The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-24
Tho Anniversarics.

ciergvmen from oil parts OF the country, nnu
in spite of it the weather has been good. Ons
or two attempts vera made to get up tho
canonical rain, but they proved signal failures.
Exactly what connection exists between min
listers and rain we have never been able to
discover; bat the fact is not to be denied
that an inundation of pastors almost always
brings an inundation OF the aqueous fluid.
The meetings have been of unusual i'm
portance this year. The talking has been
good, and the questions discussed have been
handled with logic and common sense. 1t
must be productive of great results to gather
the thinking from oil parts of the land once
year that they may compare notes and re-
model their theories, and to invite the lights
Of lesser magnitude to revolve about the fixed
stars Of science and theology in larger or
smaller groups, according to the degree Of
attraction exercised Oftentimes o profound
thinker and conscientious scholar is unable to
criticise his own conclusions and to find out
their exact practical value when in the midst
of his researches But when he subjects his
theories to the intellectual anatomists who
meet in New York every May he is not only un-
mercifully handled-which is itself healthy
discipline-but he is quickened to new effort
in his favorite study. This annual exhi-
bition Of vivisection adds to the general
scholarship of the country, and is q kind of
tonic and stimulant which induces intellectual
and spiritual health.
Among the important meetings were those
Of the Social Science Association, now in
progress, and those of the Reformed Episco-
pal Church, which has succeeded in laying
out policy that makes square and honest
issue with The body from which it has seeded.
All matters pertaining to social progress claim
the marked attention Of the public, and the
discussion of any topic which has for its end
greater security of human life or the per-
manency of our institutions deserves oil pos
slble encouragement. We are glad to hear
any fair criticisms on our penal and reforma-
tory institutions, and the thoughts Of all true
philanthropists on these matters will be care
fully read and pondered by the general public.
The gradual change in our ideas Of the proper
function Of prison, and the now conception
of the possible educational and moral infu-
ences that may be brought to bear on our
criminals which is just beginning to take
possession Of all believers in human progress,
mark an era in political economy. The grow
ing conviction, too that the ocean can be
divided into highways which need never inter-
sect, suggested by the recent disasters which
have rendered q trip across the water
matter Of no small peril, is worthy Of all
possible scientific investig lton. This is
matter in which every merchant is interested,
as well as every man and woman who parts
with friend. It is evident that something
should be done, and at once, to render the
navigation Of the Northern Atlantic less haz-
ardous. 1t is hard enough to submit to loss
of life by storms and icsbergs, without being
haunted with the possibility and Of late
months the probability, of collision, which
may under proper regulations be avoided
Then, again, the attempt to solve the prob
lem Of pauperism commends itself to the good
Judgment Of every taxpayer. The theories on
this subject have been very various, some Of
them worthy Of experiment and some evil
IDENTIFY visionary. All honest talk on such o
subject, however, is productive of good results.
It is brought to our notice every day, since
one of the first things the merchant is COM
PEELED to do when he enters his Office is to so
barricade himself that he cannot be subjected
to raid by whole army of mendicants. If
be punished, and the rest who are unable to
find employment can be helped to their Satur-
day nights wages, the community would
breathe more quietly and raise monument
to the originator of the new order of things.
Next in importance to these social problems
comes the attempt to found new denomina-
ton with the backbone of common sense in
it. The platform adopted commends itself as
reasonable in most particulars, and the evils
complained of in the old regime must have
proved very CALLING to the gentlemen who sub
mitted under protest. We have noticed in the
new organization two facts not without signi-
fcance to which the attention of these re-
formers should be called. In the first place,
quite number who have joined or are ready
to join the body are not settled pastors, and
of self-interest. No clergyman who unites
with the movement adds any strength to it
unless he either brings his parish with him or
leaves his parish that he may come himself
In either case the conviction of right is quite
apparent and the momentum Of actual weight
is added to the cause In the second place.
there ore very many settled pastors who, if we
judge by their public utterances sympathize
with the Reformed Church, but do not join it.
little more independency and willingness to
sacrifice something would add scores to the
catalogue of Bishop Cummins. 1t may be
hard to give up an assured position and
good salary for the uncertainties of such an
experiment, but until this is done no progress
can be made. The time has come when every