The record-union., 1891-10-10


mote virtue and trade. An exhibition Of
reverence for God and religion will be
worth more at Chicago in 1898 than any
display Of material growth or outward
greatness. If the great fair is to be flooded
by intoxicating drinks and made the oc-'
ceSlon for breaking down our national
respect for the Sabbath, it would be bet
ter to have no fair.''
Bishop Coke of Western New York
ventures to affirm that not one of those
who will lay hands upon DIR. Phillips
Brooks next month will, by so doing,
concede in the slightest degree the great
principle Of the apostolic succession
that vertebral column and spinal mar
row of the mystical body of Christ" He
also assumes that the conSecratOrs have
probably gained the conviction that the
vate theory of the epiScopate to conflict
in practice with the historical spirit and
uniform action of the church.
The CoBgregGtiomdtist says: "New res
idents in a community are often called
upon to decide the perpleXing question,
Which Of several accessible churches
shall we connect ourselves with?' Too.
often the subject is not given the consci-
entious thought it deserves, and the de-
Cision is based on personal reasons alto
gether, a prediction for a certain preach
er, the persuasion of friends, or the de-
\ sire to worship with an aristocratic con-
gregation influencing the choice. The
matter is one which should be referred to
the highest Christian considerations, and
we believe that the thought Of possible
service should weigh more than the
thought Of the spiritual advantages to be
enjoyed. The claims of the feeble church,
provided it has a mission to fulfil, are
strong upon every new conner who wants
20 throw himself into Christian effort.
He may be far more influential there
than in a church already well equipped
with workers. The late DIR. Patton Of
Washington, when converted during his
student life in New York city, would
naturally have gone with his family
friends to the wealthy and the fashiona-
ble Mercer Street Church, but he pre-
ferred to identify himself with strug-
CLING mission church. This impulse to
activity afforded free play early ia his
Christian life, grew as the years went on,
and became one of his dominant charac-
teristics 1t is not always true that 'one
church is as good as another For its
reflex influence on the worshiper one
church may be vastly better than an
other"
The Independent says: SIN an interest
ing article on church unity in Zioql'S
Herald, Dr. j. NJ. Buckley says: 'Indi-
vidual ministers and laymen may pass
from one to another after change of
conviction, and without it where the
agreement is sufficient, in the judgment
of the authorities, to warrant the recep-
ton of the applicant. a certain amount
of freedom. not capable of expression in
the letter of creeds. must be allowed in all
organizations. Honorable transfers of
church membership should not be con-
demned, and an Arminian church should
not reject an applicant more Calvinistic
jfS Cd h. Ho 49,
ciently so to cause dissension or lead him
TO deny any of our practical points or ig
more our usages. a Calvinistic church
can consistently admit one who is
IS more Arminian than It's creed, consid-
ering that both are evangelical DIR.
Buckley's position is thoroughly right,
although it contradicts absolutely the ut
terance of the paper of which he is editor.
as made under a previous editorshiD.
There is no better way of cultivating
brotherliness between the denominations
Than the easy passage of pastors from one
10 another, as is constantly taking place
between the Presbyterian, Congrega-
tional and Reformed Churches, and to
growing extent between these churches
and the Methodists. It is a curious fact.
however, that while ministers pass over
from Methodist to Congregational, or
Presbyterian Churches, and even become
professors in Presbyterian theological
seminaries, scarce an instance is known
of the reverse process. The reason is
solely that ministers do not like the
iunerancy."
The Observer (Pres.) says: 'In few
weeks the Assembly's Committee of Re-
vision will have received from the Pres
DyterieS their expressions of opinion and
sentiment in regard to its report What
ever may be the nature of these and of
their influence on the work of the COM
IL -. IL
tee viii be encouraged by the spirit of
the church as manifested to obtain
unanimous conclusion as to their final
report. II these eminently qualified,
chosen representative men cannot agree
upon new forms of statement, we have
small hope that the church at large can
come TO any widely harmonious conclu-
sion in respect to what it believes and
teaches. Our prayer and hope for the
Presbyterian Church, for the interests of
evangelical truth in all the churches. for
the prosperity of mission work at home
and abroad, Is that the committee may
arrive at unanimous conclusions; that it
may present to the Assembly a revised
confession which all these consecrated
men of learning believe TO be in harmony
with the Word of God and that system of
doctrine which is characteristic of the CAL
whistle Churches throughout the world
il they cannot come 10 such q conclusion
let there be two or three reports, each one
as clear and as full as can be made by its
supporters, and then let the Assembly
and the PreSbyteries decide which one
of these they prefer to the old Confession
Though we might greatly prefer the old
Confession TO anyone of the amended
Confessions, we could nevertheless ac-
cept one OF the amended Confessions as
being acceptable to others as we'll as to
ourselves, as relieving the minds of those
who were genuine Presbyterians and vet
doubtful in regard 10 certain statements,
as encouraging the church in its sublime
purpose to evangelize the world"
The Rev. DR.. John Fox of Allegheny.
Pa, writes in the PreSbYteYiqn Baaqey.
Revised?' His conclusion is: How
ever unpleasant it may be to withstand
our brethren, it surely becomes those
who believe in preterition not TO consent
either to cast ii out or to lower and
lessen its expression. 1t is said that it is
unpreachable. Our claim for it must be
that If il be preached in its due place and
order, with the spirit of meekness and of
power, it will humble both us and our
hearing, and bring us to exclaim even
over its sublimest terrors: Even so,
Father, for so it seemed good in thy
sight" The whole counsel OF God con-
corning His sovereignty is sign always
spoken against, and never did it need
more faithful confessors than in this gen
Grafton. Shall the Presbyteries now bid
the committee godspeed in their propo-
sal to lower and lessen this feature of our
confession of His Sovereign Majesty?
Rather let Us say, in apostolic phrase,
God forbid"
The Examiner (Bapt.) saws: 1--WE have
little respect for one who undertakes to
discuss critical questions in the SDirit