National Republican., 1883-10-27
mend the sick, the aged, and the beloved to nj.

mend the sick, the aged, and the beloved to HI
tender compassion.
No record OF tho past holds out promise of a
perfect balance in ecclesiastcal legislation be-
| tween loyalty TO unalterabo truth and due re-
gard to what is variable, but none the less actual
In the needs of society To the law maker, the
theologian, and the pastor alike 1t must always
cost an effort to adjust in satisfying harmony
the contending claims Of old with new uncom-
promising oreeds with honest movements OF re-
lgious thought, the constitution and verities Of
KINGDOM which can never change with these
inferences from fixed standards, which must In
eyitably shift with periods and degrees of knowl-
edge within the wide limits of the mind Of race
Ghost. Many Of the most perpiexinS problems
before center in this conflict. Not few Of the
most serious perils that threaten both the faith
life can never be separated from the faith.
But in this strife we cannot do better than to
plant our feet In fresh confidence on that founds-
climate or social circumstance, or scientific dis
covery. or phiosophic speculation. We have a
as It is indisputable.
We stand on the fundamental and all--includ-
ing truth. revealed as throughout the Scriptures,
so especially at the beginning of the gospel of the
blessedsevangelist st. John, central in the mys-
teres of the faith, central In the order Of divine
ever TO be taught to men the only guide 10 their
salvation, is the fact of the Word made flesh and
SEd%nS % TS s%Sns al ne% peoSsed
at first in the fact OF intellectual subtleties sngu
lary keen and delusye It still opposes to the veI-
efectual barrier in three fold fprmin Scriptural
authority in the highest and pdrest reason, In the
deepest spiritual intutions OF the soul. There
involved in y the primal elements Of all divine
knowledge-the fatherhood of God, tho moral
necessity Of redemption, the perpetual energy of
| and peoples of mankind. What man wanted was
reconciliation with the infinite goodness. wisdom,
and Justice above him. Il was not to be found,
distractions of his own mind, or the
works of his own hand--a one.sided atone
mn iaNfA ala an
with no lining power. The incarnation includes
atonement as II includes every article OF the
Sreeds cree every mi9istraon M Of grace, all the forces
OF II proceed tho only infallible rule of personal
duty, the only absolute morality, the only unfca;
tion and completeness Of society, all iturgies, all
orders of service, all healing charities When
these are seen flowing from the unity OF the sim
gle but twofold person Of the Son Of God and Son
of Man, bringing down from on high in O heav-
emily manner to all believers unspeakable, and yet
most practical gifts In mystical sacraments, in
work wrought by oonsecrated women and men,
the kingdom Of Heaven will be recognized as the
refuge of the world. The universal heart Is de-
ceitful, but 1t was made for God. When
prodigals of the Senses or prodigals of the
mind, come to themselves they come to Him. and
watch the drift Of the best thinking among
brethren differing from US aud from one another:
We see In clear apprehension among them Of
this fontal truth the promise of a recthcation OF
much disproportioned theology. We're there no
better Language II might be said that the church
eyents-the sure deduction of history from the
birth of the Eternelly Begotten of the womb of
the ~, Virgin Better language there is: we are not
philosophy: The church is not discovered at the
end Of line of argument any more than by
the realm Of spiritual things, as in institu-
tons and refornahons on the earth.
ES Sm Virtual airy ytno: sSnoFssS snT or. ssiiGns s1 81
ancient heresies and half heresies, can the truth
Of the trunity OF God be preached, but only by
the clear atiirmations in the old symbols setting
before both the mind and the heart of man per-
sons to be loved and adored-the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost. Not by misty conceptions Of
mere messiah Of humanity will penitents obtain
pardon of peace, OF. the world, the flesh and the
devil be snbdued, but only by the cross of Christ
ist and our articles behold II, not by
ingenious intermixtures of uncertifed mira
Cnacorda, Ces nineteenth century ereeds and
will orthodoxy and liberty. law and love the old
things and the new things Of the instructed scribe
be maintained together, but by loyalty to the one
aye call me Master aud Lord, and ye say, we'll,
for so am" The Lord knew the master then is
the master still. The Lord of Israel is the Lord Of
America, for He and the Father are one. Let His
ministers be not afraid to proclaim the Incarnate
God, or kneeling congregations be ashamed to
adore Him. Superficial thinkers meaning to be
progressive decry doctrine That will be wise only
;n when men cease to live In the long run as they
preston of the man and character everywhere the
fruit of faith.
Tho letter then treats of emigration, and
says: "In the action of this convention talk
ing measures to provide Christian caro- for
the immense mass of European emigrants
daily arriving at our seaports and lake ports
and distributed over the continent, there is
pointed out line of usefulness peculiar to
our condition open to clergy and lsity alike"
The bishops next take up the question of
the desecration of marriage vows and handle
it roughly The public schools arc also re-
ferred to and great care in their administra-
tion is advocated.
The letter ends in triumphant reference
to the success of the church, spiritually and
financially.
METHODIST CONFERENCE.