The Portland daily press., 1875-07-14

OF time. But mourn forever over vague gener-
aNtes Oh an lndehnaole something negative to
an ideal success-and what becomes of good
name and fame, of good faith and hone. of
good effort and good help?
When some venerable name of long. .denarted
goodness is proposed to be added to the roll of
saints in the Roman Calendar, there is func.
tionary familiarly known as the Devils Ad-
vocate," whose duty it is to bring forward
whatever can be alleged against the candi-
dates claim to so high an honor But when
we of the Protestant way are all struggling to-
gether against a common and confessed evil,
setting up no personal pretensions to peculiar
sanctity, we deem it our right most pontedly
to rebuke any gratutous assumption of what
should seem to be a most unwelcome Office.
Let the adversary attend to his own affair;
and put the burden of proof upon him to the
utmost. Let him be well defied and resisted.
1t is the way of principle and just as certainly
the way of expedienoy.
L once saw a fine illustration of how this
works 1t was at meeting of "the Congrega-
tiona Union of England and Wales in Bris-
tel, the year '65. A brother of frowning
s'SpSS0 "Hu ulIlS6lI
to tell what lie knew of the unsound teaching
in some chapel of the order, 1 think in London.
But he had hardly developed his drift, when the
moderator arrested him with an indignant and
shattering rebuke, as if he had been the very
Accuser himself, "Why," said the moderator.
me might come into my congregation, into
any congregation, and make the same repre-
sentations" British honor was scrupulous
about the time and place and method of even
honest criticism, and would tolerate no accusa-
tions, till he that was accused could have his
accusers face to face. The solemn brother
asked to explain. "Mr.--wshes to make an
an apology the moderator with
marked emphasis. He did make an apology
sincere and humble apology. He said he
was wholly wrong. All "devips advocacy
was exercised for the days of that meeting.
submit that it will not be religious influ-
ence that will make US forget the law of hon.
or which we ought to have in virtue of our
British blood. Vague rumors, suspicious, sur
mises-what of them? There is no place or
time for them. Are men unimpeachable, as
things go? Then support them. Are they i'm
peachable? Then somebody is responsible for
knowing it and taking due action upon it. In
any case, the honor of Bowdoin College is to
be preserved inviolate, or the honor of Ortho-
dox Congregationalism is in danger
Heaven forbid that l should enter upon any
defence of the religious influence exerted In
Bowdoin College. L should as soon think of
vindicating the religious influence of ''such an
one as Paul the aged" And as to any assur-
ances of different religious influence, Chris.
tian men should hardly need to be reminded
that it is dangerous to ask for new assurances,
when by SO doing you dsparage or deny the
old. What of the covenants by which all the
members of the Congregational body are
bound together? Will not they answer for as
surances? AT any rate they are worthy of being
taken into account
For myself have faith in the Congregation.
alists of Maine. They are friendly to the Col
lege and not ashamed of it. They would like
to be genial to the institution,-they would
even enjoy indulging in little enthusiasm, If
their leaders would only encourage them. Es-
pecially they ought to believe what is certainly
true; that it is not good fellowship to talk down
the Christian men of Bowdon College, as if
they were of worse influence than their breth-
rem in other positions. 1t is my solemn belief
that one word of faith at Augusta worthy of
the real character of Bowdoin College would by
the grace of God, have wrought miracle. 1t
would have ruled the moral sense of the hour
and would have been worth thousands of dol
lars to the funds OF the College. But there will
be other opportunities.