The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-27

adjoining of Christmas trees. So engaged with
these preparations for the celebration OF the
birth of Christ that all other religious duties are
in measure laid aside. Seeing these things, it
from the lips of noted Presbyterian divine
denunciation of the celebration of this holy day,
because it was out relic of barbarism, and
originated in Bacchanalian feast In the
the unity of the churches may rest may not
the claim lately made by Presbyterian
ID. D., in an article Tin the Century
magazine that liturgical form of worship
with the Book of Common Prayer and proper
observance of the different divisions of the Chris,
tian year. is the only ground. be a true onel
When we lay side. by side this PRAYER,
book and the book of doctrines and
discipline of the Society Of Friends,
and see that in both the Apostles Creed" is
given as the general foundation principle of all
religious belief, (that in the book issued by the
Friends being accompanied by the passages of
Scripture from which each article is taken.) we
begin to think that the assertion of Bishop Coke,
at the convention for the discussion OF this
unity Of the churches" that the apostles
creed was the only foundation of common belief
upon which all evangelical churches could
unite, was not false one. These are questions
and thoughts most pertinent to the Advent sea-
son and the coming Of christmas tide"
The thought of the advent mission now be-
ing held in St Josephs Catholic Church, in this
city, brings us back to the consideration of COS
pei temperance, that being special feature of
the work in this mission. The Roman Catholic
Church is showing both wisdom and foresight
in this matter. Recognizing the fact
that it is a tsolid foundation
ignored or laid aside without leaving a weak
spot that undermines and renders unstable all
other church work, total abstinence" is being
urged upon the communicates OF that
church, and its principles enforced in
compelling all candidates for confirmation to
take VOW of total abstinence from all intoxl-
eating liquors until they are twenty-five or thir-
ty years Of age. The result is that here in In
diana the total abstinence societies of the
Roman Catholic Church have larger member
ship than all other temperance societies.
Does this indicate that the higher powers
of this church feel the necessity of
this mission work for the promotion of temper
ance, in order to preserve the strength and VII
tality of the church? If so, does it not indicate
that any branch Of the evangelical church,
claiming to be agency for the evangelzing of
the world and bringing it to Christ,
that does not preach and practice the
teachings OF purity for body as we'll as soul, In
that it may be fit place for the indwelling of
the Holy Ghost will inevitably fall behind in
the Christian race, and be but feeble agency
for moral and religious teaching in a
world that, while it may not practice
goodness in life or profess it in word or deed.
fails to reverence or follow those who. profess
ing to teach it, fail to do so from the highest
stand point of Christian purity! Is there any
connection between the Church Temperance
Society" work that has been aggressive, both
in England and the Eastern States of our
try and this magnificent importing of the masses
of the people, both cultured and igno-
rant to listen to the teachings and join
in the services OF the Episcopal Church
in New York? Can any branch of the church
afford to leave to outside organizations the work
of gospel temperance" which the Protestant
Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic
Church are pushing forward so earnestly, as a
work of paramount Importance in securing the
purity and safety of the church9
JOSEPHINE r. NICHOLS,
President Indiana w. e. r. U.