The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-03
o1SUNDAY TH0UGHTSbo
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MORALS6p MANNERS
IL A CLERGYMAN.

Our religious exchanges are full of the
subject of INSTRUMENTATION co-opera-
ton. The weakness and scandal OF cut
throat UNCONVENTIONAL competition
is increasingly felt and deprecated. Then
five or eight weak churches struggling in
one small town for mere existence. only
vigorous in drawing upon the trust funds
OF the various missionary boards. and are
substantially agreed in Christian faith and
practice-this is common but not an
edifying exhibit. Neither is it creditable
for the great evangelical bodies TO
wage guerrilla war against the
world. the flesh and the devil, when by
drawing the independent forces into one
vast whole animated by single pur pose
and directed by central intelligence, the
economics might be consulted ana sub.
served and the victory assured.
According to the eleventh census there
are in the United States 143 separate de-
nominations, of which thirteen are organ
lied baptist bodies, sixteen lutheran. seven
teen methodist and fifteen presbyterian.
These family groups differ but slightly,
not 10 WARRANT q ulSLlnCL lie. ana
the great denominationsl families are at
one In SO far as essentials are concerned.
A proper reduction of each group to
single family would eliminate about 100
of the 40 titles which now represent
American religion. The remainder might
be happily reduced and made more Ell
ficient by union in some form.
What form shall Christian union as
sumo? This is the burning question.
That it cannot be organic all concede for
that would imply what does not exist,
viz absolute relationship and vital inter
dependence between the denominations.
II would merge ali in one. This new body
would be heterogeneous. unweildy and
despotic-wOuld produce more evils than
il sought to remedy.
The consensus of opinion favors a fed
erai union; that is. a union for some pur-
! poses, which shall yet have intact the
bodies forming it for all other purposes.
Their plan has two great merits. First, II
is feasible for we are familiar with it in q
political sense in the constitution of our
country. IT'S peculiarly american, and
| hence appeals to our patriotic and Chris
| tian feeling; second, IL does not annihi-
| late the constituent bodies. Their entity,
| history and self-esteem are all considered.
| In this plan inhere the maximum of ad-
vantages and the minimum of disadYan-
tages.
That some form Of protestant church
union will be adopted in the near future
we believe is certain. That it will be fed
eral union We feel equally sure God
| speed the day.
The distinguished professor of geology
in Harvard university has just published
a book, remarkable in itself, and more re-
markable because of its birthplace. The
professor is y. S. Shaler. The book is en-
| titled THE Interpretation of Nature" In
! the preface OF the book he SAYS: "My first
contact with natural science in my youth
and early manhood had the not uncom-
mon effect of leading me far away fro IN
| Christianity. OF late years a further in
sight into the truths of nature has
| gradually forced me once again toward
| the ground from which had departed"
AS study in psychology these pages
! are of absorbing interest. As a discussion
of great current issues in science and re-
| ligion, and a harmony of the two, they
are mastery. The style is simple and VI
vacious The denouement is as dramatic
/ db n mo- III SUM q Wi ShCDhlChA Lar
ward makes partial atonement for mani
| fold vagaries.
IT'S e wise saying of st. Bernard OF
| Clairvant, one of the most illustrious of
the old churchmen, that the desire to
1 know for the mere sake of knowing is a
mean curiosity the desire to know Tor the
mere sake of reputation, is mean vanity
| the desire to know in order to make gain
of knowledge is base greed; the desire TO
know for the purpose OF editying oneself
and ones fellows is true wisdom and
! prudence. We commend these distinc-
tions to careful consideration.
"Auntie," cried one of a group OF
children. says a writer in Moyfo,rer,
please tell me something nice to do.
We're tired of Sunday. It's too late TO
90 out and it's too early for the lamp and
| the wrong time for everything"
''Wel. let me see" said Auntie. Can
you tell me anyone in the bible whose
name begins with A?"
| Yes Adam"
"Tll tell you B, Auntie," cried another
-"Beni amin."
And l know {" shouted a third
"Cain."
Let me tell d" said Joe-"Daniel"
And so il went through the alphabet.
Before We thought of it we were called to
supper. The house was lighted and put
on an evening basis, and We had had a
fine time.
All the archbishops of Ireland, profess
tant and catholic, have signed document
in favor Of bill to make Sunday closing
in Ireland permanent. Such an agree
ment in these United States would be a
boon to labor.
The Interior says that PRECEDENT Urston
Of Grocer theological seminary, has at
tackled the orthodoxy of that favorite
hymn, Nearer. My God, to Thee" and
things the lover much righteous" OF Solo
mon and the ''unco guild" of Bobby
Burns still live TO afflict mankind.
The armed peace of Europe is nothing
but an oppressive truce. Those electrical
influences are in the air called rumors OF
war. The French hate the Germans. The
Russians hate the Austrians. And all