The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-08
Tendencies OF the Time. in n ReIIs.
ions way.

Tendencies OF the Times In n ReII-.
ions way.
The Presbyterian HItness, published
at Cincinnati, has an editorial on the
Tendencies OF the Times" setting
forth its opinion in regard to the
changes for the better and worse that
are taking place in the world, and es-
Peeially the Christian world. Begin
ming with ''the Church of Rome the
editor remarks upon the contrast pre-
sented between tine secular power OF
that church to-day as compared with
its history for centuries past: "the
temporal power OF the Pope has at last
been narrowed down to the CITY of
Rome alone" But spiritually, the
editor can see little or no change. 1.-The
errors Of past age" he afirms, "ure
still held with all the fervor and bigoted
devotion OF former times" as witness
the recent decree for prohibiting Pro-
testant worship in Rome. The Eplsco-
pal Church the editor considers ..in
sSme respects next OF kin to Rome.
What do we see here ?'' he asks. And
the answer IL, ga mighty Remaining
tendency, as well as rationalistic." He
Tears danger from "ColensO and the
Tractnrinns," and mistrusts that ''the
Ritualists will at length carry the dav.v
The Baptist Church he thinks ais be.
ing leavened with IA more liberal senti
ment" than formerly. "They hold with
Iooser grasp their denominatiouaI
tsnets." The Methodists also have ''un-
dergons some transformations for the
better" 1t Is noticed that "their form.
er boisterous and impulsIve devotion
has been suPPlanted by a more intelIi-
gent, quiet and orderly worship" Also
their prejudices against DEGREES. fore
ordination, &c, have, in great meas
ure, given way to more rational as well
as scriptural views"
IAN effort is being made to transform
the whole Methodist church, for sake
OF union, into something that is NOT
eLdctty the +hethodLst Church, but some
thing that bears n resemblance to il.
But as yet the effort has only resulted
in adding another division in the
church.
"SPiritual!sm, Universalism, &c. nre
making undated efforts, with about
the usual success. Judaism is throw
ing of its mask, and lapsiug into the
AHAANAAAiAs-AA Va AA4E Jay Nnlth Is nOIh- i
ing else than inidelity under "A milder
name.
81 no larger bodies OF Presbyterians
are not keeping pace in mum Der with
the progress OF the worlds population |
decided advance has been made bv |
the %. s. Presbyterian Church in civil I
liberty- But the purging out of. the 4
old leaven OF pro-slavery doctrine has
made rent, resulting in the formation
of the Southern Presbyterian Church
while 1t has healed partially the Iiyi'
sion caused by the separation of tho
Free church, and Is likely To lead TO IA .
more Important union with the New
School body, not by the return of tho
New school To the ancient faith OF the }
Old School Church on matters that
caused their separation. but by wholly
ignoring their difference on such
points.
'ln the smaller bodies of Presbvta-
riRn denominations, such "a Tfn},s,I
Presbyterians, Reformed Presbvtsri-
ans, &c, there Is much less rit,idity -,
adherence to peculiar principles md
practices than formerly. The tendensT.
Is 10 treat these psculiaFitisS NJ unimpoT-
tant and not deserving the prominence
they have heretofore been given. The
religious literature OF all churches pra-
Sonts striking contrast to that of the
last and former ages. Instead of the
Catechisms, Fisher, Brown, westmins
ster; the sound gospel sermons of Bos-
ton, Erskine, &c, the commentaries of
GIN. Scott, Henry, and others then So
highly priced and diligently studied by
those fortunate enough to possess them,
works of fiction written in pleasing and
fascinating style, and the religious
newspaper, form the current liter1turF
of the religions world now. Even the
style of preaching and the matter or
sermons have undergone striking
change. The plain, Instructive, expos1
TORY sermon, has given way now to
the more loud, sensational, declamato-
~ effort.
surveying the whole field. then, we
observe one tendency OF the times is to
lower the standard OF principle insIeo5
of setting higher value moon frTth
The erroneous are firm and unyieldino
even to stubbornnesS, while the ortbS'
dox are yielding and lenient even to !.
weakness. Z,
Another manifest tendency of the
times Is To consolidation. Union among
union among Baptists,
union among PreSbyteTiHns, union of
all churches OF Christ in one. is the I,
theme now. This is a glOrions
OF the times, if it only H..
governed by right principle. But If ,
union is 10 be formed by concessions ON
the part OF those who occupy higher !
ground alone, as now seems 90 be de-
tnSnded by its warmeSt advocates, then
SAD VIII be the day when it shall be |
secured The ground contested for the /
tast FOUR centuries will have TO be i
!" :. sht over under fresh disadvantages. :
.,,-,.i,9tIx tendency Is evidently TO a {
b.t slls,on which neither requires /
Ia thLhon should be cast out nor j
tue cross borne. We con6ssS tbat -, Z i
our mind these tendencies Hna alsr,,,;rS, !
TO the interests OF true religion -