposes that persons differing on these points 
 should remain in their own denominations. In the 
 Presbyterian Church also a large number of ministers 
 liave believed in general atonement, whilst others, 
 agreeably to their Confession, consider the atonement 
 as hmited. Yet these brethren have generally lived 
 together and cooperated in peace until recently. At 
 present, for reasons, into which our design does not urge 
 us to inquire, these difi'ering brethren in the Presby- 
 terian Church arc engaged in warm disputations, whilst 
 among our Episcopal brethren the same differences stiU 
 exist and are regarded with Christian charity, f And 
 why should a Presby terian who regards a dissentient 
 EpiscopaHan or a Methodist as a brother, condemn the 
 member of his own church or ministry, who holds 
 similar views ^ ^^^hy sliould any man regard that as 
 heresy in a Presbyterian, which, in a Methodist or Epis- 
 
 * Harris on Union, p. 207. 
 f Soon after tlii^ Btatcniont wiis. first published, in 1839, tho great 
 Bcliism was brou^fbt about, by those wlio deemed it danpcrons to 
 tolerate those ditl'erences ; but thirty years of divided existence have 
 cf)nvinced them of tlicir error, and a blessed union has recently 
 been effected to the praise and glory of Owl. 
 
1/6 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 copalian, is, according to liis o^xn judgment, consistent 
 ■witli christian character, and comports with a life of 
 acknowledged piety and usefulness? The only con- 
 ceivable difference is, that the one may be regarded as 
 violating the obligation of his creed, whilst the others 
 do not violate it. This is indeed highly important to 
 the character of the individual. ISTo man should teach 
 a doctrine which he beHeves to be inconsistent with the 
 creed of his chm-ch, if he pledged himself to uphold 
 every individual doctrine contained in it, and if his 
 promise was not, as some suppose it to be, a promise to 
 receive the confession as teaching the general system of 
 truth revealed in Scripture. If there be diversity of 
 opinion as to the nature of the subscription to a creed, 
 whether it binds to every individual doctrine, or only 
 to the system of tinths contained in it ; this point ought 
 doubtless to he first settled.^' AVhilst it remains under 
 
 * It lias been asserted on the authority of early records that the 
 principle of liberal construction was adopted near the origin of the 
 Presbyterian church in this country, and was practiced on ; and the 
 fact appears to be established by the testimony of President Davies 
 published in the " American Quarterly Register " for May, 1837, 
 p. 316. In an extract from his diary, during a visit to England 
 in behalf of Princeton College, under date March nineteenth, 
 1754, we find the following reply given by Mr. Davies to Mr. Prior, 
 who inquired, whether the Presbyterians in America would admit 
 any person to the ministry, without his subscribing the Westuiiu- 
 stcr Confession : "I replied that we allowed the candidate to men- 
 tion his objections against any article in the Confession, and the 
 judicature judged whetlier the articles objected against were essen- 
 tial to Christianity ; and if tlie}- judged they were not, they would 
 admit tlie candidate notwitlistanding his objections, lie (Mr. Prior) 
 seemed to think that we were such rigid Calvinists that we would 
 not admit an Arminian to communion." 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 177 
 
 dispute, every attempt at discipline will be encumbered 
 by a double issue. The friends of liberal construction 
 will imdertake to prove that they have not abandoned 
 the creed (meaning its general system of truth) ; whilst 
 the advocates of rigid construction -will prove that they 
 have not adhered to every individual doctrine, and will 
 expatiate on the guilt of violating the obligation im- 
 posed by the confession. 
 
 "Would it not be far better for both parties first 
 solemnly to examine a preliminary question, on the 
 decision of which the propriety or impropriety of their 
 course wholly depends ; would it not be more logical, 
 more philosophical, and above all more christian, first 
 to inquire whether they have a right from apostoUo 
 precept or example, to hind either tJtemselves or others 
 to more than the fundamental truths of christian doc- 
 trine, and to as many points of government, discipline 
 a/nd worship as are actually necessary to harmonious 
 cooperation ? If the views of this Appeal be correct, 
 then subscription to transfundamental doctrinal creeds 
 is always wrong, and if Avrong then it ceases to be bind- 
 ing so soon as its impropriety is seen, and ought to be 
 retracted, whilst the creed should be reduced to funda- 
 mentals, or subscription be required only " to the funda- 
 mental doctrines of the Bible as contained in the creed." 
 For, after the failure of extended creeds to produce un- 
 animity, and after their tendency to cause strife and 
 divide the hody of Christ have become as certain as any 
 other matter <f historical record why should Protest- 
 ants continue to bind either themselves, or others to 
 them ? Especially, as such extended creeds were un- 
 heard of in the dnys of the apostles, and for hundreds 
 8* 
 
178 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 of years after? If the same word of God wliicli we 
 now possess, when aided bj the oral instruction and the 
 personal example of the apostles, did not produce entire 
 unanimity among the primitive Christians, how could 
 it be expected to effect more at the present time ? Or, 
 why should we require greater unanimity tlian the 
 primitive Christians did, as a term of ecclesiastical 
 communion ? 
 
 So long as there is the same diversity of talent, of 
 mental temperament, of habits of education, and of 
 supposed interest, such diversity will continue to exist. 
 Nor ought it to be regarded as necessarily criminal, or 
 as inconsistent with christian fellowship and fidelity. 
 Difference on non-essentials has no perceptible influence 
 on christian character and practice. There are differ- 
 ences in other departments of human knowledge, and 
 some even connected with religion, of equal magnitude, 
 such as the value of a death-bed repentance, the mode 
 of treating awakened sinners and of conducting revivals, 
 etc., and yet, because these points are not' settled in the 
 creed, men agree to differ on them — their peace and har- 
 monious cooperation are rarely disturbed for any length 
 of time; for as Luther justly remarked, uUd est con- 
 cordia Jidei, alia charitatis. Such variety of opinions 
 on non-fundamentals, moreover, may even exert a 
 salutary tendency, may stimulate men to inquiry and 
 peaceful discussion, thus keeping alive a healthful s]-)ii'it 
 of investigation, and preventing the indifference, which 
 some have apprehended might result from the absence 
 of extensive creeds. 
 
 Under the operation of this feature of imion, full 
 liberty of investigation would be allowed within the 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 179 
 
 Lounds of fundauientals, without tlie danger of exclusion 
 from house aud home, or pastoral charge. And, is it 
 not reasonable to suspect that that system which cannot 
 trust itself to the full and unbiassed influence of God's 
 word without the artificial aid of creeds, and those 
 peculiarities wJiich need to he histilled hito the youth- 
 fvl mind more explicitly than tJie Bible teaches them, 
 lest they he lost, are eiToneous, are not worth keeping ; 
 and that permitting tlicm to become obsolete would 
 only advance the unity of the church ? Every disciple 
 of Christ ought to be willing to see the peculiarities of 
 his own denomination cast into the crucible of God's 
 word, and exposed to the unrestrained action of Bible 
 truth and Bible principles, iu order that the truth of 
 God might thus be gradually developed in its full 
 purity over the whole church, the breaches in Zion's 
 walls be healed, and one peculiar people, zealous of good 
 works, be raised up to God. The writer takes pleasure 
 in being able to cite in sujjport of his position the 
 opinion of that distinguished servant of God, Calvin, 
 whose zeal against fundamental errorists will not be 
 disputed, but whose magnanimous liberality in refer- 
 ence to all but fundamentals, appears to be but little 
 known and still less appreciated, lie even goes much 
 further than our plan of union proposes, and dissiuules 
 from schism, if a church neglect to discipline for the 
 grossest immoralities; whilst our jilan proposes, I hat in 
 regard to goverimient, discipline and mode of worship, 
 each one shall, as herctcjfore, connect himself witli that 
 branch of the church, whose forms he believes best cal- 
 culated to advance the kingdom of the Kedecmcr. Tlio 
 language, in a letter to Farrel, is this : " 1 only contend. 
 
i8o 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 for this, tliat they should not create schism in any church, 
 which, altlhough veinj corrupt in morals, and infected 
 with strange doctrines, had not entirely departed from 
 that doctrine, on tohlch Paid informs us the Church of 
 Christ is founded.'^ And it was in the same spirit 
 of hberahty that, as he himself informs us, he suhscribed 
 to the Augsburg or Lutlieran Confession of Faith, and 
 declares the points of difterence between the Protestant 
 churches of his day, an insufficient canse for division. f 
 The propriety of this feature, not to discipline a 
 brother for an opinion entertained by a sister church 
 being established, it is certainly no small recommenda- 
 tion of it, that its adoption would effect a consummation 
 most devoutly to be wished, which would cause joy 
 among the angels in heaven, no less than among the 
 saints on earth. It would banish from the church those 
 unholy and unhappy scenes of discord, prosecution and 
 persecution among brethren, for the exercise of the un- 
 alienable rights of conscience, which have caused angels 
 to weep, and made the church a by-word among the 
 foes of God. The discussions Avhich might still occur, 
 being stripped of all penal reference, would be conducted 
 with moderation, and tend to the advancement of 
 truth. 
 
 Third Featuke. Xet a creed he adopted including 
 only the doctrines held in common hy all tlte orthodox 
 
 * Hoc unum contentlebam, ne schismate sriiidcrcnt qualomcumquo 
 ecclpsiuin, (jucr, utouiuiiic cssot corruptissima inoribus, doctrinis elium 
 exoticis iiil'ectu, non tamen dcsoivcrit pciiitus ab ca doctrina qua 
 ecclusiam Chriiiti fundari docet Paul us. Cal. Ei)ist. Opp. IX., p. 0. 
 
 t Epist. Sclialingli), p. 113. Farello, p. 9. Mason's Plea, p. 183, 
 183. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 i8i 
 
 Christian denominations, to he termed the Apostolic^ 
 Protestant Confession, and let this same creed he used 
 hy all denominations as the term of sacramental, ecclesi- 
 astical and ministerial communion. To this each de- 
 nominatiou would add its present Formularies for 
 goveiTiment, discipline and mode of ■worship, which it 
 might also change or amend from time to time, at its 
 own option, and in its own way. Each denomination 
 might also use its former creed as a book of instruction 
 to whatever extent it saw proper. 
 
 The new creed should consist of two parts, (a) The 
 so-called Apostle's Creed.* This little formulary has 
 already been adopted by four-fifths of the Protestant 
 church, by the Lutherans in the diiFerent kingdoms of 
 Europe, by the Episcojjalians in Europe and America, 
 and by the Presbyterian church in this country and 
 pi-obably also in Great Britain. The doctrines contain- 
 ed in it are embraced by every orthodox Protestant de- 
 nomination on earth. The adoption of this confession 
 would estal)lish the doctrinal identity of the confeder- 
 ated churches, with that of the apostolic age, and of the 
 first four centuries ; which is a matter of no small 
 moment in the popular mind, and has been too much 
 neglected by Protestants, (b) The second part should 
 be styled The United Protestant Confession, consisting 
 of a selection of those articles from the existin<r creeds 
 of the prominent Protestant churches, in which all can 
 agree, taking but one article on each subject. As each 
 of these churches acknowledges tlie Christian character 
 of the others, they all virtually admit, that the creed 
 
 * For a copy of this Creed, sec p. 109. 
 
l82 
 
 FRATERXAL APPEAL. 
 
 of each cliurcli contaius every thino; essential on tliedoc- 
 trine of which any given article treats ; whilst each one 
 believes the creed of the other to contain minor erroi's 
 on some points. Now, if a selection can he made f rom 
 all the creeds^ which %oill contain an article on every 
 to_piG necessary to he introduced, and yet not include any 
 jpeculiar aspects of doctrines on which the parties differ / 
 all denominations can evidently adopt it j for they 
 fdly T)elieve it, and have already aclcnowledged its 
 christian character hy acknowledging as brethren those 
 who profess it.. And if, in order to complete such a 
 creed, it would be necessary to strike out some minor 
 specifications from any article of the existing creeds, in 
 order to make it unexceptionable to all j^arties, it is 
 evident, that if nothing he added, all can still adopt it, 
 because the thing erased must be non-essential, as it is 
 one on which tlie confederated denominations differ. 
 
 It might be thought preferable by some, that a general 
 council of the liberal-minded of all denominations should 
 be called to deliberate and form an original creed, cov- 
 ering the common ground of the Protestant churches. 
 But the testimony of experience does not speak loudly in 
 favor of the probable results of such a convention. The 
 whole field of theological topics would have to be passed 
 ov^er, and the discussions entered on anew which were 
 passed through in the original formation of the several 
 creeds. In this process, the facts and acknowledged 
 doctrines of Christianity would probably be again 
 commingled with the disputed relations and philosophi- 
 cal explanations of thenj, and no harmonious result be 
 achieved. The ambition, passion or overbearing dis- 
 position of some disputant^-, might di.'^tnrb the harmony 
 
REMEDY FOR THESK EVILS. 
 
 183 
 
 of the assembly, and wound the brethren of more pacific 
 spirit. But by tlie far simpler plan here proposed, all 
 these dilBoulties are obviated. AVe have in the creed 
 of each denomination the result of its deliberations on 
 all these points. Taking these as the separate voices 
 of the different churches, we can by the principles above 
 suggested, without difficulty frame one creed, in which 
 these voices shall unitedly be heard proclaiming the 
 common faith of all God's people. As the method pro- 
 posed neither requires nor admits the compositio7i of a 
 single original sentence, it will not be thought presump- 
 tuous in the writer to attempt the application of his own 
 rules. lie has accordingly formed such a Protestant con- 
 fession, and appended it to this Appeal. 
 
 These two parts would constitute the Apostolic, Prot- 
 estant Confession, required by the third feature of the 
 proposed union. The necessity and advantages of such 
 a creed are evident. 
 
 1. In order to herp heretics nut of the church of God. 
 The duty of the church to exclude from her communion 
 all who deny a fundamental doctrine, is admitted by all 
 Avhose union is contemplated in tliis plan. The apostle 
 John expressly declares, " If there come any imto you, 
 and bring not this doctrine," (concerning the pei«on of 
 Christ, his rcr:il and not merely feigned appearance in 
 the flesh, as the gnostics asserted, v. 7, and 1 John 4 : 2,) 
 " receive him not into your house, neither bid him God 
 speed ; for he that biddetli him God speed is partaker 
 of his evil deeds." * Xow in order to bring men to the 
 test, whose fundamental ' soundness is suspected, it is 
 
 * 2 John 10. 11. 
 
FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 absolutely necessary to have a creed, either written or 
 nuncupatory. But whilst the principle of both is the 
 same, a written creed has many confessed advantages, 
 and must necessarily constitute one feature of our 
 catholic union. And having thus enlarged the ground 
 of christian forbearance, and confined the test to the 
 truths held in common by the orthodox churches, the 
 utmost fidelity and uncompromising spirit ought, and 
 it is believed, Avould be displayed, in the discipline and 
 the excommunication of any and every one wlio denies 
 a single doctrine actually taught (not by inference) in 
 the common creed. One principal cause of laxity in 
 executing discipline for doctrinal deviations from the 
 different creeds, is undoubtedly the conviction, derived 
 from Scripture and reason, that the en'ors impugned 
 are often too trifling to deserve discipline. 
 
 2. Such a ci'eed is necessary^ to give prominence to the 
 great, acknowledged truths of Christianity. 
 
 {a) It has been doubted whether it is possible to give 
 special prominence to the grand doctrines of Christian- 
 ity, without becoming incoherent, or illogical, or vapid ; 
 but its practicability has often been demonstrated by 
 facts, and ought therefore not to be disputed. The 
 writer many years ago, for some time attended the 
 preaching in the college chapel at Princeton, where the 
 professors of the Seminary and College alternately 
 officiated, all of whom were Calvinists ; yet he rarely 
 heard a sentiment conflicting with Lutheranism, and 
 very rarely heard the peculiarities of any sect intro- 
 duced. The reason is, that those excellent men, feeling 
 that there were in that college, students from all 
 churches, were disposed to avoid unnccossiry offence, 
 
REMEDV FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 185 
 
 and yet they dwelt on the -whole circle of undisputed 
 Christian doctrine. jSTone who heard tliein would wish, 
 more edifying, praoticul and pi'ofitable preaching. The 
 volume of Sermons and Addresses by Dr. Green, pub- 
 lished soon after he resigned the presidency of that in- 
 stitution, probably contains some of the sermons then 
 delivered by him. Of that volume a review was soon 
 after published in the Christian Advocate, and the 
 WTiter distinctly recollects that the reviewer applauded 
 the imsectarian character of the discourses, and pro- 
 nounced them free from every thing to whicb Christians 
 of any religious denomination could witli propriety ob- 
 ject. The opinion of the reviewer is cited because tlio 
 ■WTiter lias not read the work, and tlierefoi-e could not 
 speak for himself. As indisputable specimens of most 
 excellent religious discussion confined to the undisputed 
 truths of ChriBtiunity, the connnon ground of the 
 orthodox churches, we may cite the publications of the 
 American Tract Society, and of the American Sunday 
 School Union. We might cite the Sermons of President 
 Davies, Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in 
 the Soul, Burder's Village Sermons, and a number of 
 other invaluable works as substantially confined to the 
 grand, cardinal doctrines of Christianity. And is it not a 
 notorious fact that these and other similar publications, 
 are the works wliich have exerted the greatest influence 
 in producing the evangelical spirit and enterprise of tlie 
 present day? Has not the blessed Saviour so signally 
 blessed these works, above all others of a sectarian 
 character, as specially to encourage their nndti[)lication, 
 not indeed so as to exclude others, but to give greater 
 l)rominence to these? 
 
FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 (l) Prominence ouglit to be given to these undisputed 
 doctrines, because they alone are certainly tette. It has 
 been stated that the aggregate of doctrines believed bv 
 the different orthodox denominations may be divided 
 into two classes, those that are believed by tliem all, and 
 those which are believed by some and disbelieved by 
 others. As men of equal piety, talent and learning 
 differ in respect to the latter, it is but just to suppose 
 that they are not so dearhj revealed, and so definitely 
 decided by Scripture, as those points "which all agree in 
 finding in that sacred book. And as they are not so 
 clearly revealed, they cannot be essential to salvation, 
 nor so certain in themselves, if our knowledge of them 
 is derived from revelation alone. 
 
 Moreover, no one Protestant sect is more numerous 
 than all the others together. The Lutheran church, 
 which is by far the largest, numbers, according to the 
 best authorities, a population of about 30,000,000,* 
 whilst all other Protestant denominations togetlier 
 amount to about 50,000,000.t Hence, it is evident 
 that the peculiar, distinguishing doctrine of each sect is 
 disbelieved by the majority of Protestants. If a dis- 
 puted doctrine be common to several of the larger sects, 
 it then has a majority of all Protestants in its favor, and 
 the probability of its biblical authority is augmented. 
 But those doctrines alone can be regarded as certainh/ 
 scriptural, which the great mass of all enlightened, 
 faithful, acknowledged Christians, who have free access 
 to the Bible, agree in finding in it. Theso undisputed 
 
 * Now, in 1870, increased to 40,7r)0.000. 
 t " in 18T0, increased to 93,018,134. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 187 
 
 doctrines alone, we suppose, can bo essential to salva- 
 tion. For it is acknowledged by each sect, that persons 
 denying its distingnisliing tenets, do exhibit evidence 
 of piety, and will be saved. Hence, uniting this judg- 
 ment of all the sects, Protestants do themselves ac- 
 knowledge, that persons will be saved in the denial of 
 each of the disputed doctrines. Hence, none but the 
 undisputed tenets are in fact judged by Protestants to 
 be essential to salvation. 
 
 K these views be correct, all Christian teachei's 
 should accustom themselves to distinguish in their own 
 minds l)etween the disputed and the undisputed doc- 
 trines of Christianity; and in theu* instructions they 
 ought to give s])ecial prominence to the latter. Who 
 would think of adopting, as text-book in a college, an 
 autlior on chemistry or natural philosophy, who intro- 
 duced the various disputed opinions and theories of a 
 particular class of men, which he regarded as true, but 
 did not distinguish between these opinions and those 
 facts and principles fully established and admitted by 
 all ? Let us go one step further, and suppose the pecu- 
 liarities referred to to be such as are regarded as erro- 
 neous by the majority of chemists. Such a book would 
 by common consent be considered unsafe, and be pro- 
 nouiiced unjihilosophical. Yet this is exactly the ]n'ac- 
 tice of all the ditlercnt denominations. Their stand- 
 ards make no distinction between fundamental and 
 nonfundameiital doctrine-;, between tliose which are 
 certain, and not disjjuted' by any acknowledged Chris- 
 tian denomination, and those which, though be- 
 lieved by some, are disputed and disbelieved by others. 
 It would certainly lie conducive to Ciuistian union and 
 
i88 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 sound Chiistian knowledge, if the distinction between 
 disputed and undisputed doctrines were distinctly made 
 by including the latter only in the public creed, leaving 
 the former as subjects of amicable difference, and as 
 occasions to exercise that forbearance required by the 
 apostle, in " not judging our brother." For if we in- 
 troduce these minor, disputed points into our test, and 
 then, by virtue of it, drive out of our church all who in 
 the least differ from us, where is there any i-oom for 
 exercising Christian forbearance to a " brother who is 
 weak in the faith V There will be none such left. 
 We think the great apostle evidently contemplated a 
 different practice in the church. 
 
 (c) Prominence should be given to the undispiited 
 truths of Christianity, because they are the principal 
 means which effect the good accomplished by all the 
 different sects, the principal means of conversion, sanc- 
 tification and salvation. Those points of sectarian di- 
 versity which are true, (but which these are, no man 
 can determine with absolute cei'tainty,) are doubtless 
 more or less connected with the more important trutlis, 
 and have some influence ; yet that their effect is com- 
 paratively very small, is manifest from the fact that the 
 Spirit's operations have been extended to all these sev- 
 eral denominations. The ei'rors of sects have not de- 
 stroyed the blessing vouclisafed on the mulisputed 
 truths held by them, nor prevented them from being 
 the vehicle of salvation to thousands. It is therefore 
 not the jieculiarities of the Congregationalists, the 
 Presbyterians, the Episcopalians, the Lutherans, or 
 Methodists, which do the good accomplished by these 
 dmrchcB, but that amount of truth Iield in conuuon by 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 all. Hence, this amount of common trntli ought al- 
 Trays to be distinguished from the " doubtful disputa- 
 tions," and especially should be made prominent in the 
 public exercises of the sanctuary. 
 
 (d) Such a creed would serve as a bond of union be- 
 tween all (me Chrisdans over the ichole icorld. Doctrine 
 is, in the judgment of mankind, far more important 
 than modes of government. It is diversity of doctrine, 
 even on minor points, which has been adopted as the 
 pretext for the major part of the divisions and conten- 
 tions among Christians. The adoption of the same 
 creed of fundamentals by all, without*any alteration, 
 would give prominence to their actual agreement in 
 essential doctrines, and thus operate as a bond of iinion 
 among Christians. Those denominations whose stand- 
 ards approximate nearest in doctrine, do in reality cher- 
 ish and exiiibit more fellow feeling than others who 
 agi'ce in form of government, but differ materially in 
 doctrine. This is exemplified in the intimate union 
 and co-operation which have for a long time existed be- 
 tM'een the Congregational, the Presbyterian, and the Low 
 Dutch churches of our land. Yet there have always 
 been in these co-operating and affiliated cluirches many 
 persons who differed from each other fully as much as 
 the creeds of any two orthodox churches do. The con- 
 tentions in the church about doctrine arise not so much 
 from the existence of some diversity on nonfuiidamen- 
 tals, as from the fact, that the majority of existing 
 creeds hold up this minor diversity to constant view, 
 and by ranking the nfinor and disputed points among 
 the doctrines which are the test of ecclesiastical com- 
 munion, thoy i)f!rpotuatc dissension by convoying and 
 
igo FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 cherishing the impression that these points are of vital 
 moment. A fundamental creed would exert directly 
 the reverse influence, and give prominence to those 
 doctrines which are certainly true, and are not disputed 
 by an}' acknowledged Christian sect ; whilst it would 
 imply the minor importance of the disputed points, and 
 by thi'owing them into tlie back gi-ound would teach men 
 to exercise charity in regard to them. This was the char- 
 acter of tlie Apostles' creed, which was the only creed 
 used in the first three centuries of the church as a test ; 
 and its influence as a bond of union among Christians was 
 confessedly very great. Now it is a notorious fact, that 
 all the Protestant churches believe every sentence in 
 this creed, and can subscribe it without renouncing a 
 single opinion. So far as the sacred records inform us, 
 the apostles themselves did not require half as much as is 
 coyUained in this creed. The doctrine on wliich they laid 
 most stress, is " that Jesus is the Son of God.'' " Every 
 spirit tliat confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the 
 flesh is of God." "Whosoever confesseth that Jesus 
 Christ is the Son of God, God dwelleth in liim and he 
 in God." Paul to the llomans""^' expressly says : This 
 is the word of faith M'hich we preach, that if thou shalt 
 confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt be- 
 lieve in tliine iieart, that God hath raised him from the 
 dead, thou shalt be saved." 
 
 Concord in fundamentals is the only doctrinal unity 
 whicli existed among primitive Christians, and wliicli 
 is necessary. And, in all probability, much greater 
 unity in doctrine never will exist in the church on 
 
 * Romans x ; 8. 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 earth, unless God miraculously produces more. But 
 there will be a much greater degree of charity and for- 
 bearance, and consequent unity of spirit, in the days of 
 millennial glory ; and the freedom of investigation and 
 practice that are advocated in this appeal, and would 
 be secui'ed by the plan of union proposed, will, it is 
 believed, powerfully tend not only to produce that 
 imity of spirit, but also to bring about some greater 
 imity in nonfundamental points, and perhaps in the 
 forms of government aud worship. When Christians 
 shall have full liberty to change their opinions on mi- 
 nor topics, without the fear of prosecution, or the appre- 
 hension of popular or ecclesiastical odium, as the prim- 
 itive Chi;istians had, it seems natural to expect that 
 they will form their opinions more exclusively on the 
 naked evidences of the truth itself. But at present, 
 the avowal of a change of opinion on some points of 
 sectarian diversity is in some Protestant churches con- 
 nected with such foiTnidable inconveniences, such as 
 prosecution for heresy, removal from pastoral charge, 
 and odium of the brethren, that when a man, and espe- 
 cially a minister, has once connected himself with any 
 denomination, he finds it very difficult to engage in the 
 investigation of these minor points of his own or other 
 denominations free from extraneous bias. It may be 
 said, that good men ought to rise above these consider- 
 ations, and be uninfluenced by such consequences ; but 
 it is far easier to inculcate than practice this good ad- 
 vice. 
 
 (e) Such a creed might also he rcganled as a standing tes- 
 timony of the church in behalf of the truth and against 
 error. Let it not be said, that it would contain any 
 
192 
 
 FRATERNAL ArPEAL. 
 
 thing whicli a portion of Christians regard as en'or ; 
 for it is to embrace only those doctrines which all the 
 so-called orthodox agree in finding in Scripture. I^or 
 can it in justice be objected, that it would not be ex- 
 plicit or ample enough ; it would be far more explicit 
 and five times as ample as the testimony which the 
 church of Christ, during the first four centuries, ever 
 bore in this way. Nor do we suppose that any satis- 
 factory reason can be adduced to show that it is the 
 duty of one part of the church to bear testimony against 
 those opinions, of the truth of which another part are 
 " fully persuaded in their own minds," and thus to 
 "judge one another,'' (Rom. xiv : 1 — 8,) or that any 
 good has ever resulted from such testimony. . 
 
 FouETH Featuke. There should he free sacramental, 
 t ecclesiastical and ministerial communion among the 
 confederated churches. 
 
 The first of these elements, namely free sacramental 
 communion, may be said already to exist among many 
 of the churches. For by it is not intended, that the 
 members of any branch of the Protestant church should 
 forsake the sacramental ordinance of the house in which 
 they statedly worship. This could be productive only 
 of confusion, and eventually would create discord in- 
 stead of union. And, the writer supposes, that through- 
 out the whole of this plan there is nothing which ought 
 to create disturbance or unsettle the affairs of individual 
 congregations of Christians. But when members of 
 one church are present at a sacramental celebration in 
 anotlier, a public invitation to members of sister churches 
 in good standing, ought always to be given, as it haiv 
 pily is in most churchc:-;, and ought to be, as it now 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 193 
 
 generally is, accepted. On this topic, the practice of 
 the chiu'ches in many places, already coincides with our 
 plan, and no alteration would be desired, excepting that 
 the few churches which have not yet given this public 
 invitation, should also adopt the practice of their breth- 
 ren. 
 
 A happy influence would probably also result from 
 an a/nnual joint communion of as many contiguous 
 confederated churches of different denominations, as 
 could, together with their several ministers, be accom- 
 modated together. How delightful a prospect thus to 
 behold the different members of the Saviour's family, 
 occasionally all assemble around the family board, and 
 by their actions declare : " We heing many are one hread 
 and one l)ody, for we are all partahcrs of that one 
 hread.'''' 1 Cor. 10 : 17. Yet, it is most obvious, that 
 on these as on all other occasions, the spirit of proselyt- 
 ism must be most sacredly resisted and guarded against 
 by all ; otherwise these family-feasts would only tend 
 to foster family fueds. 
 
 By ecclesiastical communion, we mean that churches 
 should mutually acknowledge each other, and that a cer- 
 tificate of good standing in any one confederated church 
 should be a certain passport for admission to regular 
 membership in any other. This clement also may be 
 said in a great measure already to exist in different 
 branches of the church. Yet its real iin])oi-t is not 
 always understood, nor are its legitimate consequences 
 followed out in practice. . Christians should regard 
 themselves as members of the church universal, as well 
 as of any particular denomination. Hence, when re- 
 moving to other y)laces, althougli thoy nnlin*al]y nnd 
 0 
 
194 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 properly connect themselves with their own denomina- 
 tion if there be a church of the kind in the place ; yet 
 if there be not, tliey ought to attach themselves to any 
 other christian church which comes nearest to their 
 views of truth and duty, and in which they could re- 
 ceive and comnn;nicate the greatest amount of good. 
 How melancholy is it that persons, pi'ofessing to be 
 Christians, living in villages and neighborhoods where 
 there is not and cannot be a church of their denomina- 
 tion, remain ten or twenty years, and often for life un- 
 connected with the disciples of the same Redeemer 
 ai'ound them, on account of difference on minor points 
 of doctrine or discipline ! IIow still more distressing 
 the thought that ministers of that blessed Saviour who 
 prayed that all his disciples might " be one," should 
 sometimes confirm the prejudices of such individuals 
 in the hope of some ultimate t\ir distant gain to their 
 sect ! 
 
 Where the parties are so disposed, the Monthly Con- 
 cert might be held alternately in the confederated 
 churches. And in like manner, whilst every congrega- 
 tion might have its own Sabbath-school, the teachers of 
 the contiguous schools should hold their monthly concert 
 imitedly, and the scholars shojild occasionally be brought 
 together for anniversary or other exercises and celebra- 
 tions. Such a liberal, early training of the rising genera- 
 tion, would exert a most salutary influence and power- 
 fully tend to banish that inihallowed bigotry and sec- 
 tarianism from the church, whidi liave l)eeii the curse 
 of protestantism. 
 
 I>y ministerial communion, we would mean tliat a 
 certificate of good standing in the ministry of one church 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 ought to be a passport for admission to the ministerial 
 rank of any other church, if connected with a credible 
 profession of attachment to the standards of govern- 
 ment, discipline and foi'm of worship in the other ; and 
 if the judicature applied to, believe the applicant pos- 
 sessed of the qualifications, gifts and graces required by 
 said standards, and calculated to be useful in the midst 
 of them. This feature also exists in the practice of 
 most of the churches. It is not at all unusual for min- 
 isters of the Congregational, Presbyterian, and Low 
 Dutch churches to transfer their relations. Between 
 the Lutheran and the Moravian churches in this country 
 the same is the case. Several of our most respected 
 and useful ministers were trained in the church of the 
 United Brethren and transferred their relations to our 
 larger and more destitute Zion. Ministers coming with 
 good credentials from the Evangelical church iu Ger- 
 many, apply indifferently either to the Lutheran or 
 German Keformed church in tliis country, and are re- 
 ceived by both. As the spirit of Christian union in- 
 creases, we suppose these cases of transfer will probably 
 multiply ; and that it will cease iu any case to be odious 
 for a minister at any time of life, to transfer his rela- 
 tions to another church either from want of employment 
 in his own, or because on more mature examination, or 
 observation of their practical effects, he believes the 
 form of tlie latter more scriptural or better calculated 
 to advance the kingdom of Christ. And if, in the ojiora- 
 tion of this feature of union, it should occasionally hap- 
 pen, that a minister who differed in some points from 
 his people, became offensive to them, by dwelling un- 
 duly on his peculiar views, they could dismiss him as 
 
196 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 not acceptable to tliem^ without any act of discipline, or 
 official censure of any judicatory. Finding the result 
 of his sectarianism, he would learn wisdom from ex- 
 perience, and thereafter lay greater stress on the car- 
 dinal doctrines of the gospel. 
 
 Ministerial communion also implies the mutual ac- 
 knowledgment of each other's official character by the 
 clergy of the confederated churches and an occasional 
 interchange of pulpits. On this point it may be thought 
 some difficulty would exist in the minds of some of our 
 Episcopal brethren. This difficulty, if it exist at all, 
 must be confined to the high-church party, and does 
 not embarrass those who embrace episcopacy, not from 
 the belief of its scriptural authority, but on the ground 
 of expediency ; and of this class far the largest portion 
 of that church has always been. To this class have be- 
 longed archbishop Wliitgift, Dr. "Willet, bishops Bilson, 
 Morton, Jewell, Croft, Buraet, Dr. Whitaker, arch- 
 bishops Usher and Tillotson, Dr. Stillingfleet, and 
 Hawies, Sir Peter King, and the venerable Dr. White, 
 late bishop of the Episcopal church in Pennslyvania, as 
 well as, if we mistake not, the great mass of Episcopal 
 divines and laity in this country. In a pamphlet of the 
 last named respectable author, published many yeai-s 
 ago, principally to recommend a temporary doixarture 
 from the line of episcopal succession, on the ground 
 that bishops could not then be had, he uses this lan- 
 guage : "Now if even those who hold episcopacy to be 
 of divine right, conceive the obligation to it not to be 
 binding, when that idea would be destructive of j)ublic 
 worship ; much moi*e nmst they think so, who indeed 
 venerate and prefer that form as tlic most ancient and 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 197 
 
 eligible, but without any idea of divine right in the 
 case. This the author believes to be the sentiment of 
 the great hody of Episcopalians in America, in which 
 respect they have in their flivor unquestionably the sense 
 of the church of England, and, as lie believes, the opinion 
 of her most distinguished prelates for piety, virtue 
 and abilities.^'' But we have no doubt, that even our 
 high-church brethren do in spirit (although not in form) 
 admit the ministerial character of other clergy ; and we 
 take pleasui'e in being able to cite the opinion of Dr. 
 H. U. Onderdonk, bisliop of the Episcopal church in 
 Pennsylvania in confirmation of our belief. There will 
 therefore be little if any difficulty from this source. See 
 his Tract on "Episcopacy tested by Scripture," p. 6. 
 And should our Episcopal brethren feel restrained by 
 their existing canons from formally practicing tliis fea- 
 ture of union, they need not tl>erel)y be prevented from 
 adopting the others, and whilst they exhibited the spirit 
 of Christian union, and practiced llie other features of 
 the plan, the gain to the cause of ])rotestantism and to 
 Christianity would be immense. 
 
