The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-04
Il DOW more than ever subjected, do rot seem TO
have i,ssuenai; NO. u tie cn@s.., a,.rl es

Is DOW more than ever subjected do rot seem 70
have ilsaaensslS;s * 4. tie cA@z.., s.-r. es
those who avow it to be the light to their feet AMI
Toe lamp 10 their path. They all agree in one
faith, one Lord one baptism; but they do not
agree as to what Is their faith, or their Lord or
their baptism. These very associations, in
fact. strengthen them in their repelling
tendencies Instead Of individual opinions
we have great masses Of opinion, NOV
ing like phalanx, shields in front and the
short quick sword behind it. The Presbyte-
rians have long been divided into opposing
schools, accompanied by large nebulas of Con-
gregationalisn, independent of discipline, with
such a nucleus, occasionally, as Beecher. The
Methodists, too, have their divisions, which
threaten to overthrow the aristocracy Of its de-
mocracy and relieve the hard working preachers
from the pitiless rule Of the circuit principle
The Episcopalians are also sundering on me-
disvsl theology separating as to candles and al
lars napery and apery, which are the outward
and visible signs of ascendant Puseyism hung
out on the way to Rome. The Baptists
are In no better state of mind, with the
vexed questions Of seventh day, or Lords day,
and the conviction that there must be new
translation of some few words in the Bible, or
periition will catch our souls The Dutch Re-
formed churches appear to enjoy perfect har-
mony, in a rare exception-the ancient quarrel of
whether the hook caught the fish or the fish
caught the hook being fully settled and forgotten.
In addition to all these difficulties, the respec-
tive agitators, with some honorable exceptions,
have undertaken to NEEDLE and mix up in ques-
tons exclusively political. The one Of slavery
has been their favorite speciality, and several of
the largest denominations of Christians have been
torn in pieces by its untimely and uncalled for
discussion. Christianity, pure and simple as it
was handed to us by its founder, positively
ignores political institutions beyond the duty Of
obedience, which was owing from and paid by the
early Christians to the most absolute and cruel
powers aud to one pre-eminent in adopting and
carrying out the principle Of slavery. Modern
teachers of the new light school would not only
overthrow governments and constitutions, but
would, if they could dethrone God himself for
not doing ii at their desire. The most incalcula-
bic evils have resulted from the perversely d.
rected power of protesting Christians to ques-
lions with which they have no business whatever.
These heterogeneous elements are now gather
Ing in their natural orders, for annual COMPARE
sou, account, and renewal We do not expect to
perceive any great change for the better. The
subjects Of dssension, the necessity Of money,
and the increasing wants of the brethren, are
every year the same. The result will be the
usual one. Things equal to the same are equal
to one another" The city will be filed with the
usual numbers, the newspapers will be filled with
the usual reports, and the public will yaYn over
them, and send the usual donations. Are there
no great commanding Apostolic minds, who, in
stead Of preaching themselves as the manner Of
some is, will stride over these petty policies
which 80 disfgure the Christian Church, and calm
down that irritating temper which diffuses its
acidity through every vein and artery Of our
body polite, by the hands of Doctors of Divinity
and Professors Of Theology? Let us have an in
aururation Of q new era in the Christian world
Let Individual opinions be held sacred If you
please, but do not array them in solid columns.
with banners flying and trumpets sounding Let
Us, at least, have religious peace.