The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-31
Arc They Really in Earnest '

Tho Prcsbyterians at Saratoga opened up
n question on Tuesday which Is always
sure To set some Of them on fire. IL was
that Of tho Pope and tho Church OF Rome.
In 1875 the General Assembly gave the pas
tor and the convert the right to decide as TO
tho validity Of Roman Catholic baptism.
That was manifostly a compromise agreed
upon TO dispose OF matter about which
there was variance Of opinion. or course
the Presbytcrians, like all other organized
societies Of people, have the right to estab-
lish their own rules regarding the admission
of new members, and II il their own bust
ness to say whether their baptism by other
than Presbyterian ministers shall or shall
not be n satisfactory administration OF tho
initiatory rite.
But at Saratoga the subject was revived
by the Offering Of now resolution In which
the Pope came in for castlgation and the
time OF the meeting was taken up with its
discussion, though IL proposed nothing
important. Everybody knows that the
Presbyterians think very i'll OF the Church
of Rome and its head Their whole history
teaches that, and there are 80 many i'm
portant and practical subjects for debate
OF which the General Assembly might take
hold, that 1t seems useless to spend hours or
oven minutes in repeating expressions OF
dislike without reaching any conclusion as
to tho means Of overcoming the organiza-
ton which 1t says "is corruptng and
degrading to large part OF CHRIsT's
Church"
II what they affirm Is true the Presby-
terians, convinced that they have a purer
religion, ought to set TO work with a will TO
stay the advances OF Church which Is
doing men so much harm. Yet while we
hear them debating at Saratoga over tho
baptism OF converts frem Rome, how many
such converts are thoy nakingY They are
few and far between, 80 insignificant In
numbers as 10 be hardly worth talking
about. while the Church against which they
are Ringing their resolutions Of aversion is
drawing off souls from the Presbyterian
communion TO as great or perhaps a greater
extent.
Rather than spend their breath in as
sailing another body of Christians, might
not the PresbyteriaDs better save 1t for the
discussion OF the needs Of their own Church
They tell US that the Roman Catholic priests
are energetically planting the faith and
practices OF Rome in the far Western Terri
missionaries there are few. They are be-
wailing the lack Of theological students, the
number OF their churches exceeding tho sup
ply of preachers; and some OF them observe
with regret the disposition Of their richest
congregations TO send abroad for pastors.
These things indicate that the activity OF
the Presbyteriaus is low. and that they are
in just the condition to invite the encroach-
ments OF Church like that OF Rome, which
is always alert, and never content unless it
is advancing its lines.
How can Church expect to make an ag-
gressive campaign when the zeal for its
doctrines is so cold, and its followers are SO
supinc that there is not even a sufllciency
of preachers to proclaim them2 How fee
BILE must be the hold Of their faith on the
Presbytcrians when the sons OF their rich
believers reject its ministry, and the poor
young men refuse to undertake 1t, though
free drill and education are offorod them
Our Presbyterian churches are among the
best filed in the city, and better dressed
congregations you do not see anywhere in
the world. No fault can be found with the
propriety Of their behavior in the meeting
houses. They listen patiently and politely
or with manifest interest to the sermons.
and the choirs discourse music TO which
they give suitable attention, while dccorous
silence is observed as the ministers de-
liver their long and short prayers When
the contribution boxes are handed round
they are not left empty though the price Of
a pew is a heavy burden on u man unless he
is rich.
But their stock Of ministers Is small, and
so lacking in the required ability that they
must import preachers to suit them; and
while the rich old men and the enterprising
young men are ready enough, perhaps, with
their greenbacks for the cause, none Of them
are prepared to offer themselves or their
offspring for the performance Of what they
claim is the highest duty of mau-the saliva
ton Of other men! II they really and
heartily believed that they had the medi-
cine for which the sick souls OF their fellows
arc in desperate need, would they not
hasten TO profler it,
But they don't do it, and meantime the
| Church Of Rome is pushing forward its
| lines with the advance OF civilization west
ward. II Rome is corrupting and degrad-
ing TO a large part Of CHRIsT's Church" as
| they say, why do not the Presbyterians
| close up their ranks and march forth to check
| so dangerous foe They certainly act as
If they did not feel very strongly regarding
the matter, though their words are so hot.
While their enemy seems TO be minding his
own business, and working away as if he
really was in earnest TO accomplish some
thing they stay behind abusing him. Docs
this look as if the Presbyterians were likely
TO succeed
MacVeagh.