The Divided House (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1917 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XI A DUTY /NE of the unfailing laws inherent in the nature of things is that each generation must reap the sowing of the generations which have preceded. This holds not alone with respect to the good and wise acts, but with equal force with respect to the evils resulting from mistakes made. Each generation has forced upon it much which comes from the past. Fortunately there is much in this inheritance which is wholesome and gives a great advantage over the past. We have received great aid from the inventions of those who have gone before, and the material and intellectual progress which they have made. For all this we are duly grateful. This, unfortunately, is not all. We have entered into situations and conditions resulting from the blunders of the fathers which form in no small measure the burdens which we must carry and the intricate problems which we must solve. The inheritance of the church of our day from the past is indescribably great. The highly organized state of the church, the developed missionary work, and the doctrinal and social developments, which give strength to Christianity, we have received from the past. The liturgical part of the services of the church comes to us from the fathers. Nearly all that is excellent and which gives stability to the church comes to us from the past. It is also true that not a few of the elements of weakness which are found in the church of the present, and which not only embarrass the church in her forward progress, but which hold the great body of believers in fetters of steel, is a part of our inheritance. Not the least of these weaknesses we must admit is our present day denominationalism. It would appear that it was the genius of Protestantism to fall into contentions of such a nature as to resul...