The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-21
The Religions Asniversaries-Ths Progress
Of Christian Civilization.

immemorlal has had Mysterious counecuon
with religion, is again bringing forth its accus-
toned frnit. May, with its sweet sunshine,
its gurgling streams, its growing foliage, its
bursting flowers and its general gladness,
speaks to us of religion, of the soul, of immor-
tally, of general assemblies and religious
reunions Of various sorts-Presbyterian, Epis-
copal, Catholic, Methodist. Baptist and so
| forth. Our religious reunions in this city are
| over They came and they went but we
cannot say that they have left any very deep
footprints on the sands of time" The
Quakers with their accustomed showers the
trums; the free labor men, with Wendell
Phillips at their head, have had their meet
ings, read their minutes, revealed their pur-
poses, made their speeches and had their little
rounds of applause. Our New York May meet
ings for the year 1871 will be remembered
chiefly In connection with Wendell Phillips
and bis latest crotchets, and the women's
rights people and their growing impertinence
and offensiveness. This year New York has
not been the favorite religious centre.
Last year Philadelphia was the favorite
centre. This year the pious city of Chicago
is the religious rallying point. Philadelphia
can boast this year Of the Reformed Presbyte.
rian Synod Synod whose main excellence
consists in the fact that while it loves the
Psalms of David 1t hates instrumental music
and detests modern hymns. In Chicago the
Presbyterians-the Old and New Schools-no
longer divided, have met In full force. In
spite of their affection for Calvin and brim-
stone the Presbytsrians have this year, as
last, made the grandest and most imposing
display Of all the RELIGIOUS bodies. They have
their delegates from Eagland, their delegates
from Scotland and their delegates from Ire
land; and altogether, considering their native
strength and their foreign sympathy, they
present front which seems to be, if it is
not, actual strength. The Baptists, too,
have this year, in imitation of their
Presbyterian brethren, gone up to Chicago,
as the tribes were wont to 20 up to
Jerusalem If there Is any religious affinity
between fire and water our sister city of the
far West must thank the Presbyterians and
the Baptists for reviving their memory of
Sodom and Gomorrah. The neighborhood of
the lake may rebound to the advantage Of the
Baptists and to the salvation of Chicago.
London and Ednburg during this promising
month Of May are just as crowded with
black coats and white cravats and long faces
as are New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.
So is it in many other European centres. To
the many little Jerusalems the tribes are
focking up. The reunion is universal. The
''braying,' to use Macanlay's suicidal ex-
precision, is loud in Exeter Hall and in every
other hall where to-day, In the Old World and
the New, the religious tribes have found
temple. 1t Is curious fact that the Catholic
Church is the only Church which persists in
refusing to parade its doings, its purposes, its
finances before tho world. In the month of
May Rome remains silent. Following its
ancient practice, it goes on in the dis
charge OF its duty quietly, unostentationsly,
but not inef1ectively. Which is the better
and more desirable course it is difficult to
and compels attention is, that the Christian |
world in all its sections is girding its loins,
gathering up its strength, and preparing for a !
fresh and vigorous, If not united, effort in a
common cause and against a common foe II
Satan is not soon seen, like lightning, falling
from heaven, it ought not to be for the want of
Christian funds or Christian force.
We shall not be sorry If the years 1871 and
1872 reveal more noble Christian purpose
larger Christian effort, and more signal Chris
tian success. The time has come when a
great religious harvest should be looked for.
Many are running to and fro; knowledge is
being increased the many who run are more
or less Christian missionaries; the increasing
knowledge is Christian In the main it Is fair,
therefore, we think, to expect that nations
shall be born in day. If the various Chris
tian bodies In the great Christian nations can
only unite and give themselves up to the
carrying out Of q common purpose the field
is not only ripe, but the opportunity is grand.
The late Franco German war has taught
the Christian nations the folly and sin Of
| mutual destruction. 1t has opened their eyes
to the fact that they have common mission
which has hitherto been shamefully neglected
In their individual national selfishness they
have forgotten or despised the command of
the Master. They have not gone into all the
world and proclaimed the Gospel to every
creature. On the contrary, wherever Chris
tian aggressiveness has been revealed by any
one nation or people it has been opposed by
jealousy on the part of all the others. Happily,
as we think, at the very moment that the folly
Of warning with each other has been revealed,
heathendom has made itself specially offensive
and provoked common effort. The attitude
assumed by China. in spite Of many oft-re-
peated aud solemn obligations to the contrary,
has imposed duty on the Christian nations OF
the Wcst which they cannot with impunity