The record-union., 1892-02-20

munions like the Church of England.
! Even IN churches not allied with the
State in the Old World and the New, men
are permitted TO make solemn vows 10
teach and defend doctrines which theN
denounce as talsehoods. In view OF theSe
modern demands for liberty WITHIN lhe
precincts of churches that have Oeen
founded for the purpose OF teacnlng Ger
tain truths as the eternal WORD OF God,
we are compelled 10 think that IL is not
sham BELIEF which is the present greatest
danger, but sham church profession,
sham church association, sham church
ordination, in order to have better OPP
portunity to weaken, impair and over
throw the faith on which the church is
founded and by which it has overcome
the world.''
On the subject of future punishment
the New York Christian 4 dfocate
(lIeth.1 says: This much despised and
abused doctrine is likely to survive for
several reasons. First, it is in the Bible.
To get rid of it one must get rid of the
Bible. Second, it has proved whole
some doctrine. Say what one may against
frightening people into religion the fact
remains that the starting point of most
reformatons is the fear of punishment.
Ieachers who drop future punishment
out OF their creedS lose their power to
rescue the perishing. Evangelists who
AVOID this doctrine, and attract sinners by
constant reference to the love of God,
only preach half Gospel, and their con-
Verts are usually half Christians. 1t is
not merely because there is efficacy in
the doctrine that we insist on its use, but
because 1t is true; and it is eiiectual be-
cause true. by their fruits We shall know
them This world needs to be told the
whole truth. We can conceive the eX-
1stence of intelligent beings who have no
need OF such a doctrine but they are not
the inhabitants of this planet. The doc
trine Of hell is no human invention. 1t
Is divine revelation intended and
adapted to awaken the thoughtleSS and
careless, and compel them to flee for
refuge and lay hold on the hope set be-
fore them in the Gospel"
''If we could get the ear of any dignitary
high in the counsels of the Catholic
Church." says the Chicago Interior
Pres.), "we would suggest that now is a
good time to show the spirit of Christ and
the effect of American institutions. There
IS not prominent religious paper Of any
Protestant Church which has failed to ac-
cord to Cardinal Manning the praise due
his life of unselfsh toll for generous ends.
But the Catholic Church is not the only
communion which shows fervor and I'M
seltlshnesS. Cardinal Manning was no
better scholar, no better preacher, no
more fearless citizen and reformer than
the Rev. DIR. Howard Crosby. We know
of many instances where Catholic priests
have individually expressed appreciation
of Christian character in Protestants, but
what we wait to see is the Catholic press
and Catholic ecclesiastic render to public
worth that honest public praise which
generous nature of its own motion freely
accords. There is something radically
wrong in an education or culture which
renders the subject of it dumb in the
presence of the worlds manifest loss.
The contrast between the two commu-
mons in this regard Is very striking, and
1t ought to shame Roman editors and Ro-
man prelates."
On the question of the Chinese Sunday
school, the New York Christian E1eQuiy'er
(Bapt.) says: while we do not sympa-
thize with the attack made on the Chinese
schools, we feel that there is force enough
in the argument OF the Rev. Mr.. Lewis to
cause those who have the charge of such
schools to inquire whether a revision of
methods would not be wise. Chinese
schools are becoming quite numerous,
and we should deprecate any policy that
would tend to diminish their numbers or
their usefulness. We view with alarm
any hindranceS put in the way ofthe con-
version of any class of foreigners in this
COuHIIy. we SbI Z ptluS ONSTIuH WIFI lOT-
eigners, and the sooner they are converted
the safer is our country. The Chinese, in
spite of legal disabilities, are increasing.
They are low, ignorant pagans. They
come from the lowest classes in China
To evangeliZe them is Christian duty.
We would neither shut them out of this
country nor deny to them the Gospel.
But we must not adopt methods which
may lead to evil. The sooner the Chinese
schools can be put into the hands of Chi
nese converts the better it will be. Three
men speaking Chinese can do whata score
Of young girls cannot accomplish. They
can speak the language Of these men.
They can instruct them in classes. They
can reach them with illustrations and
Scripture facts. They can do something
besides teaching them the rudiments Of
the English language.