The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-12
The Religious Press.

of "too many ministers" It appears that out
of 4,347 Presbyterian ministers, only 1908 are
pastors. Many pious and good people contrib
ute money for the purpose Of educating young
men for the Church. The Observer asks whether
this violation Of the "demand and supply
law of political economy is not grave mistake,
and has collected testimony from all quarters
in regard to it. It now says:-
Many OF the wsest ministers and best laymen
They say that men are f0stered and forced carried
| into the ministry who ought not to get in that
gratuitous education for profession Is premium
ministry is now overstocked, burdened and de-
graded by the induction of deaGweights through
this agency.
Greeley nomination naturally figures prom
inently in many Of the religious papers. The
Evangelist is very severe on the candidate of
Cincinnati. Beginning with the old saw,
''Wonders will never cease" it recognizes the
great strength of the Sage of Chappaqua and
then devotes itself, con amore, to his defects as
a possible President. First of ALL it says that
while Henry J. Raymond ''saw both sides Of
case" and was therefore bad statesman, Mr..
Greeley is SO extremely partisan in his views
that, as a friend said Of him-of course it was
a friend, friend alone could say anything so
ill-natured-"he cannot see how anybody can
differ from him and be an honest man." His
greatest weakness however, is his ''easy good
nature" and the fear Of the Evangelist is that
s'no sooner would he be established in power
than there would spring up under his nose
kitchen Cabinet that would manipulate things
for their own purposes, without suspicion
ever entering his honest soul"
Then the Independent grimly thunders out the
following:-
AS a leader, standard bearer, wise and
sagacOus counsellor, the record OF his life supplies
abundant reasons for believing that he would be
| blunders that even his warmest admirers trust his
judgment with caution. The crotchety structure
made persistent by passion, his tendency to ex-
tremes, his lack Of courage ana firmness the vio-
ar a1 of Of his h Ss the facility with
and measures and the general uncertainty of his
mental movements-facts that have become pro-
verbal in the history OF Mr.. Greeley especially
since his course during and after the late war
pre-eminently disqnalify him for the complicated
and responsible duties of the Presidency OF these
| United States.
1t concludes the article in which this occurs
thus:-
There is no talismanic power in either the name
or the record OF Mr.. Greeley that can conceal or
disguise the real issue involved in the next Pres
dental contest. The simple question Is this -
.'Shall democracy be restored to power or shall
republicans retain their control OF the govern
ments"
How different in tone is the following fervid
rhetoric from the Golden Age:-
What do you vote against in voting against Mr..
Greeeys Stop and consider. You vote against
man whose fame covers the globe because he is
friend OF the human race-a man who, more sig
naly than most men, represents the dignity Of
| lab0r-a man who, by his daily press has been for
a third of century the nations chief schoolmas-
ter In the doctrine OF human berty-a man who,
OF all our public characters, is the chief apostle Of
charity and good will. There lives no American
citizen whose death would be so sincerely mourned
as his. He is the most widely loved of living men.
You will not vote against him. And he cannot be
beaten. Mark the prophecy.
The majority of the religious journals are,
however, as yet, against Horace. That much
is clear but many speak in accents of painful
indecision, and all apparently confess regard
for him personally.
The Examiner and Chronicle vindicates the
claims of Independent religious journalism in
thoughtful and good-tempered article. The
secretaries of some Of the UNCONVENTIONAL So
cieties naturally differ with the frank criticisms
upon themselves which are occasionally ut
tered by the UNCONVENTIONAL editors It is
now proposed by one society to found an ''of-
ficial weekly" and the Examiner and Chronicle
very wisely condemns the project. The opinions
of such o journal would never be trusted
by the public official organs never are
and to start it would simply be to wnste money
that could be well employed in the legitimate
work of the society. Independence is as
necessary to the usefulness Of the religious as
Of the secular press. If the editor abuses his
position the public will soon find him out and
o gentle application Of the editorial whip to
the back Of sluggish or arrogant secretary is
certainly once in while productive of good
results. Freedom is the first law Of healthy
progress
The Freeman journal has something to soy
| in the same editorial about Father Tom Burke
and Torguatus Flatulatus. The latter name is
used simply for the purposes of satire, and it
is so perfect disguise that we have to confess
ourselves ignorant Of the person aimed at.
Perhaps some Of our readers know and
will kindly enlighten us. The Journal GER
tainly handles him without gloves, but pays
deserved tribute to Father Burke whose elo-
quencc has won for him golden opinions from
all among us swho profess and call themselves
| Christians"
The New York Tablet defines its position on
the secular educational question and contends
that the Church, and not the State, should
have control Of the schools. The arguments
in support of this position are well stated and
deserve careful IGNITION but most Americans,
at present, hf 70 come to the opposite decision
The Methodist suggests that churches should
be named like the streets Of young cities,
First" Second and so numerically on,
not "John street." or 'Allen street." or by
the locality in which they happen to be
located.