The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-16
RELIGIOUS ITEMS.

1t is proposed to erect two extensive asy
, lums for priests banished from Germany-one
in England and one in the United States.
Dean Stanley preached to the volunteers 81
Wimbledon, his subject being David's fight
with the gan. of Gath. In the course of his
! sermon the reverend gentleman remarked that
what gave such charm to the Biblical in
cident from which he took his text, was that
David, "a young volunteer sneered at by the
regular army, redeemed the honor of his
country" st.
The Rev. Dr. Osgood tells this story about
Dr. Storrs and Dr. Howard. The two cler-
gymen met ON their way to exchange pulpits,
when DR.. Howard said: ''Do you believe Mr..
Storrs, that it was foreorlained from all eter-
nifty thst l should go to Longmeadow and
preach this sermon for you?" DR.. Storrs-
Certainly TO- Dr. Howard" DR.. Howard
turning his hor towards Springfield Then
I'll break the decree. 'Hold on, says Storxs
lit WAS foreordained from all eternity that
you should make a fool of your x If half way
between Springfield and Longmeadow. !"
DEATH OF BISHOP WH1TEHoUsE.-The
right Reverend HenryJ. Whitehouse, Bishop
of the Diocese of Illinois, died at his resi-
dence in Chicago on the 10th inst.
Bishop Whitehouse had been sick but o lit
tie over week. Previous to his illness he
had taken trip Of twenty-one days in Wis
consin, and during that period had preached
forty sermons These efforts proved too
much for his constitution, and he Immediate
ly gave up work. On reaching home he was
not considered dangerously i'll till Saturday
evening, when he suffered paralytic stroke
and became unconscious. On Sunday he
reused sufficiently to recognize his children
and receive the Holy Communion but thence
forth declined gradually until his death,
which occurred at o'clock this morning.
At the time of the decease Bishop White
house was II years of age. His fame is nearly
as great in England as in America, he having
received the titles of D. D., LII. u. and D. d.
Oxon from Oxford, England, An unusual dis
tinction tor an American. He was q man of
profound and varied knowledge, and devoted
Christian His brother is on the way from
New York, whittier his body will be taken to
be placed in the family lot in Greenwood
Cemetery. t#
The PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED
STATES The statistics of the Presbyterian
church for 1874 have just been published,
with comparative summary Of five years
since the reunion. There are now thirty-fve
synods, ia presbyteries, an increase of two
since 1873; 1857 ministers, increase s.;
1916 churches, increase IA; 495, 634 commu-
nicants increase 23611 total collections for
all purposes S9,12O, 1872, decrease $5O1, 238.
This decrease is distributed between the boards
Of home missions, education, church erec-
ton, and freedmen and the relief 1und. Since
1870 the number of churches has increased by'
42O, the number of ministers by 359. and the
communicates by 46,O73. The collections
have incre ased in this period by $3.50, gu.
The FIRST kIss.-Ihe Great Danger Of Mn
isters-In commenting on the Beecher scan
Dial, the New York Observer a religious Jour-
nal of wide circulation and influence, makes
the appended comments, SO sensible and
timely, that the Press honors them with edi-
torial reproduction.
The developments of this Brooklyn tale of
sin and sorrow are directing public attention
very pointedly to the question of the relation
between the pastor and his always more or
less enthusiastic female parishloners. The
grave danger to the clergyman, and the still
greater danger to religion, which may follow
or want OF acquaintance with hui
man nature, masculine of feminine, demand
that this matter meet the serious consid-
err ton of the clergy and of society.
ANY teaching, doctrine, usage which
allows priest or preacher, or anybody else, to
step in between husband and wife, Is wrong
md dangerous to society," It is based on
social conditions, happily gone forever, and
which the constitution of American social life
md our ideas of self-respect and personal in
dependence will never allow to come around
gain. 1t is not likely, however, that any
ilrect claim by any power, or man, or Get of
nen to regulate the family relations Of Ameri-
ans will ever be seriously pushed the moment
t is resisted fa>a
The idea of the government of society and
he grasp of power by such means belongs to
past age. The practical danger now Is in
he fostering of unnecessarily private OF cont
lentlal relations between the clergymon and
he feminine members of his flock, or in the
xchange of lesser familiarities which the
moral tone of modern society forbids between
he ordinary man and woman.
The common CUSTOM for instance, of the
Minister taking the first kiss at marriage, is
pointed illustration. This custom dates
ack to the time Of the feudal robbery of priv
eyes and private rights. 1t is INDIGENOUS
ow and is probably the shadow and relic of
n observance more than indecorous Il il
ldnlged ln of course, now without thought
any history In the past, or any meaning in
lie present. but it is this very thing ofthouoht-
ssness which we are commenting upon. Let
Re Observer speak, however: ~
The establishment Of such relations be-
Veen pastor and his flock ~ shaQ secure
r him that intimacy which ought 10 exist
NY IN the domestic circle is an evil OF fearful
ndency and unspeakable danger. Ministers
e censurable iii high degree who encourage
elr people, men or women, to como 10 them
tn family matters or secret sores. Some
en- are themselves gossips and delight to
t and give all they can Of SOCIAL news, and
e more secret the richer tho prize They
courage revelations when thsir can should
deaf to everything approaching 70 scandal
Judlclous pastors discourage &miliarity on
part Of their people, especially Of the
male denomination.
For this way lies the danger. A silly
man, pious perhaps, but very soft and
allow, hears the stirring words Of her elo-
ent pastor; is reused, warmed, soothed,
alted-she thinks edit sd-and straiehtway
believes him to be the man sent 70 do her
3D. She goes to his study to tell him so;
" much enjoyment she finds in his words;
:, she writes him letter, and pours out her
lie soul full of twaddle about her Gratitude
what her dear pastor has done for her:
she lis Lifted up" by his instructions:
she loves him as friend given 70 be her
ide and comfort, and SO on, and 90 on, more
worse, running into a mawkijh senti-
ntality, u sickening map-vorahin 4; .ord-