The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08

Current Topics OF tho Religious Press.
The Christian Union takes up the question OF
Communism and Christianity this week and
handles it very freely and fairly 1t reoox-
nizes the causes of discomfort among the
working classes-the accumulation of wealth
in the hands of the few. 1t admits that with
a growing population the struggle Of competi-
ton becomes harder and moro are crowded =
the especially in large towns and cities
this must necessarily be 30. At present tho
Union thinks both the discomfort and the sense
of class power seem to be On the increase.
The editor says it is o painful fact that We
hear complaints of the failure of our churches
to reach the poor and thinks it is grievous
reproach to any church that it should fail =
reach the laboring class. Christ's gospel is
gospel to the poor, and Protestant churches
are mourning heavy responsibility. and some
of them guilt for their neglect in this matter.
The Union also advocates libraries for all our
prisons and gives some statistics to establish
their worth.
For few weeks past the Methodist has dis
cussed the topic of plagiarism, but this week
it devotes its editorial thought to discussion
of s'What is Originality" and comes to the
very sensible conclusion that absolute origi-
nality is an impossibility. We must have COM
MERGE in thought as we'll as in other things.
and the great storehouse of literature is COM
mon property from which we all may build
ourselves up. The Methodist wonders what
we are coming to, because of tho mighty
strides which Christianity is making in every
quarter of the world to-day and the wonder
full spread of our civilization among tho na-
tons of the earth.
The Independent calmly reviews Mr.. Sum.
ners Civil Rights bill, which few days ago
was referred to the Judiciary Committee. A
it touches new field of legislation altogether
it should receive the careful scrutiny Of tho
law committee of the Senate prior to its con-
sideration for final action. The editor is not
able to see the constitutional basis upon
which Congress can justly found such Law.
and makes some strong circumstantial points
against any such claim.
The Evangelist sees in DR.. Livingstone's life
and labors and heroic death hope for Africa.
He was not only hero of science, but stood
among the very bravest modern champions of
Christian civilization, and the Evangelist feels
assured that the time will yet come whom .
regenerated continent will be his enduring and
noblest monument.
The Christian Advocate very learnedly dis
cusses the question of races on this Continent
and thinks the incoming of large numbers OF
Asiatics is inevitable and should be so accepted
by us. 1t therefore deprecates any class e.
State legislation that seeks to repress their COM
ing or to hinder their peaceful stay among US.
1t thinks we have ample room here for white
and black and red and yellow races, and it is
dictate of even the least elevated form Of
wisdom to adjust ourselves and our affairs to
the situation. American Christians should
especially recognize the Divine hand in send
ing those thousands of Asiatics to our shores.
The Christian L,teuigencer gives brief sy-
nopsis of the lately published bull of the
Pope touching the election Of his successor,
and comments on the same, intmating that
it is an intrigue to deprive the people and
governments of all voice or influence in this
matter The INTEL gencer thinks that we may
again see the phenomenon of two Popes, hos
tile in dogma and in political combinations
The Cologne Gasette vouches for the authen-
ITCHY of the document The Freeman's Jour
nal of this city, however, does not hesitate to
pronounce it forgery
The Catholic Reuie,c fires broadside into
the Mutton for its assertion that Cardinal Gull
len maintains that the earth stands still,
which assertion the Reuiep, in the words Of
Bismarck, pronounces "a wicked and auda-
cious falsehood," and challenges the proof,
which is not forthcoming. The Revies0. in q
less belligerent STYLE discusses the late pas.
toral letter of the Bishop of Halifax. N. s..
on Catholic education.
The Observer, moralizng on the recent depO-
sition of DR.. Wadsworth, of Philadelphia, and
Rev. Mr.. Smith, of this city, for reasons and
upon grounds which did not in the least in
either case affect their moral character, thinks
this extreme ecclesiastical act should be placed
where the civil law now puts capital punish
ment. 1t should be inflicted only when the de-
linquent has forfeited his moral character or has
embraced those errors which are fundamental
and destructive And the law and practice Of
the Church should be so modified.
Church and State thinks the great need Of our
time is not high or low or q broad Church.
but common sense Church. And a little ex-
ercise of that quality in the Church would
tend to diminish the prejudices which now
exist therein.
The Christian Leader thinks the only ques-
ton involved in plagiarism, which some OF its
contemporaries have recently discussed, is tho
one, Is it right to steal? Which it answers of
course, in the negative The Leader rejoices.
too. in the leaven of Universalism which ia
working its way through orthodoxy.
The Liberal Christian warmly advocates tho
employment of lay preachers for small