THE CHANGED VIEWPOINT

By G.A. Klingman

We feel confident that thousands of people in the denominations would welcome with joy the preaching of the simple Gospel, but conventional church life is such that it is almost impossible to get it to them. In the early part of the last century entire congregations took their stand for the restoration of the "ancient order," but in those days our work was largely among the denominations. Since then we have become "distinct" as a group of disciples, and are recognized by civil governments as a separate "religious body," and we are informed by "one of our own preachers," that there are "eleven different brands of loyal disciples alone." Not only are we recognized as a distinct religious body, but there is a condition prevailing among us that requires us to hold ourselves aloof from all others, unless we can arrange for a debate with those who may differ from us on some points. Far be it from us to object to the proper kind of discussion about the things of the kingdom; now, we would rejoice to see the whole religious world stirred to its very depths with sympathetic, reverential, honorable, prayerful discussion of the very vital principles of Christianity. On the other hand we should like to see a return of the days when it was a common thing for our preachers to go to different churches, and, by wise and tactful preaching and instruction, show them "the way of the Lord more perfectly."

We know a young preacher who recently had nine calls from churches using the organ in their worship, stating in their invitation that they would "keep the instrument quiet," and that they are willing toreceive instruction regarding its use. The young man is afraid to go for fear of being misunderstood by good brethren, and published in the papers as a "digressive." We can not too strongly condemn the sin of compromise with error; but is it not just as sinful to deal with the truth in a sectarian spirit, and in this way keep it from the people who would gladly receive it. We can never hope to win a person by agreeing with him in error, but if we agree with him in all the truth that he has, will it not be easier for us to talk to him about things on which we differ?

May we hate sin and error even as God hates it, but may we love the sinner as God loves him; and may our conduct be such as not to indorse or encourage the one, nor yet to discourage the other or cause him to stumble; may we have that wisdom which will enable us to "become all things to all men," in the same way that Paul did, "in the hope that in every one of these ways I (we) may save some." -- Christian Leader.

Bathurst St. Church. Toronto.