New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-26

Granting that there is a god deal of scepticism,
and lamentmg its disastrous influence on public
pOIals Ours is far from being the worst OF ages.
The historical scholar cannot tan TO recall many
periods when error was more general ana stronger
than it is TO day. >. The best test is the unpara-
leled pubc interest felt in the Word of God.
Never before have the Scripture, been so eagerly
read nor so illuminated with learned comment.
The zeal of holars in discovering cOllatng and
tianslating manuscripts Of the Bible II only
equaed by the desire of the masSns who demand
millions of the New revision III single day. Alto
grther the outlook is hOpciul.-llhc Christian
Union.
President Garfield represented fifty millions of
people and il was like a shot at the nations heart
when he fell and get, with all such considerations
clustering about HIM, he was only man. his life
was but human. and The deed OF his assassin can
be named by no darker terms than apply IN every
such crime. Had he been a bcggar, "a fricndless
walf on the stream OF life. IT we're murder TO slay
him. But this great tragedy has been the occasion
OF yOcng the sentiment of universal man respect
ing the value Of life. 10 was life with what 1t
sgniicS that gave force to this episode in history;
n, one life as dearer than all Others not gifted
life in preference 10 all common lives; not oGlclal
life i'm distinction from unofficial, though All these
considerations intensified the case Bot had ihere
not existed IN the heart OF hearts OF the Nation
sublime appreciation of lfe any liie all HE. life as
"a principle an opportunity. IA pllce'eSs pos
session, as unutterable responsibility. the up
ri.lug sentiment would not have been 80 anaLlng.-
The New-lorK Observer.
Crankism is a MIXTURE Of selfconscous vanity.
nm ingredient OF dcpravlty. IL Is liable To be mis-
taken for fanatcisn insanity or ordinary rascaity;
but II is not any of the three. III the crank bad
a little more sense aud was no better morally tnan
Inc sometimes u.s. he would be a villain; II lac had q
little more eXcitablity and n fixed delusOn, he
woujd be luu atIc if he had less vanity aud more
moral principle, lie would be "A fanatic. When tho
crank is viewed in one aspect, he eXcitcs pity as
nan co,ao0s Beatis in another, wrath criminal;
IN another a partial belief that Inc Is merely "A
cere gnoramns Cranklsm shows itself IN religion
i'm times OF great revival and also time of dead
ness. is not 50 likely to appear in a state OF
ordinary prosperity ia the Church. II occurs more
frequently among the unmarried than among tho
married. though some dreadful have been seen
among the married. Spoiled children of both sexes
are liable TO it, Proper discipline would have pre-
vented IT. We knew case of cranksm IN which
tine Selectlnen Of town IN Connecticut Instructed
a man to chastise thf adult member of his family
who was cranky, aud II wrought transient cure.
Crankism may get into a theological chair aud send
out a generation of cranks CrankiSn NAV get into
the pulpit Woe to the church whose crankIsm Is
in the pulpit it may DO dOetrInal crankism then
the people are blown about by every wind OF doc
trine; 1T may he oratOric cranklsIn; then tho
groundlings will laugh while tho Judicous
grieye -; IT NAV be religious crankism; then tho
best people in the church. if they 40 not iall IN
with every within of the pastor. may be denounced
a. on the way TO hell. Beware Of "crankisni.
1.-The Christian Advocate.