The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-30

condluon OF christian belief, as well as prac-
tice, offers . fruitful subject for thoughtful
consideration. Inddslity and materialism are
quietly but surely undermining faith, and I'M
der the smoke and dust of the battle fields Of
sects an influence Is at work which augurs i'll
for the cause of Christ Perhaps it would be
too much to say that scepticism keeps pace
with education; but it Is safe to affirm that, In
proportion to the general enlightenment Of the
people IL the demand for proofs OF the truth Of
biblical assertions Of the Divine purpose. In
other words there is an increasing desire being
manifested by modern Christians, at least
in this country, for certain explanations which
the preachers are slow to afford. The disgust
with which all thoughtful men regard the war
fare of opposing churches encourages indif-
ference to Christian teaching and contempt for
religious belief and practice Men are found
to dispose of the exasperating questions of
on mind and matter was summarized and got
rid of:-Whatis matter? Never mind What
is mind? No matter.
Outside of the Catholic Church there is no
discipline. no order, and but little reverence;
for in this Church only is there authority to
turn. The Church says, plainly and de-
cidcdly, Believe or take the consequences.
And of course as the consequences are very
well known to be perpetual roasting in the
other world, the children Of the Church
believe no mere and no less than they are told
In hpIiAvo Tho RIGHT nf IN ind, ou&
however, being the strong point of Protest
antism, no such summary means of enforcing
| obedience exists in the other Christian
Churches; 80 unanimity of thought and uni
formity of worship are impossible among them.
In fact, we do not believe that in
this city twenty persons can be found who are
entirely agreed upon every article. of their
faith. When men begin to argue the right or
wrong Of religious teaching they are ON the
high road to utter unbelief, and when women
undertake of themselves to solve the problem
of perfect righteousness the way to inidelity
is short cut indeed. This is demonstrated
every Sunday by prominent preachers, so we
can infer the mental state of their congrega-
tions. Beecher is q local Pope himself he
knows no God on earth but Beecher. Froth-
ingham and others hardly accept the authority
Of the Bible itself; while very many equally
well known are as free in their Interpretation
of what is, was and ought to be. The result of
the teaching Of these men and of the school
to which they belong is that religion is fast
becoming among us matter of sentiment.
Sincerity Is not manifested. The frivolitics of
the day receive more attention than the things
that are eternal. The daily lives of most
members of our fashionable congregations
practically deny all Christian teaching This
lamentable condition of affairs, we regret
to observe, is not characteristic Of any
one sect of so-called Christians. Indeed,
in practical result on the habit, and manners
of our people, the Catholic Church has failed
as much as her rivals. Is it not true that in
| spite Of all the preaching and praying our peo-
| pie are getting to be more corrupt every day?
| Mon now only succeed, in politics aud trade,
| in attaining high eminence, by a constant dis
| regard of the lessons contained in the Sermon
on the Mount. And, indeed, we are constantly
| compelled to chronicle doings on the part Of
the ministers of the Gospel no less reprehensi-
BILE than were the acts Of the money changers
in the Temple. The corruption of the day and
the teaching of the uneasy isms Of New Eng.
land undoubtedly threaten to produce con-
dition Of affairs in the religious world fatal to
| progress and ominous Of evil. There must be
| a change for the better, or few years will
| <ncA kxnx.~ - r.
Instrumentation on one side and intidelity on
| the other What the result of such . struggle
would be we will not pretend to say; but judy
| ing from the fact that the Catholic Church
is organized, disciplined and aggressive, it
would not surprise us If she displayed her old
time power. Whether that consummation
would be desirable. either in liyious or poll
tical sense, we leave our readers to Judge.
But II is certainly a thought worthy the con-
sideration Of the learnedly religious and poll
tically wise Of our public men.
/ What is wanted now to- check the evils that
exist in our churches is earnestness in preach
ing; the teaching of the simple truths of Chris
tianity; a broader charity in speaking and
writing of opposing dogmas less OF sentiment
tai Christianity and mora faith. This last is
the most important, for it covers all the rest
But to make men believe in the Divine pro-
mise, and, as consequence, lead better and
purer lives, we must, first Of all. have preach
ers who will, by their walk and converse
tion," manifest less anxiety for their own
worldly welfare and regulations and. more
zeal for the cause OF the Master than those
who now occupy our pulpits.
SENATOR CAMERON thinks thu result Of the
Joint High Commissions labors will be satis-
factory to all parties. He leads the Foreign
Affairs Committee and feels confident that any