The record-union., 1891-12-12

that are of orthodox hue or off color
what an infinite variety of high, low,
or broad-churchism can be represented
py giving to passage shade more or
less OF authority from Moses or ST. Paul.
As every line of the Bible has been sub
Ject TO some critical objection, a man
might by diligent search find Bible to
SUIT his tspirituaD complexion, and be-
fore using it in the family could make
sure that the story Of the rich man in
torment, while not rejected, was not
printed in colors too vivid.''
"Our good Presbyterian brethren need
not be disturbed" says the New York
krdnlt1,ey (Bapt.) ''by the sudden out
and his teachings in the daily press.
They need not fear to adopt changes that
seem necessary to bring the Westminster
Confession into harmony with itself with
the Scriptures and with the actual present
beliefs Of Presbyterians, because the
daily press calls such changes stultifying,
surrender of the old faith q proof OF
rapid disintegration in the church. These
sre only devices by which hatred of the
church and its doctrine is ill-concealed
The adversaries of the church and of
Christian truth believe that the West
minister Confession is extremely vulnera-
ble to their attacks, as, no doubt, in parts
IL IS. They know that a careful revision
would free it from reasonable criticism
except by such as avowedly and frankly
reject its teachings. Consequently they
wish 1t kept as 1t IS, in form to be easily
attacked, in form that creates unneces-
sary prejudice against its contents. This
explains their sudden and violent love of
the old orthodoxy, their fear lest the ark
OF God may suffer from the presumptu-
Gus touch of unauthorized hands,"
The New York Christina Advocate
lMeth.) makes the following remarks:
"One of the most distinguished preachers
OF the Protestant Episcopal Church in
this city is preaching a series of sermons
to his congregation on the Bible. He is
spending great deal Of time and study
TO make out that the Bible is not an in
fallible book. His object is to present the
solid results of critical Biblical scholar
ship. He affirmS that David wrote but
few Psalms; that Solomon's Song was not
first sung by Solomon; that the Book of
Esther contains no religious sentiments;
that the Book of Daniel is not a book OF
prophecy, but of tradition; that it was not
written in Babylon, but in Palestine; that
there was greater and lesser Isaiah, and
much more of similar purport. These
are the solid results of critical scholar
ship. How very dogmatic certain think
ers become when they set themselves to
overthrow cherished opinions. They state
their views with as much assurance as
though they were divinely revealed
truths. Although other scholars of equal
ability differ with them, they make no
account of this. They give out their no.
tlons as oracular responses. All these
opinions concerning the Bible are old,
yet they are handed out as il they were
fresh discoveries of critical research. The
scholarly rector who proposes to enter
tain and refresh his hearers with the solid
results of recent critical study is not in
falllble. These great men are all liable to
err. Some of US can more easily believe
in the inerrancy of the Bible than in the
inerrancy of It's critics. This wind will
change by and by and blow from another
quarter. 1t has ever been thus, and ever
will be-"
The CongregationdIist of Boston is un-
easy over the condition of the church in
that city. 1t says: Something over a
year ago movement started in Boston
for the purpose of promoting the growth
OF Congregational churches in and about
the city. 1t went so far as the calling of
meeting TO organize Church Exten-
sion Committee. a year has passed, and
any report from that committee would be
of public interest, if, indeed, it ever or
ganiZed itself SO far as to consider the
subject and make a record. The need of
churches and to lead them in united and
aggressive work constantly grows more
apparent. Important churches within
the city have long been pastorless, while
others are declining in numbers and
strength. Meanwhile new and rapidly
growing communities are being formed
in the suburbs, some of which, if sur
veyed by a competent committee, might
wisely be selected for the planting of
new churches. Others recently organized
need the aid and encouragement Of sister
organizations. Is it not time to hear
from the committee to which we have re-
ferred, or to start new movement which
will accomplish something?"
With regard to the suggested union of
the Universalists and Unitarians the Chi
cago UniUerS0IiSt observes: universal
lists of this generation did not need the
extended debate in the Worcester Con-
vention to teach the lesson of fraternity
and good-fellowship towards the Uni
tarians. Here in the West, certainly, we
are well removed from the animoSities
and prejudices that prevented fraternal
concord between the Unitarians and Uni
versalists in New England half century
ago. But here and everywhere in dis
tinctivelU Universalist circles, the fact is re-
cogniZed that the two denominations are
separated by dividing lines, which, while
IA6H 6AISI, Will JI1dU Sdcn DOuY
keep on its own parallel. While Uni
versalism stands for what it signifies to-
day and Unitarianism also occupies it's
present well-known position, the only
kind of union possible is that which is
based on mutual goodwill and fraternity
of spirit; aud this, so far as Universalists
are concerned, embraces the Unitarians
and all other Christian churches"
On the question of the Jewish Sabbath
the Jea0isb Voice of st. Louis says: ''We
are pleading for the traditional Sabbath
day of Israel. Fervently, devoutedly,
we cling to the principle which estab-
fishes the SeUefoth Dag as the Sabbath
which is a sign of the covenant between
God and Israel. and through Israel to
humanity. To us, giving up that ddy
means giving up that principle, breaking
the covenant of which it is the seal. We
are pledged to this Sabbath by the blood
of our fathers, by the history of their
martyrdom, by the hopes kindled in us
by the fiery tongues of the divine mes
sengers of old; this thrice sacred pledge
is one of the forces driving US on irresist-
IDLY to fight for the maintenance Of the
Sabbath against foes within our own
ranks and outside of the same.''
You Can Rely
Upon Hoods Sarsaparilla as a remedy
f... c.f- ~I,,f,