The New York herald., 1874-10-14


in the religious conventions in session in
New York shows the tendency Of thought
full Christian people to look carefully
into the present condition of the Protestant
Church. There is feeling of grave appre-
hension in the minds of the best Christians as
to the effects Of the recent schisms and scan
dals. The Swing heresy trial has made a
profound impression in the Northwest, and
the withdrawal Of DIR. Swing from the Pres
byterian communion was an act of revolt
against that powerful and respected
denomination. The case Of Dr. Seymour
whose elevation is opposed on account of GER
tain tenets on Church forms and ceremonies, is
also exciting great attention. Here in New
York the refusal of Bishop Potter to recognize
the Church Congress has had a dispiriting
effect upon the Episcopal brethren. In
Europe the agitation in religious circles grows
from day to day. The apostacy Of Lord Ripon
from the Church of England has fallen like q
thunderbolt, and now that all eyes are turned
toward the Church it is seen that the
Roman Catholic missionaries are working with
zeal reminding us of the time of Loyola. No
themes are more eagerly discussed than relig-
ious themes. The addresses of Archbishop
Manning increase in fervor and zeal, and Mgr.
Capel proposes to found university which will
enable the faithful to study science without
losing their faith. Pilgrimages increase. The
old shrines were never so much adored, and
new ones are found from day to day. Re-
ligious journals tell us of the marvellous
miracles at Lourdes. The whole Catholic
Church seems incandescent with devotion and
missionary zeal.
In the Protestant churches division follows
division and heresy treads hard on the heels
of heresy. In the Catholic Church we see
earnest, compact discipline people and u
clergy who act as if they had faith and be-
lieved in it. In the Protestant churches we
see disintegration. And yet Professionalism
attracts to its folds the genius of America
Its sons have long controlled this country,
and even now it would be impossible for
Catholic to be elected to the Presidency.
Outside of New York city there is
no part of the country where the
Catholic religion would not be
serious loss to the candidature Of any man.
So that practically the government, the So
ciety, the whole power OF the United States
are Protestant. There is every encourage
ment and every hope for Professionalism to
assert itself. If it really has faith let us see
1t made manifest by works
What is the present condition of Protes-
tantism as we see it in SO many phases? The
worship of men, the alteration of genius and
eloquence; no longer the worship of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ Subtle men, who
speak of science with authority, like Tyndall
deal terrible blows at revelation, and
the ministers of revelation are either
silent or make feeble response. Quar-
rels in churches have become as
frequent and more scandalous than rows in
settle the mind of the faithful, patient Chris
! tan. The Beecher scandal has been devils
harvest We venture to say that no event
since the close of the French Revolution has
gratifed Satan so much as this astounding
revelation. 1t is painful to think of the souls
that have fallen from breathing the poisoned
air of this plague, of the thousands who have
lost faith in religious purity after reading
these revelations. The Congregational Coun-
Gil has virtually rent the Church in twain. All
the old spirit the Puritan spirit has faded
away. Sentiment rapidly takes the place of
religion and the worship of man the wor-
ship of the Saviour.
| Men no longer go to church because of the
meek and lowly Jesus but because of Beecher
and rockingham, and Collyer and Storrs and
Talmage and Hall. Congregations select their
pastor as opera managers select their prima
donna. The question is simply ''Will he
draw?" We have many drawing preachers
in New York and Brooklyn-none more so
than Beecher and Storrs. Yet when these d.
vines were last seen together in public it was
in the attitude of pugilists Unless this process
OF disintegration and mere man. worshipping
is arrested the Protestant Church cannot sur
vive. An eminent and pious divine writes us his
lamentations on the subject and calls upon
the HERALD to recommend to the churches
day Of humiliation and prayer. 1t is not our
province to enter into any matter of this kind.
We are proud Of the Protestant Church, and
there are no names that we cherish more
highly than the names of Bishop White,
Francis Asbury, Jonathan Edwards and
Roger Williams. But the spirit Of
decay seems to have fallen upon it.
Our best hopes will be realized il we can
bring home to Protestants realizing sense of
these facts, and induce an awakening Of soul
and revival of the old Puritan and Methodist
spirit throughout the land.