The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-15
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

pr. Boyd, Baptist, ST. Louis, reports
himself at work ''in the midst of powerful revi-
val" but feels obliged to take time to write
long letters to the Chicago Standard and other
papers, Justifylng his church for setting apart"
sometime Presbyterian, Rev. H. T. Morton. to
the Baptist ministry without reordnation. DR..
Boyd says that his church, of its own accord and
without advice from him, after Mr.. Morton'g
immersion, accepted the advice of the Council to
set him apart and did so in solemn service of
prayer, but without the imposition of hands. In
that action he fully concurs. Onr Baptist
friends generally escape doctrinal disputes. hav-
ing fewer heresy cases than almost any other
denomination. Their differences centre upon
the mode of administering ordinances and on
this they unquestionably exhibit marked signs
of vitality Christian at Work.
DIR. Herrick johnson has Just been
scathing the Chicago theatres in terms of in
obscene" "a an abomination," "murderous.
full of filth and pollution" This might be ex-
cepted to IN some quarters, but when the
Chicago Times says the American appetite for
the drama fastens on female characters con-
spicuous for the lack of chastity" and on plays
noted for lndecency and laxity of morals it
must be confessed DR.. Johnson has good wit
ness of the truth of his charge. Old Satan
could well afford to literally endow some
theatres.
The entire musical portions of the
services IN our churches should be made strictly
part of the religious services The worship Of
Almighty God, and the edfcation of the people
by prayer, praise, and discourse, are the ends to
be aimed at. Everything, therefore. that IN
any way or degree tends to interfere with this
purpose and true nature of public religious wor-
snip, should be suppressed or removed. There
should, therefore, be few musical performances
IN our churches in which the people cannot ioin.
disp2apsy there should be no mere musical
we mean In which SIti97yo of Singers-performances,
dumb spectators, as at a concert mere listeners
hlbition. Such performances are not and csX-
not be reckoned to BE- part of religious wor-
ship. They are destructive of the spirit of devo-
ton Western Christian ADVOCATE.
Another political crisis has been
developed in Egypt and the chief minister,
Cherif Pacha, whom the Kh6dive appointed at
the instance of the army, has been forced to
resign. The Notables, the legislative assembly
of Egypt, sent deputation to Cherif Pacha,
and formally requested him to sign the draft of
a proposed law. Cherif Pacha referred them to
the Kh6dive and they thereupon proceeded to
the palace. The Kh6dive deferred his reply to
their request, and summoned the English and
French cOnsuls to a consultation, in the course
OF which Cherif Pacha arrived at the palace and
rendered his resignation The correspondent of
the London Tunes says that public opinion at
j CdIIO sIIOuBly IaVOrS turkish intervention un-
der the English and French Commissioners
The Notables" are the mere creatures of the
army, and Araby Bev, the leader of the troops
Is reported to have had a stormy interview with
the President of that body, during which he
pointed to his sword and spoke threateningly in
regard to what the Chamber might expect If it
swerved an inch from the path prescribed bv
the military. The state of Egypt is now but
little removed from anarchy The event derives
ITS chief Importance from the fact that England
and France decided recently to use active meas
ures If Cherlf Pacha was ousted or the KhGdive's
authority menaced.
-Monsignor Justin, Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Besancon, in eastern France.
some time ago received from a wine merchant a
/ present of a cask of truly excellent red wine
/ described as suitable to be used at mass Being
struck by the quality of the wine, and by its low
/ price, he recommended it without scruple to his
clergy. The vendor consequently received manv
orders but the wine which he distributed among
/ the lesser clergy was of a very different quality
from that which he had presented to the arch
bishop. Yet it was a wine that tasted we'll and
the majority of country cures who used it had
no suspicion that 1t was anything but pure un-
adulterated Juice of the grape such as the rubric
enJoins shall be drunk by priests when saying
mass. One priest however, more experienced
than the rest, went to the expense OF having
the wine analyzed, and then it was found that
this extraordinary beverage did not contain a
single drop of grape juice. Great was the scandal
which resulted upon this discovery, and the
archbishop was oblig d to order that ali the mass
es IN which the spurious wine had been used
should be annulled This decision was an
nounced in the pulpits Of about hundred
churches.
-Itis mentioned as sample of the
way in which certain Superintendent did
things that passing by a candy store one dav.
ne learned that the stock within was for sale
lie walked In, bought the business out, and took
the candy up to the Sunday school and divided
it among the children. OF course he had a
large school. The churches could all be filled ir.
similar ways.
Oscar Wilde attracted to the Boston
( Music Hall, last week, an audience which filled
every seat. Sixty Harvard students appeared
IN full-dress coats and knee-breeches and carry
ing lilies and sunAowers. The esthete was hearth
] Iy guyed, and showed unmistakable anger.