Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-10
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO MINIS
TIERS AND LAYMEE.
Expressions of Opinion by Newspapers
Representing the Various Denom-
nations, on Many Subjects.

The Presbyterian Banner remarks: "The
Subcommittee on the Permanent Organi-
zation of the Worlds Fair at Chicago in
1898, at its meeting in Philadelphia, made
bad start. 1t is said that it was unani-
nous in expressing the opinion that the
fair should be open on the Lords day. If
this should be the final decision, it will be
source Of deep regret to the great body
of the people of this country. We hope,
however, that different course will be
adopted. An enterprise such as this can
not expect success if it sets at defiance the
convictions Of the great body of the peo-
pie, the law of the land and the law of
God. Those who have this matter in
charge might as well settle this point at
once, so that the people may know what
to expect and how to act"
"a church is not made free by simple
abandonment of the system of pew-renting
or pew ownership, and resort to various
criss-cross methods of raising a revenue
remarks the Wdtchmda "a church is
made free by the spirit of its members and
attendants. We can easily imagine
church advertising free seats that is
really not so free TO the public at large as
one in which every seat isowned or rented.
The spirit of hospitality, the welcome
shown to strangers and occasional church.
goers, does far more to determine the status
of church as free or as as private corpo-
ration than any specific tenure of seats.
We all OF us have friends in whose houses
and gardens we are more free than in the
public park, with its signboards and eau
tions not to pick the flowers or walk on the
grass"
''Had the dreadful disaster which befell
on Lake Pepin a week ago Sunday hap
pened a generation earlier, what warnings
would have come from pulpit and press,
on the consequences of breaking the Sab
bath p says the Christian Leader. at
would have been clear case in which
God had Enthusiastically stricken in His
wrath the wicked people who had pre-
sumed to break his holy law We have
doubt if we shall be permitted to see,
single instance in which the dreadful
event will be turned into a warning
The change in this regard that has come
over the public mind is so widespread
and deep that the smalles. of sectarian
zealots are compelled to abate the zeal
that never was according to knowledge
Once the plague. cholera, and even minor
forms of pestilence were regarded as tok-
ems of Gods wrath upon a sinful world
Now they are seen to have their occa-
sions in climatic and sanitary conditions
in which human sinfulness is hardly so
much a factor"
The New York Independent says: "The
Committee of Arrangements for the Epis-
copal Church Congress has withdrawn its
invitation to the Rev. Mr.. McQueary, of
Ohio But it should be understood that
the invitation was withdrawn not by way
of yielding to the criticisms which have
been raised by his appointment, and not
because he has uttered heresy on any
questions, no matter how fundamental,
connected with the doctrine of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church. Under the
constitution of the Church Congress any
person in good canonical standing may be
invited, and when opposition was made to
his appointment, the very fact that he was
complained of as being heretical was really
reason why he was appointed, as a pro-
test against theological exclusion But
the case is now altered. Mr. MacQueary
has received warning from his Bishop. and
the first steps of ecclesiastical process have
been taken against him. He is now no
longer in unquestioned canonical standing,
and under these circumstances the Com
mittee of Arrangements have felt it their
duty to withdraw the invitation we regret
they ever gave"
The Je,ciSh Messenger says: "The citi-
zens' movement In New York may be an
indication that the silent class is organiz-
ing for action. We trust it is. But it
must take warning from the fate of other
citizens movements, loudly heralded,
which died an early death, unwept and
unsung. 1t must disassociate itself from
all who would make it machine for their
own political advancement. 1t must be
pure from the start. II must be broad
enough to represent more than the kid
glove interest. The great body of our
working population are no less citizens,
and they are as profoundly interested in
clean government Let us have no sepa-
ration citizens movement, to succeed,
must be free from cast and hypocrisy. 1t
must spring from the people and be re-
cruited by the people, depending on the
people for its power and inspiration. 1t
must have confidence in the people and
their innate love of righteousness No
class, no body, no individual should be re-
garded as insignificant. 1t must send its
workers among the tene ements as well as
brown stone fronts, and the humblest wage
Garner must be taught to recognize that
they are his truest friends"
at is lamentable fact" says the En-
aminer (Baptist). "that many ministers
have very different standard of conduct
when off on vacation from that which
they maintain at home. With the black
coat and stiff collar they put off their
usual social and moral code, and with
flannel shirt and felt hat they put on man
ners that would astonish their best friends
The people who sit in pews are not able to
see why a man should not preserve the
manners of a gentleman, though he wear
a slouch hat, or why Christian proprieties
are inconsistent with a corduroy Jacket.
Many ministers are less careful about their
conduct when away from home than the
average layman. We know one preacher,
famed for his eloquence, who is an ardent
fisherman, but so currish and boorish that
he can with difficulty find boatman to
row him We know another, of conti-
mental fame for missionary zeal, who spends
weeks at summer resort without once en-
tering a neighboring church of his own
faith, that languishes for lack of the help
he might easily give. One might hastily
conclude that such men ought not to be in
the ministry at all, yet the praise of both
these men is in all the churches, and this
lapse of theirs is evidently due wholly to
carelessness, to undue relaxation of accus-
toned bonds. Evidently there is reason
for circumspection in the ministerial vaca-
ton"
The New York Observer says; Cardinal
Gibbons talks of reaction against Puritani-
cal customs. But there never were any
Puritanical customs in the countries where
"a sacred Sabbath is most despised and
hated In Great Britain and America the
sacred Sunday has been for some genera
tions an incalculable moral force, spiritual
blessing and material advantage. 1t has
not been in any danger of being made OPP
pressive or injurious by unnatural severity
or unreasonable restrictions. 1t is always
in danger of being damaged and destroyed
by the greed and selfishness of those who
would like to have work or play on that
dav as on any other. innocent recreation
is the invariable plea which is put forth
for the obliteration of the Sabbath. This
In ~ H. 49,, ,,Lon vVa have the great