The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-27

The Rev. DR.. Nevins. a distinguished
Presbyterian clergyman OF Philadelphia,
has started a discussion in that city which
is attracting some attention not only there
but elsewhere, by letter, published in the
Press a week ago, ia which he states that
"the religion Of the gospel is not advancing
with the steadiness. solidity and strength
which marked its course 8 generation ago.
He was speaking of Philadelphia, but the
reasons be gives for his opinion, that religion
is making very little progress IN that city,
apply with equal force 10 all other parts OF
the country.
Dr. Neyins says that the dreadful moral
desolation,n which was one Of the results Of
the civil war, has done as much, If not
N no than anything else 10 make men
think less seriously Of sacred things and to
impede religious progress. The champions
OF iuGdelitv have taken advantage Of the
mental and moral condition in which the
civil war left the people, and have been in
dustriously working t. make doublers OF
christians. Christian ministers, instead Of
devoting themselves wholly 20 their relIg
ious duties, have answered from the pulpit
the advocates Of infdeity. aud have thus
raised doubts in tie minds Of their congre-
cations doubts which may not be ex-
pressed, but which nevertheless exist, and
tend to keep people away from the
churches.
Another thing which, Dr. Nevius says,
has hurt the cause Of religion, is the re-
vision Of the New Testament. Alterations,
which changed the N naming Of tho text,
were made, many Of them apparently with
out much authority. The consequence was
that thousands who looked upon the Bible
as the word Of God, aud never thought Of
questioning its divine origin, felt that "dl-
vine truth hal been shorn Of its most
solemn sarction.'
Dr. Nevins believes that too many minis
ters are anxious 70 draw large congrega-
lions, and create q -euation, rather than to
teach people low 10 be saved. They do not
preach tie 9, spe' nurs and simple, but Sc
lect topics that attract attention and
handle them so as 10 amuss rather than to
produce a convic. ioa Of the necessity for
living in accordance with the divine com.
mards.
No doubt Dr. Esvins' criticisms are, in
the main, just; but ii is very doubtful if his
| conclusion that chris. aEI-y is making hit q
or DO progress is correct. Some Of his
| brother clergymen in Philadelphia 90 not
think It is. Archbishop Ryan published a
| card in which no showed that during tho
year 1883 there ! ad beon graft ing in
crease in that city in Catholic churches,
priests, ecclesiastical students, children in
| parochial schools, etc.
| Rev D.. McCook, a prominent Presby-
tariau minister, furnished for publication
some Interesting facts, showing Dr. Noyiu5'
CONCLUSION to be incorrect In Philadelphia,
in the last twelve years, the commute mt
Of the Preebvteria church have increases
| from 5000 to SO 01). In that period the
increase in the p population Of the city has
been q per cent, . the increase in the
| COMMITMENTS Of the Presbyterian church
a. Ter cent Doubtless other clergy
men could furnish figures pr wing tina
the christian religion has not lost it
hold upon the people, and is no. likely to
aud that Dr. Neyins' gloomy view Of tn,
RELIGIONS situation IL not "a correct one