The New York herald., 1879-03-09
Is CHRISTIANITY A FAILURE (!
Do Men Doubt Because Ministers
Grow Careless
MORE CIIRIST-LESS CREED.
Believers and Unbelievers Cross
ing Swords.

THE CLERGY TOO ARIsTocRATIc AND TOO MUCH
pErrED-MoRg WORK WANTED.
To THE EDIroE OF THE HERALD
The operations of science and the growth OF human
intellect have in the past quarter of century con-
tributed TO ward the perfect understanding OF
the Holy Scriptures and enabled christendon to draw
more valuable and correct conclusions from them.
The best minds have for long time rightly estimated
the worth and work OF preachers. but only
lately have the people generally been awak-
ened 10 this unique and suggestive sub
jeci. Now the thinking world turning
their thoughts toward the clergy in the different
denominations of the Christian Church, aud judging
them and their acts by the only true standsrd-that
Of the Master. whose ambassadors they claim - be.
The clergymen of America have become its aris
tocracy; they form privileged class allowed by .
majority of educated citizens to hold superior
place in the estimation OF society. not
rauted by the prominence OF brain power
or moral attainments they possess Somehow
we attach sacredness TO the cloth. The
profession compels our respect. and the man
is brought into notice through it, Ministers hold
Il sacred trust. They fill Offices demanding the ex-
hibiton of the noblest and most perfect qualities of
mans heart full of grave duties. Being public
teachers. and responsible in word and deed az such.
they objects Of just criticism. How many OF
them animated by the spirit OF Christ or of panlY
Who of them has determined mot TO Know
anything save Jesus Christ and him cruci-
hed?" Many OF them we know. "hoporeth
are far from him." How many ''say and do not?'
How many cry Lord. Lord" out OF a heart devoid
of the true feelings of pure Christian love? Yes.
their professions strong; their practices very
They walk not after the spirit, but after the
flesh We lind ministers to be great sticklers for
mi keen
self interest. and holding decidedly different
views regarding what they shall preach and
soft-bedded and well paid they give minimum of
their time and talents to God and a maximum to the
labor zealously, their pleasures their junk
etngs their show of wisdom and their hypocrisy.
and know that their influence is growing weaker
every day.
sabbath service consists Of a group OF moral
precepts rected in tenderest cadence to sleek and
hattering congregation. who are prepared by sweet
swells OF melody to receive the choice moral NOR
fels Meantime the great world outside are wander
ing like sheep with shepherd to lead them II the
spirit of God fully animated the hearts Of the clergy
they would manifest in their works. But is only
lbeautful theory 70 be taught sinners. Is il not
light TO believe and expect that aboundng in grace
aud controlled by the Holy Ghost. they should
dedicate their bodies and minds 10 their work.
spending themselves and being spent in the service
or the Eedeemer? Where il there q clergyman who
feels for his fellow man as to thoroughly love
and day among the poor and lowy! We
would like to them prove their Chris
tan professions; invade the tenement houses. disre-
gardng heat and cold. poverty aud pain. persccu-
ton and hatred alive TO the practical realization OF
!he great brotherhood OF man. Then would men
feel in Its trucst and strongest sense the power
OF that Gospel which envelopes the
and makes him lose his identity in the
work. The servants Of the devil serve him
with all their heart and soul; cannot Christ
animate his laborers with equal zeal? When the con-
stant theme OF noted divine is humility and the
example OF Jesus Christ. who went about DONG
good and had nowhere to lay his head. urging his
listeners T. live for others and 80 fulfil the great law
OF love- while at the same time fastening himself at
the very close OF lfe and already in the enjoyment
or unusual comforts and luxures to build costly
and unnecessary country palace and NIL 1t with USE
less articles OF cost that his senses may be
Rrathcd and bodily comforts more fully enjoyed. we
are prone to cry out. hypocrite. and think HE is
after the flesh and doth mind the things OF the
flesh The religion OF the Bible is all right, but the
preachers Of IL in this favored land many of
them all wrong. Oceans OF false sympathy have
heretofore flowed toward them. and they spoiled
by the kindnesses OF n too charitable people. 1t is
TO be hoped they will bear for awhile that yoke
which is easy and that burden which is light.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
Nh. o'coSNoR sLAsHEs ABOUT AT HIS CRITICS
MORE CHRIST AND FEWER cREEDs
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD:-
rise. sir. to a point of order. well taken In this
unique debate. for. Mr.. Moderator, in polemics.
unparliamentary mot to say ungcntlemanly and un-
christian personalities are quite out Of order II
your piebald quidnunces (every man his own pope)
garden. Baptist conference. motion to adjourn
should be put and carried; or that failing.
the mob should be dispersed unceremoniously.
Your (morc less respectable Brooklyn Bap-
tst" has libeled me. He almost feloniously) bears
false witness that have made attack on the cause
OF the Master! Oh. sr, an atrocious indictment as
false as prepostcrous. II am anti-Christian.
what is he? II am q sciolist IN not he pitiable
smatterer stsbbing pacific one anonymously But
why is my brother angry with me in particular? +?
surely your "old Fashioned Christian" in his
terrific impeachment of the clersy. should
have been "Baptists" antagonist and rccrimi-
nator. Then looking in vain land. perhaps. nlogi-
caliy) to your accompanying editorial for my vim
dicat.on under such wanton. vandal calumny my
only resource this letter. 'Is Mr.. O'Connor 30
blind that he cannot that the Churcltof Clement
VII. has given way TO the Church of Christi" Nay.
The said Church of Clement VII. IN the Church of
Christ and hath given way" to the 800 years
old chapcls and meetin houses Of Pope Henry VIII.
and his immediate successors; tor had Clement
truckled to Henry In his debauchcry the probability
Ia thats "Protestantigm" would never have come
into being at all. by water ldiosyncracy' I
meant offence; idiosyncracy simply q
peculisrity or temperament of body spirit. and
sect uprearcd upon pet sacrament only is u
house built upon sand. docs Mr.. O'Connor call
himself n member OF the true church OF ChrstY Y''
Well under leave and favor OF this
baptist" he does. dcmurey, depfecatingly. But
Mr.. % Connor finds himself unable to endorse mid
winter imner-ions Ia ice-cold Papakatng creek run
ming like n river death. II performed Il the
word In dramatic sensel In Paul Boyton like
india rubber unineftionabos. imperlling life limbs,
morals and tahern y the unitcs and prorrictics. We
know that Jordan's river IN rarely knee deep. and
that actual immersion therein was. IN and will be
impracticablc. How deep was Jordan In Christ's
time IL unknown to this postority. But what were
deluge OF water without the spirtp What is baptism
processes Christianity but possesses 10 notr For
purely sanitary purposes vaccination is compulsory;
on the scfsainc saving principle Papakatng Creek.
like imincrsions In midwnter might well be pro-
hibited.
MIR. baptist" 'dcnes' me to cite Scrptura prcce-
dents countenancing auricular confession. Can my
nuneoms trinnl show nnaht of lIs nrohIhitnnl An,