New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
IN THE CHURCH PORCH
THINGS SAID AND DONE.


who went to hear them. The fact is-and 1t cannot
be ignored-there is in the community to-day a pro-
found interest in religion This interest is far from
being confined to protesting church members. II
felt even by those who do not believe the formal
dogmas Of Christianity, and shows itself in multi
tude of ways. Books religious questions that havs
any meat in them find a ready sale. The magazines
and review are constantly printing articles on 70
lgous TOPICS the editors knowing we'll that such ar
tices are eagerly read and widely discussed And NJ
influential newspaper nowadays can afford to ignor
the religious news of the day and the many questions
and problems that now confront the churches Iher'
is indeed some truth in the assertion so frequently
made. that large numbers OF intelligent men ans
women have ceased to be churchgoers. But eveI
the ofchurchgoers Of to-day have not lost ther
interest in fundamental religion II you talk viii
any Of them YOU will find that they distinguish
sharply between religion and ccclesiasticlsnl. An
IL is because they believe whether rightly or wrongly
that ccccsiastcsm is opposed to true religion ina
they have lost their interest in 1t. And Just her
/ would drop this hint TO the churchcs' Inc NOR
they make it possible for men to satisfy their 70
lgous aspirations outside the churches the worse
will be for organized Christianity.
After all attachments are made therefore, how trl'
1t is that still hungering to be taight aoou
religion. Glance at that sea Of upturned human race
in Old Trinity, drinking in the words Of the grea
preacher. Listen to the noble volume OF sound az
some simple old evangelical hymn is sung or as thu
Lords Prayer is repeated in unison. And then re
member that these not sickly scntimcntallsu
but hard headed Of affairs, caring little, 1t mas
be- for Church traditions and Church dOgnas, but ev-
IDENTIFY caring great deal for the realities of life ans
death, and the mighty problems Of existence. tha
alike confront the sinner and the saint So, too, Il
the audiences that heard Mr.. Moody. You saw IA
them something more than an idle curiosity TO hcr
famous, man. 1t the theme that interested
them the old, old story Of Cod man and destiny tna
enchaned their attention. sometimes wonder al tns
materiasm and the frivolty Of the age; but when
attend such meetings these, wonder more q
those who rashly assert that the age Is wnoiv
given up to materiaIism and frivoty.
Almost every week there fresh evidences OF
profound change OF thought in the Episcopal Church,
indicating the overthrow Of It's old denoninatona
ramparts Ii is startling enough to find that Newman
Smyth r. T. Munger, Lyman Abbott and DIS. Henry
Dyke and G. ii. Parkhurst are the Lenten
preachers this year in st. Georges but the tact is even
more suggestive when it is known that BisDp Potter
gave his approval TO their appointment Only few
weeks ago the Rev. Dr. Donald one OF the most
influential Episcopal clergymen Of this city, not only
took part officially in the installation o. Lyman
Abbott but formally declared that Dr. Abbott is
minister OF God fully competent TO administer tina
two sacraments. The week Of prayer was recently
observed in the Madison square Presbyterian Church
in this city, and one Of the officiating clergynen was
the Rev. Dr.. Cornelius Il. Smith, the rccto OF It.
Jamcss. And at the recent conservation Of bishop
Of the Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. thde were
seven bishops officially present who permitted. II
they did not formally invite, the clcrgymen Of other
denominations present 10 partake Of the communion
These and other incidents too numerous 10 mention
show that tie Episcopal Church is rapidly getting rid
Of the arrogant excusveDess that used 10 character
ize it, The rituasts look upon this tendency an
epidemic of dsloyaty and grieve ii nightly
but they utterly powerless 10 arrest II. Whether
or not IL is contrary 10 the genius Of the Church,
there is no doubt that it is adding immensely 10 it,
strength and influence. Indeed, from a merely
partisan point Of view, the other churches have
abundant to regret any such tendency in the
Episcopal Church. For in the of mutual fellow
ship and cathoicty that it is bringing about, the
chances are that the Episcopal Church ill gain much
more than the other churches WILL while on the other
hand. it will lose nothing that 1t will not be the
better for losing
Bishop Walker. OF the Diocese Of North Dakota, ID
having Pullman chapel constructed, in which he
Will hold services at various points IN his diocese
which be reached by rail. The idea Is novel
one, and the Bishop believes 1t Will be Of great value
in his work. there church buildings in many
OF the towns in his jurisdiction. lie says he is going
10 have one luxury IN this car which he has never
been able 10 enjoy in travelling by rail- namely a
sleeping berth long enough for him In sleep in COM
iortdbly. lie is six feet six inches IN height, and
the ordinary berth in sleepimgcar is Of course too
short for him. In his special car he Will have one
seven feet long
Christian Endeavor SOCIETIES everywhere. Gut
what is Christian cndelvorl Too often fear It IS
only artificial energy directed to The building up OF
some agency within tbs Church which is good enough
means, but which is harmful when turned IJo
an end. lou will see good men and women in all the
churches working hard increase the membership Of
some society or guild, or spending their time and
roney IN getting up fairs or church theatrieals. and
at last they unconscously come 10 look
Of Christian cndeavor. This is bad for the
Church at large and bad for the members. Machinery
necessary. and manifold organization IS essential
To the growth OF Christianity but all too apt
rccially If we have had I prominent part in building
u up And therein les the danger The only
mote religion among and If il does not do that il
i a failure no matter now large its membership
may be.
In a certain theological seminary in England a few
years ago gentleman offered prize OF gold watch
10 that student Of the graduatingclass who should
deliver the best extemporncous sermon on text Of
candidate to enter the hall where the judges and
students were assembled. and as he entered Of
preach forthwith thorough test certainly but there
ludicrous possibilities In the selection of texts.
For instance one year young man unroled the slip
containing his text, and read these words "what
say unto You. say unto all, watch One OF the
Judges a dear good old soul. had picked out this
passage without realizing It's incongruy The young
man made brave effort Il preach his level best. but
could take him seriously and. Notwithstanding
the Of the text another student the
watch.
The humOr, conscious and unconscious, Of MANY
eptlphs Is matter Of record. aud some will recall
the story Of Episcopal Clergyman formerly OF this
city, whose initials We're H. =. and who had gained
a general reputation for eyosm which, however
hardly deserved. But De that as il may, Their,
into his church sunday a lady whose
knowledge Of ecclesiastical symbolism was somewhat
meagrc. she of tlOse who credited the NJ
ports of the clergyman's egot,m. and when she saw
on the altar the sacred monogram l. H. :. she was
heard to murmur. inst like him, always putting .
big before his namc.n
Not long ago prominent lawyer in a Western town
put a handsome stained glass window In the church
which he attended. The design was the giving OF tho
law To Moses In Mount Sinai by God and appro.
prately enough the text under the picture There
IS one Lawgiver who is able to save and destroy
soon after the window was placed in the church an
old townsmai of the lawyer attended a service, and
hogan to notice the window whose beauty had been
the town talk for some time. II may be mentioned