The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-20
GOOD FRIDAY.
The Unconscious Ecclesiasticism" of the
Christian Mirror.
TZion's Advocated

zion AuVOcdCc
A few days ago an article appeared in the
daily PRESS of this city over the signature
IN" Supposed to represent high dignitary
of the Episcopal church, urging the united OBJ
servance of Good Friday by all Christians. The
spirit OF the article was in every way excellent.
The proposal received, also, the unqualified
endorsement of the Mirror, whose editor goes
even further than the bishop in his plea for the
holidays of the mother church. He writes as
follows:
I'VE know not precisely in what way this
most respected writer would propose to secure
the joint celebration he advocates. We venture
to suggest a possible one which we think would
be very effective. Let all the evangelical con-
gregations of this city, with their pastors be
invited to hold united service ON the next
Good Friday. AS the occasion, doubtless,
would draw together very great assembly,
the Second Parish-be made the place of gath
ering. Let the eldest pastor, say the Bishop
OF st. Luke's, preside, and around him, let
the other pastors and rectors, State St.,
High St., st. Stephens, Free st. Bap-
fist, Pine st. Methodist, Casco St. Free
Baptist Second Parish, etc, etc, be grouped
in loving accord. as the twelve at the
last Supper recined around the Master. Let
prayer and singing and tender exhortation-
perhaps sermon or twO-be engaged in. And
to crown the whole, let the entire congregation
OF believers celebrate together. as was done on
that first Good Friday eve, the memorial Sup
per, at the hands, say, of the venerable ex-pas.
tor of the Second Parish, the rector of St.
Stephens, and the beloved soldier.pa pastor of
Free street, doing all in remembrance of Him.
Could this be done, we venture to say itwould
secure such an observance of this hallowed
day as the world never saw before. The
mouths OF many caviling unbelievers would be
stopped, and the inspiring cry of the old mar
tyr times be again heard, Behold how these
Christians love one another Will the hon.
ored correspondent of the PRESS give his great
influence to bring about such a consum.na-
tion?'
AS yet no response has been made to this
suggestion, but few reflections occur to US.
Can anything more be done to complete the
harmony and happiness of this gathering? We
cannot but think that sweet as is the spirit of
these propositions they are somewhat marred
by the writer's unconscious ecclesiasticism. He
says. "Let all the evangelical denominations of
this city, with their pastors, be invited" Why
limit the assembly to these? Is it not the
Lords table about which we are to be invited?
Does he say anywhere that none but evangeli-
cal churches shall celebrate this feast? Or
does he give these the right to shut out
all others if they choose?3 And why
Free Sweet" be invited, and the pastor of the
First Parish, the venerable defender of the
faith, be left out? Why should not the new
pastor of Park st. be asked to come? Did he
not preach on Easter on "Christ living forev-
err" why should not the Congress Square
church be invited? Did not that church cele-
brate Easter with more 9clat than any other?
1t would be truly delightful to see the bishop
of st. Luke's presiding at such feast; but
would it not be still more delightful to see the
bishop of the church which calls herself the
mother of us all? Why should not bishop
Healy be invited to grace the occasion with his
presence, and to demonstrate the unity of the
church against all opposers? Are we not near
ing the Millennium? Will not the honored
editor of the Mirror give his great influence to
bring about such a consummation?