The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-21
The PRESBYTERIAN Assemblies.


eral Assembly of the Northern Church is
sitting at Saratoga, that OF the Southern
Church at Louisville and that of the Cum
bcrland Prcsbytcrians at Memphis
All these bodies are essentially the same
in doctrine and church discipline, and they
might yet together under one flag if they
could reconcile minor differences. But they
20 ON as separate organizations, and per-
haps it is just rs we'll for everybody that
they should do So The last census gave to
the regular Presbyterian body and its Of
shoots nearly 5000 congregations, aud
church cdilicos which furnished sittings for
more than two millions and II half Of pco-
pie Add to these the congregations of the
Reformed Church. rs the old Dutch Re-
formed communion is now called, which is
i'm substantial agreement with the Prcsby-
tcrans both In doctrine and church order,
and those II the German Reformed denOm-
nation, and we get q total of hard ON 10000
congregations, II larger number than any
OF the other denominations have, except the
Mcthodists and the Baptists. and nearly
onc-scvcnth Of all the congregations IN the
country. SO far as doctrine goes, though
they differ in their ecclesiastical machinery,
the churches of the COngrcgationaists-
nearly 5000 in numhcr-arc SO closely
allied with the Presbyterian family that
preachers sometimes pass from the one de-
nomination to the other and suit their new
hearers without changing their confession
OF faith.
We sec, therefore, how important n COM
munon the Presbyterian is in numbers and
in its hold ON the religious opin ions Of the
| people. 1t also has a most respectable
membership, and is very rich, besides hav-
ing the reputation Of being anchored fast To
| the old evangelical doctrines, while some
| other denominations are more or less drift
ing about on the changing sea OF religious
| opinions. Yet even the Presbyterans are
In trouble, because innovations are creeping
into their faith and practice. II all their
preachers should be put through n severe
ductrinal examination and answer honestly
categorical questions, many of them would
fail to justify their right to wear the true
blue mark. The doubts which prevail 50
extensively in the religious world, have en-
tered the fold OF CALvGS and JoHN KNOX,
and the carnal pleasures against which the
! bitter aud rcsolute Scotchman inveighed,
have a strong hold ON the majority of the
lambs Of the flock.
Soon after the organization Of the General
Assembly at Saratoga, Judge DRAKE Of
| Washington offered a resolution regarding
the improperly OF church members attend
| ing theatres, which, after debate, was re-
ferrcd to u committee. Such resolutions
are offered at all these meetings, and yet
they come to naught. Though the older
| Prosbyterians may frOwn and groan, or dis
crcetly shut their eyes not to see what il
| going on before them, the younger believers
like to see a good play; dancing gives them
delight; cards offer a fascinating entertain
mcnt and the joys Of the world seem to
them too good to be east aside. Besides,
| the Prcsbyterians are 50 often well 10 do
that fashion yields an influence over them
which makes them negligent Of the admO-
nitons Of the fathers. No resolutions that
General Assemblies may pass will keep
down their eXubcrant spirits, and the wise
heads, knowing this, are shy Of committing
themselves on the subject. JoHN KNOX
would bc regarded as nuisance in one OF
our fashionable Presbyterian churches Of
to-day. He would drive the young people
| away. and then where would the new re-
cruit- for the denomination come from?
Nothing. therefore, will result from Judge
DRARE's onslaught on the theatre, un-
less il bo mild words that the Offenders will
laugh at for not church rules but the exam
pie of society governs u large share Of the
denomination, and people are not so much
afraid " church discipline a. they once were.
What it Is fashionable to do, the fashionable
Prcsbyterians will do in spite Of the General
Assembly; and the young people will satisfy
their curiosity, all the stronger for restraint,
by going 10 the theatre.
There is, however, one matter which the
General Assembly will do well to debate with
serious care. 1t concerns the question of
preachers and preaching. The TALMAGH
case has brought this subject forward a. n
prominent one Of late, but it really has been
a leading question for ten years back. Noun
tobauk as he il, and though a man lacking
in personal honor In dignity. reverence, ana
even truthfulness, TALMAGE probably has
the largest congregation from Sunday to
Sunday Of any Psesby tcran minister in this
country or in any country. lie is SO sue
ccssiul that he can defy his brother preach
ers whom his conduct oifends and taunt
them with envy Of his popularity. While
they look out from the pulpit over many
empty seats, he tears about his platform in
the view of II crowded house, and the 'laber-
nacle can no more part with him than an
opera manager with his favorite singer or
dancer. 1t is he, TALMAGE, his personal
reputation and personal peculiarities that
draw, not the Presbyterian doctrine he
breaches.
Yet, though as an individual TALMAGr is
fortunately exceptional, the personal gifts
and peculiarltes of Presbyterian ministers
are very frequently the strongest if not Tia,
only foundation upon which n Presbyterian
congregation is built up and maintained
If the preacher Is popular, the church i,
full, but ii otherwise, some neighbOrinp
star preacher draws away the crowd. The
consequence Is that the great churches ar,
hard put TO it when they lose minister
who has the art Of attracting large congrc
cations. They are Ike theatres without 4
star actor and must hunt here and abroat
TO find man to please the people. Tho
money investment In them is SO great that
they can't afford TO mako experiments
which are failures; and rs there are few
soldiers who can command II great army
and fa1v prituu lguune Uba puu pntt,u 4