Page:Scriptural Basis of Christian Unity.pdf/14

 my Lord than to stand with ten millions who break some of His commandments and teach men to do likewise.

Brethren, no compromise measure has any hope of success.

"But," object some, "you can not get everybody to unite on a Scriptural basis." Neither can you on an unscriptural one.

The viewpoint I am criticizing is that we must have a supervising ecclesiastical machine to guarantee more uniformity.

If such an organization be the ideal, I wish to recommend Roman Catholicism.

Here is a plan of centralized authority, guaranteeing uniformity, functioning perfectly from the standpoint of efficiency.

It has been developed through centuries of experience, embodying the united wisdom of myriads of religious statesmen who think in terms of organization. It is probable that human wisdom can evolve nothing superior to this, if a great united organization is accepted as the ideal for Christ's church. It is the logical destination for those who think the kingdom comes with observation.

Centuries ago Romanism was where Protestantism is to-day in the matter of organization, its bishoprics and patriarchates being the units corresponding to the denominations of Protestantism.

Do we desire a Protestant Rome! If so, let us encourage present-day courts to unite denominations. If this be not the ideal, it is high time to about face.

The "community church" experiment is being tried in a few places. Each member enrolls with the community church, but retains his denominational affiliation also. Of course, being released from denominational 14