New-York tribune., 1884-12-28
IHE EELfaIOUs OUTLOOK.

The year just closing has been 0n the whole one
of prosperity for tho various denominations of
Christians III this country. The great Roman Cath
ollie communion has shown III many directions an
unexpected power and capacity to hold what ii has
gained. Its plenary council, which recently met
Baltimore, discussed matters OF the greatest IN
terest to all Christians with wisdom and mod
Grafton. And the pastoral letter issued
by the Bishops was an admirable dOcu-
ment. containing so little that was sectarian
and so much that was really catholic that
it has received the hearty praise of Protestants.
The Roman Catholic Church has great mission be-
fore it in this country aud all tsrecent utterances
indicate that it fully understands the nature and
importance of that mission. Less time is now spent
by it's clergy in useless controversies and sectarian
squabblcs, and the tremendous power OF It's com
pact organization is used to build up missions, to
succor the needy and raise up the fallen. AS mat
ter of fact the Roman Catholic Church is of the
most practical of ali the Christian denominations,
although its faith and ritual are so suggestive of the
past 1t is alert vigorous and active IN deeds OF
genuine philanthropy and during the next
decade will probably do much TO
ChristianiZe the great numbers OF Ignorant
people who have come to 1t through immigration
That it will finally make of them better men and
better citizens is fact that admits of little doubt,
of the great public outside its communion.
The Protestant bodies have had their own special
problems to solve during the past year, and on the
whole have acquitted themselves with credit The
Baptists have held their own of the strong
est Christian bodies IN the country Their missions
nj home and abroad have been well supported
their theological scminaTies are In fOurshlng
condition, and many new and costly churches have
been built by them. If no striking event marks
their history during the past year, they have the
consolation Of knowing that their future is bright
with promise.
The same may be said of the Congregationalists,
whose peculiar home is IN New-England, but whose
Influence il felt throughout the whole country.
The advocates of tho so-caled new theology IN this
body are showing themselves TO be WISE leaders for
tho time and thus far do not Justify tho approhcn-
sons first excited In regard to them.
The various branches of the Presbyterian Church
nre nble TO chronicle II marked progress IN praciica
work during the past year. with few internal
disscnsons TO weaken thom. they have been able To
prove the soundncas of their creed by the success
of their labors. kind of proof that appeals most
strongly to this ago and generation. The PreSby-
terInns haye lost mono of the sturdy ortho-
doxy which has always distinguished them,
but they have gained much In practical
efficiency. breadth of vision, and charity. and the
on look for reunited PreSbytcrlnnisn ~ much
moro hopeful than II hns ever been before
Mcthodism has been nh important factor IN the
national life of this country and It's recent Cen
tenninl Conferences shows that It Is fully alive to
the tclip OTIS needs OF the present and the future.
n Is the prcn church. building body of Protestant
lsii nrd tho pioncet settlements OF the fnr West
btsc innch Us its rnctry aud religious zral Whilc
n tins not m he fntntc hold its bwn m tlc great
riirs. " is uule srir td tbtnn ne powct m tho
tburltt.
ihe pf8ltsiaAt hBlaearai thHfeh "a slewlt btt
slesHiit eiBRiRs ~ slfeNsit aNh hNiljrt' it9
,niqaeaafF W9fk ~ the Wat a ll3iifiaiiNe aiih
lhege has heen . NGiable ReieaSe W W eefstl
mang af Whga hage elMs tlei Whef heNeNiiAs,
tlpns. in works az pFaetiea phliAnlhlgpF y %
npiilY taking inreHiq,f paSltlAli Nllie ~ S l''t
church eongrass, held at DeFroi ~ netoher, ltS
clergy showed themselves able 20 srappe Win
some of the most important soclal aud economic
problems of tho day. IL enters upon new year
with promise of abundant usefulness III the
future.
Ii may be noted In closing that inddelty as such
is making little headway inthiscountry The great
est foe Of the Christian Church in this age is not
organized nfdelity, but rather cynical lndllier-
ence which regards the claims of Christians and
unbeleyers alike as unworthy of serious consdera-
tlOn.