 FiFxn Feature. In all matters not relating to the 
 government, discipline and forms of worship of in- 
 dividual churches, Imt pertaining to tJie common cause 
 of Christianity, Ut the principle of cooperation re- 
 gardless of sect, he adopted so far as the nature of the 
 case will admit and as fast as the views of the j^firtles 
 will allow. Tlie Scriptures present us with no example 
 of regular organization for extensive benevolent u])ora- 
 tions. The church is thus left to choose in view of the 
 principles of the New Testament, and the results of her 
 oAvn progressive cx])erience. The forms of ("hri.-itian 
 
198 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 associated agency in the benevolent enterprises of our 
 day, are usually distinguished as voluntary and ecclesi- 
 astical. This designation, however, seems not to be 
 entirely accurate ; for the ecclesiastical are also in one 
 sense voluntary, and tlie voluntary are ecclesiastical, in- 
 as much as they are conducted by members of the Chris- 
 tian church. More properly at least in reference to the 
 subject under discussion, they might be distinguished 
 as catholic and denominational. Is ow as the denomina- 
 tional are based on the principle of sect, which we have 
 found so detrimental to the Redeemer's kingdom ; it is 
 evident that those who would labor for this unity and 
 aid in accomplishing the Saviour's prayer, should so far 
 as the nature of the case admits, prefer those catholic 
 institutions, in which such as profess to be brethren are 
 found acting out their profession. That these catholic 
 institutions exert a most benign influence in mitigating 
 the rigors of sectarian asperity and in knitting together 
 in love the hearts of those engaged in them, can be 
 doubted by no one acquainted with the history of the 
 American Bible, Tract, Education and Missionary So- 
 cieties. How often have the anniversaries of these so- 
 cieties pi'esented delightful festivals of fratei'nal affec- 
 tion, where the peculiarities of sect were sacrificed on 
 the altar of Christian union — scenes of the most thrilling 
 character, such as angels delight to contemplate ! That 
 they are at least as eflScient as the denominational or- 
 ganizations, and have enjoyed at least as signal evi- 
 dences of the divine favor, will also not be disputed. 
 If the parent or national societies be supposed to have 
 too great a concentration of power, let coordinate 
 branches be multi]>lie(l and be as nearly independent 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 199 
 
 of the parent institution as experience may prove to be 
 desirable, and each brancli mainly do the work within 
 its own bounds. Yet the branches also should be 
 catholic in their structure, sliould embrace all snch in- 
 dividuals and conffreorational societies within theii* de- 
 designated bounds, as are willing to cooperate among 
 the diflerent denominations. 
 
 But it by no means follows, that denominational so- 
 cieties must of necessity be wholly sectarian in their 
 operations. They are so only when their funds are 
 applied exclusively to the propagation of Christianity 
 connected with the sectarian peculiarities of the clrarch 
 with which they are connected ; when beneficiaries are 
 selected exclusively from the members of that denomi- 
 nation ; and are sustained only when Iiaving in view 
 the ministry in that church. The spirit of catholic 
 union leads us to rejoice at the progress of the Master's 
 kingdom in any of its aeknoAvledged forms, and to be 
 willing to aid an individual to labor ig any portion of 
 the Lord's vineyard, rather than that he should not 
 enter the vineyard at all. Let tliose, therefore, who 
 prefer denominational societies, and desire to promote 
 the unity of Christ's body, adopt the catholic principles 
 of action, and enter into some rules of cooperation and 
 non-interference with the otlier societies, and although 
 not 80 entirely favorable to Catholicism as the purely 
 catholic institutions, they would be hailed by the 
 friends of union as fellow-laborers in the conunon cause 
 of apostolic Catholicism. 
 
 In addition to the superior tendency to union in the 
 catholic or voluntary associations, they enable individ- 
 ual Christians and congregations in their primary 
 
20O 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 capacity, themselves to appropriate their fxinds imme- 
 diately to siich piii^poses as they prefer, without the in- 
 tervention of ecclesiastical bodies. Tliis may lead 
 Christians genei^ally to feel their responsibihty more 
 sensibly, to inquire into the merits of different christian 
 enterprises more fully, and thus to become more deejjly 
 interested in them. 
 
 In order the more perfectly to secure to the catholic 
 associations their ecclesiastical and orthodox character, 
 it might not be amiss for the parent institutions and 
 primary branches to incorporate in their constitutions 
 an acknowledgment of the Apostolic Protestant Con- 
 fession, requiring a subscription to it from all their 
 principal executive officers, their beneliciai-ies and their 
 missionaries both foreign and domestic. These societies 
 are even now amply secured on this point by their re- 
 gulations, which require that every beneficiary shall be 
 member of some christian church, and that every mis- 
 sionary sent either into the domestic or foreign field, 
 shall be in regular connection and good standing in the 
 ministry of some orthodox denomination. Still as the 
 proposed creed is a catholic one, there would be a 
 eongi'uity in its distinctive acknowledgment by catholic 
 societies, and it would tend to give still greater pro- 
 minence to the common faith. 
 
 Sixth Fkatuke. The Bible sJwuld as much as pos- 
 sible be made the text-book in all religious and theological 
 instruction. It is incontrovertible that in consequence 
 of the great abundance even of good miinsj)ired works, 
 the book of God in its naked form, just as its author 
 made it, receives less attention than it merits. We 
 would not, of course, object to elementary books for the 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 20 1 
 
 instruction of cliildren and youth ; vet it seems desirable 
 that they contain only the common ground of Christian 
 doctrine. Many of the books, employed in training the 
 rising generation, are tinctured by sectarian peculiarities, 
 ■whilst others are professedly sectarian, and cannot fail 
 to leave impressions unfriendly to the cause of union. 
 Every denomination must indeed have full liberty to 
 use such works for purposes of instruction without being 
 upbraided ; yet it cannot fail to be perceived, that the 
 unity of Christ's body will be best subserved hy occupy- 
 ing the attention of children mainly with the cardinal 
 and common truths of our holy religion, by preferring 
 elementary books of an unsectarian character, and by 
 tlie early use of the Bible as the chief book of study 
 and instruction. It is moreover due to that blessed 
 volume, that it should not only be called the best of 
 books, but also be treated as such ; and be made use of on 
 all suitable occasions, not so much with the view of 
 establishing, by detached quotations, positions already 
 made out, as for the analytic study of the book itself. 
 For this cause Bible classes are deserving of high com- 
 mendation, even admitting that disputed points are 
 sometimes discussed. The scholar is still emi)loyed in 
 tlie direct study of the word of God, and will learn to 
 judge for himself. Those books of insfructioii, such as 
 the Bible Questions of the American Sunday School 
 Union, which require the scholar unavoidably and con- 
 stantly to refer to the Bible for answers, are ]ieculiarly 
 appropriate. 
 
 In theological seminaries, also, the Bible should as 
 much as i)ossil)le be made the subject of direct study 
 on all the dilfereiit branches of theologv ; and on every 
 
202 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 topic the student should be required to searcli the Scrip- 
 tures for himself, and present the results of his examin- 
 ation. This coui'se is in a greater or less degi'ee already 
 pursued in manj^ of our principal schools of the prophets. 
 Yet it is probable that it might be carried to greater 
 extent. In Biblical History, in Doctrinal, Practical 
 and Polemical Theology this plan can be employed 
 with the utmost facility, and its undoubted tendency is 
 to obliterate sectarian prejudices and distinctions, and 
 to promote aUke Christian union and Bible truth. The 
 more we can fix the attention of the student to the 
 word of God, the better shall we be able to raise 
 up a generation of ministers disengaged from the 
 shackles of sectarianism, and firmly planted on the 
 broad platform of the Bible ; men possessing the most 
 enlarged views of the Redeemer's kingdom, and ready 
 to devise and execute millennial schemes for its ad- 
 vancement. 
 
 The Seventh and last Feature of union is, that 
 missionaries, going into foreign lands, ought to use arul 
 profess no other creed than the Bible and the annexed Apos- 
 tolic Protesta7it Confession, and connect with it vjhatever 
 form of church government and mode of luorship they prefer. 
 
 For the sake of our bleeding Saviour, our sectarian 
 divisions oiight not to be transplanted to heathen lands. 
 The blood-stained banner of sectarianism should not 
 accompany the standard of the cross, nor be seen amidst 
 its bloodless triumphs. The Protestant churches amount 
 to but ninety-three millions out of a thousand millions, 
 the probable population of our entire globe, and ought 
 not to spread the Corinthian contagion of sectarianism 
 over the gentile world, In view of all the divisions and 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 
 
 203 
 
 contentious which sectarianism has entailed on the her- 
 itage of God, how much better would it be that the dis- 
 ciples of the Lord, instructed by the experience of three 
 hundred years of discord in the household of faith, 
 should settle down on some better plan for preserving 
 the unity of the church, as her triumphs are extending 
 into heathen countries ! The signs of the times impe- 
 riously call us to this duty ; and a more convenient sea- 
 son cannot be expected in the providence of God. 
 Deeply impressed with the conviction that something 
 can, and therefore something ought to be done, the 
 writer, whose attention has for many years been directed 
 to this subject, felt constrained to address this fraternal 
 appeal to the American churches. Whether that Di- 
 vine Saviour, who has promised to be with his disci- 
 pics unto the end of tlie world, will incline the hearts 
 of his children to heed this appeal, the future must de- 
 velope. But whether or not, the writer feels that he 
 will have discharged a solemn duty, and he cannot re- 
 sist the conviction that some good will accrue to the 
 kingdom of the blessed Saviour. It is certainly in the 
 highest degree desirable that the unity of the church 
 should be restored in Christian lands, and that the 
 sacramental host who bear the standard of the cross 
 into the heathen world, should present an undivided 
 front. Better far that the heathen slioidd never hear 
 of Luther, and Calvin, and Arminius, and Wesley, and 
 base their religion purely on the Bible, than that the 
 sectarian divisions connected with these names should 
 be canned among them, still to vex and agitate and 
 })aralyze the chiircli. 
 
 Whilst the entire pagan woi-ld is before ihem, no 
 
204 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 two sects ought to send iiiissioDarics into the same dis- 
 trict of country. Thus the immediate collision of secta 
 woiild be prevented for a season. Yet if they take 
 
 T\aTII THEM TIIEIK EXTENDED SECTARIAN CEEEDS, IT WILL 
 KOT BE LONG BEFORE DISSENTERS FROM IT WILL GROW UP 
 AAIONG THEIR OWN DISCIPLES, AND THUS THE OLD EVIL 
 
 SOON RETURN. But if a crccd covering only the com- 
 mon, imdisputed ground of Christianity be taken, there 
 will be no need of disciplining any but such as ought 
 to be excluded from all Christian churches, and there- 
 fore could not form any Christian sect, And as the 
 Scriptures present us with no entire detailed system of 
 church government, our predilections on that subject 
 are produced chiefly by the influence and example of 
 pai'ents and teachers, and there is little, very little 
 probability of secession from any of the churches in 
 heathen lands, on this gi'Oimd. 
 
 In addition to these fundamental features of the pro- 
 jected union. Christians should endeavor gradually to 
 restore unity of mutual acknowledgment in name^ as 
 well as in the thing. Geographical names should be 
 adopted for all catholic or voluntary associations which 
 may be erected. In this respect the American Educa- 
 tion, Tract, Bible, Missionary and other societies have 
 set a noble example. Each denomination sliould speak 
 of itself not as Oie church, but as a hranJt of the church ; 
 and the common designation of the whole, in accord- 
 ance with the title of their joint confession of fiiith, 
 ghould be : 
 
 The Apostolic, Protestant CnuRCir, 
 or some ccpudly generic name. IIow delightful woidd 
 
REMEDY FOR THESE EVILS. 205 
 
 it be, to hear Christians habitually employing phrase- 
 ology indicative of their unity, to hear them speak of 
 The Apostolic, Peotestant Church, and of 
 The Lutheran Branch of the church. 
 The Episcopal Branch of the church, 
 The Presbyterian Branch of the chm'ch, 
 The Dutch Reformed Branch of the church, 
 The German Reformed. Branch of the church, 
 The Cono-reerational Branch of the church, 
 The Baptist Branch of the church, 
 The Methodist Branch of the church, etc., etc. 
 Thus should we literally verify the declaration of the 
 Lord's prophet, " And the Lord, will be king over all 
 the earth ; in that day there will be one Lord and his 
 name one. Zech. xiv: 9. 
 
 As to one Supreme Ri'presentative Bodij^ having even 
 limited jurisdiction over all the confederated bodies, 
 for which some may have been looking as a feature of 
 this i>lan of union — there was none such in the apos- 
 tolic age, and we need none. The tendency of such 
 bodies is naturally to an increase of power — they are 
 the foster-mothers of papacy, and dangerous to true 
 liberty of conscience. 
 
 Should any circumstances in the providence of God 
 hereafter render it necessary, and the great body of 
 the confederated denominations unite in the call, a 
 more advisory council might be convened, consisting 
 of a small senatorial delegation, in equal numbers from 
 each denomination, without legislative or judicial power, 
 its advice to be confined to the general interests of the 
 Redeemer's kingdom.' Yet even such a council ought 
 not to meet statedly nor often, and forms no part of tlie 
 proposed union. 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 THE CONSENSUS OF EVANGELICAl. PKOTESTANT CREEDS ; 
 OR THE TJNITED APOSTOLIC, PROTESTANT CONFESSION, 
 
 For wliicli tlie reader is now prepared, is nothing more 
 than a selection of such articles or parts of articles, on 
 the topics determined hy the, several confessions, as are 
 behoved by all the so-called orthodox churches. Not 
 a single word is altered or added. The entire creed is, 
 in truth, the common work of the Protestant family, 
 every part having been composed by one or other of 
 its members. The confessions of all the prominent 
 churches which have separate creeds, were duly re- 
 garded in the selection, in order that the whole might 
 be, and be regarded as, the common properii/ of the 
 Protestant church. The aidliority of this confession is 
 based on the fact, that every sentence, every idea of 
 it, has been sanctioned by one or other of the Protest- 
 ant conventions that adopted the creeds from which the 
 articles are selected, and by the denominations receiving 
 those creeds. The whole creed has, therefore, already 
 received the ecclesiastical sanction of acknowledged 
 churches. Its santion in its present form and for the pro- 
 posed purpose, it can only receive by the successive ac- 
 tion of such ecclesiastical bodies, and churches and indi- 
 viduals, as in the providence of God* may receive it, 
 (206) 
 
APOSTOLIC PROTESTANT COXT'KSSION. 20/ 
 
 and publish tlieir assent to it, not as renouncing any of 
 their former opinions, but as regarding this as the test 
 for diseiphne and communion. 
 
 The Apostolic, Peotestant Confession. 
 
 Pakt I. — The Apostles' Creed. 
 
 " I believe in God tlie Father Almighty, the Maker 
 of heaven and earth ; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son 
 our Lord ; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born 
 of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
 was crucified, dead and buried. The third day he 
 arose from the dead, lie ascended into heaven, and sit- 
 teth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, 
 from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the 
 dead. 
 
 " I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic or 
 universal church; the communion of saints; the for- 
 giveness of sins ; the resurrection of the body, and the 
 life everlasting." 
 
 Part II. — Consensus of the Evangelical, Protestant 
 Creeds, or the United Protestant Confession. 
 
 Akt. I. — Of the Soriptures. 
 
 The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary 
 to salvation : so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor 
 may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any 
 man, that it should be believed as an article of the 
 faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.* 
 
 * Articles of the Episcopal Chiircli, Art. VI., and of tlio Discipline 
 of the Motliodist Church, Art. V. 
 
208 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Under the name of tlie Holy Scriptui*es, or the word of 
 God written, are now contained all the books of the 
 Old and New Testament, which are these : 
 
 Genesis, 
 
 Isaiah, 
 
 Epistle to the Romans, 
 
 Exodus, 
 
 Jeremiah, 
 
 I. Corinthians, 
 
 Leviticus, 
 
 Lamentations, 
 
 II. Corinthians, 
 
 Numbers, 
 
 l-zelviel. 
 
 Galatians, 
 
 Deuteronomy, 
 
 Daniel, 
 
 Ephesians, 
 
 Joshua, 
 
 Hosea, 
 
 Philippians, 
 
 Judges, 
 
 Joel, 
 
 Colossians, 
 
 Rutli, 
 
 Amos, 
 
 I. Thcssalonians, 
 
 I. Samuel, 
 
 Obadiah, 
 
 II. Thcssalonians, 
 
 IL Samuel, 
 
 Jonah, 
 
 1. limotny. 
 
