The New York herald., 1874-12-20

roun,>ed, symmetrical ones that, as we are taught
win be needed TO stand the test OF the lastday
nss pe rSe % Cnnese or ae az nudeo
would not tNlnk OF converting his temple or Joss
house into srocery store, ancy oazaar for
gambling saloon, and yet they are offered reIi.
pion which does tNis year alter year apprevngiy,
and with the Alternative that he must snbstituts
this religion for his Own or be damned. Was thers
ever such carcature upon CNrisuantyr wen
are Dns 10 .ny % hsnas
answer his own question. "rhose with wncn
was wounded In the house OF my irieads."
AWAY WITH SUCH sPURIOD5 CURRENCY
lor the religion Of Jesus OF NazaSetnl he
snss ssowns y. Il Is none Of Rls: LIS pres. .nss
the genuine article is in existence. else the cDun-
terleit would not be tolerated. But Il H none the
ana as such IL should be scourged OF the LORDS
semipies rai,pps Wherever It may be found, and given
pies Or In Christian homes.
with such type OF Christianity as the best
nineteen centuries Of studying and S preaennr the
doctrines OF the New Covenant Is IL any wonder
that cnris,,anity reeedes before the incoming TIDE
OF tauonansm, thhdenty, 1rreliglon and pagaEism
from Europe and Asiaf Heathenism tries at least
to be consistent With itself: but Christianity
SHOWS itself to be about the most incon-
slstenr thing now current. II Condemns
vice and immorahty In worldly places, bas
own snrtnes. II the experience OF nineteen cen-
turtles is worth no more than this TO the Church.
as many OF opponents predcs 1t viii die before
great WHILE 1t Is but natural TO look upon the
BEST and at Christianity as Inferior to Nohammed-
antsm. Buddhism or any other ism when Its follow
ers ana expounders oner no better exhibition q
this.
PLAUSIBLE rRErExrs FOR RELIGIOUS SHOWS.
But what plausible excuse can be given for thiD
caricaturtng OF Christianity by It's professed fol-
lowers and teachers9 In most cases 1t is 10 iqui-
date debts upon the church, the parsonage or tho
Sunday school, In q few cases IL Is to raise iunda
ior charitable and religious purposes. Therefore to
change the old adage little the better the place
the better the deed" The end sanctnes the means.
Is Is all designed for the Lords work. Therefore
church societies. so poor that they must resort to
means like these TO raise money! Not nt all.
One Of these churches indicated has wealth
enough represented In IT on any Sunday in tho
year not only to hquidate whatever debt rests
upon sne ,, ediacs put TO buy out hall dozen
another there are dozen men VIII could easily
ngure out one and hall or two million OF dollars,
for which their names would be taken IN any
bank In New York. In other churches indicased
there are men worth individually from So, 900 70
$30o0O0 but they are too poor to give money to
the Lords service unless they get little sido
show thrown In about Christmas time along with
too. profess TO be wholly devoted to Christ and 70
bold their wealth simply as stewards OF Hts
OF the un seMars nncy pnr o
his shrewdness.
sELFsHNEss AND PHILANTHROPY ON PARALLEL
LINES.
Notwithstanding the growing philanthropy Of
this age. 1t Is thoroughly selfish and sefseeking
benevolent and Christian objects unless they caN
see 81 in prospect for it. Hence church fairs,
tableaux pantomimes and side shows OF dl 1erene-
kinds are resorted to to obtain that which should
he given cheeffully as unto the Lord by those
whom he has abundantly blessed And not only
the churches, but their denominational organs,
have taken up this spirit aud practice IN another
phase Of It. And hence. to induce men TO pay 81
or So year for weekly billet OF religious news.
they must get FIVE, dollar picture or some.
thing else as bribe. But the same men
dnd little or no difficulty IN paying $l2 or 500
year for secular papers that offer no such induce
menrs. What Is the moral OF thlSs Can the stream
rise higher than Its source BY and by II this typo
OF religion continues to prevail we shall expect to
see the churches offer similar premiums to peopi0
TO get them to attend their services at all. Indeed
already many or them tell us In their weekly ad-
verusements what extra attractions they otter In
the way OF 1ne music, vocal or Instrumental. or
sensational topics OF discussion In their pupits.
But the masses show that they can distinguish tho
counterfeit from the genuine, and they let tho
organ or the quartet waste their sweetness on the
desert air and the sensational preacher pour forth
his eloqnence on empty seats-a just retrlbutlon
for such inndehty to truth and to God.