St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-09

Nothing has emphasized the great
hanges that the last twenty-five years
have brought about as the revelations
of this last week of prayer have shown.
There are Methodist, Baptist, PreShy-
terians and all sects of Protestants
meeting in each others churches day
after dav in the friendlest way and not
word said about the old issues, such
rs Baptism, close communion, election
or free will, questions that not so many
years ago could pull these worthy breth
rem by the ears in no time. They were,
in fact, as et1icaciOuS in starting what
the unelect would have called row. as
the legendary red rag was said to effect
q bull. What has brought about these
changes when | look back a few years
and remember the sermons that were
Numbered from the rival puIpits, to the
accompaniment of banged Bibles and
pulpit cushions, Numbered at
brother ministers, who beloved back
all the subtle differences of their creeds,
while admiring peWS sat with mouths
agap approving of all that their shep-
herds said, and compare those times
with these,I am glad that live in these
DAYS. But | ask, why is it? l would
like to have some one else explain.
Perhaps these changes are gradually
assuming the objection of the writer Of
the folIing letter.
Aunt Polly, who seems to have eX-
pellent ideas upon most subjects, might
give us some upon the present church
developments.
propose that the clergy, instead of
nuarrelIing about precedent, which is
not much matter, or about the schools
which the people will attend to better
themselves. or heresy, which Is no mat
ter at all, give their time to some OF the
really great problems of the day.
The present strife between the Cath
olic bishops, and other clergy, and at
which all men are astoniShed, is moth
ing more nor less than the echoing clash
Of modern ideas against the outworn
ones-change and motion must be predl-
Gated of everything. man not excepted:
he changes his ideas Ito suit the times"
which is only saying that he progresses.
But, in observing with what vigor all
these priests preach and labor for hui
manity. or declare they do, does it not
strike the ordinary OnloOker as curious
that all these Christians, so valiant IN
smaller matters, are not now, and long
ere this have not been, united in "a
crusade against the ornaments OF Eu-
rope? Here is field Of labor; here is
a problem big enough, the solution
of which would mean the turning OF
several millions Of able-bodied young
men out of the caserneS into the held
and giving them the privilege OF earn
ing their bread III honest toll. Inc
present cost of keeping up the armies
of the Western world will feed all the
thousands starving in those lands. Let
our teachers in the church turn their
attention to this shameful condition or
things. All those who profess TO Wor-
ship Christ should unite in bringing
about stable condition of peace and
not let heaven behold the curious sight
of so many deVout followers OF the
prince of Peace" sharpening their
daggers for their fellow Christians
hearts. Such state of things causes a
common heather to doubt the efficacy
of a religion which in nineteen cent
ures has not brought its children INTO
fellowship which is at least as kindly
as that which exists among dogs.
Lei us have a new religious code, one
which will not only preach go0d-Wlll,bu
which will operate it in all matters
human; one which will not only forbid
war and blood, but which will not honor
it. An eXecutioner is branded, he and
his family disgraced, but a soldier is
glorious being, especially il he has Won
great battles. The Twentieth century
ought at least to inaugurate a sentiment
against the present condition of things
We have outgrown the middle ages II
most things; but in all that pertains tt
the destruction Of men by his fellow
Christian, we seem not to have maze
much change since then, except, per
haps. our methods are less crude and
more efficaciuus. we have heard fol
centuries that 1.-The earth belongs to the
Lord" and that he Is the common father
of the children who live thereon; ant
we see these Christian children armed
to the teeth, lying in wait to destroy
each other. The teaching does no
seem to have sunk very deep, nor II
have produced the expected fruit. Cal
it be possible that the seed has beer
such as the fruit would Indicate?
There is evidently something rottel
somewhere, and if those whose affair
is do not, or cannot, find the plague spot
let us have a new revelation ana dis
pensation.