 L Kings. 
 
 Jlicah, 
 
 11. limotny. 
 
 IL Kings, 
 
 Nahum, 
 
 Titus, 
 
 T O M T*r>Tl 1 1 oo 
 X. 111 LfUldCD* 
 
 LtLll^ t\ Lllv, 
 
 L Illit^UlLlli, 
 
 II. Chronicles, 
 
 Zephaniah, 
 
 Hebrews, 
 
 Ezra, 
 
 Haggai, 
 
 Epistle of James, 
 
 Nehemiah, 
 
 Zecliariah, 
 
 I. Peter, 
 
 Esther, 
 
 Malachi, 
 
 IL Peter, 
 
 Job, 
 
 Matthew, 
 
 I. John, 
 
 Psalms, 
 
 Mark, 
 
 II. John, 
 
 Proverbs, 
 
 Luke, 
 
 III. John, 
 
 Ecclesiastcs, 
 
 John, 
 
 Jude, 
 
 Song of Solomon. 
 
 Acts of the Apostles, 
 
 Revelation. 
 
 All which are given by inspiration of God to be the 
 rule of faith and life. The books commonly called 
 Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part 
 of the canon of Scripture.* 
 
 * Ratio Disciplinae, or Constitution of the Congregational Churches, 
 Art. I., § 2, 3. Confession of the Presbyterian Church, Art. I., § 2, 3. 
 Confession of the Baptist Churches (adopted in 1742), Chap. I., §2, 3. 
 The Confession of tlie Dutch Reformed Church is also of the same 
 general doctrinal import. 
 
APOSTOLIC PROTESTANT CONFESSION. 20g 
 
 Art. II. — Of God and the Trinity. 
 
 Our churches with one accord teach, that there is 
 one God, eternal, incorporeal, indivisible, infinite in 
 power, wisdom and goodness, the creator and preserver 
 of all things visible and invisible ; and yet that there 
 are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holj 
 Spirit.* 
 
 Art. III. — Of the Son of God and the Atonement. 
 
 They likewise teach, that the Word, that is, the Son 
 of God, assumed human nature, so that the two na- 
 tures, human and divine, united in one person, consti- 
 tute one Christ, who is true God and man ; born of the 
 Virgin Mary; and truly suffered, was crucified, died 
 and was buried, that he might be a sacrifice for the 
 sins of men.f 
 
 Art. IV. — Of Human Depramty. 
 
 God having made a covenant of works and of life 
 thereupon with our first parents ; they, seduced by the 
 subtilty and temptation of Satan, did willfully trans- 
 gress and break the covenant by eating the forbidden 
 fruit4 By this sin they fell from their original right- 
 eousness and communion with God, and so a corrupted 
 nature is conveyed to all their posterity, descending 
 from tliem by ordinary generation. § The condition of 
 
 * Lutheran and Moravian (ITnitod Brotliren's) Confession. Art. I. 
 \ Idem, Art. III., nccordinjf to tlio translation contained in tho 
 writ(!r'H " l'oj)ular Theolo^jy." 
 X Congref^ational, Art. VI. 1. 
 
 ^ Congregational, Art. VI. .'5. lJai)tiHt, Clinp VI. § 3. 
 
210 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 man, after the fall of Adam, is such,* that his will is 
 neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature 
 determined to do good or evil ;t but it does not possess 
 the power, without the influence of the Holy Spirit, of 
 being just before God4 
 
 Art. Y. — Of Justification. 
 
 We are accounted righteous before God only for the 
 merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith ; 
 and not for our own works or deservings.§ This faith 
 must bring forth good fruits ; aiid it is our duty to per- 
 form those good works which God has commanded, be- 
 cause he has enjoined them, and not in the expectation 
 of thereby meriting justification before him.|] Good 
 works cannot put away our sins, and endure the sever- 
 ity of God's judgraent.*'[ 
 
 Aet. \l.~Ofthe Church. 
 
 The visible church, which is catholic or universal 
 under the Gospel (not confined to one nation), consists 
 of all those throughout the world that profess the true 
 religion, and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Unto this catholic, A-isible church Christ hath given the 
 ministry, oracles and ordinances of God ; and out of it 
 
 * Episcopal, Art. X. 
 
 f Baptist, Presbyt. and Congjeg. IX. 1. 
 
 J Lutheran and Moravian Conf. Art. XV'IH. 
 
 § Episcopal Conf. Art. XI. and Methodist, Art. IX. 
 
 II Lutheran and Moravian Conf. Art. VL 
 
 ^ Mctliodist Uiscip. Art. X. and Episcopal Conf. Art. XIL 
 
APOSTOLIC PROTESTANT CQNFESSIOX. 
 
 211 
 
 there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.* For the 
 true unity of the church, it is not necessary that the 
 same rites and ceremonies, instituted by men, should 
 be eveiywhere observed.f The purest churches under 
 heaven are subject both to mixture and error ;:{: never- 
 theless, Christ always hath had and ever shall have a 
 visible kingdom in this world to the end thereof, of 
 such as believe in him and make profession of his name.§ 
 There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus 
 Clirist ; nor can the pope of Kome in any sense be the 
 head thereof. || 
 
 Aet. YII. — Of the Sacraments, Baptism and tlie Lord''s 
 Supper. 
 
 The sacraments were institututed not only as marks 
 of a Christian profession among men ; but ratl.er as 
 signs and evidences of the divine disposition towards 
 us, tendered fur the purpose of exciting and confirming 
 the faith of those who use them.*| There be only two 
 sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Gospel, 
 that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.** 
 Baptism is ordained not only for the solemn admission 
 of the party baptized into the visible church; but also 
 to be unto him a sign of the covenant of grace, of re- 
 
 • Presbyterian Conf. Art. XXV. 2. 3. 
 \ Lutheran and Moravian, Art. VIL 
 
 \ Prcsb. XXV. a and ( oufr. XXVI. Baptist, Chap. XXVII. ~' 3. 
 
 Conprcfrationul C nf. Art. XXVI 3. Bupt,. Chap. XXVII. § 3. 
 5 Congr. XXVI. 4 and Prcsb. XXV. C. 
 1 Lutheran and .Moravian Conf. Art. XIII. 
 «• Prcpb. Art. XXVII. 4 and Cong. X.WIII. 4. 
 
212 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 generation, of remission of sins,"^ and of his giving up 
 •unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of 
 life.f The supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the 
 love that Christians ought to have among themselves ; 
 but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's 
 death.:]: 
 
 In this sacrament Christ is not offered up, nor any 
 real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the 
 quick or dead ; so that the popish sacrifice of the mass, 
 as they call it, is most injurious to Christ's one only 
 sacrifice.§ That doctrine wliich maintains a change of 
 the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood (com- 
 monly called transubstantiation), by consecration of a 
 priest, or in any other way, is repugnant not to Scrip- 
 ture alone, but even to common sense and reason. | The 
 denying of the cup to the people, and worshipping the 
 elements, or carrying them about for adoration, are all 
 contrary to the institution of Christ.^f 
 
 Akt. YIII. — Of Purgatory^ etc. 
 
 The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, worship- 
 ping as well of images as of relics, and also invocation 
 of saints, is repugnant to the word of God.^^* 
 
 * Prcsb. Art. XXVIIL 1. 
 
 \ Baptist, Chap. XXX. § 1. Presb. Art. XXVIIL § \. Cong. Art. 
 
 XXIX. § 1. 
 
 X Methcdist Disc. Art. XVIII. and Episc Art. XXVIIL 
 § Prcsb. Art. XXIX. 2. and Conp. XXX. 2. Baptist Ch. XXXII 
 §2. 
 
 II Baptist, Ch. XXII. § 6. Presb. Conf. Art. XXIX. G. and Cong. 
 
 XXX. 6. 
 
 1 Presb. XXIX. 4. Cong. XXX. 4. Baptist, Chap. XXXI 1. § 4. 
 ** Methodist Disc. Art. XIV. and Episcopal, Art. XXII. 
 
APOSTOLIC PROTESTANT CONFESSION. 21$ 
 
 Art. IX. — Liberty of Conscience. 
 
 God alone is the Lord of conscience, and hath left it 
 free fi'om the doctrines and commandments of men, 
 which are in anywise contrary to his word, or beside it 
 in matters of faith or worship. So that to believe such 
 doctrines or to obey such commandments out of con- 
 science, is to betray true liberty of conscience ; and, 
 the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and 
 blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and 
 reason also.* 
 
 Aet. X. — Of Civil Government. 
 
 God the supreme Lord and King of all the world, 
 hath ordained civil magistrates to be, under him, over 
 the people for his own glory and the public good ; and 
 to this end hath armed them with power, for the de- 
 fence and encouragement of them that do good, and for 
 the punishment of evil-doers.f The power of the ci\'il 
 magistrate extendeth to all men, as well clergy as laity 
 in things temporal ; but hath no authority in things 
 purely spiritual.:}: Christians ought to yield obedience 
 to the civil officers and laws of the land : miless they 
 should command something sinful ; in which case it is 
 a duty to obey God rather than man.§ 
 
 * ProBb. XX. 2. Baptist, XXf. ? 2. 
 
 t Cong. XXIV. 1. and Presb. X.XIII. 1. Baptist, XXV. § 1. 
 t Episc. XXXVII. 
 
 § LutliL-ran and Moravian, Art. XVI. 
 
214 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 Art. XI. — Communion of Saints. 
 
 Saints are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and 
 communion in the worship of God, and in performing 
 such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual ed- 
 ification : as also in relieving each other in outward 
 things, according to their several abilities and necessi- 
 ties ; which communion, as God off'ereth opportunity, is 
 to be extended to all those who in e\'ery place call upon 
 the name of the Lord Jesus.* 
 
 Art. XII. — Of the Future Jitdjmmt and Retribution. 
 
 At the end of the world Christ Avill appear for judg- 
 ment ; he will raise the dead, he will give to the pious 
 eternal life .md endless joys ; but will condemn wicked 
 men and devils to be punished without end.f As 
 Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that 
 there shall be a day of judgment, to deter all men from 
 sin, so will he have that day unknown to men, that 
 they may shake off all carnal security, and be always 
 watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord 
 will come, and may be ever prepared to say, Coine, 
 Lord Jesus, come quicTcly. Amen.^ 
 
 * Cong. XXVIL 2, and Prcsb. XXVL 2. Baptist, Ch. XXVIIL § 1. 
 f Lutheran and Moravian Conf. Art. XVIL 
 X Baptist Ch. XXXIV. § 3. Presbyterian, XXXIIL 3. Congre- 
 gational, XXXH. 3. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 MODE OF OPERATION AND EESULTS. 
 
 It only remains that a few words be said as to the 
 manner in which this plan could, with very little delay, 
 be adopted by all who approve of its principles and 
 are desirous of co-operating in restoring unity to the 
 body of Christ. The call of a general, ecclesiastical, 
 delegated convention, from all the different orthodox 
 denominations, would probably not be expedient nor 
 extensively successful. If succesful, it would bring en- 
 emies into the camp. Some men, whose influence and 
 standing would secure their election as delegates, would 
 oppose and thwart the work, either from an improper 
 spirit, or want of acquaintance with the subject. 
 
 I. Let ministers of the gospel, on suitable occasions, 
 inculcate the duty of Christian union from the sacred 
 desk, and invite the attention of their audience to 
 the several plans of union which have been pro- 
 posed. 
 
 II. Let benevolent individuals appropriate funds for 
 the i)urpo8e of 8Uj)plying the ministers and elders of 
 synods, or presbyteries, with this Appeal, and other 
 similar publications. 
 
 in. Let the friends of union, of dill'ercnt dcnoiniiia- 
 
2l6 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 tions, in cities, towns, villages, counties, &c., form them- 
 selves into voluntary associations for tlie promotion of 
 this object. These associations could 
 
 (a) Discuss the subject of Christian union in all its 
 relations. 
 
 (h) Note their approbation of the proposed Plan of 
 Apostolic Protestant Union. 
 
 (c) Resolve to raise funds to distribute the best pub- 
 lications on the subject. 
 
 (d) Resolve to bring the object of this Appeal before 
 the ecclesiastical bodies of different grades, to which 
 they respectively belong. 
 
 IV. Let ecclesiastical bodies of every grade, and also 
 individual congregations, amicably discuss the plan, 
 and if they approve it, resolve, each for itself, to act ac- 
 cording to it, so far as their existing standards will 
 allow. 
 
 V. But the entire adoption of this plan, as a rule of 
 universal action, ought, if possible, to be by the highest 
 judicatory or ecclesiastical body of each denomination, 
 so as to embrace all its members, and not to cause in- 
 ternal dissension. 
 
 VI. So soon as any two denominations, or ecclesias- 
 tical bodies, adopt the plan, they constitute the nucleus 
 of the Apostolic Protestant Cuukcu ifi America, to 
 which one denomination after the other can be added. 
 
 VII. In the whole progi'ess of this work, let it be 
 laid down as a fixed principle by the finends of union, 
 that tliey will not press for ecclesiastical action, when 
 the decision would not be pretty nearly unanimous, or 
 at all events when a considerable minority would secede 
 and thus form a new sect. In voluntary associations 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 21/ 
 
 the friends of the cause can at once exert all their 
 energies in promoting the spirit of union, and carrying 
 forward the triumphs of the gospel, without interfering 
 with their dissentient bretliren, or causing new schisms 
 in the body of Christ. 
 
 VIII. If any orthodox denomination find in this 
 Confession a single article or sentence or idea, which 
 positively, (not by inference), teaches what they regard 
 as error, let them strike it out, and adopt the residue. 
 The miter is, however, not aware that such a clause is 
 found in it. Other denominations would then also omit 
 it as a disputed point, not belonging to the common 
 ground of Protestantism, and the residue remain as the 
 United Protestant Confession, regularly adopted by the 
 confederated denominations. 
 
 IX. Let vacant churches, and Christians of different 
 denominations in destitute villages and neighborhoods 
 be encouraged to miite in adopting the Apostolic Pro- 
 testant Confession, and plan of imion, and join in call- 
 ing a minister of any one of the confederated de- 
 nominations. 
 
 X. In villages and other places, where more than 
 the necessary number of ministers are stationed, when 
 death or any other cause diminishes that number, let 
 not others be called to supply their place, but let the 
 members of the vacated churches permanently unite 
 with the brethren of the other churches. Thus will the 
 pastors who remain, find a more ready sujjport, their 
 increased churches can contribute more largely for the 
 spread of the gospel elsewhere, and laborers will be 
 spared for the destitute. If the evangelical ministers 
 of our land of all denominations could bo equally 
 
 10 
 
2l8 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 distributed tkrougliout its length and breadtli, there 
 would not only be a suiScienej for the whole popula- 
 tion, at the rate of one to a thousand souls, but at least 
 several hundreds could be spared to labor among the 
 benighted heathen. Every effort should therefore be 
 made to effect such a distribiition of laborers, as far as 
 is practicable under existing circumstances. A 'perfectly 
 equal distribution did indeed not exist in the apostohc 
 age, nor is it attainable at the present day v\uthout in- 
 fringement of Christian liberty ; yet a great approxi- 
 mation to it could thus be effected. 
 
 XI. Let each of the confederated denominations and 
 missionary societies both voluntary and denominational 
 resolve not to send a minister into any village or neigh- 
 borhood already adequately supplied by a minister 
 from another branch of the iiniou, biit advise their 
 members to unite with their confederated bretlu'en in 
 supporting the minister already stationed among them, 
 or some other one of good standing in either of the confed- 
 erated denominations, in whose support they can agree. 
 
 XII. "Whenever the confederated population of a 
 district is unable to support a minister, let application 
 be made to the proper officers of the missionary society 
 of their choice, for such aid as they may need. 
 
 Xni. Let the education and missionary societies 
 of the confederated cliurches confer with each other, 
 adopt rules of cooperation, and resolve with renewed 
 ardor by the help of God to sup])ly every destitute 
 place in our land with faithful ministers, and labor 
 with re-doubled zeal in the definite enterprize of send- 
 ing the gospel to every rational creature throughout 
 " the field of the world." 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 219 
 
 This plan would tend to produce unity of spirit first, 
 whilst it will prepare the way for greater unity in 
 external forms ; if the Lord designs to effect it. If its 
 prominent features were faithfully carried out, the Pro- 
 testant church would present as much external unity 
 of organization, as that of the apostolic age, and there- 
 fore in all probabilty as much as is desirable ; whilst, 
 happy consummation ! the members of the Saviour's 
 body would again have the same care for one another ; 
 and whether one member suffer, all the members suffer 
 with it, or one member be honored, all the members re- 
 joice with it ! And the intellect of the Christian church 
 would no longer be expended in internal contentions, 
 but aU her energies be directed to the conversion of the 
 world. 
 
