Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-27
What isA Church.

What is q Church.
There are two theories about the
Church-the mechanical and the spirit
ual. In the former organization and
ritual is everything, in the latter the
spiritual relation of men TO Christ con.
stitutes the ground of hope. In his fifth
lecture before the Yale College students
Chancellor Howard Crosby, of New York,
declares that in the mechanical theory
Of the Church, an inquiry into the con-
nectiOn Of the minister with the source
Of spiritual life would be unnecessary.
For, By that theory, men are nothing;
authority and ritual everything. Grace
descends through official channels, not
because they are gracious, but because
they are official. This theory will allow
an external seemlinesS as cOnfOrmed to
official dignity; but any inquiry a. 10
the condition OF the heart would be con-
sidered absurd. A BOrgia il as good ~
a Paul. ConsecratlOn Is not disturbed
by sin. But contrary TO this is the splr-
ltual theory OF the Church, the only
theory Of the New Testament, as well as
the testimony Of history; for in history
the nominal church has again and again
proved itself no church at all. The spir-
itual theory regards the inner divine life
OF the soul a. vital 10 the Church or any
part Of il. A church or any part OF a
church, says Chancellor Crosby, which
has no divine life is an appearance and
not a reality. Removal from IL Is not
schism. Opposition To it is not rebel
lion. Official dignity does not alter the
truth OF these propositions. Outward
organization NAV exist, and men may
conveniently call il a church, but the
New Testament Is not there.
The New Testament Church differs
from the Old Testament Church in that
the latter had national side, which the
former has not. The external reality
which continued in spite OF spiritual
death with the Old Testament Church
has no place with the New except as the
spiritual life underlies II. When that
goes there is no life at all, whatever men
may style the corpse. The kingdom that
Christ was To establish differed from the
Jewish kingdom in that it was not 10
he Of this world. Ii was to be spirit
ual kingdom, and therefore would have
an external appearance in the world
only - far a the spiritual life thrObbed
beneath it 1t il true of the church As
Of the individual Christian, each exists
only as he has the spiritual life With
out that the Church il no Church-the
Christian is no Christian. In the old
dispensatiun il was different. II the
spiritual life died out still the Old Tesla
meut Church vas "a church and the Jew
was a jew. The rituelistic and prelati-
cal organizations have overlooked this
fundamental difference in the structure
of the two churches, and have built on
their error most fatal practices.
Tho sunday Dinner
Golden Rule.
There il fine, though often uncOn-
scious, sense OF the fitness Of things in
the prevalent household custom Of hay-
ing the best dinner OF the week on sun
day. BY little wise provision, much
Of il can be prepared on the day before,
and the actual work in cooking be No
more than is usual and necessary; and
il the lady or the daughters Of the house
spread the evening lunch themselves
the faithful helps in the kitchen can
have the latter part Of the DAY % them
selves relieving the custom OF a good
SUNDAY dinner Of the objection that u
makes somebody do too puch work.
Among the reasons ior,in some man
npr signalling this meal, We should
name. first, its influence upon the moods
oi the family. The members are com
monty all together--in many cases for
the only time during the week. Busl-
ness IN cities detains the father in town
School or other occupation keeps the
children from dining with the family.
Hut ON Sunday they all are present, and
the most should be made Of IL The
mInd Is care free. There is plenty of
time. The stomach isn't abused by
bong fasting, or haSty stuihng, or by
fret and worry. A. u is too apt to be on
other DAYS The fool may be tasted.
enjoyed aud seasoned with that best
sauce, after sppetlte-Couyersatlun
and happy soCiality. There is time, too,
for entertaining the sentiment OF grail-
tudr. Too seldom IN this busting age,
do ~ stop to think with true thank
tulness Of the constant care OF our daily
wants. A mumblel, s,erotyped, and
too often graceless grace form
without the Spirits made 20 do duty
Cor that beautiful feeling Of gratitude 10
the Great GiVcr Of all good. which Is
ua,ural 10 the heart in It's calm and hap
" experiences. Once week, al least,
should the busiest man eat with a tine
appreciation Of the truth which Jesus
spake; Your heavenly Father knoWeih
Oh 4 We have need OF all these things.
here are many little customs adopted
10 ami,ies that think the art of living
wrI not beneath their study, which give
an d.litional charm On the sunday din
nrr The first fruits OF the year are al
WavslrOught forward on that occasion
We bite appreciate the sentiment 81
tina, NeCuuve and successful home
NAKED who insists on having straw Der.
ries, sseen peas, and all other good
thingsh their season, make their first
appearance a, the family dinner on sun
fay. Ar choicest table service and
bIigh,rA flowers are brought into reQui-
stion togiye.dis;inction. To this meal.
AL the rrsult = that the hour IA vel
sNs.l asla slouhled pleasure, aud en-
49, 70 - proportion A happy
hoza - Z - Of the sweetest OF sab
- and Zee things VAL con
&nIss if5h' k'rrhsntAr IN
II VAe 2sOersasous.
In 10 eourss Of a DISCUSSION in the
Phila.flphiA Methodist conference, a
slerxysnin charged that bishop had
a.nsal..l and received 500 ior giving