The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-30
The Inst SUNDAY of the Year.

To-day IL the last Sunday OF the year 1877.
Doubtless the preachers will all refer to the
fact and draw from II moral and religious
admontions for the benefit OF their hearers.
II has not been year remarkable for the
progress OF the churches. The revival ef-
forts OF MOODY and SANKEY have not been
kept up during the twclvemonth past on
the large scale Of their first attempts to
arouse the public. The evangelsts seem,
indeed, to be gradually passing out of sight,
and II Ia not likely that they will again at
tract the notice they once got in our great
citics. 1t was the novelty Of their methods,
added 10 the fame they brought with them
from England, which captivatcd the public
and drew such vast crowds TO Their tabor
nacles. Now that the novelty is gone, the
curiosity to see and hear them having been
satisfied, they cannot hope to have their
Early experiences in New York, Brooklyn,
Philadelphia, Chicago, and Roston repeated.
What have been the permanent results OF
their efforts Has tho church and hae no
ligion gained by the extraordinary means
used by them for the conversion OF men
These are questions which tho dcnomna-
tions that most encouraged the revivalists
can best answer but IL Is safe to say that
the effect left by them has not been deep or
lasting, and 1t may bc doubted whether they
did not do just about as much harm as good;
whether the reaction from the religious ex-
element they created has not been bad
thing for the churches.
One Of the most noteworthy and suggcs-
tive phases Of the religious year has been
the exposure of the criminal practices OF 30
many men conspicuous in the church. The
list OF defalcations, breaches Of trust, embez-
Elements and forgcrics by highly respectable
church members Is surprisingly long, and
every few days we are called upon to make
additions to it. The preachers will do well
II they treat this grave subject to-day hon
estly and manfully, and warn their hearers
against the wickcdncss OF using religious
profession and an outward religious be-
havior as cloak for business iniquity.
Another feature of the year has been the
steady advance Of the columns OF infidelity
against the positions OF the church. The
fundamental doctrines Of Christianity are
steadily assailed by very many learned and
ekilful writer's, and 1t cannot be denied that
there are signs Of wavcring on the part OF
their defenders. We find Canon FARRAR OF
Westminster Abbey arguing away an eter-
nal hell, while in this country DR.. PORTER Of
Yale College, and DR.. HOPKINS Of Williams
both venerable seats Of orthodoxy, 80 far
agree with him that they are ready to in
stall UniversalIst as the pastor OF Con
grcgational church. The spread OF hetcro-
doxy is further attested by the cases Of DIR.
BLAUvELT and DIR. MILLER, who have many
sympathizcrs, even in the so-called evan
gclical churches.
1t is undeniable that some Of the old-fash-
Toned doctrines which have always been
held essential parts OF the orthodox thco-
logical system are now utterly rejected or
adroitly explained away by divincs who
command the ear Of the public. The preach
ers might well give candid statement to-
day Of their views as TO these efforts 10 alter
the received faith and their convictions as
10 the Importance or otherwise Of the doe
trnes assaied 1t is worth considering
whether, II hell goes, heaven will not next
follow; and the logical sequence is the denial
Of Immortality itself.
The year has witnessed m unparalleled
political crime 10 which the preachers might
appropriately refer. Ii was the consumma-
ton Of the plot to steal the Presidency by
the Inauguration Of HAYES. The 4th Of last
March was very black day in our history
and the disastrous career of the Fraudulent
President since he took possession Of his
stolen Office furnishes a fruitful theme for
the moralst.
wise and thoughtful minister may
gather the materials for very valuable
sermon from the events OF the year Of which
this is the last Sunday.