 The Conversion of the TVokld 
 
 Is indeed the grand enterprize of Christianity, in which 
 every denomination, every minister, and every member 
 of the church should feel bound, in some way or other, 
 personally to labor. The cordial adoption of this plan 
 of union, it is conceived, would operate most efficiently 
 in advancing this glorious object ; and the writer feels 
 constrained in concluding this Appeal, to present some 
 considerations as a supplementary appeal, on the en- 
 couragements and feasibilty of this work, which, though 
 superfluous for many, may not be useless to some of his 
 readers. Indeed the signs of the times seem on the 
 whole encouraging. TluMigh wc live in an age of in- 
 tellectual revolution, it is also an age of moral reforma- 
 tion. Notwithstanding some .adverse circumstances, 
 the time for Zion's enlagement seems to be drawing 
 
220 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 near. The church is shaking herself from the dust of 
 accumulated ages ; and the Son of God appears to be 
 coming in his glory, conquering and to conquer the 
 kingdoms of this earth. 'Tis but the lifetime of three 
 - or four individuals since nearly the whole church of 
 Christ on earth was fast bound in chains of papal super- 
 stition and corruption. But the Son of man said, Let 
 there be light ! and the light of the refonnation burst 
 forth, ilhmiinino; and vivifying countless numbers who 
 had been groping in darkness, and been enveloped in 
 the shades of death. 'Tis but the lifetime of one man, 
 since VoUaire yet warped the intellect of Europe, and 
 cherished the hope of subverting the foundations of 
 Christianity ; when seated in his closet, with " Crush 
 the "Wretch," for his blasphemous motto, he indited his 
 intidel effusions, whilst the malice of hell was ranlding 
 in his breast and his pen recorded the inspirations of 
 the devil. But how changed are now the prospects of 
 " the kingdom of heaven !" Infidelity, foiled in the 
 conflict, is gradually retreating from the field. The 
 disciples of the Master, especially in England and 
 America, are waking up from their lifeless fonnality. 
 A higher and holier standard of duty is beginning to 
 regulate their works of faith and love. A more expan- 
 sive spirit of benevolence is beginning to mark out the 
 circumference of their sympathies. Every benevolent 
 effort based on the true spirit of the gospel finds 
 friends; and, though oft amid difficulties and o])po- 
 sitioM, does not fail to work its way into the contidcnee 
 of Christians. So that verily they that love the Lord 
 indeed, have reason " to thank (lod and take courage." 
 But while the church is Avaking up and looking 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 221 
 
 abroad over the length and breadth of the desolations 
 around her, and ere she has half supplied them, the 
 Master is loudly calling from the East and the West, 
 from the North and the South, and reiterating in our 
 ears his long-forgotten mandate : The field is the world ! 
 To the few who in the last thirty years have gone 
 abroad, he has signally verified his promise, " Lo, I am 
 -with you always, even unto the end of the world." 
 Nation after nation has he prepared to I'eceive his mes- 
 sengers, until the entire gentile world may be regarded 
 as accessible, and the sufferings, and cruelties, and 
 abominations of heatheiiism have been unfolded to our 
 view. The cruel, the bloody rites by which these vic- 
 tims of superstition attempt to appease the anger of 
 their unknown God, have been so fully described to us 
 by the numerous laborers already scut among them, 
 that hard, indeerl, must be the heart that does not feel. 
 "Whilst we are meditating on this subject, and rejoicing 
 in the richness and freeness of salvation through the 
 Saviour, some one of the many thousands of widows 
 who ai-o annually immolated in India on the funeral 
 pile of their husbands, by the relentless superstitioTi of 
 their land, may at this moment be ascending the fatal 
 |)ile ! Reader, behold her tied down to the lifeless 
 body of her husband. See the flames, lighted by her 
 own son, consuming her body; hear her terrific shrieks 
 until they are drowned by the beating of drums and 
 the acclamations of the infuriated multitude ! Or 
 see her buried with her de[)arted husband — the liv- 
 ing and the dead in the same grave ! Or behold 
 the deluded mother castinjr her first-born into the 
 river, and standing to see the little innocent seized 
 
222 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 by contending alligators, and torn to pieces, its bones 
 broken and its blood sucked by the successful monster ! 
 Or see the deluded worshipper suspended in the air by 
 large iron hooks thrust into his side, and thus violently 
 swung around for a quarter of an hour ! Or behold 
 iiini casting himself from an elevated stage on open 
 knives, lightly covered with cotton ! Or walking with 
 .naked feet on burning coals ! Contemplate these and 
 similar scenes of degradation and suffering, in which 
 ' 600,000,000 of our fellow-men are yet more or less in- 
 volved ; degradation which excludes its subjects from a 
 holy heaven ; sufferings to relieve which the Son of 
 God descended to earth, provided a ransom, and com- 
 manded his disciples to publish it to every rational 
 creature ; contemplate these scenes and say have the 
 churches a rigid to expend their strength in unholy 
 contentions with one another, or in sustaining an un- 
 necessary number of institutions and teachers to propa- 
 gate their minor peculiarities? Contemplate these 
 scenes, and say what have the churches done to spread 
 the glad tidings of relief? How have they responded 
 even to the calls of the few of our countrymen who have 
 gone, for example, to India, that land of " thick dark- 
 ness." Let one of their own number answer, who 
 spent his life in the cause. In a letter from the Rev. 
 Mr. Poor, of the American Board^ whicli reached the 
 writer* two years since, that devoted servant of Christ 
 says : " We marvel that our cry, Come over and help tis, 
 is not more regarded by our brethren in America. The 
 
 * About 1837, two years before tlio first edition of this work wiis 
 ]>ui)lishe(l 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 223 
 
 liarvest is perisliing, is jperiahing for want of laborers. 
 We definitely requested tweatj-seven for this field ; in 
 return, one individual lias just arrived." 
 
 Why is it then, that after the lapse of eighteen 
 hundred years so little has been done, that one-half of 
 our own country is yet destitute, that four-fifths of the 
 human race have never heard of the sinner's friend ? 
 Is there any defect in the system of instrumentahty ap- 
 pointed by God ? That system admits of extension to 
 an indefinite degree, of extension adequate to the wants 
 of the world. The Bible admits of translation into the 
 thousand languages of the earth, as well as the hundred 
 and fifty in which it is found,* the preacliing of the 
 gospel is, in the nature of things, as applicable to one 
 nation as to another, and as well to all nations as to 
 some. And there is the same promise of the divine 
 blessing ; and the same prospect of a rich harvest of 
 believing souls. IIow can the heathen believe in him 
 of whom they have not heard ? IIow can they hear with- 
 out a preacher ? Here then is at present the grand 
 difficulty. The want of ministers is now the funda- 
 mental obstacle to the spread of the gospel over the 
 earth. Here is the point at which the greatest system 
 of machinery for the conversion of the ,world at this 
 time labors. And on whom does the guilt of this defi- 
 ciency rest? Are ministers now called to this work by 
 inspiration \ Since the prinxitive band of fishermen 
 and tentniakers was inducted by the Saviour himself, 
 their successors in office have been introduced into the 
 
 * In the last thirty years the number of transhitions lias increased 
 to about two luindred. 
 
224 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 field by the iustnimentalitj of man. One of tlie stand- 
 ing injunctions of the ministry is, " The things which 
 thou hast ]ieard of me amongst many witnesses, the 
 same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to 
 teach others also." It is therefore our duty to multiply 
 faithful ministers imtil " the gospel of the kingdom 
 shall be preached in all the world." 
 
 Let the followers of the Saviour then go to Avork with 
 the full conviction that the duty enjoined on them is 
 jpracticahle. 
 
 About twenty years ago (in 1819, now fifty years 
 since), there were not thirty young men sustained by 
 the churches in our land, in preparation for the minis- 
 try, and yet the great difficxdty then was want of mo- 
 ney. Since that period the churches have learned 
 something of their duty, and aided upwards of three 
 thousand young men.* Xow the greatest difiiculty 
 is want of men. But in reality the true diffimlty, 
 first and last, has heen xoant of zeal in the churches. 
 The Spirit of God opens the door of access to the 
 heathen world faster than laborers come to enter 
 it. The Spirit of God has made Christians Avilling 
 to support and send forth young men, just in pro- 
 portion as this duty was urged upon them. And the 
 self-same Spirit has made young men willing to de- 
 vote themselves to the work of the ministry, just in 
 proportion as ministers have faithfully spread before 
 their peo])lc the wretched condition of the heathen 
 world, and Christians have labored and prayed to find 
 workmen for the Lord. 
 
 * And how many thousands more since ? 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 225 
 
 Let tlie churches form definite ideas of the work to 
 be performed, and, in reliance on God, purpose its ac- 
 complishment. Our efforts are often paralyzed by the 
 supposed incalculable vastness of the work. Otu* faith 
 often wavers, because not based on intelligible " evi- 
 dence of the things not seen." It was thought a gigan- 
 tic conception* when the American Bible Society re- 
 solved within a few years to fm-nish the book of God to 
 every destitute family in our land. It appeared so only 
 because the extent of the enterprise and the means for 
 its accomplishment had not been definitely surveyed. 
 Thus also the conversion of the world appears even to 
 some Christians as " idle words, and they believe them 
 not;" yet, when rightly viewed, it is not beyond 
 the bounds of reasonable calculation. Eating the un- 
 evangelized world at 600,000,000, and allowing 1,000 
 souls to each miuister, it has sometimes been said we 
 must furnish 600,000 laborers. But far less will suffice. 
 Supposing each preacher to take charge of four or five 
 stations, he could preach the gospel at least to 2,000 
 souls. The number tlms required would be 300,000. 
 The converted heathen will, in the progress of this 
 work, furnish more than ten times as many laborers as 
 it will be necessary to send to them, and this would be 
 less than they did in the apostolic age. AVe would then 
 need about 30,000 laborers for the heathen world, to be 
 sent from the present Chnstian churches. This num- 
 ber would, we doubt nt)t, together with the native aux- 
 iliaries, and the Bible, and tract, and sabbath-school 
 
 * Some thirty years ago the first supply of the whole country was 
 undertaken. 
 
226 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 eflForts, be amply sufficient, by the divine blessing, to 
 prejtch the gospel to every creature, to bring all the 
 heathen world under the infliience of the means of salva- 
 tion; especially if, like the proto-missionaries of the Sa- 
 viour, many of them should travel from place to place, 
 remaining only long enough in each to form a congrega- 
 tion of believers, and then, appointing from their num- 
 ber the most pious, talented, and faithful, as pastors for 
 the flock, pursue their course. This method was found 
 ' adequate in the apostolic age, and might now be pur- 
 sued (as it is in part) with the greater propriety, as the 
 missionary would leave the loritlen word in every church 
 thus formed. Is it -objected by any that these teachers 
 would be ignorant of the history of the church, and 
 other important matters ? "We hesitate not, in reply, to 
 express it as our solemn and deliberate conviction, that 
 'it would be better for the heathen world never to hear 
 of Augustine, and Luther, and Calvin, and Zwingli, and 
 Arminius, and Wesley, than to be rent into suchamul- 
 titude of contending sects, and be embittered by bigoted 
 disputes, as the Protestant church generally has been. 
 A Christianity built upon the Bible, and on the Bible 
 alone, like that of the earlier Christians ai.d the modern 
 Moravians, will suffice for the salvation of any nation. 
 But the well educated missionaries themselves would be 
 possessed of all the coUateral science requisite to illus- 
 trate and defend the sacred volume, and could commu- 
 nicate it, Avhilst institutions for Christian science and 
 learning could be gradually established in all nations, 
 for the publication of the Scriptures and the gradual 
 elevation of ministerial education among the natives. 
 Nor id it necessary that all the missionaries sent out 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 22/ 
 
 should receive a classical education. Of those des- 
 tined for uncivilized countries, such as Africa, whilst 
 some should be thoroughly educated,- the major part^ 
 •would be quite as efficient after four or five years in- 
 struction in Christian doctrine and duty, some of the 
 physical sciences, especially medical botany, agricul- 
 ture, or some suitable trade, in pastoral duties, and the 
 language of their destination. If such a ministry is 
 successful in our own comitry, as is seen in the case of 
 our Moravian and Methodist brethren, much more 
 would it be adequate to theWants of many portions of 
 the missionary field. 
 
 Probably, too, it would be wise to establish one or . 
 more missionary seminaries in our land, under the joint 
 patronage of the different missionaiy boards, to which 
 all, of different denominations, might resort, and in 
 which the several cardinal languages of Asia, Africa, 
 and aboriginal America should be taught, either by na-- 
 tives or by men wlio acquired them in those several 
 countries, and in which an education peculiarly mis- 
 sionary should be given. 
 
 And how long would it Wquire until the church 
 could funiish tliese 30,000 missionaries ? Kot so long 
 as we are accustomed to imagine, if the Protestant 
 churclies would come up to a standard of duty per- 
 fectly attainable and certainly obligatory. The apos- 
 tles found " in every city" in the churches established 
 by them (averaging probably at that period not fifty 
 male members) materials for " appointing elders" or 
 preachers. Ilonce we may justly infer that every 
 church, on an average, docs contain at least several per- 
 srms whose duty it is to devote thcMUselvcs to thi< work'. 
 
228 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 2ixAif a jproper standard of piety were maintained^ and 
 suitable effort made to dii'ect them, tliey could now be 
 found as well as in the apostolic age. Xoav, it is calcu- 
 lated that there are 15,000 Protestant churches in the 
 United States, about 20,000 in Great Britain, and about 
 50,000 in Continental Europe. Supposing 6,500 of 
 all these 85,000 cliurches which is not one-fourth of tlae 
 number in Great Britain and the United States, were 
 to take active part in this work, and furnish each one 
 theological student every five years, which is far less 
 than some of themhave done and are now doing, v^e should 
 in ten years have 15,000 laborers paitly in the field, 
 and partly in a course of preparation. In twenty years 
 we should have 30,000 thus designated, from which de- 
 ducting 5,000 for the r.ivages of death and other Ml- 
 nres, we should have left 25,000 laborers, who in twenty- 
 five or thii'ty years might all be in the foreign field, all 
 professing one and the same doctriyial Confession, ae- 
 knowled";ing each other's ecclesiastical and ministerial 
 standing, holding with each other ministerial and sa- 
 cramental communion, and though differing on the con- 
 fessedly minor matters of* church government, yet co- 
 operating as one people in every good word and work, 
 and caring one for the other as members of the same 
 body, of which Christ is the only head ! 
 
 But how can Christians he hr ought up^ to this duty? 
 Let parents feel that their children are not their own, 
 but the Lord's ; and as " the Lord hath need of them," 
 let them from infancy dedicate them to God, and strive 
 to instill into their youthful minds the duty and glory 
 of serving God, if called, among the heathen. Let 
 every mother strive to be a Hannah, and dedicate her 
 
MODE OF OPERATION AND RESULTS. 229 
 
 little Samuel to the sanctuary of God. Let every 
 father be an Abraham, ready to sun*ender his son to 
 the sovereiga disposal of Jehovah. 
 
 Let ministers cease to waste their strength ia con- 
 tending against one another ; let them study the con- 
 dition of the heathen until their own hearts are warmed 
 with the subject, and then let them hold up to the view 
 of their hearers the duty of sending the gospel to the 
 heathen, and of being willing to take it to them, as fre- 
 quently and faithfully as they do the duty of repent- 
 ance and faith. Let fidelity on this point be regarded 
 and incidcated as an essential evidence of Christian 
 character, as it doubtless will be in the case of all those 
 who have been faithfully instructed. 
 
 Again, let churches, which feel their duty on this 
 subject, cordially co-operate and formally resoh'e that 
 they will, by the divine blessing, endeavor to furnish at 
 least the stipulated number, one student every five 
 years, and if possible more, for this work. Let this 
 duty be made a subject of special supplication at every 
 monthly concert, and let pastor and people co-operate 
 in seeking out pious and talented young men, and lay- 
 ing the subject before them. 
 
 Let ecclesiastical jiidicataries, of every grade and 
 every denomination, discuss and recommend the subject 
 to their churches, as they did tlie temperance clibrt. 
 Let all denominations take part, and co-operate in the 
 work, on tlie apostolic,. liberal jirinciplcs laid down in 
 this plan of union. Let diflereut societies, voluntary 
 and ecclesiastical, direct their attention each to a par- 
 ticular heathen nation, that there may be as little inter- 
 ference as possible. Let our theological seminaries bo 
 
230 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 SO modified as to substitute a Missionary Professorship, 
 instead of that of Polemical Theology; and finally, let 
 all be done under the conviction that the worTc is the 
 Loi'd's, and its issue is in his divine hands. 
 
 This glprious, this millennial entei-prize would re- 
 quire and would lead to an enlargement of education 
 and niissionaiy operations to a millennial scale. Yet it 
 4s all possible ; nor would the education of the poor, 
 and the mission of all these men, require greater pecu- 
 niary sacrifices from the church at large, than some 
 
 ' dividual Christians are now making ; nor a tithe of the 
 Protestant wealth from the livin":, tog-ether with the 
 increase of legacies which such a state of effort and 
 pi,ety among Christians would produce. Even the 
 Protestant churches in the United States alone, as is 
 evident from the above calculations, could accomplish 
 this work in less than half a century. They could fur- 
 nish and send forth the necessary number of laborers, 
 if they would declare a perpetual amnesty among them- 
 selves, and concentrate their utmost efforts on some 
 plan of union like the one here recommended. In the 
 progi-oss of this work, too, the Lord may raise up some 
 
 . Constantines who will direct the energies of their em- 
 i)ire to this glorious work ; kings may become " nursing 
 fathers, and queens nursing mothers" to his Zion ; ho 
 will pour out the influences of his Spirit in pentecostal 
 measures, and nations may be bom in a day ; so that 
 the human instrumentality required may even be much 
 less than above stated. Amen, Lord Jesus, come 
 quickly ! 
 
 In conclusion, m'c W()uld commend this luimble, 
 well-meant Appeal to the blessing of that divine Sa- 
 
MODE OF OPERATION' AND RESULTS. 
 
