The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-01

of the Northern Presbyterian Church do
not exhibit large increase during the
past year in the membership of the
Church. We live in period of relaxa-
ton in the standards of personal religion.
The attitude of the Presby terian Church
at such time is not favorable to vigor-
Gus growth in numbers The line be-
tween the World and the Church is not
as sharply defined as it has been. There
is a widespread clamor against "doc-
trine, and there is large following in
every church who suggest that the tenn
per of the evangelical party in the past
has been too severe. Society too is per-
meated by a sceptical spirit, developed in
consequence of the materialistic tenden-
cies of modern philosophy, and by the
influence of the German destructive crit
icism on theological thought in this coun-
try and Great Britain. Loose views have
made their way on the subject of inspira-
ton; feeling of discomfort has been de-
veloped against the doctrine of future
punishment. Then there is the tendency
to get away from the more serious aspects
of religion by the substitution of artistic
effects, resulting in a sort of maudlin SEN
tlmentalism, which expresses itself in
petty observances and ceremonies and
music and floral decorations. One result
of the operation of these causes is seen in
the universal weakening of the feeling of
reverence for the Sabbath Our Sabbath
IN the Northern cities has become more
and more assimilated to the German Sab
bath, and it is historical fact that the
non-observance of the Sabbath has been
always accompanied by the development
of an irreverent and irreligious spirit.
Under these circumstances and in this
temper of society, is it strange that the
firm and uncompromising system of Cal
vim and Knox should not be acceptable
to a great many persons who want to be
religious, but who are easily persuaded
against making too serious business of
it? and is it not natural that such per-
sons should seek to form connections
where they may not find it necessary to
break so entirely away from the world
The period is, therefore, an inauspioious
one for the rapid growth of the Presby-
terrain Church, powerful as it is in this
country, and when we include in it las
we must do the German and Dutch Re-
formed churches, its numbers and its OPP
portunities for the future compare favor
ably with the churches of the largest
numbers in the country.
1t has been often said that the Presbv-
terrain Church is a WITNESSING Church.
It's cardinal function is to define, defend
and maintain the TRUTH, without COM
promises Of any sort If that truth is not
palatable to the world, if, in other words,
the maintenance of such an attitude is
not popular, it makes no difference. The
Church ITSELF wherever it be, is but an
Election from the masses of population.
and has always, in conformity with Gods
plans, been in small minority as COM
pared with the great host of the unbe-
levers. 1t is easy at any time to in
crease its apparent strength and worldly
prosperity by lowering the conditions Of
salvation, God might have caused it to
overflow the world, and to gather in its
folds all the myriads of humanity, but
He has seen fit to suffer it to 90 on toll
ing and fighting for these eighteen hun
dred years, and suffers it to stand fight
ing to-day, girdled by circle of fire.
The path Of duty for the Presbyterian
Church is, therefore, very plain one.
We think it likely that the ratio of in.
crease, as compared with other years, has
fallen off in other churches; but that.
makes no difference, the business Of the
Presbyterians is TO keep in the middle
Of the road"-and go right on, rejoicing
if there be growth, believing if the tide
Sbbs Truth is absolute and unmodif-
able. It is the same gospel to-day that