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4
A SAFE AND EFFE
We are sanguine in the be
denominations ever find a co
they can stand, it will be a
one of two very distinct patt
formalism and rationalism in
come dominant, ,in which ca
come ritualistic, will empl
worship and government, a
prelacy with its elaborate eqi
the other hand, evangelical s
creasing emphasis, so that th<
zation which is best suited t(
licss will be adopted, whicl
com])act, symmetrical, efficie
government, such as we cc
system to be.
There are clear and increa
of convergence toward this s
Presbyterian" of Philadclphi;
movement within the Coti?
ward a mutual dependency v
tinguished from Scriptural
*'The Advance," a leading C
saying: "From the meeting c
Congregationalists, to the cc
Coast, the polity of the denor
searching re-examination. T
largely of the opinion that tin
dependency." The "Christ
tionalist), advocates the "re
unbridled Independency," an
the idea was given up. Ther
for it in Scripture." "The
"The prevalence of a similai
dependence among our A
churches is becoming increi
is a growing feeling that the
something out which an ;
needs." A speaker at the 111
quoted as saying: "Individua
are only a mass or a mob, but
became an orderly and efficit
On the other hand, the edit<
tian A rUmroto '' I?>
V.M.t i ?V?*V/V?IV, III \VI lllH^
States, says: "We were a litt
free expression of sentiment
ops of onr next general confe
years, without eligibility to
menting on this the "Weste
is no surprise to us. In our
hundreds of ministers and t
have discovered that the opir
that life tenure should be a
eight years, with privilege i
years without eligibility fo
adopted." In accounting fo
sentiment the editor says it
viction that the bishops shou
after a term involving the 1
should return to the ranks as
the name 'Bishop' is used by
us with Romanism, prelacy a
Thus we find in the Metho
-dency to adopt measures
THE PRESBYTERI/
CTIVE POLITY.
lief that if the Protestant
mmon platform on which
structure modeled after
erns. It is possible that
its many phases will belsc
the churches will belasi/.c
ceremonialism in
md will therefore adopt
jipment and display. On
;tandards may receive ine
type of religious organi0
evangelistic aggressive1
would mean a simple,
nt form of representative
niceive our Presbyterian
sing evidences, just now,
vstem as a center. "The
a says there is "a decided
jregational Churches tovhich
is hardly to he disPrcsbvtery."
It quotes
ongregationalist paper as
>i me iingusn and \\ elsli
)nferences on our Pacific
nination has been given a
he English brethren seem
ere has been too much inian
World" (Congregajection
of the idea of an
d says: "It is quite time
e is assuredly no \rarrant
Advance" further says:
r distrust of absolute inmerican
Congregational
isingly apparent. There
old independency has left
aggressive denomination
inois State Association is
Is without representation
with representation they
;nt government."
Dr of the St. Louis "Chrisof
a tour through eight
le startled to hear such a
in favor of electing bish:rence
for a term of eight
a second term." Com rn
Methodist" savs: "It
intimate association with
housands of laymen, we
lion is almost unanimous
abolished, and a term of
of re-election, or twelve
r re-election, should be
r this almost unanimous
is because of "the conId
be simply officers, and
jest period of efficiency,
. other men." "Then, too,
our enemies to associate
ind ecclesiasticism."
dist church a strong tenwhich
will relieve the
i /J
kN OF THE SOUTH.
Church of the appearance <
restrain prelatical tendenc
strating the parity of the
gregational Church there
favor of administering th
means of a representative
The Presbyterian polity
most completely guards a
ecclesiastical monarchy, o:
individualism, or the lack <
otner. it is clearly the la
Scriptures both in the Old
IN THE MIDST OF
There was a great contr
John on Patmos and the
given him; "a prisoner
Christ," in solitude and da
probably in a cell in an old
and the great and glorii
which are the wonder am
ages. Scholars have poin
the Apocalypse are derive<
sic poetry, nor any creativ
Old Testament, the memc
the Jewish religion.
One of the chief glories <
en Candlestick. It was o
an upright shaft with seve
complete and beautiful, ar
that illuminated all the s:
of the priest and the woi
Shew-brcad was Christ,
abundant, needful, free; t
stick was the illuminatioi
things open and clear ant
God.
In the vision of the Apo
stick became seven, mea
Christ, which is one and i
the seven there walked a 1
a son of man." who was
majesty and beauty. It
present and active in the n
not only declared that "P
the ministry of light and 1
"'He walketh in the midst
sticks." Wherever His c
and the Priest. "Lo, I am
the end of the world." H
serving the union betweer
and supplying the lamp
Spirit.
He is present to keep H
prayers of His people,
churches to supply their i
nrr o n f "fltn nrrn r> n ^
churches to be glorious j
without, so bright with the
What a gracious assuranc
in this present evil world,
ised, a present Saviour, be
life and love, His activity
watchful care, His abiding
abundance of grace.
July 2i, 1909. I
of a prelatical order and will
ies by asserting and demonministry
; while in the Conis
a growing sentiment in
e affairs of the Church by
form of government.
is the' historic form which
gainst "one-man power," or
11 the one hand, and against
of ecclesiastical unity on the
rm which is outlined in the
Testament and in the New.
J
TUT? PAMnT rOTTrve
JkAAJU* JL/JUUO 1 1V/I\0.
ast between the .condition of
visions of heavenly things
for the testimony of Jesus
rkness and harsh treatment.
1 mine to be seen to this day,
nis visions and prophecies
:1 study of all the Christian
ited out that the images of
1. not from history, nor clas e
imagination, but from the
>ries of things and scenes in
of the Temple was the Goldf
pure gold of beaten work,
n branches. It was in itself
id from it radiated the light
tcred courts, all the service
rship of the people. If the
the bread of life, constant,
hen the light of the candle11
of the Spirit, making all
1 beautiful in the House of
stle John the golden candlening
the whole church of
many. And in the midst of
iving person, "one like unto
both Priest and King, in
is Christ the Royal Priest
nidst of His churches. It is
[e holdeth the seven stars,"
ove, in His right hand," but
of the seven golden candle- i
hurch is there is the King
i with you alway, even unto
e is present and active, prci
Himself and the churches,
with, the oi' which is His
is promises and to hear the
He is in the midst of His
Aants and bestow gifts and
sufficient." He makes His
places, so unlike the world
: light and beauty of heaven,
e it is! Unto the churches
there is revealed and prom>th
Priest and King, in His
and energy. There is His
presence, His open ear, His
/(
si ... tibud