 231 
 
 vioul', "who has ■watched over his church amidst all the 
 vicissitudes of her eventful history. If "this plan is ac- 
 cordant with his will, may he graciously accept and, 
 prosper it ; and if not, may he defeat it, and at the day 
 of final account regard with favor the upright intention 
 from which it has emanated ! 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MODIFIED PLAN PKOPOSED. 
 
 "We now invite the attention of the friends of Zion 
 to the modified Plan of Union, promised in the intro- 
 ductory part of this work" for modifying the American 
 Branch of the Evangelical Alliance, by engrafting on 
 it the inter-denominational feature of the Advisory 
 Council, formed in Kew York, October 20, 1869. 
 Other changes of importance are also proposed, for the 
 purpose of arranging all the several branches of the 
 Evangelical Alliance, Foreign and American, into one 
 Advisory Union of the Entire Protestant World. 
 
 The Generic Plan embraces 
 
 I. 
 
 The "World's Evangelical Alliastce ; 
 being an Advisory, Voluntary Association. 
 
 11. 
 
 TnE National Branches of the Evangelical 
 Alliance. 
 
 The American Branch to be Denominational or 
 Yoluntary, as may be decided at its next annual 
 meeting. 
 
 * The reader is requested to re-pcnise those pages (40 to 49) io 
 connection with this chapter. 
 (132) 
 
MODIFIED PLAN" PROPOSED. 
 
 The British, French, German and other Foreign 
 National Branches to remain Yoluntary Associations, 
 under the entire control of their members. 
 
 III. 
 
 Peuiaey Branches. 
 
 In America these are denominational, consisting of 
 the highest ecclesiastical hodies of each denomination, 
 as the General Assembly, or General Conventions or 
 Synods. 
 
 In Foreign countries the auxiliaries of each national 
 branch are its Primary Branches, and are also Volun- 
 tary Associations. 
 
 Details of the Plan. 
 I. 
 
 The World's Eoangdical Alliance, representing 
 the Church Universal, 
 
 1. This body consists of delegates, both clerical and 
 lay, as nearly as may be in equal numbers, from the 
 churches and conventions in all nations which pass 
 resolutions desii'ing to unite with it, and approving of 
 its Doctrinal Basis, Constitution and Design. This 
 equal relation of clerical and lay representation should 
 be aimed at in all Branches of the Alliance, 
 
 2. The churches connected with each of the National 
 Branch Alliances, the British, the German, the French, 
 the American, the Swiss, etc., shall determine the man- 
 ner in xoliich their representatives shall he elected: 
 
234 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 whether by their l^ational Branch Alliances, or by 
 their denominational bodies, or by voluntary conven- 
 tions of their members. 
 
 3. The "World's Evangelical Alliance shall hold at 
 least one meeting every seven years, and may meet as 
 much oftener as may be agreed on, either at the time 
 of adjournment, or by subsequent consultation among 
 the members and officers of the last meeting. 
 
 4. The Doctrinal Basis of the Alliance in all its de- 
 partments shall be the one adopted at the formation 
 of this body at London, in September, 1840, and no 
 member shall be admitted to a seat, either in the 
 World's Alliance or in any one of its National Branches, 
 until he has signed this Doctrinal Basis and avowed 
 his approval of the Design and Constitution of the 
 Alliance. 
 
 These doctrines are as follows : 
 
 1. The divine inspiration, authority and sufficiency 
 of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 2. The right and duty of private judgment in the 
 interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 3. The Unity of the Godhead, and the Trinity of 
 the persons therein. 
 
 4. The utter depravity of human nature in conse- 
 quence of the Fall. 
 
 5. The incarnation of the Son of God, his work of 
 atonement for sinners of mankind, and his mediatorial 
 intercession and reign. 
 
 0. The justification of the sinner by faith alone. 
 
MODIFIED PLAX PROPOSED. 
 
 7. The work of the Holy Spirit in the conversion and 
 sanctification of the sinner. 
 
 8. The immortalitv of the soul, the resurrection of 
 the body, the judgment of the world by our Lord Je- 
 sus Clirist, with the eternal blessedness of the righteous, 
 and the eternal punishment of the wicked. 
 
 9. The divine institution of the Christian ministry, 
 and the obligation and perpetuity of the ordinances of 
 Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 
 
 It being, however, distinctly declared that this brief 
 summary is not to be regarded in any formal or ecclesi- 
 astical sense, as a creed or confession, nor the adoption 
 of it as involving an assumption of the right authorita- 
 tively to define the limits of Christian brotherhood, 
 but simply as an indication of the class of persons 
 whom it is desirable to embrace within the Alliance. 
 
 5. Tlie powers of the Evangelical Alliance in all 
 its departments, are only those of an Advisory Council ; 
 and in all its operations, it is not intended to interfere 
 with the existing ecclesiastical organizations, but to 
 co-operate with them in such manner as may from time 
 to time be deemed most consistent with the princi- 
 ples here enunciated. 
 
 6. The design of the Alliance is not to form a new 
 sect, nor to effect an amalgamation of denominations ; 
 but, leaving the denominational interests and relations 
 of the several churches to their own free development 
 under the Providence of God, the design of the Alliance, 
 in all its dcpartmentis, is in the form of Advimnj Con- 
 ferenccs or Councils, to promote Evangelical Union and 
 harmonious co-operation in advancing the common in- 
 
236 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 terest of our holy religion, including Home Evangeli- 
 zation and Foreign Missions ; and provision for heathen 
 and other destitute emigrants ; to exhibit the essen- 
 tial unity of the Church of Christ ; to counteract the in- 
 fluence of infidelity and superstition, especially in their 
 organized forms ; to assist the cause of religious truth 
 everywhere ; to hold up the supreme authority of tlio 
 Word of God ; to urge the observance of the Lord's 
 Day ; to correct the immoral habits of society ; and 
 to promote among the nations of the earth and 
 
 good will among men. 
 
 11. 
 
 National Beanch Alliajstces. 
 
 1. Each National Branch Alliance determines the 
 mode of its own ori>:anization, and of selecting its dele- 
 gates to the World's Alliance. Owing to the union of 
 Church and State, the European Branches cannot re- 
 present churches, but on]y individual Cliristlans. 
 
 2. Each National Branch Alliance shall meet an- 
 nually, according to its own adjournment, or at the 
 call of its President, by request of half its executive 
 committee. 
 
 3. The American Branch of the Alliance shall be 
 Inter-denominational, and its delegated members shall 
 be in Senatorial representation, an equal number 
 being elected by and from each of the confederated de- 
 nominations, according to the qiiota fixed by the Na- 
 tional Alliance at its previous meeting, for the i)resent 
 say ten or fifteen to each denomination. 
 
 4. (a.) These Delegates, elected by the highest ecclesi- 
 astical body of each denomination, such as General 
 
MODIFIED PLAN PROPOSED. 
 
 Assemblies, or General Conventions, or General Synods, 
 or General Conferences, etc., are alone entitled to 
 speak, to vote, to be eligible to office, or to participate 
 in the transaction of the business ; and in addition to 
 delegates there may also be admitted 
 
 (5.) Visiting members, who may constitute them- 
 selves such, by their own application, and by subscrib- 
 ing to the Doctrinal Basis, as well as declaring their 
 approval of the Design and Constitution of the Alliance, 
 and beinof remdar mendiers in c^ood standincr of some 
 Evangelical Denomination. 
 
 (<7.) By subscribing to this Doctrinal Basis, both 
 classes of members " solemnly re-affirm and profess 
 their faith in all the doctrines of the inspired Word 
 of God, and in the consensus of doctrines as held by all 
 true Christians from the beginning. And more especi- 
 ally do they profess Iheir belief in the divine-human 
 person, and atoning worTc, of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, as the only sufficient source of salvation, 
 as the heart and soul of Christianity, as the centre of 
 all true Christian union and fellowship." 
 
 {d.) The members of both classes before taking 
 their seats in the American P)ranch shall contribute 
 at least one dollar for the expenses and purjjoses of the 
 Association. 
 
 5. The business of this Alh"ance shall be to discuss 
 the various interests of the Itedeemer's kingdom in the 
 nation and throughout the world ; and to propose and 
 execute, both by its own agencieo, and through the co- 
 operation of the judicatories of the different constituent 
 denominational Branches, all such measures as are re- 
 
238 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 comnunended bj the World's Alliance, and as they 
 themselves shall regard conducive to the progress of 
 the Church of Christ. 
 
 6. The American Branch Alliance shall also elect 
 its quota of delegates from its own number or else- 
 where, but in equal numbers as far as practicable from 
 each denomination, to attend the meetings of the 
 World's Alliance whenever called. Each Denomina- 
 tional Alliance may elect as many more if it see fit, 
 for the same purpose, who shall together represent this 
 body in the "World's Alliance and possess the like 
 powers. 
 
 7. If the highest judicatory of any denomination 
 is unwilling to elect delegates to this National Alliance, 
 and a considerable portion of it be favorably disposed ; 
 that portion may designate or elect the quota, to which 
 the denomination would be entitled ; and if this is not 
 done, the Executive Committee of the National Branch 
 may select prominent individuals of the same denomi- 
 nation to rei^resent it. 
 
 8. The officers of this National Alliance shall be a 
 President, Y ice-President, Corresponding and Record- 
 ing Secretaries, and a Treasurer. 
 
 9. The business of this Alliance shall be conducted 
 by the Executive officers, including the Yice-Presidents, 
 together with, as near as possible, one member from each 
 denomination represented in the Alliance, who together 
 shall constitute the Executive Committee, any ten of 
 whom shall form a quorum to transact business when 
 regularly convened. All the oilicers and other meinbei"S 
 of the Executive Committee shall be elected annually 
 
MODIFIED PLAN PROPOSED. 
 
 239 
 
 by the Alliance, shall be accountable to it, and subject 
 to its instructions, and shall hold their places until the 
 election of their successors. The members of this Com- 
 mittee are emj^owered to fill their own vacancies ; and 
 shall meet by the appointment of the Society, or on 
 their own adjournment, or at the call of the President, 
 by the request or with the consent of any five members 
 of the Committee ; provided, in the case of every special 
 meeting, due notice of ten days shall be given by letter 
 through the mail to each member. 
 
 III. 
 
 Pkimaey Bkaxches ; either Denominational^ as in 
 the United States of Amenca ; or Local and Voluntary, 
 if any are organized, auxihary to the National Alliance 
 of any Foreign nation. 
 
 1. The American Primary Branches are the existing 
 highest ecclesiastical Bodies of the several associated 
 denominations, each acting according to its own rules 
 and organization, on the business of the Alliance. 
 
 2. Any Evangelical Denomination of our land may 
 become connected with this American Alliance, by its 
 highest judicatory or representative body passing a reso- 
 lution, approving the Designs, the Doctrinal Basis, and 
 Constitution of the Alliance, and l)y sending their quota 
 of delegates to the meeting of the body. 
 
 3. No delegate elect shall take his seat, as a member, 
 at any meeting of a National Alliance, nntil he has first 
 subscribed the same declaration embraced in the above 
 resolution. 
 
 4. Should any Denomination become dissatisfied with 
 
240 
 
 FRATERNAL APPEAL. 
 
 the influence of the Alliance, it may at any time 
 •withdraw from the connection, by a vote of its highest 
 judicatory. 
 
 5. The stated duties of these highest judicatories, as 
 Denominational Primary Branches of the Alliance, 
 shall be : 
 
 (1.) To elect delegates to attend the annual meetings 
 of the American Branch of the Alliance. 
 
 (2.) To discuss' and attend to the various items of 
 business brought before them, according to their own 
 rules ; and when, in their judgment, any proposed 
 measure or interest of rehgion can be better advanced 
 by concerted influence, counsel, or action of several de- 
 nominations, to instruct their delegates to propose it to 
 the next IS^ational Alliance for their consideration and 
 action. 
 
 (3.) To receive the reports of their delegates to the 
 last ]SI"ational and the last "World's Alliance, on the 
 Transactions and recommendations of said bodies, and 
 to take action on them. 
 
 Concluding, Miscellaneous Observation?, on the rela- 
 tive advantages of the Voluntary and Denominational 
 modes of action, in the American Branch of the 
 Alliance. 
 
 1. By the introduction of Denominational Branches, 
 All portions of tlic entire clinrcli of our land will bo 
 reached. The highest judicatory or associated body of 
 each church, represents or comprises all the inferior 
 divisions and sub divisions belonging to it, and thus 
 reaches every member of the entire denomination. 
 
MODIFIED PLAN" PROrOSED. 
 
 241 
 
 Thus, for example, resolutions proposed by a General 
 Assembly, or General Synod or Convention, are brought 
 before all the inferior Judicatories belonging; to it, and 
 are thus presented to the notice of every member of the 
 denomination. TVhilst the present merely voluntary 
 Associations reach officially the members of the Alliance 
 constituting them, and a few judicatories by the instru- 
 mentality of some active members ; probably not one- 
 tenth of those judicatories contained in the church are 
 officially affected by them. Thus these measures may 
 officially reach 20,000 to 50,000 pei*sons ; but the adojv 
 tion of the denominational system, regularly brings the 
 subjects, projiosed by the Alliance, to the church mem- 
 bers of all the confederated denominations in the land, 
 amounting to several millions ! 
 
 2. The Yoluntary method, by giving a vote to all 
 members, wvaj become unsafe. If the American Na- 
 tional Branch meets in cities or other regions, in which 
 measures of doubtful propriety should for the time 
 generally be in favor, they could out-vote those coming 
 from a distance, who advocate the more correct views 
 of the large majority of the church throughout the 
 land. 
 
 3. It may also niore easily introduce some undesir- 
 able and troublesome individual-;, who though talented, 
 may be erratic and injudicious. 
 
 4. Tliere will be no' selection of the better men, who 
 enjoy the special confidence of their own denomination. 
 
 5. Large portions of tlie cliurches would not be repre- 
 sented at all ; while larger cities where the Alliance 
 meets, would Ite over-represented. 
 
 1 1 
 
242 
 
 FRATERNAL ArPEAL. 
 
 G. It will not be a union (even advisory) of tlie entire 
 different denominations, but of a few persons ont of 
 some denominations. 
 
 7. Thus tbe Alliance may eventually fall mainly in- 
 to the hands of some leading denomination?, and its 
 immense moral influence possibly bs wielded to the dis- 
 advantage of minor denominations. But with a denomi- 
 national senatorial representation of an equal number 
 of delegates from each denomination, and the power 
 vested in each denomination to withdraw from the 
 Alliance by a simple vote of its own highest judicatory, 
 the danger of injustice to minor denominations almost 
 entirely disappears. 
 
 8. The mere Yoluntary organization would, for our 
 country, probably fail to concentrate sufficient influence, 
 in order to unite the entire moral power and personal 
 co-operation of the great body of all evangelical deno- 
 minations, in resisting the encroachments of Romanism 
 and Infidelity, as well as spreading the gospel through- 
 out the earth. 
 
 9. The mere voluntai-y form of the Alliance loaves 
 the denominational organizations and sectarian arrange- 
 ments almost tinmitigated, and sectionr.l rivalry but 
 little diminished ; but the plan of delegates establishes ^ 
 such intei'-denominational arrangements as remove this -i 
 in a great measure. These Arrangements should in- 
 clude a canon of 
 
 {a) Missionary non-interference. 
 (J) Free sacramental communion, which diminishes 
 congregational rivalry. 
 
 (c) The use of the Bible more and of sectarian litera- 
 
PROPOSED MODIFIED PLAN. 
 
 243 
 
 tui'e less, which discountenances rivab-y of theologians. 
 (d) Ministerial comnumion and recognition, 
 {e) Profession of the fundamental Creed without sec- 
 tarian pecularities, promotes liberality of doctrinal 
 views and feelings. 
 
 10. The present arrangement of mere voluntary 
 Alliances, does really not effect an actual union of the 
 whole Christian church. Only volunteer individual 
 members of the different denominations are thus 
 united ; whilst the great mass of members of different 
 denominatioTis arc not brought into any stated union. 
 
 But if tlie union in its principle is denoyninational, 
 then the delegates, being elected by the entire chm'ch, 
 either directly or indirectly, the whole church is em- 
 braced in this union, and its powers being only Advi- 
 sory, there will be no probability of its usurping any 
 dangerous authority. 
 
 Witli t!ie>e renuirks we again send forth this vohune, 
 enlarged and improved with the experience and obser- 
 vations of the third of a century, into the field of the 
 world, to scatter the seed of truth among a?iothcr genera- 
 tion ; not doubting that the divine Saviour has yet a 
 mission for it to perform, and praying, tliat in the day 
 of eternity it may appear tliat it was eminently iiscful 
 in elevating and blessing the church and tlie world, and 
 thus in advancing the glory of Him, who so loved the 
 world, that lie gave Ilis only-begotten Son, that who- 
 soevor belicvetli in lliin sliouM not jx-risli. l)nt have 
 t'vorhisting life. 
 
appendix: 
 
 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SAVIOUR'S BODY. 
 
 From the American Quarterly Register, edited by Rev. Prof. B. B. Ed- 
 wards, of the Theol. Seminary, Andover, aiid Rev. Dr. Cogswell, Secre- 
 tary of American Education Society. ~ 
 
 Appeal to the Amerimn Churches, with a Plan for Catholic Union. 
 By S. S. Schmvckcr, J). D., Professor in the Thedogical Seminary of 
 the General Synod of the Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, Pa. I'p. 100. 
 
