The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-18
RellglOun NOtea.

The present wealth OF the religious orders
of France is computed at $500, 100000.
Late statistics show that the Southern
Methodist church has q membership OF
1,l77,l5O.
The Free Church Of Italy has decided upon
the name of the Evangelical Church Of Italy
as its Official title in the future.
Nothing gives man such courage as
faith in his mission and confidence In his
strength TO carry il out. Nothing 90 binders
and breeds cowardice as 1.-THE gnawing gift
of doubt. He that hesitstes, fearing he
may not succeed, doubling whether success
is possible, IL sme TO fail. "He can who
thinks he can" Faith makes heroes, con-
querors, ma tyrs; while doubt oftener than
conscience makes towards Of us ALL"
Six Congregational churches were organ
lied in Colorado during last year, and sew
enteen houses of worship erected at a coet
of $4,000. Benevolent contributions az
gregated SIG, 763-a gain OF $l3.60l over last
year. OF the GOT persons who Joined the
churches, 3u united on confession.
OF the 100000 Lutheran communicates
I'm the United States, about three-fourths are
Germans. The others are Scandinayians,
English, etc. In no fewer than twelve Ian
guages do Lutheran pastors preach the
Gospel. 10 this country. The total number
of ministers is 1902; OF churches, 1913.
The Methodist Year Book for 1891, just is
sued, gives the total membership Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church as 2,2S3, l54,
an increase of 1861 over last year. Its
Sunday.schools number 2 264,S52 members.
a gain oser last year Of 42,l2i. The several
branches of Mehodism in the United States
include 1885,, 200 communicates, with 3D.
T65 ministers and AN churches.
Life itself and the enjoyment Of health
are still the elementary factors OF exist
ence. Childish fantasies Of freedom that
are productive Of slavery TO disease, lose
the glamor and halo they are. invested with.
Reasonable restraints that redeem US from
the bondage 10 Illness are after all not so
harsh or cruel as the evils which they save
ma. There are many ways by which God
turns the hearts Of children to Him and His
laws.
The faith in Christ that appropriates sal
walton and secures 1t has in IL the working
element. and although this element is not
the basis of the souls justification In the
sight OF God In the sense OF self-merit, II Is,
nevertheless, an indispensable proof OF the
reality and genuineness Of the faith. To
this fact James alludes when he says,
ssshow me thy faith without thy works, and
| will show thee my faith by my works"
Seven dioceses OF the Protestant Episco-
pal church last year contributed over sl0.-
900 10 missions-viz.: New York, $50, 0i4;
PENNSYLVANIA, s5l,527; Massachusetts,.
S38 Os0; Connecticut, $l3.sl0; Rhode Island,
siS.32S; Maryland, si2,949; Long Island,
$i2OO5. Five more gave over $5,000--viz. !:
western New York, $l,S04; Newark, S7,7$6;
Pittsburg, 1898; Albany, $3.50; Central
Pennsylvania, S5,093; and seven more gave
over $4,0D0-yiz.: Southern Ohio. $4,97o;
Michigan. $49ll; Ohio, $4,749; New jersey,
81, 1858; central New York. s4,S4l; Virginia,
81, 39l, and Chicago, S4,03e.
Considerable discussion has been In
dulged Of late regarding the position Of the
Church on the labor question, and its rels-
ton 10 that problem has been severely crit
icised. The charge has been made that the
Church is not very earnestly devoted TO the
advancement OF workingmen. that they
have little 10 hope from 1t, and are gradu-
ally deserving the organization, which 10
losing its hold upon the masses. The state
ments are both erroneous and injurious.
The laboring mems cause can triumph only
through the underlying principles OF Chris-
tianity. No lasting revolution In state or
social affairs ever permanently succeeds
unless thus fortified; and the masses will
obtain Justice, and obtain IL only when the
majority OF mankind IL forced 20 ackn0wl-
ed ge their moral rights as taught by the
Great Founder OF the Church.