New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-16

certainty
is her conceded wealth. 1t may at first sight
doubtful whether riches be regarded Of the
privileges Of a church Of Christ In themselves con-
sdsred they cannot be indication OF moral power or
usefulness nevertheless they do acquire according to the
heat known principles Of ethics morality well as
strength when viewed trust for Gods glory and the
good OF world. 1t is often alleged that our Church
owns and controls money than any other In our
land One OF our congregations In New-York City is
said to possess than hundred million dollars II the
repor be true Presbyterans OF Chicago have under
their control not In their possession three hundred millions
NJ dollars This fair sample OF what Is found IA other
cities and communities East and West 1t certainly
Great prvege be entrusted with much Of Lords
money If have grace to use it as good and faithful
stewards.
Notice:
MANY OBLIGATIONS Conceded.
II. The obligations arising from these privileges.
Unto whomsoeyer much Is given, OF him shall much be
required" Our Church is under obligation, in the first
place TO develop all the possibilities OF her Seripura
government. Had she done this during the past
century, her strength and numbers would be today far
greater they She should aim 70 elicit at once all
good that lies potentially in her elders No other
branch the Church boast OF such body OF men
standing pledged to every good word and work. Their
whole number is supposed TO be nearly sixty thousand
They are recruits, but veterans known
In their respective communities for their godly
lives, general intelligence and large experience.
They represent all grades OF society and
every calling In life. Among them are farmers and me-
chsncs and manufacturers editors and uni
versty professors physicians and lawyers United States
Senators and peers Of the realm princes royal and pres
dents Of Though they important order Of
New Testament officers yet the Church has not made all
the OF their and talents warranted by Scripture
In theory they glory. but in practice they have
not Welded what they done and the fault Is
hers She magnhcd the Office and held the elders
esponsibe what they have sworn to PERFORM The
earnest diaen elders should put shame those who do
not seem to have any responsibility willingness
10 perform the Office The solemn ceremony
Of ordainlng ONCE In the Church that has no
duties connected with 1t should cease There is no reason
why Presbyterian Church should not develop from her
eldcrship body helpers that will efcient
assistant pastor Of the Episcopal or the lay preacher
OF the Methodist Church.
1t the duty Of Church to exercise more than
has yet done her Presbyteria powers If she Is to
continue in the doctrinal paths she has
occupied past tho Presbyteres must watch with
greater into her ministry. The number
Of candidates ordination who reject OF the funda
mental doctrines Creed is said BE- the increase
Some do not hesitate TO assa the doctrine OF IN
spiraon Lords miracles, the necessity OF the Atone
and the eternal pr nishnent OF the finally mntcnt
After Offering explanation the views expressed and
modifying few Of the most Objectionable statements they
usually ordained Popular preachers with very little
sympathy with Cavinistic Greed are called 10 ial
pulpts Of many Of our influential churches and
not q few uneducated ministers from other denomi.
nations find their way into our fold because
they deem it more inviting than their own. At the
present In these classes the doctrnal
status Of our Church will be impaired. If the
growing laxlty in the direction have indicated goes
on loud cry will presently be raised for creed that
will bind minister to specific system OF belief.
undue narowness of views or unreasonabeness
In practice Presbyeries should exercise vigilance
in the direction preserving soundness Of faith in
ministers and elders.
CHRISTIAN UNION DESIRED.
1t the further duty Church to apply liberal
nrincip,es In manner that will tend TO bring
about Christian union. Her position among
the churches is unique. She impinges prel-
acy On the one hand and democracy thd
other Her creed liberal enough to accept the validity
of the Episcopal ordination and the efficacy OF Baptist
immersion. '.She Is laced by no FORMS confined by
rubrcs In canonicas that restrain her roIs
directing" in the words OF another 1.-THE whole weight OF
her influence channels that convey Blessings TO
NJ the human family BY the ordinances valued
solely on account Of their spiritual benefits 10 the DO
lever Our Standards teach that they are means OF
not final ends. BY pressing these views upon others we
NAV do much toward bringing about the fuflment OF
Lords PRAYER all may be The unity we thus
urge consists any outward arrangement In subsection
To one earthly head, In the exclusive adoption i
one set of theological opinions These do not constitute
unity and the absence Of them does not destroy it, The
unity which this Assembly must insist upon Gospel
nurev preached saeraments rightly administered and
acknowledgment Of all the branches Of the evangelical
church as parts Of lody Of ChIlsa unity OF the spirit
In the bonds OF peace
IL il the further duty the Church all the rich
and varied fruit, of her cearcut creed. Calvinsm
nroduces the purest morality. The philosophy with which
IL sfs itself teaches that the Creator has implanted in
every human breast the principles OF right and wrong
The Presbyterian Church Is called upon TO conserve In
the future educational institutions she has been largely
Nh. means Of establishing add their number
circumstances MAJ demand. In the words OF Bancroft
Calvin was the father OF public schools His system
was Knox to Scotland II was conveyed thence
the channel Ireland and brought from there
this country Here has become the bulwark and glory
| Of our Nation. But OF late 1t has become the
object of assault by the Romsh clergy. The high OIL
cials OF that potlco-religo system bent destroy
ing or controlling The Church represent is in duty
hound to meet enemies Of common schools They
should and probably be- improved In certain parcu
lars Some secarian religious instruction be In
troduced as In England. without interfering with the
rights or disregardng the conscientious scrupes Of
Ru the system its features and fundamental prln
cines must be upheld The cost, needs be- Of blood
| and treasure
| Higher education occupies different ground. The
state /. not able however willing to introduce into TIL
currieula Of It's universities sufficient: amount of religious
,o.rtion to satisfy demands Of Christian Lar
ents Hence Church is required to provide and sup
NOR. this Kind Of education for her and daughters
TO secure proficiency and economy in this direction
n,s, seek better system she has yet devised
| HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION WORK.
Our Church prosecute more vigorously than she ha
a. vet done her missionary at home and abroad
cali her mission church. and she has doubtless
that enviabie name The age In which we i've Is called
| The missionary age. All the evangelical churches
| Eurone and America vieng with each other for
amount of money raised to support and for the humble
~ men sent to preach the Gospel to the heather Neve
| aid our home work make greater demands thai
IL doe. to-day The paramount mlo lance OF spIrltua
realities urges keep abreast Of the onward march
| ma.era; interests In the great West society Is II
| pcrpetuaI whr fozniine like boiling ealdron Bustl
and ceufusion characterize all departments Of