Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-16
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO MINIS
TIERS AND LAyMEN.
Expressions of Opinion by Newspapers
Representing the Various Denom-
nations, on Many Subjects.

Expressions of Opinion by Newspapers
Representing the Various Denom-
nations, on Many Subjects.
The new plan of the American Board is
thus discussed by the -4ndoUer Rerie1c ::
= Its success is now dependen; on the
spirit in which it is worked No plan
can succeed which violates the spirit of
comprehension which is now dominant in
the churches. On certain disputed points
it is settled that there shall be liberty of
opinion. The value of the new method
will ultimately be decided by its success
in conforming the appointment of mission
aries to the Judgment of the churches.
We believe that this can be done without
violating the doctrinal instructions given
to the committee at Des Moines, Spring
field and New York, if due weight be
given 10 the facts that at Des Moines there
was adopted not theological pronosition,
but only a cautionary rule, and that the
action at Springfield is controlled by that
at New York, and especially if the CON-
mittee realizes that the scope of its ex-
animation is defined and limited by the
phrase of the Manual, the leading doe
trines of Scripture commonly held by the
churches sustaining the Board If it at
tempts 10 create a standard of examina-
tion, and not simply to ascertain what
standard the churches recognize and APP
ply, it will commit the error which
has compelled the Board to make
a radical change in the long
established method of examination,
and protract controversy which there is
opportunity now finally and happily to
close. We may be pardoned for adding a
word more personal to ourselves. 1t was
from an intimate knowledge of the facts,
and clear conviction that the best inter-
ests of the Board were imperilled, that we
entered with others on that criticism of its
administration which has brought about
the present result. 1t was painful task,
and has brought its share of reproach and
alienation of feeling. We allude to this
but for one reason. The result reached by
the Investigation Committee rested upon a
digest or collection of documents and testi-
monies which is in existence, though not
published, and which compelled the assent
of every member of the committee to such
degree that all saw change of method
to he imperative. We have good reason to
affirm that this body of evidence in the
hands of the committee more than justiies
the criticism in which we have been COM
PEELED to participate. The facts are as we
have again and again stated them, only
more abundantly and cumulstively. The
full knowledge of this evidence brought
the committee to unanimity. Directly or
indirectly it revolutionized the action of
the Board"
The Conqregdtionalist SAYS: at was
surely a prudent and Christian act on the
part of DR.. Alden, aud one showing his
hearty desire to fall in with the apparent
temper of the Board, that at the first meet
ing of the Prudential Committee after
their return from Minneapolis he declined
reelection to the Office of Secretary of that
committee-Dr. Strong being chosen in
his place. For him to have continued to
hold the office, as the committee would
have been glad that he should do, would
necessarily have thrust him into various
correspondence, which might sometimes
have involved differences that would have
confused official position with personal
tendencies, so as needlessly to invite ad-
verse criticism. An agreeable surprise
awaits some good people who have been
using very hard words about DR.. Alden,
should they ever come to know him
better"
The Rev. T. A. Waterman sends the fol-
lowing letter to the Chwchman: an the
library of our General Seminary, and also
at Alexandria, are copies of the original
prayer book which John Wesley sent over
for the use of the Methodists in this
country. He wrote concerning it: II
have prepared liturgy differing but little
from that of the Church of England (the
best constituted national church in the
world), and if any one can show me a
more rational plan of feeding these poor
sheep in the wilderness, | Will gladly en-
brace it. The whole edition of this Sun
day service for the people called Metho-
dists' was destroyed, it is said, by order of
Francis Asbury, who feared that the whole
some doctrine contained therein would
keep up the old longing for reunion with
the church in this country, and like Jobs
messengers these two copies were the only
ones which escaped. The custodian of this
rare and interesting book, the Dean of the
Seminary, it is believed would gladly con-
sent to its being republished, and the work
might be undertaken by one of our do
cesar Church unity societies, as it would
be perpetual witness against secession
and revolt by keeping forward the true in
tentions of one unlustly considered a
leader in the same. The Sunday service
is almost word for word like our own;
there is litany to be used Wednesdays
and Fridays, with services for the festivals
and saints days. There is also a form for
setting apart superintendents. The Metho-
dists are agitating return to liturgical
usage, and if this book were in circula-
tion, they would be forced to adopt it or
else give up all pretext to be considered
followers of Wesley, while churchmen can
readily conceive of more lasting benefits
in other directions in the DEVELOPMENT of
historical Christianity"
The Observer Pres says: "It is never
worth while to congratulate Roman
Catholic official upon his independence OF
judgment in regard to ecclesiastical affairs.
Few men in that communion have the
courage of their convictions when convic-
tions lead to censure and humiliation.
Bishop Gilmour acknowledges having
written letter to Archbishop Elder re-
garding appeals by priests from his author
ity and severely criticising Rome. Among
other things, it said: Now l am prepared
for anything capable by weathercock. l
have not particle of confidence in Rome's
consistency either in law or in interpreta-
tion. Bishops are treated like
sophomores, and laws are only made TO be
explained by underlings. = After
all Rome must learn there is somebody
else to be consulted than Quigley, and that
Bishop is not child nor poodle This
letter having been published by a paper
inimical to the Bishop, he has issued a
card to the public which thus concluded:
TO prevent as much as possible the evil
intended by the publication of this letter
through the malice of Joseph J. Greeves
and his clique of counselors and hackers,
! hereby, and by these presents, withdraw
every word in said letter of apparent dis
respect to Rome and every word that could
be construed as doubt of Rome"
The Moderator of the Congregational
Union of England and Wales, the Rev.
Thomas Green, lately sounded note Of
warning as to the tendency to overdo re-
creation in the English churches. He
maintained that "the insistence upon the
introduction of the secular element into
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