New-York tribune., 1882-04-23

has gone, a majority of 63 in favor of the
repeal. To many this may seem very trivial
question. One change, however, always IN
PRODUCES another. and, in the opinion OF Ihe
Aeu York Christian Adr0cdte, it is quite likely
that in the course of time so slight change as
this may lead to the extinction of the body rs
distinct organization As the differences be-
| tween this and other branches of Presbytcllan-
ism diminish, the larger bodies viii absorb the
| smaller Separation cannot be maintained
| without difference. The use or non-use OF IN
struments, the exclusive use or voluntary use
of psalms, may and will keep up separation
but let these things be given up, and the tcn-
| dency Is TO assimilatc.
The advantages of Christian union in church
work are shown, the Chicago correspondent OF
| The CongregdtiORdlist says, in very marked
manner at Hinsdalc, suburb OF that city
| For more than ten years nearly every denoml-
nation had tried in vain to establish church at
| the place. Finally the COngregationalists, who
were the first in the field, employed Metho-
| dist minister, and persuaded their brethren III
other Evangelical churches to unite with them
| IN his support The effort has been attended
| with gratifying success. A new house OF wOr-
| ship is nearly completed the congregations are
| large, the minister is paid comfortable salary,
and the whole community is happy: On Easter
| Sunday fourteen persons were added to the
| church, nine of them on profession of their
| faith. There are hundreds Of other towns,
East and West where similar experiment
ought to be tried, and where a little Christian
| courtesy would insure its success.
The ceremony of scourging an efligy of Judas
| IscaIiOt was gone through, on Good Friday,
with great unctiOn, by the crews of three
Portuguese and Maltese vessels lying in the
| London docks. a block of wood roughly
hewn into human lineaments and shape, was
| first carried in procession round the quarter
| deck of one of the vessels, and then hung from
the yard-arm. The flogging then began
amidst general and sustained execratlon.
| Each man, armed with a knOtted rope, be-
| labored the insensate block heaping upon 1t at
| the same time the most fearful vituperatiOn.
After being duly scOurged, Judas was cut
| down, cast upon the deck, cursed, spat upon,
| and ultimately kicked to the galley fire, where,
after being burned to Il charred mass, he was
| hurled amid fierce anathemas into the water.
| The sailors then went to church.
The habit of some ministers to seek calls, and
! the decreased attachment which theiI flOcks
| show very frequently i'll consequence lead Inc
| Baptist Weekly to say Pastors ought not To
encourage calls for the mere sake of having
| them, and without a serious thought OF accept
ing them. There are men IN the ministry VINO
strive for a Sunday i'll every vacant church.
They make few dollars over what they give
supply, so that at least it pays financially, ana
they may add to the number OF their calls.
These they obtain with as little conscience and
exhibit with the same pleasure rs does an In
dian warrior the scaps of his victims. More
than one man of ability has made himself nOto-
rious, and, it Is hoped, desplsed by such tllllng
with the churches OF Christ"
The Baptist ministers of Boston have adopted
n memorial to the Governor of Massachusetts,
setting forth that the annual fast day Is no
longer kept time of pentence, but Is made
a day of general amusement, and they urge
that fast days should only be proclaimed on
occasions of great sOlemnty. This opinion
seems to be shared 10y a number OF religious
journals. One goes SO far as to say that the
annual proclamation of fast day on which
nobody fasts, and people enter upon more than
usual recreation, tends to destroy altogether
popular belief in the duty and utility OF fasting.
There is a remarkable revival in progress in
the Fuh- Chan district, China, in connection
with the Methodist mission. One of the native
preachers is said to be man OF unusual power,
and is described as a thorough going Amerl-
can revlvalist." Another native, merchant,
brings from twenty to thirty of his portcrs,
clerks and servants to church regularly, and
has also purchased a bank building for the
Methodist Anglo-Chinese College.
A number of Philadelphia clergymen and
laymen have addressed letter to Bishop Hare
expressing their dsapproyal of the verdict rem
dered by the jury i'll the lllnman Sult, and
their belief that his conduct throughout the
case has been governed simply by sense of
duty to religion and that he has fulfilled that
duty with feelings of great personal reluctance
Bishop Whipple, of the Episcopal diocese of
Minnesota declares his intention OF licensing
two women as lay readers, because no men can
be found to fill the places. They are SIMPLY
licensed to read the service and such sermons
as the Bishop puts i'll their hands.
In Wales the custom of visiting the resting
places of the dead is observed Oh Palm sunday,
or as it is called there, Flowerng Sunday"
On that day the cemeteries are the most popu-
lar places of resort and the tomDs are covered
with wreaths of choice flowers.
The pulpit desk used for many years by the
late Dr. Leonard Bacon III the Centre Church,
New-Haven, was sent to honolulu when the
church was repaired, few yeais ago, and Is
now in use there in Kawaiahao church.
Professor Austin Phelps is delivering a
course of six lectures before the advanced class
at Andoyer on "The Studies of the Pastor,
with special reference to the study OF English
literature.
The net profit of the New-York Book Con-
Germ of the Methodist Episcopal Church was
sos. O64. and OF the Western Concern, $50, ,1O6,
a total OF $94, go during the last year.
The London Church Missionary Society has
offered TO contribute -, 800 year toward the
support of Il Church of England Bishop of
Japan.
Thomas Harrison has accepted an invitation
70 work next winter with the churches in
Chicago.
CURRENT RELIGIOUS OPINION.
The discussion concerning the appointment Of DR..
Newman Smyth to the Abbot PrOiessOr>hip ar An |
dover seems to be assuming larger proportions than
was at first anticipated. II looks now Ike the |
skirnish that proyokes II great battle. Ihe signs
have long portended that there would be conflict
between those who stand by the doctrines OF the |
fathers and those who are drifting mo sort OF
creedess theology. DR.. Smyth docs not seem To be