The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-21
Tho Pith OF the Religious Press.

Tho Filth OF the Religious Press.
In view Of the recent gatherings Of Presby-
terians, Methodists and Reformed churches
the subject Of denominational union receives
consideration this week from the Christian at
Work, the Christian Advocate, the Observer and
the Christian Inteligencer. The former, in its
slashing style, declares that the greatest bar
riers to the union of the several branches Of
Methodists, Presbyterians, &C., are the Sec
retaries and their friends, who would have
to seek other spheres Of usefulness, and the
theological professors and their friends. who
could be spared for other work if once the
theological seminaries were united. The Adyo-
cate, in a careful review OF the efforts to unite
the several denominational branches does not
think such union either desirable or practi-
cable in the present state of UNCONVENTIONAL
thought and feeling, especially among Metho-
dists and Presbyterians. Some few Of the
minor divisions of each might proftably COM
bine, but the present diversities Of sects
do not injure the effectiveness Of the
Church, but in many things rather
help it. The Lateagencr is not very
sanguine Of the results of the conference oil
the Reformed and Presbyterian (North) com.
mittees on the question of union. Such union,
it thinks, cannot be forced, and it had better
not be than that it should create schisn
in the ranks of either Church The Observer
is slightly hopeful that though the Reformed
Synod has refused to treat with the Northern
Presbyterians on the subject of organic union,
it may, through it's committee, come to that
point yet. The hope is, however, a very
slight one.
The Independent indorses the plea Of cor
respondent, ga Presbyterian Minister" for
revision of the Presbyterian standards"
The writer shows that Calvin was not whit
less fallible than other men, and if he erred
in minor matters his Interpretation of the
mind of God may not have been correct
either. Many of the phrases in the creeds
formed in the sixteenth century, it thinks, are
clog to faith and scandal to reason, and
should be amended or rejected altogether.
The Christian Union lifts its voice against
the preaching Of sermons to phantom congre-
cations. A great many preachers have in
their minds eye company of heather and
they go on Sunday after Sunday expounding the
elementary truths of the Gospel. Other min
listers preach to imaginary congregations of in
fdels, and yet others to scholars and scientific
men. The sermons may be unexceptionable in
thought and treatment but they are delivered
to the wrong audiences. The work of the
Christian ministry is to help men in the spirit
in which Christ helped them, and to do that
one must go close to men, know them as they
are and meet their actual living necessities.
The Catholic Reuieao now wants the Catholic
women of America to do something to show
their love, devotion and sympathy for tina
Pope amid his manifold sorrows and unpar.
alleled wrongs. The Neeman's Journal sup
plies it's readers with editorial scraps of news
from the pilgrims, and the Tablet urges
union of all Catholic associations in the Sacred
Heart for mutual encouragement in the prac.
tice of Christian piety and virtue and thu
maintenance of Christian traditions among
Catholics everywhere.
The Je,cish Times appeals to American Is
raelites to remember their famine stricken CO.
religionists in Palestine, and throws back
the imputation upon its faith that the Gov
ernor of South Carolina, Moses, belongs to that
faith. There is nothing Jewish about him, il
says, but his name, and he is neither Jew noI
Christian. The Jeaoish Messenger also appeals
Tor aid in behalf Of the Jews in the Holy Land
1t applauds Herr Lasker for his manly defence
of personal liberty in the German Parliament,
and has word of caution for parents concern
ing their children.