 This Appeal was first published in the eleventh and twelfth 
 volumes of the American Biblical Repository. We read the whole 
 discussion at the time when it came out. We were then struck 
 with its candor, honesty, thorough aud learned research, and 
 eminently catholic and disinterested spirit. In further consid- 
 eration of it, and also by conversation with the excellent author, 
 we cannot but hope that it will receive the serious attention of 
 all our evangelical churches, and especially of all ministers of 
 the gospel. The author lias not so much to fear from disap- 
 proval of his plan, as from indifference or inattei.tion to it. The 
 principal features arc the following : — the several Christian de- 
 nominations shall retain each its own present ecclesiastical 
 organization, government, discipline, and mode of worship ; 
 let each of the confederated denominations formally rcs(jlve for 
 itself, not to discipline any member or minister, for holding a 
 doctrine believed by any other denomination whose Christian 
 character they acknowledge, provided his deportment be unex- 
 ceptionable, and he conform to the rules of government, discip- 
 
 * See Introduction, p. 14. 
 
 (^•14) 
 
UNITY OF THE SAVIOUR'S BODY. 
 
 245 
 
 line, and worship adopted by said denomination ; let a creed 
 be adopted including only the doctrines held in common by all 
 the orthodox Christian denominations, to be termed the Apos- 
 tolic Protestant Confession, and let this same creed be used by 
 all denominations as the terms of sacramental, ecclesiastical, 
 and ministerial communion ; there should be free sacramental, 
 ecclesiastical, and ministerial communion among the confeder- 
 ated churches ; in all matters not relating to the government, 
 discipline, and forms of worship of individual churches, but 
 pertaining to the common cause of Christianity, let the princi- 
 ple of co-operation, regardless of sect, be adopted, so far as the 
 nature of the case will admit, and as fast as the views of the 
 parties will allow ; the Bible should, as much as possiI)le, be 
 made the text-book in all religious and theological instruction ; 
 and missionaries going into foreign lands ought to use and pro- 
 fess no other than this common creed, the Apostolic Protestant 
 Confession, and connect with it whatever form of church gov- 
 ernment and mode of worship they prefer. 
 
 From the Boston Recorder. 
 This whole work wc most earnestly commend to the consider- 
 ation of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers. 
 It is written in an enlarged and truly brotherly spirit. It is 
 characterized by sound practical sense, extensive knowledge of 
 church history, and if it does nothing to promote the great 
 object of Christian unity, it will not be for the want of an ex- 
 cellent spirit and of incontrovertible arguments. 
 
 From the Lutlicrun Observer, edited by tlic Rev. Dr. B. Kurt;;, Baltimore. 
 
 The careful perusal of this work lias aflbrded us a high degree 
 of enjoyment, and it is calculated, if it receive that respectful 
 and impartial examination from the churches of our country, 
 wliicli it eminently merits, to exert an influence for good, which 
 will he felt ill heathen countries as well as throughout our whole 
 land, in the present and future generations. 
 
 In the proposition and elucidation of the remedy for llic evils 
 of division in (lie church of flod, and osprcially in liic cxrogi- 
 
246 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 tation of a plan for the restoration of catholic union on apos- 
 tolic principles, we think the learned author has mainly exhib- 
 ited his strength. This part of the book, especially, bears the 
 marks of profound thought, close investigation, extensive obser- 
 vation, and of a catholicity of spirit and deep and all-pcrvading 
 solicitude for the prosperity of Zion, ivliich reflects most credit- 
 ably upon his heart. The " Apostolic Protestant Confession," 
 embracing only the fundamentals of inspired truth, -which are 
 believed by all the orthodox churches of Protestant Christen- 
 dom, is evidently the work of great care and of a clear and 
 judicious mind. 
 
 If the sentiments advanced in this '• Ap^jeal are fairly tested, 
 not by ecclesiastical standards which are the work of uninspired, 
 though good men, but by " the law and the testimony,'' that is, 
 by the unerring rule of God's holy word, they cannot fail to 
 command respect and win advocates ; and if the Protestant 
 churches should be organized, and carry on their operations on 
 the principles developed in the "Appeal,"' there can be no doubt 
 that they would approximate much nearer to the apostolic church 
 than they now do ; that they could act much more efficiently 
 and harmoniously in advancing the triumphs of the Cross in the 
 heathen and the papal world ; and that those blissful times 
 would again airive, when surrounding observers would be com- 
 pelled to exclaim, " Sec how these Christians love one another !" 
 
 " Schmucker's Appeal " should be in every family in our coun- 
 try ; ministers of the gospel and church-officers especially, with 
 out regard to sect or creed, should read it with attention and 
 prayer; editors of religious papers should examine it and pub- 
 lish extracts from it, and the whole church should be brought 
 xmder the catholicising influence of its evangelic ])rinciples, and 
 then; by the blessing of God, we might confident!}' look for the 
 happiest efi"ects in the church universal, and for the rapid pro- 
 gress of the gospel among infidels and ])agans, at home and 
 abroad. 
 
 The annexed correspondence the author regards as highly 
 important and 'interesting to every friend of Christian union. 
 
OF THE saviour's BODY. 
 
 247 
 
 It shows that many of the noblest heads and hearts in our land 
 are deeply impressed with the necessity of adopting some mea- 
 sures to heal the greit fchism" the many-headed schism of the 
 Protestant church ; -which threatens, unless soon an ested by the 
 good Spirit of our God, to make the entire church throughout 
 our favored land present one unintcrrujited field of intestine 
 conflict. It also proves that these writers, -who are confessedly 
 among the most respected, influential, and enlightened divines 
 of the American churches, regard the plan of union proposed 
 in the Plea, as correct in principle, and mainly feasible in prac- 
 tice. Let Zion's friends then take courage ; let the eyes that 
 have wept, and the hearts that have ached over her desolation, 
 be comforted. Perhaps Zion's King will himself soon appear 
 for her deliverance, and give her a brighter day, and then, 
 though weeping has endured for the night, joy will come in 
 the morning ! These recommendations, it will be observed, are 
 from the Congregational, the Lutheran, the German Reformed, 
 the Presbyterian, the Dutch Reformed, the Baptist, tiie Episcopa- 
 lian, and Associate Reformed churches. The writer had also the 
 promise of one from a ilelhodist brother, but it had not arrived 
 at the time this manuscript was sent to the printer. It may be 
 proper to mention, that in a circular inviting signatures and 
 letters, the recommendations of Drs. Jcnks, Knox, and Krauth 
 were contained. Hence the occasional allusion to them in the 
 letters. 
 
 Extract of a letter from the Rev. Dr. Knox, Pastor of the Reformed 
 Dutch Church, New York. 
 
 Rev. .vnd Dkau RnoTiiEn, — I have read your " Appeal to the 
 Churches," with care and witli deep interest. I regard it as 
 able, well written, and breathing throughout the right spirit and 
 temper-:-and altogether calculated to leave a deep impressii)n 
 on the Christian mind. The scriptural doctrines and examples 
 on the aulyect of unity, and the evils of division, appear to me 
 to be exhibited in a manner singularly fi lieitoiis. There is no 
 part of the work but will repay a perusal, and that does not 
 iTirrit fonsii'crati.in A (''w tilings have struck iny niintl as 
 
248 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 doubtful, -which, however, I do not wish now to discuss, nor is 
 it needful even to specify, unless, perhaps, by way of sample — 
 the independent (Congregational) tendencies of the views con- 
 tained in more than a single place ; the virtual denial of any 
 authorized courts of appeal, in the New Testament, etc. I re- 
 joice that the matter has in so concise and clear a form, and to 
 so wide an extent been placed before the Christian community, 
 and believe that it will do good. The jilan for remedying the 
 evils which have grown up, and spread, and gathered strength 
 during the lapse of ages, contains much sound and well digested 
 thought, and may perhaps yet form the basis of the verj' results 
 which it is intended to subserve. Let able men, possessing 
 the confidence of their respective sects — men bajitized with the 
 spirit of holiness, come together in the spirit of Christ, and 
 ■with great and prayerful deliberation, agree upon terms of union 
 — and ihey will command an attention and a confidence before 
 which the mere prejudice of sect will quail — and they will have 
 efficient advocates in every church judicatory, and the whole 
 subject be revolved, until it gets possession of the mass of the 
 Christian mind — and the church will stand forth in her glory 
 and power. 
 
 With very affectionate respect and esteem, 
 
 Your friend and brother, 
 Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D. D. John Knox. 
 
 The undersigned have read with pleasure the little volume of 
 Dr. Schmuckcr, entitled an " Appeal to the American Churches, 
 with a plan of Christian Union on Apostolic Princi])lcs." The 
 subject of wliich the author treats is one which was dear to the 
 Saviour's heart, as it must also be to all liis disciples ; the man- 
 ner in which it is discussed appears to us appropriate and judi- 
 cious ; and without pledging ourselves for every sentiment it 
 contains, we regard the general principles of the Appeal as 
 scriptural and correct, and the plan of union as highly interest- 
 ing and judicious. AVe doubt not tliat the ])ublioation will 
 exert a salutary influence on tlic prosj^crity of the Kcdccmer'a 
 
OF THE saviour's BODY. 
 
 249 
 
 kingdom, and cheerfully commend it to the serious perusal of 
 tlie Christian community. 
 
 "WrLLi.ui Jenks, D. D., 
 Pastor of the Green st. Church, Boston, and Editor of 
 Comprehensive Commentary. 
 
 Absalom Peteks, D. D., 
 
 ISdilor of the American Biblical Sejxisitory, 2\\ T. 
 Wm. Patton, D. D., 
 
 Pastor of Sprinff tit. Church, N. T. 
 Rev. F. a. Rauch, D. D., 
 {Of the Ger. Bef. Church), President of Marshall CollcffC. 
 
 Thos. Skika-e r. D. D., 
 
 Pastor of Mercer St. Church, N. T. {Pr:sbytei'ian.) 
 
 CuAS. F. Porter, 
 
 Pastor of 2d Avenue {Presbyterian) Church, S. T. 
 Ret. Henry White, D. D., 
 
 Prof, of T/ieol. in the Tlicol. Seminary, N. Y. 
 Wm. D. Stuoebel, 
 
 Pastor of Eiifjlish Lutheran Church, N. T. 
 Rev. Frederick Schmidt {Lutheran), 
 Prof, of Oer. Lit. in Lafayette Colleyc, and Editor of the Kirchcnzeitung. 
 
 Tlie plan of union proposed by the Rev. Dr. Schmucker, 
 which was first communicated to the public through the pages 
 of the Biblical Repository, has been attentively considered by 
 me, and I do not hesitate to say, after a careful examination of 
 its principles, that it accords in my judgment with the genius 
 of our holy religion, as taught in the pages of the New Testa- 
 ment. I agree with him in the opinion that union is practicable, 
 that it ought to take place, and that the accomplishment of it 
 should be the sincere; aim of all Mho love the Saviour, in our 
 different religious denominations ; because it will remove many 
 heavy evils under which tlic church now labors, facilitate the 
 difTusioii of religion, and arm tlie church with power which will 
 render it speedily triumphant to the ends of the earth. The 
 union advocated is apostolical, sucli as existed in the days of 
 11- 
 
250 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 the heralds of the Gospel, aud which, as much as anything else, 
 imparted poorer to the preached word. Union then was strength, 
 and now, if restored, would render our faith irres stible. I can 
 scarcely persuade myself, that he has imbibed the spirit of Jesus 
 Christ, in any considerable extent, who does not consider it a 
 consummation most devoutly to be desired, and sincerely prayed 
 for. The final prayers of the Saviour on earth had reference to 
 this blessed union: "Neither pray I for them alone; but for 
 them also which shall believe on me through their word : that 
 they may all be one ; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, 
 that they also may be one in us : that the world may believe 
 that thou hast sent me." 
 
 The i^lan of Dr. Sclimucker meets my approbation more fully 
 than any other that has come to my knowledge, because it does 
 not restrict itself to arguments for union, and eloquent declama- 
 tion on the beauties of a harmoaizing church, whilst the way 
 of bringing it about was left untouched. He has answered the 
 question in a manner highly creditable to him as a theologian 
 and a Christian. IIow is this to be elTected ? The mode of ac- 
 complishing it is intelligible, by no means comi)licated, it secures 
 all vital truth, guards against extensive innovation in existing 
 institutions, does not run counter to that attachment to the 
 formularies of government and discijjline in any church to which 
 we may belong, which is so natural, and places the united church 
 on a better basis to maintain internal peace, and to avoid dan- 
 gerous dissensions, tlian has ever yet existed. 
 
 With these views, I anxiously wish that the cluirch of Jesus 
 Christ in this country would take into most serious considera- 
 tion the appeal which has been addressed to the;n on this sub- 
 ject. May the day not be distant when our eyes shall behold a 
 convention of Christian divines deliberating in the spirit of the 
 Master, on this great subject, and bringing forth their solemn 
 decision in favor of union between Christian denominations, 
 and of concentrated action in the great objects of the Clirisliau 
 enterprise ! C. P. Krauth, D. D., 
 
 Prc.iideiil of Peiuixylvania College, (jUtyaburj. 
 
 Gettysbuuo, Dc. 17, 1838. 
 
OF THE saviour's BODY. 
 
 We, the undersigned, coincide in tbe above opinion of Dr. 
 Krauth. 
 
 Rev. Eknest L. Hazelius, D. D., 
 Principal of Tkeol. ikrninary, Lcxintjton, South Carolina. 
 Rev. Ge >. B. Mjt.ler, D. D., 
 
 Principal of Sariwick Seminary, New Tm'k. 
 
 J. G. SCIIMUCKER, D. D., 
 Late Pastor of the Lutheran Church, York, Pa. 
 
 Levi Sternberg, A. M., 
 Assistant Professor in Hartwick Seminary, Cooperstown, N. Y. 
 Bekj. Keller, 
 President of the Euanrj. Lutheran Synod of West Pennsylvania. 
 Augustus Lochman, A. M., 
 
 Pastor of First Lut/wran Church, York, Pa. 
 Wm. M. Reynolds, A. M., 
 Prof, of the Latin Language and Lit., Pennsylvania College. 
 Henlt T. Smith, 
 Prof, of the French and Gcr. Lan. and Lit., in Penn. College. 
 
 From the Rev. Pharcellus Church, author of " Religious Di.^.sensions ; 
 their Cause and Cure," a prize essay, and Pastor of the First Baptist 
 Church, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
 The subscriber, liaving perused the able Appeal of Dr. 
 Schmucker on the subj ct of Christian union, takes pleasure in 
 saj'ing, that whatever diversities of opinion nup;ht exist as to 
 the i)racticability of Ills plan in the ])rescnt state of evanfjelical 
 Christians, all, he thinks, will agree in regarding its general cir- 
 culation among the American churches, as highly favorable to 
 the noble object for which it was written. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Stephen JI. Tyiip;, Rc^'tor of tlie (ProU'stant Kpiscopal) 
 • " LllllPfB OT the Epiphuiiy. 
 
 PiJiLADEH'iiiA, Fell. G, 1839. 
 I have read witli much satisfaction and interest, the Ajjpeal 
 of the Rev. Dr. Schmucker to the American churches. The 
 subject of it has long engaged niy attention. The accomplish- 
 
252 
 
 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 ment of its great object is very desirable and important in my 
 view. I cannot express an entire coincidence of judgment in 
 all the details of the Appeal and subjoined propositions ; but I 
 regard the work, as a whole, as likely to be impressive and use- 
 ful, and as a discussion of the great subject in such a man- 
 ner as is likely to bring a good result. Its general i^rinciplcs 
 are faultless, and its spirit is that of Christianity itself I shall 
 rejoice if this discussion of the subject of Christian union shall 
 lead us, under our Redeemer's blessing, to some practical issue 
 which will be generally satisfactory. 
 
 From Rev. Profe.ssor Elton (of the Baptist Church), Brown University, 
 Providence, Rholc Island. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir, — I have read your "Appeal to the Ameri- 
 can Churches, with a plan of Christian Union on Apostolic Prin- 
 ciples," with no ordinary degree of interest. You have taken 
 a comprehensive and enlightened view of the subject, and dis- 
 cussed it throughout in a spirit of piety and moderation. I 
 cheerfully concur in the testimonial of Dr. Jenks. 
 
 I hope that your work may have so ready a sale, that you 
 may soon find it necessary to publish a third edition, when, I 
 presume your list of names will be greatly augmented. I have 
 no doubt if projDcr measures are taken, your work will be repub- 
 lished in England. It certainly deserves to be read by all 
 Christians. 
 
 "With sentiments of cordial esteem, 
 
 I remain your brother in Christ, 
 
 Romeo Elton. 
 
 Rev. S. S. Schmuckeh, D. D. 
 
 From the Rev. Dr. Hill, late Pastor 2d Presbyterian Church, Alexandria. 
 
