The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-18
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.
Continued from LIST page.)

During the past six years the number of infant
baptisms in the Presbyterian church NORTH
has at no time reached 10000, while the Epis-
copal church has baptized from 10000 to 80 600
annually. This indicates that there are fully
three times as many infants baptized in the
Episcopal church in proportion as are baptized
IN the Presbyterian church. The disproportion
probably grows out of the fact that in the Pres
byterian church it is generally required thatone
OF the parents at least shall be a member of the
church, while in the Episcopal church the chill
dren OF the whole congregation, whether mem
Der or not, may be baptized.-P Presbyterian.
Rev. Mr.. Sprague, OF Indian Orchard, Con
gregationalist), has prepared responsive service
for his church, with the Apostles Creed and the
Lords Prayer, repeated by the congregation
and ne will also preach a short sermon to chill
.dren every Sunday previous to the regular dis
course.
The GERMAN REFORMED CHURcH.-It was
announced some time ago, that peace-oomnois.
sion which had been sitting in conference upon
the questions In dispute among our brethren, of
the German Reformed Church had reached a
harmonious conclusion. 1t is now believed that
the two parties can and will unite together on
the basis OF the venerable symbol of Heidelberg.
and so by natural and not forced process
come into close practical fellowship. We heart
lily rejoice In this result not only because it is
reasonable In itself, there being in historic in
depreciation of the old symbol ample room for
the different tendencies of the time to find free
play but because now the whole weight of the
body can be thrown into the great work which
lies before the Christians of this generation
Our German brethren in consequence of their
numbers and distribution, are potent factor in
the development of national life, and, with union
and concentration of effort, must be felt more
and more widely. Every friend of Christs
cause Will pray that the good understanding
now attained may be perpetual, and that its re-
suits may be speedily seen in the gathering of
rich harvests alike in the East and the West.
we believe that the prosperity of each of the
evangelical denominations of our land is a mat
ter of interest to all the rest The whole con-
stltute one body, according to Paul's favorite
Inquire, and one member cannot suffer or grow
without affecting each of the others-Christian
LnteIHgencer.
BAPTIST RE-oRDINATIoy.-The puzzle in re-
gard to the reordinaton of MI. Losch bv the
Baptist Council is stated clearly by the Phila-
delPhia correspondent of the Watchman. ban
tst), Of Boston - think am correct in saw
ing that in New England the candidate would
nave been recognized as a Baptist minister per
haPs with public services, perhaps without but
not ordained or re-ordained, since he was always
Christian minister. In the South and South.
west he would have besn ordained as a matter
Of course, on the Landmark ground that there is
no church but the Baptist, and no ministry but
the Baptist. Either of these two grounds is
consistent. Here we regard our Presbyterian
and Methodist oathren as Christian ministers
and exchange with them, while yet we re-ordain
them"
In view Of the action of the Assembly two
years ago favoring re-inskllation when ruling
elders arc reelected, and the recent discussion
and decision of the Presbytery Of 81. Louis,
upon the subject, the question was asked at the
ministers meeting in Rochester, whether one
VINO had been, or was now in charge of a church
'nsV elected its sessions according to the term
RUE mad ever reinstalled reelected elder A
NUMBER responded that they had been. or were
pastors OF such churches for many years, in one
instance not less than forty but not one had
ever performed such a service. nor did thew AN.
prove OF it. The term rule is not dssignsd -
give instability to The session. and il was The
general sentiment that the appearance Of 4
should be avoided 1angelist