The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-13
In RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligious Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the sectariau Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

Some Matters of Interest Co Both
Ministers and Laymen.
On the subject of the Sunday question
the New i Ork ChuY'chU1au has this 10
say; The Scottish Presbyterian, Norman
Mcleod, taught the Gospels abrogation
OF the Jewish Sabbath, Y lille Frederick
maurice, reasoning rom general prem
ises, based the Observance Of the Christian
SUNDAY on the Fourth Commandment.
20 al along great diversity has prevailed
regarding the theory and observance of a
weekly holy day. Z he fact is two dis
tinct institutions have been united in our
sunday. The Sabbath as instituted afreSh
III the Mosaic law-holy, because OBJ
served IN obedience to Gods command
ment and as rejecting divine truth. 1t
was not day set apart for religious rites
or exercises. The Catholic OBJ
servance of the Lords day is distinct in
meaning and purpose as it was originally
Ia actual fact. The first day Of the week
IS a festival Of the resurrection, a day of
holy rejoicing and communion, OF public
eucnarlstic worship, of religious instruc-
non and meditation. After few centuries
the Two observances were united, and in
modern times some elements of the
Pharisees' Sabbath have been added. But
the union OF Sabbath and Lords Day is
holidays are an indication Of a revival of
the old Sabbath observance and prom
Use also Of what some day may be real
lied again. There is a Sabbath breaking
also of kind that escapes notice, but is
none the less a violation of the divine
law. Those who in church work or in
works Of necessity or charity toll on Sun
day are required to so order their life
and employers are required to so order
The work Of their emplOyes-that there
may be an actual and real recognition of
the Sabbatic principle and an enjoyment
of its privilege. With regard to
the opening Of libraries, museums and
exhibitions, it must be inquired, first,
whether such opening is inconsistent
with the Sabbatic observance; and, sec
ond, whether the spending of a part of
the day in such places is inconsistent
with the Lords Day observance, as we'll
as whether il would be desirable, for the
sake of the religious part of the popuIa-
ton, to restrain in this particular those
who are not actuated by religious conYic-
tions.'
I've are often told" says the New
ork E.Can3i13eY (Bapt.), that the young
OF our churches and in our ministry are
drifting away from the OrthOdoXy-that
the old doctrines must be remolded and
and reclothed, 10 give them a form more
pleasing to the young. We affirm, as a
result OF good deal of observation and
inquiry, that nothing cOuld be further
from the truth. The young people are
loyal to the Scriptures. They are not
learned theOlogians or accomplished Bib
llcal critics; but they believe the Bible to
be the word of God, the only sufficient
rule OF faith and practice. Questions Of
new theology and higher criticism are
seldom raised among them, never in
their public meetings. They know
Christ and fundamental Christian truth
by personal experience, and they are too
busy IN practical service of their Master
to spend much time in specializing and
guessing. OBJECTIONS from orthodoxy
among Baptists are not to be found
among the young people. The idea that
the next generation OF Baptist leaders in
pulpit or pew win be wanting in LOYALTY
10 Christ and his truth is one of those de-
Iusions that should be given a speedy
burial.'
The New York Observer pres sneak
ing on the relations between Creed and
Character and Deed and Dogma, remarks:
For few years past there has been
abroad movement to eXalt character at
the expense Of creed, and to lift up deed
at the expense OF dogma; but this is
owing to the one-sidedness OF the human
mind, which fails to take in the complete
view OF truth. IL is so engrossed with
the full corn in the ear, and the beauty of
IL, that 1t proposes to dispense with the,
more practical stalk. Or 1t is so taken
up with the fruitage Of the tree that it
proposes TO dispense with the root. ii is
ever well that the Church's creed should
rlpen into character and her dogma into
deed. Without works faith is dead and
III too many experiences there is little
else than name TO live. But we object
10 seeing these set off one against the
other as though Creed and Dogma were
~ 10 No 10
OF Character and Deed were about TO en-
gage, and with their stones from the
brook to lay low in humiliation and death
These are not contending forces, but init
mately related qualities. Creed scarcely
deserves the name till it has blossomed
into character, and dogma viii be Of but
little worth till it has fruited into deed.
Ut is true, too, az indeed we have already
animated. that dogma and creed are at
times made to take The place Of deed and
character. Too many persons are con-
tent to possess a cleaF-cut creed which
fences OF the border lines of truth to
nicely, but plows no fields, soWs no seed,
and reaps no harvest. Such faith how
ever clear, is not vital, for faith that
bringeth not forth works is dead, it abid~
eth alone"
Taking about church interiors. the
CbTJ8tid73 Register iCnlt.) of Boston SAYS:
1--WE fear there are signs of degeneracy in
this matter. Many beautiful and costly
churches are being erected. We cannot
TAIL to recognize the great improvements
in taste, comfort and convenience which
have been brought about by the develop
ment OF churcn architecture in recent
years, and 10 its application to the needs
of modern life; but the importance of
lighting the pulpit has been sadly over
looked, especially the importance of
lighting it with some of Gods bright sun
light, which is perfectly willing to 90 to
church on Sunday if the Building Com
lnittee viii give il a chance. We have no
Indictment to make against stained-glass
windows. When the light is filtered
through them, revealing beautiful his
toTic or symbolic pictures, the effect may
be to soften and subdue worldly feeling
and to create or revive sacred associa-
Uions; but this can be done without max
ing the religious light so dim that the
minister cannot read the Bible without
the aid of a gas flame or the electric light.
Have stained-giass windows at the side
or even at the back of the pulpit, pro-
vided some provision is made from
above or by the side windows for shedding
abundant light upon book or manuscript.
Let it be understood that there is nothing
better for lighting the pulpit on Sunday
morning than plenty of sunshine, and an
architect has not learned his profession