Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-11
TIE EyAsoriTCaI. AnITANCE.

in religion, !. g., that those who have made
the subject special study are the most
competent to discuss it with profit to them.
selves or others. Yet the publlcist must
note the prominent developments of the
times, and the present almost universal
movement in religious circles, on both sides
of The Atlantic, we regard as an auspicicns
omen. All over the Continent and even In
England we see one form Of religion mani
Testing itself in the form of pilgrimsgas,
suggesting the faith Of the old crusaders
while here we are daily recording the pro-
eeedings Of a body representing we believe
all forms Of Professionalism in the various
nations; and our newspaper press has been
teeming for months with religious discus
sions betrsyiug widespread interest 10
such matters among the masses. That
this revival should come in the midst of a
general corruption unprecedented in our
annals, is certainly remarkable, and can
only be explained on the theory of
excess producing reaction. The great
inventions that marked the first half
Of, this century, have given it a
utilitariaa tendency, msterialistic philos-
ophy, and disposition generally to reduce
every thing to the dollar ssnd cent basis.
Among other evil results of this spirit of
the age, the statesman attributes to it the
almost universal apathy of well-to-do peo-
pie in regard to the general political well
fare. If history be any guide, increased
population brings increased poverty, with
an accelerating ratio--while increased wealth
always widens the gap between the million
aire and the mssses. These principles of
political economy are only partially neutral
lied in this new country, by the extent of
our undevtloped resources. In the crowded
East we see them fully exemplfed; in the
older towns of the West also, they are visi-
bly, at work. The prosperity, therefore,
which results from the devotion to material
interests, develops need for widespread
feeling Of Christian brotherhood, to secure
the proper distribution Of Gods gifts TO bis
creatures. As we progress in wealth and
population, we need the infusion of high
moral tone in society, to save the accumu-
istions Of our material industry from the
threatening ravages Of Communism. Chris
tan charity forbids the man Of money
boarding bis treasures for his own selfish
pleasures, while thousands of his fellow
Christians are struggling with poverty
which those treasures turned into useful
channels, would dispel. The rich have du-
ties 10 the poor, aud these duties cannot be
enforced by legal epactments; they can only
be enforced by awakened conscience.
The proceedings of the Evangelical ALL
ance indicate yearning for this needful
sentiment of christian brotherhood, and the
advocates Of an organic union of the sew
ersl Protestant churches are certainly max
ing some he2dwsy. That the subject can
be dispassionately discussed, is at least one
step toward the possibility ofits consum-
nation at some future day. Thirty years
ago such discussion would have been i'm
possible. The change has been mainly
brought about perhaps by the common
school system that has prevailed in the
North for a whole generation, wherein no
distinctive religion is taught, and even the
Sunday schools use in common, books from
which all theological differences have been
eliminated. Hence, as the Washington
Republican remarks:
'1t has become popular among religion
lists to deal leniently with each other as re-
CARDS the technicalities of their faith and
belief. The idea of organic union cannot,
therefore, be passed over az chimerical. On
the contrary, it must be accepted as one of
the grandest thoughts of modern times. Il
embOdies all that is pure and holy in the
spirit of meek Cancellation which should
control the relations of Christians in their
intercourse with each other. 1t is project
which is intended to combine the influences
of churches and religious associations for
the common object for which they now labor
either singly or in widely distinct orgsniza-
tons. There is a sublmity of inspiration
in it which cannot fell to thrill the Chris
tian heart with the true power of implicit
faith in the equality of mankind as is taught
by our common Bible and common Saviour.
But the natural result would be to array
Professionalism more dire lily against Roman
ism. The advocates of the scheme may
argue as much as they please about the
Mormons, the Israeites, the beathen and
the Roman Catholics; but we all know that
their especial antipathy is enlisted against
the latter. No one class Of the interested
parties appreciate this fact more thoroughly
than the Catholics themselves, and it is not
improbable that they are preparing for the
future even now.
This is a dubious compliment to the
christians of the Alliance. In connection.
with the course Of the New York Times
aud HayperS' Weekly, this utterance of
Grants organ at Washington suggests how
desperate politicians may be owing around
in the hope Of infusing new life into rotten
Rsdicalism by the inauguration Of another
Know Nothing crusade. 1t shows that the
Alliance has reason to beware of political
advisers, lest its holy mission of christian
brotherhood be diverted to the base ends OF
a corrupt party. The Republican itself, af-
ter putting forth this ungenerous feeler,
shows how gratuitous it is:
But when the contest does come, will it
not be possible thai the liberality which has
done so much % accomplish the union of
will extend its influence to
concilate the differences between the con-
cd off Fact n Of hNtI
sides for the conversion Of unbslievers?
This suggestion is not more startling now
than the prophecy that Methodists and
would enter into a coalition
would have been thirty years ago. And,
when we remember that the liberalism of
modern thought has effected so much, we
cannot deny she possibility of So, h result.
THE OIL BUSINESS.
Petroleum is drawn from the earth in
such quantities and at SO small q cost that