Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-10

(ritualist) Church; the Prince
furthermore, has given a superb
pair of altar candlesticks to the
church at Sandringham; and the
Prince, finally, was a frequent at
tender during the year at the afore
mentioned All Saints.
1t is gratifying to learn that the
past year has been crowned with
spiritual mercies beyond many that
preceded it. We have recorded
more new churches built, more con-
gregations gathered, more revivals
of religion, with accessions of mem
bers to evangelical churches, than
in any one of many previous years.
But the year has been especially
remarkable for the progress OF
christian union. Without any
| abatement of attachment to their
distinctive doctrines, the various
denominations of Christians have
been coming closer and closer to-
gether in support of the cardinal
principles in which all are agreed,
and thus making common cause in
the promotion of Christ's kingdom
on the earth. Thus an evangelical
alliance is becoming more and more
consolidated in our own country
and throughout Christendom.
The Methodist says: "The year
1869 is destined TO be most impor-
tant in the annals of American
Methodism. During the year, the
people will be called upon to decide
whether or not they will accept the
liberal measures proposed to them
by the General Conference, for the
admission of lay representatives to
that assembly, and the Annual Con-
ferences. While we have the strong
est hopes of the final result, we feel
the Importance of placing the sub
ject, in all its aspects, fully before
the people. We have endeavored
to discuss it fairly, and yet temper
ately, and shall do so still. If the
facts and considerations which make
Lay Representation desirable can
be presented to the mind of every
voter, the majority in its favor will
be overwhelming. 1t must not be
forgotten that a new constituency
has been created by the late General
Conference; all members of the
Church over twenty-One years Of
age, whether men or women, will
be eligible to vote upon the ques-
ton.
The JeaCiSh Messenger continues
to advocate q strick observance of
the Mosaic Sabbath. 1t says:
" We assure our readers of a differ
ent religion, who have perused the
remarks emanating from the secular
press, that there does not exist in
the whole camp of Israel the most
remote idea Of superseding the day
sanctifed by God and revelation,
for one originating from human
beings. The Jewish Sabbath-the
seventh day of the WEEKS the
palladium of our religion, and the
safeguard Of our institutions. Its
desecration-the greatest evil. 1t
is the bond of union, the connecting
link between God and Israel. AS
said in Exodus XXI, 16, The chill
dren of Israel shall observe the
Sabbath, to keep it throughout
their generations for an everlasting
covenant This is an explicit com
mand the Jewish Sabbath is as
Interchangeable as its Divine Author
1t speaks TO the tempOrizer, that it
was to be observed throughout all
time. Its authority, whatever may
be said by some one, who imagines
he has scanned the ways of PrOvi-
dence, and discovered that our
Creator will be satisfied with the
observance Of any day, SO that
some homage is paid Him, we say
the authority for the observance of
the seventh day rests on SO solid a
foundation that no secret under
mining can injure it.