The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-28
Religious Notes.

SuOSClCuLc was OHeTcu anu duOPoS", s.>SS- -
cussion, that the bishops be requested to urge
in their addresses'the necessity OF congregation
al singing. While the Conference was on the
subject Of worldly attractions In the churches,
1t would have been appropriate for some action
on the excessive dress OF the females VINO at
tend church. Female dress is running more
men than is whiskey dissipation, and is doing
as much as any other cause to deinoralize pub
lie sentiment.
In the General Council OF the Reformeh Epis-
copal Church in New York last week, discus
sion took place on proposed amendment to
the article relating to the election OF wardens
and vestrymen, requiring them to be commu-
nicants. It was argued in opposition that the
churches should be made as nearly congrega-
tional as is consistent with the Episcopal form
of government. A modification OF the propo-
sition was adopted, requiring the vestrymen to
be men Of unimpeachable moral character.
In this Council dispute arose upon the
words in the creed, 'sHe descended into hell
The Rev. Mr.. Wilson moved an amendment
creed, and slightly changing the rubric, so that
it might read, ''And any church may insert the
words, He descended Into hell, or may use the
words, He went into the place OF departed spir-
its,' This at once raised storm. The Rev.
NJ. B. Smith recalled the ancient character OF
the expression, 'sHe descended into Hell, 1t
having been used since the year $50. 1t should
not be changed without the consent OF the ma
jority of Protestant churches, and he could not
under any circumstances vote for the amend
ment.
The Hon. Stewart L. Woodford declared that
the Prayer Book of 1885, which the Reformed
Episcopal Church had thus far used, did not
contain this passage, and that it had come to
be understood that no such important Insertion
should be made by the committee.
: Col. Aycrigg opposed the amendment With
much terseness of expression. The Rev. VIM.
Mcclure said that the doctrine which this ex-
preston taught was that OF an intermediate
state, which was the foundation stone OF the
doctrine OF purgatory, a doctrine which was
historically intended to neutralize that OF the
atonement. SID
The Rev. Mason Gallagher said that there
should be no words in the creed admitting OF
so MANY interpretations as couldb be given these,
and for that reason he fa""red the amend
ment.
Bishop Cheney, who left the chair to speak,
said that he believed with Mr.. Mcclure fully,
and, considering it only from, doctrinal aspects,
he strongly favored the proposed OMISSION
There were also two other points. The rubric
is almost identical with that Of the Prayer
Book of the Protestant Episcopal Church. we
are laying in the creed what are the corner
stones of our faith, and what things are essen
tial in our belief. If the doctrine is essential,
we have no right to omit it. II it is non-essen-
tial, by no means put it in a creed. 1t IS
grand impertinence to do this. Secondly. the
impression made by the public repetition OF
creed is very greatin the Church. and, however
strong an impression this may make, cannot
stand before my Sunday school and dlsabuse
the minds of the children Of the false notions
it produces, and explain the passage in question
in connection with other and opposite passa-
ges.
The question was called for, and the Rev.
Marshall B. Smith called for vote by orders.
This was token, and resulted in the passage OF
the amen ecrvegate vote of "a to
6, three MN Svmen votlng IN
the negative. &c rs changed
were then ad0pS ohiiC Inc
word catholic fro With
out much discussion. was
adopted without change, \ az
journed.
The Presbyterians Of this country are seri-
ously agitating plan for an Ecumenical Coun-
Gil Of their body of christians. The desire is
not to make any new and stringent organza-
ton or a Presbyterian hierarchy, or to adopt
| any new statements of doctrine, but to estab'
lish more hearty fellowship between the now
separate branches of this church, and to give
the humblest congregations the feeling that
they are part of great family OF believers.
| A writer on hymn-singing in the Englisi
Congregationalist brings out point to which !,
would be worth while to pay more attention
over here in our own churches. lie finds
the tendency OF the congregations il
England is to drag rather than race il
| their singing, which is precisely the defect t
be noticed among us. 10 cure this he does no
believe, as many do, that the organ or choi
should go OH in advance OF the people, but tina
they should make the congregation feel thu
| pulse Of the music, by which he means that TIM
matter Of keeping good and district time should
be more attended to. Perhapse he may not b.
correct in saying that no one organist i'll ten is
good timist, but he is quite correct in his criti
cism that the organ is difficult instrument tt
follow OH account of the blending OF its sounds
and its ''recurrent pulsations."
says the Christian at Work: Nothing bother
| the Christian more than the inperfection OF hi
prayers. His getting down OH his knees seem
to be the signal for his thought to fly every
whittier. While prayingabout one thing he il
thinking about another. Could you ever keel
We never could. While you are praying you
stoves come in, your kitchen comes in, you
losses and gains come in. The minister spread
his hands for prayer, and you put your head OF
the back Of the pew in front, and travel roun'
the world in five minutes. A brother raises il
prayer meeting to lead in supplication. Ate
he has begun, the door slams, and you pee
through your fingers to see who is coming in
You say to yourself, ''What o finely expressed
prayer 20 or .'What a laundering specimen y
'sBut how long he keeps on! Wish he woul
stop! He prays for the worlds conversion.
wonder how much he gives towards it? There
I don't think turned the gas down in the par
lor. Wonder if Bridget has gone home yet
Wonder if they had thought to take that cak
out of the oven ~ or ssWhat fool I was t
put my name on the back OF that note Ough
to have sold these goods for cash. and not OF
credit And so you go on thinking over on
thing after another until the gentleman say
s'amen ~ and you lift up your head saying
''There I haven't prayed bit. | am not
Christian" Yes you are If you have reslste
the tendency. Christ knows how much yc
have resisted, and how thoroughly we are dis
ordered of sin, and he will pick out the on
earnest petition from the rubbish and ansWe
It. TO the very depth Of his nature he sympa
J thises with the infirmity of our prayers.
Quite breeze has been stirred up about tn
ears of vicar at Richmond, England. TO
building O partition wall between the consecra
ted and upoopsecrated portions Of the local hr
rying ground. The latter part is for the dj:
senters, who being already sufficiently restrict
Il se, r&.rl1k~