New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-24
IN THE CHURCH PORCH
NOTES AND OPINIONS.

Though the new theology movement in Consregs
tionalism appeals most strongly to young men, It's
best known leaders middle aged or old men, Pro
fessor Egbert Smyth. of Andover, Is perhaps the best
known of these leaders. At any rate, the brunt OF
the fighting has fallen on his shoulders. lie is a man
past middle life, and though harsh things have been
said abont him in the heat Of theological controversy
he exerts a remarkable influence on the students, as
much because of the holiness and beauty OF his char
acter as because of his brilliant abilities. Professor
Edwards A. Park, of Andover. the leader OF the con-
servatives is nearly eghyone years Of age, but his
eve is not dim his natural force abatcd, as tho
liberals have good reason to know. He by all odds
the most eminent Congregational theologan now Nv
ing. His memorable controversy with Princeton
few years ago marked him great and original
thinker The publication OF his studies In tieoiogy
will be epoch in American religious Thought when
that event will take place, 1t is difficult 10 say as MS
fastidous taste is all the time causing him 10 hoid
back his manuscripts for further revision The fact
that two men opposed 10 each other are professors
In the seminary shows how inclusive modern
CongregatOnalism is. "Here,' says writer In "The
Northern Christian Advocate" are two men, men,
bers Of the church, subscribers to the same
creed, equally sincere in their firm holding to the
principles Of that creed who differ widely in some OF
their theological opinions. Think Of the vital power
and mind stirring influence OF Protestant theology
which fact like this sets forth. Anything Is better
than sagnatiOn Is the glory Of Professionalism that
loyalty to her two great principles. the supreme au
tl0ry Of the Bible and the right OF private judgment
insures at a healthy progress and continual
to'the first principles o. Christianity. Creeds
impoent to prevent this progress as dams are
to stop the flow Of mighty river"
That genial old Christian optimist DR.. Cuyler. does
like Saratoga in spite Of some Of its objectionable
features Probably because there is an atmosphere
Of gladstone lightness about the place. for the doctor
can't bear anything gloomy. Writing from Saratoga,
he says
"whcn man comes for his forteth season to this
best known of all American watering PLACES he cannot
expect to discover much that is new to him. And
do not come hither for novelties or for exploring
colossal hotels or for gazing at long lines OF snowy
carriages and fashionable folk ont their dresspsrde
The boy who dips up the tonic, iron charged water
from the old Columbian spring. gave me familiar
nod, If he would say, Ive seen you here before
| fancled that when I pOked handful OF beech
leaves IN through the ratings to the deer in Congress
Park there a look In the old bucks eyes that
betokened a kindly recognition The familiar faces
greet In DR.. Strong's hotel parlor; the familiar airs
sung at our daily household worship. Hundreds
that used to meet around yonder springs-Murray,
Alexander, simpson, Dodge, Harper, Ferd Smith,
Bishop Haven, and other men Of God-have gone up
to drink Of the crystal waters before the throne.
Memories hang thick on all these naples and elms.
honestly say, thank God for the invigoratng airs
and waters and for the long years of sweet fraenal
Intercourse of Saratoga
"The Congregationalist, Of Boston, IS trying to
prove by the admissions Of Baptist papers that Bap
list churches do not regard other churches real
churches Of Christ. "An regular Baptiss," il says
" hold that Church be truly Christian which
does not take the view which they take as TO
the amount Of needful for baptism; that God
cannot accept nor bless any view on that subject
however cOnscientiously held and however accom-
panied with the manifest and fruitful works of the
Holy Spirit, which is other than their own and that
~ fha
Iaborers not enthusiastically valid" When one sect
thus tries to drive another sect into theological
the only result is that both parties lose their tenn
per and shrek out their shbboleth little louder than
before. As matter Of fact every sect has some
features in its poty which it hardly pretends to live
up TO- but which it will vigorously defend when they
are attacked.
Continual attention." says The Examiner" Of this
city, should be drawn the unique collection Of
Baptist records that being made by Mr.. Samuel Col
gate. 1t has no parallel in the world Already over
$4,000 books and pamphlets are stored in his library
| in Orange, y. J. Here is the happy huntingied for
all future historians The days of historical romance
will fade away in the face Of this severely accurate
testimony When completed and finally stored in tho
room prepared for II in Colgate Unversity traveIers
It's rare collection Of BAPTIST treasures and the stream
memory OF the pons founder may be duly honored in
the pleasant rural shades Of Hamilton
II.
pastor Of st. Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church Of
this city. has been twenty-five years in unbroken work
in the ministry Of his Church. He has had SIX con.
secutive pastorateS in this city. covering period OK
seventeen years, the only record Of its kind In tho
Methodist Church. As secretary Of the National
League for the Protection of American Institutions, ne
is emphatcally the right man in the right place
In 1865 there practically no Christians in ia
pan. In 1873 there were 5000 In l7s6 there weEo
i 900. And az the present time there are 3O,OOo
out OF total population Of 30,OO0,0O0
The Tribune recently printed paragraph about the
difficulty OF getting clergyman TO Oficate al u-
neral In Maine town. owing TO their absence on va
cation. AprOpOS of this, a correspondent writes as
follows: ." It seems that the family who expected clcr-
gyman's presence had no recognized church relation
pastor 10 whom they could 90. They had ecoS-
nzed duty their part 10 church or clergyman.
and probably contributed nothing. They did not ask
his pastoral presence. The undertaken requested
to provide a clergyman. Just as he would provide
horses ard hearsc and bearers. wita one difference
only The undertaken. hcarse horses and bearers
paid for but the underaker's clerical assistant gets
no fee The notice short and immediate. Fiji
suffice for clergyman to interrupt other appoint
ments perhaps very important Ia meet this call But
il seems be implied that clergyman IS false 10 his
duty. If he is not always at home and ready at mo-
ments call to meet the summons Of an undertaken TO
20 as his clerical subordinate 10 some one whO eX-
cept as "A burial a marriage. acknowledges no duty
TO Church. and contributes nothing for its support.
Query Would it not be honorable to pay some fec.
whenever ore who Is not a member contributor In
the congregation demands ocrgyman's servicesf'