New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-05-26
TIE c0yvfNn0NS or THE WEEK.

Half a dozen of the principal religious ana
rcformatory bodies have been in council during
The week just closing. Full reports OF the
proceedings Of each have appeared IN oul col
umns, and our readers doubtless have observed
that there is one feature common to all, which
i the absence of the usual cOmbative spirit
and the increased prevalence of a broad Chris
tan charity. Sixty years ago synods and con-
fcrences wee gatherings of hald-headed, hard
listed. well-meanng men, Tor the purpose of
dealing apostolic blows and knocks at the
devil-the devil meaning in especial those
who differed with them on the subject OF bap-
t,m or church government or predeStInallon.
Ii was a noticeable sign of the times,
too, that wine or good jamaica rum
was always within easy reach of the
members. The grandchildren of these ortho-
dDx divimes question the use OF WINE at the
sacrament. and send fratclnal greetings to
each other, Prcsbyterians, Methodists, and
Clmrcbmen striking hands in hearty fashion.
Their energy now is devoted to the CONVEX
sion Of the heather at home and abroad. me
Methodist ProtestantS in Baltimore moved
with new spirit in this matter; the Presby-
terrain General Assembly in Chicago reported
an increase OF seventeen to their band OF
foreign missionaries last year, besides large
number sent to our own lndians,' and urged
The pushing of the work in spite of the heavy
Encouragement given by the Eastern war,
INDIAN famine, and hard times at home.
The American Baptist Union, in session at
Providence, WAS perhaps the most enthusiastic
of ali, declaring their intention OF pr s,inS
mi,,lonar, work IN Europe and Asia during
the coming year with undated zeal. As a
sign of che sincerity of this zeal heavy debt
resting on the Missionary Board was almost
paid by subscription during one meeting,
amid tUmU!tUtus applause. All tins IS very
cheerful and hcaitening But just one word
to our Jealous friends. May not the success Of
their work he retarded 10y the same mistake
which their gIandlather> made? TIE mission
any nowadays appr0achc, the jew on lIiudoo
or japanese pretty much as the COycnartcr
and Churchman met iii old times. He treats
him as an ignorant dcprayed human beng,
wholly wrong; the devil has posses ION
of him. Is me quite sure of that is the
devil certainly nj work under urban or long
Gueue7 The C0ycnauter thought hc was TO be
found under the flowing cullS OF the Cavalier.
Is there not noble character earnest desire for
iiiliN, -llptE it'li@i''uH lt-'lf - WI! 80
which the great Ail-fathcr Las made! It is
the finn conviction Of the most eminent Chris
tian teachers to-day that the only way to meet
Inc As'atlc is to study his religion profoundly,
and discovering what is true IN il, leave that
MS basis ON which to build the faith OF Jesus.
The mistake made by THESE churches is in
sending cut any ualouS missionary VINO
offers, too often clcr-ymcn, good in intcn-
tious but weak in intellect, OF cnthu>ia tic
young women vino know absolutely nothing of
tie religion tb,y 20 to overthrow religion
profound in philosophy, and supported by
minds ,hc most subtle and learned in the
world. Money alone will not give this good
cause success, nor the innocence OF The dove
unless ii be supplemented by the wisdom of
the serpent.
Another Jealous national conference WAS
that of the Good TcmplarS in Maine, we'll
known and useful temperance organization.
Their work has been literally carried into
Africa this year. We would suggest caution,
however in the matter of Juvenile Good
TcmplaIs. Don't let them be too young.
The lad with down on his lip is apt TO look
with Scom and disgust on a pledge co1Xcd
from lin before his milk-tecth were fairly
cut.