 Devr Brotuer, — I have read with great pleasure your "Ap- 
 peal to the American Oluirches, with a plan of Catholic union, 
 upon Scriptural and Apostolical Principles." It is seldom I have 
 read a book which I could so cordially and universally approve 
 of. Tlicre is only one point upon which, perhaps, we are not 
 
OF THE saviour's liODV. 
 
 entirely in accordance. You seem to be a little more charitable 
 in some instances, and more confident of success, than I have 
 yet arrived at. But on this very account, you have the manifest 
 advantage over me, for I acknowledge myself " to be dull of 
 heart, and slow to believe what God has promised, and tchat he is 
 both wiUing and able to perform^ 
 
 You have unquestionably pointed out some, or most of the 
 2)romincnt causes -which have impeded, and still obstruct the 
 progress of the gospel. An intelligent reader of church history 
 will be forcibly struck with the great difference of character, 
 and efficiency of effort discoverable, on comparing primitive 
 Christians with those of modern times. You have happily 
 brought to view wherein this difference consists — viz., the ardent 
 piety and simplicity of character ; the rigid adherence to the 
 directions and instructions of the Bible ; the freedom from all 
 sectarian and selfish motives in the plans of operation, which 
 distinguished the primitive disciples of Christ from the ordi- 
 nary class of Christians in our day ; these should make them 
 useful monitors and severe reprovers of our sluggishness. Christ 
 Jesus must and will come again, to act as a refiner and purifier 
 of silver among his churches. But who may abide the day of 
 his coming ? 
 
 , Go on, my beloved brother. You have put your hand to the 
 plough ; do not look back again. I hope after your second edi- 
 tion is sent out, you will devise some plan for calling a conven- 
 tion of the zealous and devoted ministers of different denomina- 
 tions to assist you in organizing some scheme of operation to 
 carry your plan into execution. This Appeal will touch a chord 
 that will awaken up a responding vibration in many a pious 
 soul, and plant conviction in many a lukewarm minister's heart. 
 May God prosper you in your truly Christian enterprise ! 
 
 "VV.M. Hill. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Pond, Professor of Thcolofry, B.inp;or. 
 
 Deaii Brotiieu, — I have received and read your " Appeal " 
 with deep interest, and with much satisfaction. I cordially 
 thank you for it. Decidedly do I prefer it to any plan of eerie- 
 
254 
 
 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 siastical union which I have seen proposed. I iind little or 
 nothing in it to except against, but much to approve. It is 
 learned, scriptural, candid, and (substantially) feasible. I hope 
 you will publish a new edition, and continue to urge it upon the 
 attention of the difl'erent bodies of Christians. Anything I can 
 do to aid in so good a work. I shall do with pleasure. 
 
 Yours, very truly, 
 Jamianj 31, 1839. Ekoch Pond. 
 
 From Rev. Samuel H. Cos, D. D., Pastor of the First Prcsbj-tcrian 
 Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Having read and considered the "Appeal " of Dr. Schmucker, 
 and having long viewed its object with great interest, I cor- 
 dially concur in the attestation of Dr. Knox respecting it. 
 
 However desirable such a union is, it has been regarded by 
 many as quite impracticable, iu the present state of our Amcii- 
 can Israel, and the imperfections of the tribes. All the true 
 church invisible are virtually one in principle, and they arc quite 
 one in destiny, and in beatitude eternal. In heaven shall be 
 accomplished the impetration of their Saviour, as recorded in 
 the seventeenth of John. But how desirable to promote, to an- 
 ticipate, even by small degrees of ajiproximatiou — if on earth 
 we can no more — something genuine of that beatific union, such 
 symbolically and such essentially, which will certainly be con- 
 summated in heaven forever, among the ransomed of the Lamb ! 
 
 The cause or enterprise proposed by Dr. Schmucker, to say 
 nothing of its well considered scheme, is one of great nobility, 
 grandeur, and glory. I had, were I in his place, rather fiiil in 
 it, than never to have conceived it, or never to have attempted 
 it. It is a good sign of the times, and of the probable return 
 to us of catholic Christianity, that such a scheme meets with 
 favor, and is entertained by many. O ! if we had more piety, 
 all of us, such a proposal would be appreciated with a deeper, 
 Avider, livelier, and more cordial response ! 
 
 We have all one Saviour ouly, one gospel, one lieavcn, who are 
 genuine Christians ! Christ has but one bride. His people are 
 culled in one hope of thnr ciUing : and they are in fact more 
 
OF THE saviour's dodv. 
 
 255 
 
 alike than they suppose. I am sure of it, and exult in it. Blessed 
 Saviour ! let it be discerned universally, that the world may know 
 that the Father hath sent thee ! 
 
 From the Rev. James E. Welch (of the Baptist Church), Burlington, 
 N. J., Agent of the American Sunday-School Union. 
 
 BuKLixGTON, K J., Jan. 25, 1S39. 
 
 My Dear Brother, — I have read your " Appeal to the Ameri- 
 can churc'if's," with the deepest interest, and hope it may do 
 much good ; and to the twelve articles of the Apostolic Pro- 
 testant Confession I can heartily subscribe, because I can see 
 nothing in them to which any orthodox Christian need object ; 
 especially, as you allow " to each denomination or branch of the 
 Christian church, the right to its own organization, or to alter 
 or amend it at option, leaving everything relative to government, 
 discipline, and worship, to be nranaged by each denomination 
 according to its own v'ews, for the time being." 
 
 If all who " love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in 
 truth," would converse and write more frequently and freely 
 upon those fundamental doctrines of our common Christianity 
 in which we all agree, and less about minor points of dift'ercnce, 
 no doubt we should love each other more, and the •' mouths of 
 gainsayers "' have less to tell of our '• biting and devouring one 
 another." Success to every effort that seeks the " peace of Jeru- 
 salem ;" and for my brethren and companions' sake I will now 
 Bay, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 
 
 Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D. D. 
 
 From Uic Ilev. Dr. Thoiim.s Snill, I'astor of tlie Church of Christ, iu 
 TTOrtir'Brookfield, Mass. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir, — A copy of your Ajjpeal," etc., has 
 reached me. I have read it with delilioration, and am more 
 highly gr;itilicd with the scntiinents and plan than I anticipated, 
 and would rejoice to witness such a union as you contemplate. 
 Though I doubt vcrj' much the success of the plan, the best, 
 perhnps, that can be devised, yet I think it very desirable that 
 
256 
 
 \YITx\EsSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 a faitliful experiment be made. The Lord may incline the 
 hearts of Christians and Christian ministers to yield so far as 
 the proposed union requires. I heartily coincide with the re- 
 commendation of Dr. Jenks. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Porter, CatskiU, N. Y. 
 
 Dear Sik, — I received and read with some attention, your 
 " Appeal to the American churches," and am prepared to say, 
 that my views accord with yours on the subject of catholic 
 union, generally, and I know not but in every particular. Drs. 
 Jenks and Krauth have expressed my opinion as fully and 
 clearly as I could do it myself. I rejoice that you have turned 
 your attention to this very important subject, and you have my 
 best wishes that the result of your labors may be the bringing 
 about of greater harmony among the churches in this coimtry 
 than at 2)resent exists. 
 
 Divisions among Christians, on minor jjoints, or non-essentials, 
 since the reformation, have given great occasion to the enemy 
 to blaspheme. It appears to me to be high time to go back to 
 the primitive age, when the disciples were of one heart, and 
 strove together for the furtherance of the gospel. I wish there 
 might be held, somewhere in this country, a meeting of devoted, 
 sensible men, to counsel, aud advise, and pray over this subject, 
 in accordance with what you have intimated. Allow me to ask, 
 my dear sir, whether you might not, as you have made a begin- 
 ning, tuke the lead in this matter ? 
 
 So far as my little influence may extend, I most cheerfully 
 volunteer it to the cause which has occupied your attention, and 
 lies near your heart. 
 
 With respect and esteem, I subscribe myself. 
 
 Yours, in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, 
 
 Datid P orter. 
 
 Rev. S. S. Scieiucker, D. D. 
 
 From Rev. Asa Turner, Pastor of the Coiigrcs;ilii)niil Cluircli, Ilmmiuk, 
 Iowa Territory. 
 
 Rev. ANT) Dear Fiu, — T road your '' .\pponl " a few weeks 
 
OF THE saviour's BODY. 
 
 257 
 
 since; your circular night before last. The first thing I did 
 after a protracted and dangerous illness, was to read your "Ap- 
 peal i" and to reply to your kind request, I have now taken my 
 pen. 
 
 I most heartily wish the great Head of the church would guide 
 you in your heavenly work. We feel the necessity of it more 
 in the West tiian you do at the East ; and more since the schism 
 in the General Assembly. Every bond of confidence seems to 
 be broken. Old School and New School cannot interchange 
 Christian civilities. Unless something can be done to unite the 
 scattered followers of the Lamb here in the far TIVs/, many years 
 of toil, and labor, and efibrt, by " the few," will not restore Zion's 
 walls, which have been thrown down by an explosion of hyper- 
 orthodoxy, or bring the public mind into a state so favorable to 
 receive the go?pel as before. One feature of the plan would be 
 like the waters of salvation to the little villages and sparse popu- 
 lation of the West, viz. : " Let all evangelical denominations 
 agree to send no more ministers to one spot than the wants of 
 the people demand." In little v'llagcs of from one to two thou- 
 sand inhabitants, it is not uncommou to see from four to six 
 ministers ! These find a meagre support from hearers, and must 
 fan the sectarian flame much of the time to retain their footing. 
 You know what would be the natural fruit of such a couree of 
 procedure ; of course many other places lie desolate because 
 ministers cannot be had. Your jjlan would add one third to our 
 efficient laborers. I concur entirely in the recommendation of 
 Dr. Krauth. 
 
 From the Professors of the Theologifal Seminary at Andover. 
 The nndersigned have paid some attention to the volume of 
 Dr. Schmucker, entitled an "Appeal to the American Churches, 
 with a Plan of Union upon Apostolic Principles." Without 
 expressing any opinion on the ])ractical)ility of the precise 
 plan of union recommended by ScTiinuckcr, we very cheer- 
 fully express our apjirobation of the general principle s which he 
 advocates in his Appeal, and our conviction that the whole sub- 
 ject which he discusses, is worthy of the serious and devout 
 
258 
 
 WITNESSES FOR THE UNITY 
 
 attention of evangelical Christians. We cannot but hope, that 
 the extensive circulation and perusal of a volume, imbued with 
 so catholic and conciliatory a spirit as this, will be peculiarly 
 useful at the present day; that it will tend to enlarge and liber- 
 alize the hearts of good men ; and induce them to think more 
 of the great, essential doctrines on which they agree, and less 
 oTlhe unessential points on which they may differ. 
 
 JcsTra Edwards, D. D., 
 ~~^"~"Prcs. of Andover Theol. Sein. 
 
 Leoxakd W^oods, D. D., 
 
 Abbot Prof, of Christ Theol. 
 
 Moses Stuart, 
 
 Associate Prof, of Sacred Lit. 
 
 Ralph Emerson, D. D., 
 
 Brown Prof, of Eccl. Hist. 
 
 B. B. Edwards, 
 
 Tri f. ff Hebrew Lang, and Lit. 
 
 Edward A. Park, 
 
 Bm-lld Prof of Sac. Rhet. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. A. Wj-lie, President of Indiana College (of the Associate 
 Reformed Chm'ch). 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir, — Your circular of the 15th ult. I have 
 just received. Your "Appeal " I had read some time ago, and 
 last night read it again still more attentively ; and I know not 
 how to express with sufficient energy the satisfaction it gave 
 me. Its truly Christian spirit met a cordial response in every 
 fibre of my heart. I accord with the sentiments expressed by 
 the testimonial of Dr. Knox ; but I would like to find some 
 stronger terms than mere prose can furnish, whereby to express 
 my sense of the desirableness of the end in view, and my de- 
 testation of the spirit and evils of sectarianism, a part of which 
 you have so faithfully portrayed. 
 
 To the Rev. Dr. Schnuicker. 
 Dear Snt, We have read with interested attention your 
 
OF THE saviour's BODY. 
 
 259 
 
 "Appeal to the American Churches," in behalf of "Christian 
 TJniou," and take pleasure in expressing our cordial assent to 
 the scriptural arguments -which it adduces, and our earnest 
 wishes for the momentous object which it is designed to pro- 
 mote. We do not believe that there is a minister of our own 
 denomination in the land, who would not hail with thankful- 
 ness the accomplishment of that object on just and truly catho- 
 lic principles. The settlement of such princiijles forms the 
 chief difficulty. We shall rejoice to see this repioved, and 
 Christians of every name united in affection, and acting in con- 
 cert. 
 
 Although we cannot pledge ourselves to the adoption of a new 
 creed, or the prosecution of any plan not of the most general 
 and scriptural character, we think that the publication of your 
 very able essay will be useful in presenting the whole subject to 
 the notice of our countrymen, and diffusing much light on some 
 of the points involved in it. 
 
 We are, very respectfully, 
 
 Your friends and brethren, 
 
 PniLip F. Mateh, D. D., 
 
 Pastor of St. John^s Church., Phila. 
 Caxs. R. Demme, D. D., 
 President of the Evan^. Lut/ieran " Synod of Pennsylvania,^^ 
 and Pastor of Zion's and St. MichaePs Church. 
 
 Stepheit a. Mealy, 
 
 Pastor of St. Matthew's Church. 
 G. A. Rf.iciiart, 
 Atsociate Pastor of Zion's and St. MichaeVs Church, Phila. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Ludlow (of the Reformed Dutch Chnrcli), Provost, and 
 Rev. Dr. 'Wylic (of the Reformed Presbyterian Church), Professor of 
 Languages, iu the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Univeksity op Pennsylvania, Feb. 13, 1839. 
 Rev. anu Dkak Sir, — We, the undersigned, have received 
 and read with great interest, your"Api)eal to the Churches." 
 We cannot too niucli .'iilinire the spirit wliicli prrvadcs it, and 
 
26o UNITY OF THE SAVIOUR'S BODY. 
 
 the end which it has in view. We deeply deiDlore the divisions 
 and distractions in the church of Christ, and ardently long for 
 the day when the watchmen shall see eye to eye. With all our 
 desire to hasten such an event, we are, however, not prepared to 
 express a decided opinion upon the plan which you propose. 
 Yet great good will unquestionably result in keei)ing this object 
 distinctly before the church, and we sincerely hope that your 
 Christian labors in the good cause will be attended with the 
 most hajjpy results. 
 
 Yours, affectionately, in the gospel, 
 
 John Ludlow, 
 Samuel B. Wtlie. 
 
 Extract of a letter from Rev. J. C. Owen, Prineipal of " Cornelius Insti- 
 tute," New York, accompanying a number of siguatures to Dr. Jenks' 
 recommendation. 
 
 New York, X,>t. IG, 1839. 
 Rev. and Deak Sir, — I hereby send you the preceding re- 
 commendation to your truly valuable work on Christian union. 
 More names would have been added at our meeting, but many 
 of the brethren have not perused the work with that attention 
 which would, in their estimation, warrant their adding their 
 names to a recommendation. I have not heard one speak un- 
 favorably of it. I hope the Lord will smile upon your truly 
 Christian efforts to bring about that Christian union which the 
 genius of the go.spel and the advancement of true religion de- 
 mand. 
 
 Yours, in the bonds of the gospel, 
 
 John J. Owen. 
 
 Rev. S. S. ScnxiucKEit, D. D. 
 
FEOPOSALS BY THE AUTHOE. 
 
 It is the design of the writer to annex to succeeding editions 
 of this little work, which is stereotyped for more general circu- 
 lation, a progressive catalogue of signatures, and he hereby in- 
 vites ministers of all orthodox denominations, who approve of 
 the plan, and are willing that the influence of their names 
 should aid in advancing this noble cause, to forward their sig- 
 natures, by letter, post-pitiJ, to the author, adding their official 
 designation in full, to prevent mistakes. 
 
 In advancing this cause, the active co-operation of the ben- 
 evolent and liberal-minded in all denominations is invited. If 
 the principles of the plan arc truly apostolic, it is desirable that 
 every minister in the land should have a copy. Some copies 
 will be bound in pamphlet form for distribution mail. The 
 writer has distributed a large numl)er :it his own expense, and 
 he is willing to take the trouble to have any number of copies 
 distributed by mail under his own eye, furnishing the copies at 
 cost, and his actual expenditure in having them put up for the 
 mail. Donations arc, therefore, invited, to be expended entirely 
 in gratuitous distribution of the Plea, to such persons whoso 
 names und pout-office addrens may Ix; furnished l)y the donor; or, 
 if none are named, to such ministers and inlluential laymen 
 throughout the land, as the author may judge most advanta- 
 geous to the cause. 
 
 For ten dollars the author will distribute between /orty and 
 fifty pamplik't copies,' which would supply all the ministers in 
 some presljyteries. Thousands of copies might thus Itc dis- 
 tributed by mail to the leading minds of our land. 
 
 Will not some friend of union, in each ecclesiastical body, 
 furnish the means to supply the ministers or elders of his prcs- 
 
 (i6i) 
 
262 
 
 THE author's proposals. 
 
 bytery, or convention, or conference, or synod 2 or the candidates 
 for the ministry in theological seminaries, or in colleges ? 
 
 The printed minutes of ecclesiastical bodies, or catalogues of 
 seminaries or colleges, often contain the full address of their 
 members, and if forwarded with the donation, will serve as a 
 directory for the distribution. 
 
 Copies not to be distributed from this place by mail, must be 
 procured from booksellers, and cannot be furnished by the 
 author. 
 
 As to the adoption of the j)lan hy individual denominations, the 
 duty and glory of that is left to the leading minds and active friends 
 of the Redeemer in each. Will they not speedily come to the help 
 of the LDrd, by stepping forth in behalf the plan, forming vol- 
 untary associations of its friends, and bringing it before their 
 several judicatories for discussion ? 
 
 Getttsbueo, Pa., March 26, 1839. 
 
'^iilliii ill ilillil ill lilliilill 
 
 1 1012 01186 4271 
 
 Date Due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DEC ? — 
 
 -. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3>'.