St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-16
SUNDAY MUSINGS.

When one reads of as many as fifty
persons coming forward aI once and
''ehtering the altar" at revival meet
ing one is forced to the conclusion that
the "altar' at a modern evangelistic
service is something very different from
the solid structure of wood or marble
which forms the most prominent feat
nrH in Catholic place OF worship. The
'.anXious inquirers" at the 'mercy seat"
evidently mean an enclosure OF some
kind when the speak of an "altar;" and
this reminds me of story which was
told with much enjoyment by a distin-
gushed bishop of the p. K. church, who
attended the Pan-Auglican conference
in England. In describing a solemn
function which too place within the
historic walls of Canterbury cathedral.
the reporter stated that mo less than
torJy-iive bishops marched slowly up
file aisle. and took their seats upon the
altar" adding That the 'incident made
a marked impreSSion"-aS IL probably
did-upOn the altar!
$
In the face of the many tremendous
social and religious problems which are
engaging the attention of thoughtful
men and women of all shades of Opin-
ION, it is astonishing how ministers can
waste valuable time over the discussion
of uneuifying and even frivolous queS-
tionS. l have more than once heard
preacher consume much time and paper
i'm proving that lone drop of SaviOr'S
blood was sufficient to atone for the sins
of the universe Not to speak of the
absurd uSelessneSS of such contrOyer-
sizes, the re is something diStreSSlngly
painful to a rehlied ear in the familiar
style, bordering on irrevereHee, in
which mOmentons sacred subjects are
often handled. 1 he schoolmen of the
middle ages we're not wont to
spend any more time over practi-
cal questions than do many of
their modern SUCCESSORS. A favOrite
subject for debate in medieval times
WAS whether an angel, who is supposed
to be without cOrpOreal parts, can pass
from one point 10 another i'll the uni
verse without passing through any or
all of the int rvening points. Another
''burnHg questions" of the day, over
which the scho0lmen Wrangled pro-
dlgiouSly, was: "How many angels
can dance on the point OF needle?"
After many mighty lntei!ects had re-
duced themselves to a state of mental
exhaustion, the question was finally SET
tied by the production of the following
profound syli0gism: "A point is that
which hath neither length, breadth nor
thickness; an angel, being spiritual
essence, hath neither length, breadth
nor thickness; argO-any number of
angels can dance upon the point of a
needlen"
Considering the fact that ''no revival"
al ll1te1
which did not include an unmerciful on
staHe mt on the Episcopal church, it is
very interesting to learn that Sam Small
has. applied for orders in that com:
munion. The truth is, Sam Small al
ways was very much super. or 10 his en-
yir9nments in. the evangelistic busi-
ness. He is naturally agentleman; and
in addition to being a good deal of a
scholar. he is an original thinker and
brilliant speaker. Altogether, the
Episcopal church may he congratulated
ion the acquisition of Rev. Sam Small to
its ministry. ay ~
DR.. Magae, bishop of Peterborough,
aud the most eloquent prelate in Eng
Land, is not afraid to denOunce the sins
and hypocrisies of those in high places.
As the uiShopiS a distinguished menI-
Der Of the house of lords. and many of
the chief sinners in Great. Britain are
hereditary ornaments of that august
assembly, DR.. Magre's plain.sBoken ut
terances often have chance to reach
the ears of those to whom they are most
applicable. Speaking of local option
the other day, he advised the house of
commons to make a beginning with
their refreshment bars, and he drew
vivid picture of Legislators hastily swal-
lowing 'brandy-and-sOsla," and then
rushing into the Hobbies at division
time to vote in favor of measures to
force their neighb0rs 10 drink cold
water. Good for Bishop Magee!
The same prelate is noted for his
ready wit and quickness of repartee.
Once. when he had occasion to take a
train from country station, he reached
the platform just as great local mag
nate of his acquaintance drove up. The
train was about due. the noble lord was
tiustered and nervous and SwOre rOnndly
at one of The servants for his awkward
neSs-fn managing the luggage. Turn
ing suddenly round, lie encountered the
mirtnful Irish eyes of Bishop Magee.
L he earl ap0lOgiZed for giving way to
profanity within earShOt of dignltary
of the church, adiing: You know, my
lore, am plain man, and always call
a spade a spade.'' The bishop quickly
replied. II am glad to have your lord
ships assurance that you always call
spade spade. as, Judging from what
have Just heard. should have supposed
you would call it "a damned old shovel F"
THE NEtsS IN NUGGETS.