THE SIN OF SCHISM 77 



lose force owing to lapse of time or change 

 of circumstances, to see this, so that divi- 

 sions might cease when no longer called 

 for. 



It seems to be the common view that a 

 denomination, in order to promote to the 

 utmost its peculiar tenets, must separate 

 itself as completely as possible from all who 

 reject these tenets. That is, if certain 

 Christian people entertain what you call 

 errors, you cannot duly testify against those 

 errors without excluding those people from 

 your church. To my mind this is wholly 

 wrong. The logic of it is that to influence 

 men with my truth I must put them as far 

 as possible away from me. Nothing could 

 be more senseless. Of what use, in a con- 

 gregation where all believe in it, is a ser- 

 mon, for instance, on immersion ? Were we 

 nearer together, more mixed up, as it were, 

 such a shot would find its mark. The crisp 

 cleavage between denominations involves 

 a double disadvantage. Important special- 

 ties in faith remain too much without in- 

 fluence, and pernicious oddities too much 

 without rebuke. Of course "birds of a 

 feather will flock together." Those who 

 agree in belief will ever tend to affiliate. 



