New-York tribune., 1891-03-01
THE PARSONS STUDY.
CHANCES AND GLIMPSES HERE AND THERE.

CHANCES AND GLIMPSES HERE AND THERE.
The way in which Lent is being accepted by all the
denominations a recognized Christian Institution u
Of course pleasing to those who have au along b.
leved in it. But many people observe this seas@
in such way as to pay religion doubtful compliment
Here for instance are Lenen theatre parties. Lenten
readings Lenten luncheons. and even Lenten dinner
uortle, all of which are evolved out OF the theory
that little mild amusement or dissipation during forty
days Of the year is almost holy in It's Character
il has been preceded by great deal OF the same soH
Of thing during the other 325 days Of the year. Then
drop into some Of the Lenten services In the avenue
churches and you will see much TO surprise you.
Deves of swell girls some OF them carrying bundles
from the shop, string in. stand awhile In the VeSu'
ule and chat about the bargaincounters OF the day'
or maybe tho latest social scandal. and then trip up
to their pews and though dropping on their Knees fof
a moment making not the slightest pretence OF pray
ing Instead Of that they gaze around the Sacleo
edncc looking for acQuainances, and perhaps Wills
per to a companion. All Of this While they arc
ON their knees mind you and while they are supposed
10 be praying / don't presume to Judge anybody and
for aught know these fair devotees may be simply
"appearng unto not to fast" But such sights do
not tend to impress the onlOoker with the idea OF
reality in such a Lenten observance
mIt is significant fact says The Congregational
ist that fifteen ministers employed on the daily
press OF New-YOrk City, writing on religious 'opcS'
n does not Indicate missionary zeal on the part OF to
NEWSPAPERS but 1t shows that religion Is matter Ok
growing popular interest, and that the constituency
which is most valuable to the secular press demands
n know what Is going on in the world OF religious
.boucbt and life. 1t IS encouraging TO note that
scandals concerning ministers and churches no longer
monopolze the columns devoted TO religious h!a'c''
Another remarkable fact Is that the greatest nuoer Ok
hooks pubshed last year in this country, next to woFA'
Of fiction, were religious subjects wlle Iiis'
ronortion of the novels also written with religious
aims No subject occupies 50 large place III cur
rent thought as that which concerns mems relatoL'
With cod and their future destinies and no other SUD-
,ect is 30 steadily Increasing its hold on puoc steH
tom
"The Independent, publishes an interesting letnr
fr,p the Rev Dr. George +. Pentecost, who IS no" IN
calcutta IL seems that lie determined to oeslh MoA
among the European residents, who are mosuF ~
Church Episcopalans. His wellmeaht ehoFO'' IT,
ever resulted in failure. as any one might nave P's
dicted But We will let him tell his own etoI9'
After a day or two of thought and prayer, 40
sovs Il determined to call upon the Bishop alid 'i'
chaplans and tell them frankly what my pans "o.o
and ask their cooperation, assuring them '"' ny
mission was not UNCONVENTIONAL. or IN ahy"lSo
taran and so ought to commend nseh 10 "' ~
purely Christian grounds. The chaphH' "a
cathedral received mo with courtesy, but at once s'
that il was impossible 10 cooperate Win me- ~
would be recognizing the validity Of my right I" peas
the Gospel and teach the way OF life, WHO" "a' ''
very thing they set to controvert
The Bishop was ont Of town. but waited III! 10
rcturned and then went TO call on him. ne r'erT I'M,
ne very cooy, AID told me eNaSty W.l.S i I'm but ,Sh
lains hld told did not remonst1tS' oIT 1911 &
him was aware Of the position OF the hnsi,m h rdiy
respect to ministers OF Other chur.hes o tSc wo-s
ntmated to him that. a. seven ttnths oi bIi MA and
Of preaching the gospel. especially as ,tp, Reii .
taught by Prote-tauts, was bell6 done 9y rd nnfi
ministers and aymen: and that, as Goa SCENES @ lad
to withhold the Holy spirit IRON ,n,rs US IL strance
thing that he and his cler-y Nomid h9t glVe gd ~ K
where the Holy spirit did. To TINS ne rep'G ,r ,lI. ~
va thn no.t difficult thing 10 make a Dssehter
Understand This matter. 10 which replied that 1
Later in The day mentioned to one Of the chap;
lains of the Cathedral that were all thinking o,
coming TO the early noFm1I m l. a6a Sad that he was
sorry that l had ntimated my intention ior M
he would have To refuse Communion TO me; When |
asked him what gronhI ne Itp'Uvn -, i"iir,ad
in tSo oT Fpiscopa Church lie admitted that many
persons in Calcutta did come who were not conlrIIG,
%ualided vet in the one case they are not supposed
to know it, and in the other case he fart OF conhra %
lion was prcsumptlve evidence that they were truo
cnldrcn oh 40" tbo ccmmuico rail until he had con-
suited the bishop. That evening ! received tho
following note from the senior c!apla.n; .,
Dr. r.olca Cft1 SiI%Fdfy e .Rdp Rlin lGE; HGE that
being avowcdy not member Of the hdrCh M e OF Eng g
infer from this that he feels anything like antagonlSm
80, ,o,, or vour work Believe sincerely.
:" ' " "WELBORE MCCARTHY
ST ought to say that the Bishop told me ing h
thourh strictly speaking, ii not lawful for ny
10 do 50 vet II | would promise not 70 participate IN
tbe Lords supper place else that Is. with Dis
senter,l while | was ia India. be wOnld allow me 70
come to Holy Communion At the Cathedral. rms
proposition declined with thanks, telling him that
ro1d he glad t. manifest my fellowship with tlc
English Church II they would receive il hut wonld
not accept their fellowship on condition that % non.
fcIloyshiped other Christians and none mrched oher
Christian churches. SO closed my interviews WIN
bishops and chaplans'