New-York tribune., 1883-03-11
crRRENT RkLLGLOUS OPINION

What have the secret societies brought to Ire
landf Not any recent measures OF reform. These
were fought for ana gained ~ open Parliament by
the rrpGesentatNe OF resolute people. lhoy have
brought only disgrace, treason and the viltst
crimes. They have tried madly 10 throttle her Just
as she was beginning to breathe Read the tesl
mony OF Carey. " one of the stanchest men In the
ordsrr and learn how the history OF secret societies
repeats itself When "a man baptlod IN the Holy
Catholic Church takes the oath Of one OF these SO
cietes, he does 10 in defiance OF God; lie swears Oy
a God whom he turns his back. or what value,
then can tho oath OF "A recreAnt Catholic bef lie
may fear the vengeance OF his companiOns but his
oath is idle since he binds himself To defy the
Church of tho God whose sacred name he takes IN
vain. So long as secret societies exist IN Ireland,
80 long will Careys be produced. There is One
danger which the ZeHlous friends OF Ireland would
do we'll to nvord,-the danger of y, rmltting their
indignation against Carey to lead them into Sppar-
ent sympathy with the secret associations winch
are responsible for the ourages that English organs
lay ut the doors of the Irish people -ltreeman's
Journal.
While Nlhllism has been threatening Russia with
social chaos, there has been quietly going on
deeply interesting religious awakening among the
peasants especially in the southern part OF the en-
pIre, that betokens good. The name given to tie
subjects of this religious movement Is Stundlsts
hat Is, they are prayer-meeting persons Ihey
meet 10 read the Scriptures sing gospel hymns and
pray. A town where the Stundists have established
themselves is distinguished from other kusslan
towns by its cleanliness and thrift the dininutlon
OF drunkenness, the prompt payment OF puDiic
taxes the industry. fruganty and honesty of the
ure of necessity. tears of WIFE or children, no
prospect of certain ruin, could Keep peasant
from ndulgIng drunFenness. But what none
of these things conld do has been accomplished Dy
the grace of God through tho instrumsntaIty OF
these Irayer-meetings. And not Ia the South 0i
Russia but in 81. Petersburg anu in Northern Cral,
these evangelical meetings have been established.
The priests of the Greek Church and their adherents
oppose them fercely but still the work goes ON.
This Is the bow Of promise In the storm cloud that
overhangs Russia Religious Herald.
EASTER DECORATIONS. The cnstom OF decorating
Our churches with the choicest flowers OF the newly
risen year is beautiful and expressive one. But II
NAV be made expressive OF n truth lar dllerent
from that meant to be taught at Easter. so long
as the flowers are the free-will offerings OF mem-
bers, 1t is al right But when they are bought o9t
OF tho funds tho church or Sunday school, FUNDS
raised for quite different purposes, thon u is All
wrong The display of many dollars worth OF how-
ers in church may become nothing but an EXPIRES.
sion of culpable extravaganza, insAppropratlon ot
funds or even or actual dishonesty. churCh that
has not paid Its debts has 40 right to buy flowers
for decorative purposes cnnreh tnat negiects its
selfish TO give to iu share to the collections for our
missionary ana other general causes has no right
indulging in luxuries and ornamenatiOn, lest even
these become shame and reproach 10 you
lMoravian.
GEasy diyorcesr are the shame and disgrace OF
these States, and of the Professionalism which en-
courages or cOndOnes them. Up IN Connecticut, IL
seems where divorces were easily enough procurable
In the past, their Legislature sho determination
TO Increase tho number of causes for which divorces
may bs granted. Indiana. in the past used TO be
considered the most lax In the matter OF granting
these nominations but let them take care OF
Connecticut wi outstrp them IN the ignoDle race Oh
laying those dangerous foundations for tho disin,
tegraton OF society and the disruption Oh tho
ties OF the family. The latter cannot Do assaled OF
MOI e. sneak of the danger such States are OF in
crcasiDg the anger OF q just God'-lCalnoic ieie-
graph.