The New York herald., 1871-02-26
Oar Religious Press Table.

The great feature about the reli gious press
this week is that it is exceptionally lively and
earnest This, coupled with the many reports
of successful revivals all over the country,
shows that the labors of the HERALD in build
ing up the churches have not been wasted.
For years we have each week thrown the
bread of kindly and seasonabls counsel upon
the waters, and the religious world is now
reaping glorious harvest.
We are very glad to see, too, that SO many
leading religious papers frankly own that we
have stirred them up to added zeal in the
Masters service. Compliments are showered
upon us from all Sides Among others we
notice pleasant article in tho independent,
neatly sandwiche1 in between an appeal to
republicans to sap and at" ''the old enemy"
(meaning either the Devil or the democrats,
though it is hard to say which, and sketch
of the duty of England in the French recon-
struction problem. The Independent seems,
however, SO surprised at the extent of our
sacred labors as to doubt our sincerity. 1t also
suggests that we are, perhaps, only religious
because it pays Bat the syrup of rhubarb
Independent itself publishes, headed some
times by such ribald ca.chwords as ''Life is
the Gift of God," are proof that dollars
(and even rather dirty dollars) and religion
are not wholly incompatible. So we willingly
yield our character in this respect to the de-
csion of less partial Judge.
The Tablet is little hard on Protestant in
tolerance, and rakes up all sorts of stories
about the religious cruelty-even to death
of bygone Puritans. But il ought to remem-
Der that nowadays no Protestant would advo-
cate hanging the Td6Set editor at the Tombs-
at least, for his opinions; and the Tablet editor
''knows himself that he would object to a
weekly auto-da. f. in The City Hall Park. Bury
the hatchet, gentlemen, and be good Ameri-
cans. Postpone the burning and torture to the
next world, where, perhaps, you will see more
than enough Of it. We hope, however, that
the flames won't scorch your own wings. The
Tablet would do well also 10 give good deal
more Catholic news. ST. Peter, lively ultra
montane organ, naively argues that it is not sin
ful for Catholic to hope that Victor Emmanuel
will die before the Pope. 1t also darkly hints
that the Pope will soon be murdered by Italian
soldiers. ST. Peter forgets that this is the
nineteenth century and that the Pope person
ally is very popular, even with his foes.
1t also pours some pretty hot shot into Father
Hyacinthe, Bellows and B,echer.
The Jeaoish Messenger is as usual, sensible,
moderate and newsy. 1t prints sermon on
the ''Unity Of God" which even Trinitarians
may read without getting their pious backs
up. The HebreW Leader has an interesting
article upon the condition of the Jews in
Poland.
The Christian Union defends the principle
OF selling and renting pews. 1t says "ihe
free seat plan" is beautiful, but it don't work
which, being translated, means, probably,
doesn't pay" Why isn't the Union little
more careful about its grammar ct don't
work" is what schoolboy would call most
"ungodly" vulgarism. The Observer has
something to say about the proposed crusade
on behalf Of the Pope, and suggests that
Charles O'Conor and John McKeon should
lead the American contingent. 1t also has an
earnest appeal in behalf of the Home for
Friendess Women. The Evangelist has nearly
half column Of religious" out of it's three
columns Of editorial" The Ipdependept
may well say the secular and religious press
are getting little mixed up; hut the Eodn-
gelssts religious, SO far as it goes, is very
sound. It consists of plea against having
too much brains in the service of the Lord
Heart and energy, not intellect, it says, are
the qualities needed. We think its anxiety.on
this point, however, somewhat premature.
The Methodist says the voluntary prin-
cipe is rather overdone in America, and has
an able sketch Of the evils of small congrega-
tions. The remedy for the mischief is, of
course, to make them larger.
The country press toes the same mark in
literary merit and theological interest as its
metropolitan colaborers. The Chicago Stand
ard pitches int what it calls '.Little
Church" theology. Of course poor Dr.
Houghton gets particular fits. But who could
expect mercy from Chicago divine? All
the Chicago people boast Of being very good
or very bad, very charitable or very much not
30. And they judge themselves justly. The
Southeastern Presbyterian (New Orleans) is
greatly exercised over Mike Norton's bill
about charitable institutions and thinks New
York is going to ''become wholly Romanist."
Perhaps so but the Presbyterian sees long
way ahead. The Baltimore EpSscopalidn asks
the HERALD "to uss its great influence to i'm
press upon our contemporaries" the duty Of
reverence, which is exactly the task at which
we have been toiling at eur desk for many long
year. The St. Louis Christian Adu0cats con-
tends that divorces are unjustidable, exsept
for actual inadelity, and takes very high
moral tone generally. It has q chance to
make good many conversions in the West to
this doctrine, il al reports be true.