The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-06

4
religious press grows more and more stupid
and uninterssting. With each ascending
degree of the thermometer the brain Of the
religious editor seems to subside another
fathom in the abyss of dulness. The earth
during the past few days has indeed been a
furnace Of affection thrice heated, ''vale
of tears"-of perspiration and our Christian
professional brethren appear to have accepted
the situation with resignation that has
assumed the form of mental torpor. Sunk in
the languor of cline that for the nonce is
torrid. they no doubt yearn for the more
| genial cline of the New Jerusalem; but they
have no energy left to track out for the edit
cation Of the faithful the narrow path that
leads to the Golden City Of their hopes.
We notice irst this week the Free Methodist,
journal which, true to its protested
character, eschews, with one Or two natu-
raj exceptions, everything but purely religious
discussion and Intelligence. This is as it
Should be. We have the best authority for
the principle that man tadhot serve two
| masters. The Free Methodist has an excel
lent article to prove that true religion is prac-
teal, not speculative. II takes as an illus!ra-
ton the voluminous efforts OF many theolo-
gians to determine who shall be saved and
who damned. The gist of the article, per-
haps, may be found in this brief excerpt -
How ready men are to argue and speculate. They
want TO know what u going to be, instead OF ask
Ing, Lord, what wilt thou have me TO dO2" The
future IS their study, whereas 1t should be the
present.
The Tablet is determined to have the last
word about the riot AS before, it debates
the questions involved in temperate and
sensible tone. 1t denounces mob dictati0n
but still maintains that the Orangemen ought
not to have been allowed to parade. 1t then
says
riot Is absurd. The Church, through all her official
organs in the city. warned beforehand all Catholics
to keep away and to attempt no interruption OF the
| procession. and all good Catholics did keep away.
Those who actively participated IN the riot, II
Catholics at all, were what Professionals call en-
lghtened Catholics who have grown too wise and
know too much to listen to the voice OF their pastors
| The Protestant CAurc]tman and the Church
Weekly are contesting vigorously, but with
admirable good temper, the mooted intention
of the Evangelicals to propose, as further
alteration of the Prayer Book, the substitution
of ''presbyter" for ''priest" wherever it occurs
in the Liturgy. Surely these controversialists
must remember Millions opinion that
Presbyter is but priest writ large.
The principle involved is very important
one Priest carries with it the ''high" doc
trine of the functions of an ordained Christian
pastor, and though the ritualists contend that
presbyter originally meant the same as priest,
yet they assert, and, as it seems to us, with
justice, that the word has now acquired
secondary meaning, almost directly opposed
to its first one. From indications, however,
we think the Evangelcals won't insist upon
this and other similar points. As in the Ro-
man Church the Ultramontanes have swept
everything before them, so in the Episcopal
Church the history of the last twenty years is
almost an unbroken chronicle Of Tractarian
victories The Protestant Churchma,s already
says
We do not mediate schism. We 90 not desire
it, but the contrary We are members and ministers
OF the Protestant Episcopal Church good faith,
we receive the same. Ii the Church be restored
to the prevailing temper OF twenty years ago we
snail prefer ner communion 20 an others. Falling
mites OF liberal Churchmen shall be secured TO them
ss ne next era az The saa pe
pal Church to any new depar,ure'' whatever.
The Lexington apostolic Times copies
long article about lottery morals and moral
lotteries, and ''testifes" against the licensing
of any torn of gambling. This, for Ken
lucky paper, is a nmch-needed stroke for the
right. No object however worthy, ought TO
resort to illegal means for pecuniary support.
The man who learns to tempt fortune in a.
religious fair will very likely some day Or
another, put faro chip into the collection
plate on the Sabbath, under the impression
that it is legal tender.
The christian at Work is as usual, kindly
10, spirit and utterly free from controversy!
1t appeals to the entire Christian world, and
enforcesi the duties Of life with sweetness
and gentleness that are singularly charming
Saint Peter is still true to that violent,
edze-hammer method Of discussion which it
has exhibited since its first issue. Its editor
wields the pen with the same vigor that an old
Anabapdst preacher pounded his
Pulpit drum. ecclesiassic.
| 1t has one sensible article in it this week.
however, on Jesuit education. Macaulay and
every other impartial critic has praised this,
body for its large-mnded perception of the
| value of intellectual enlightenment Would
that the Jesuits had been in all things equally
| wise and liberal /!
Tilton's Golden Age has apparently ceased
| to be religious weekly" 1t announces Ben
| Butler as a future contributor to its columns,
and then in its leader criticises the American
press. We want to know, though, who is the
party alluded to in this piquant paragraph -
Did we not say that the press is the first estate OF
| the realm There are 1--WE thousand journals In
| America. They ought to be, every one, tongue OF
fre-instead or which, for the most part, their pages
| are a handful OF ashes. SubservienCy to party u
the Canker Of the press An cdltOr whose sheet Is