The record-union., 1891-11-28
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligious Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the Sectarian Press
Matters of Interest.

The Churchn1an prophesies as follows:
The decay of the city churches is as cer-
tain in the future as the decay of the old
village parishes is in the past. Lower
New ork is already pure missionary
ground. Madison and Fifth avenues are
on the verge of the same fate, and Harlem
sees 1t coming. BY all means 'endow the
old churches both in city and country;
IN the country to strengthen the things
that remain and in the cities that they
may do such work as Trinity Church is
doing, as DR.. Rainsford and DIR. Hunt
lngton foresee is coming upon st.
Georges and Grace Churches, for the
populations that must be left in residence
when everybody who can afford or con-
trlVe TO live IN the country is gone. The
tendency, even among people of wealth
and leisure, is already to spend more
months IN every year in their country
homes, and to make their town houses
mere hostelries for the season. and the
churches are getting their year so
shortened at both ends that they cannot
half do what they are trying to do in
obedience to old custom and habit; while
if they do not look sharp they will be
caught totally unprepared for what
they must do, or the buildings will be
sold for building material in the near
future"
In discussing the present aspect of the
L
While the answer of Professor Briggs
has relieved many minds as to his per-
Sonal faith and made them think that he
should not be held for trial, it has not
formed as yet any part whatever of q
complete, exhaustive, judicial considera-
tion OF the main question that concerns
the church, namely, whether the inaugu-
raj address IS in harmony with the West
minister Confession and the Word of
God. 1t has seemed good to the Presby-
terry to leave the whole matter to other
and higher courts. These bodies may be
equally reluctant to make any decision in
regard to matter so important. If this
is the case, then the Presbyterian Church
must depend on other influences than the
wisdom and authority of its representa-
tive bodies to determine what is and what
is not In accordance with the Scriptures
and its own Standards
''The beauty of the decision" in the
eyes of the New York EU0ngeLi8t, twas
that the question at issue was no longer a
party question, nor the result a party VIC
tory. since it was one in which all parties
concurred. DIR. Hall helped TO frame the
resolution that was passed in preparing
an amendment which was incorporated
into 1t. That all the professors Of Union
Seminary, with the single exception of
Dir. Shedd, should vote for it, might have
been prompted by personal friendship,
but such could not have been the motive
which led the great body of city pastors
to vote the same way. We have been ac-
customed to consider the New York Oh
SeFUer as the bulwark of conservatism in
doctrine, and were not a little surprised
to hear DR.. Stoddard answer 'Ayer at the
call OF his name. One who thought it
must be a mistake asked, What? Are
you voting for Professor Briggs p to
which lie returned the manly and Chris
ia N n N cXAraT lou I,oJ,o ~
listening to such paper as his?, In
truth, 1t was no mans victory but de-
clslon in which nearly hundred men
combined TO put All end to what was dis
turbing the peace OF the church"
The view of the New York Conqreoa-
t1on0tlSt is as follows: ''The Presbytery
took care to state that it did not approve
OF those positions of Professor Briggs
which have caused so much disturbance.
but declared that it refrained from prose-
cutting the charges against him because of
his declarations OF loyalty to the Script
ures and the w estminSter standards, and
for the sake of peace in the church. We
believe this action will be approved by
the large majority Of Christians in all de-
nominations, and will serve to put a
check on trials for heresy, which are be-
coming much too frequent. No doubt
such steps are some times necessary to-
maintain the faith once delivered to the
saints, but they should be taken only as
a last resort, as war is made the final ap-
peal OF disputing nations. It is certain
that by such means victory for the truth
will not be won, if at all, without much
loss and wounds to the body of Christ
which will be long in healing."
Zone can hardly see the good of an an
peal to the Synod unless DIR. Briggs can
again be called to trial. observes the
Christian Enquirer. ut may, however,
be that it is the Presbytery which will
have to take the role of defendant, for the
committee evidently feel aggrieved by its
action. 1t will be rather startling issue
II about hundred of the Presbytery-
ministers and elders-should be censured
by the Synod. In some form the matter
will doubtless reach the Assembly. Tn
less the Presbyteries send men to the AS
semby OF much broader views, and who
appralse peace and unity far more highly
than the last did, there will be an ecclesi-
astlcal storm of large magnitude"
''What the Presbytery ACCOMPLISHED
by its vote was the postponement of the
trial for two years, during which the
question will be constant ground of
contention and dispute, and will disturb
the peace of the church as it could be dis
tur bed in no other way says the New
\ ork E.cG7nt1ler. "a surgical operation
is no doubt to be dreaded, but it is soon
over; while running sore is a constant
menace of death and drain on the sys-
tenn In a 40 ljlxa this xoiy, txD o,.,,