The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-08

ture has the same characteristics, and
il Is difficult 10 imagine a revelation t.
such complex creatures as we are with
out finding some things that appear
irrecOncilable. The prayers he Offered
avoided detailed descriptions OF
Divine Being. and like the an
cient liturgies and collects. he asked foi
something at once. There were pas
sages in his suppications which showed
his knowledge of the suiferiucs Of
others in their personal atii'ction. the
fading and prospective death OF dear
relatives and friends, and the distress
and conflicts of backslidiug souls. The
vast assembly. which numbered be-
tween four and five thousand souls,
bowed in solemn silence while these
prayers assembled like sacred incense be-
fore the eternal throne. The mass of
the regular congregation consisted OF
middle-class people, and many of lower
social condition. who find at the Taber-
nacle instruction, stimulus and sym
pathy. These persons enjoy great So
cial liberty, and are unaware of the ar
tIiicIal restraints OF the potter strata of
society. Liberty in England lives in
! large towns. cities. and the metropolis.
and it has been observed that as in
villages the smaller the population. the
less is the freedom, and some hardshIps
are felt in living according TO sincere
convictions. Many OF the higher classes,
and especially Of such as yearu foi more
impulse and sympathy than the digni-
fled and orderly service of the rural
parish church can supply, arctic be found
among the wOrshippers, or often read
his sermons as their next best spiritual
aid.
Beng in Oxford street in the after
noon of the same day. there came along
the vast procession of working bakers,
who were TO meet in Hyde Park TO dis
cuss their grievances and their claims.
Flags, bands Of music, crowds OF work
men ard their sympathizers made a
vast concOursc, which somewhat secu-
larizes the day Of rest. The serious
thought was that without the labor of
these men the employment Of those
who provide and deal in articles Of
fashion and ornament, and indeed the
whole fabric Of social life would be-
come pitiably deranged.
There was at hand one oftbe stations Of
the Salvation Army. where large con
gregatiOn was assembled: aud men and
women uttered brief and imprisoned
prayers, while at short intervals there
were stirring hymns: and then woman.
probably from the north OF England.
who possessed vigor of frame. flow of
speech and force of appeal, preached
about The woman who was bowed for
eighteen years with an inbrmity.
All physicians, all remedies, all
experiments were In vain un-
til she met with Jesus, whose
love and power enabled her 10 stand
erect and pour out her ardent thanks
giyings for her deliyerauce from suffer
ing. The drift of her remarks was
about the "iniirmity" which hinders
many from standing erect. and Offering
grateful service 10 Jesus Christ. 1t
vas "infrmity," and not the grosser
evils which debase character and trou-
bic society. which was fOrclb!y urged
upon the attention Of the listeners.
The congregation was very miscelan-
eous, aud included many young peo-
pie. adults. and others, who were
young men whose rags betok"Ded
poverty or vice. or both. The lat
ter could scarcely enter ordinary
places Of worship, except the door
keepers and seat holders glowcd with
divine charity. The methods Of the
Army are deemed by many irreverent:
but reverence is a matter of intention.
There is large population in Elgland
and in London who need some IA ore
breezy methods than are found In many
congregations, where the truths of the
atonement and justification are some
times ably and edIfyingly treated: bnt
many fnd logical discOurses unintellli-
bic and unattractiye. Believe in Chnst
and obey Him is the constant topic Of
these workers: and subjects like the
freedom Of the will, inspiration Of
Scripture, and church organization.
stand in the background; like specla
tors near stormy sea, while the life
boat is nearing the wreck to bring the
perislrng TO the shore. The perfection
of the movement would be never to
disturb the members Of other commuu-
ions Though tins is occasionally lnevi
table,. and TO prepare many for the
higher teaching and larger knowledge
supplied by an enlightened Christian
MISUNDERSTANDING Observer.