The record-union., 1893-09-23


have knowledge of sin. And these abb
struse and elaborate Investigations being
brought into the inquiry meeting, how
long would it require to bring about, say,
one conversion? Pert critics Of former
days. have made great bugbear of pro-
tracted understanding and contrltlon,
such as used to precede blessed peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
attained in old-time experience by thor
ough and honest seeking. 1t made per-
sonal salvation so long a process. And
now they have brought in preliminaries
vastly longer, more perplexing and more
precarious. certain also to fritter away
sincere spiritual inquiry. And when
settled at last no moral issue between
holy God and sinful soul is settled
thereby"
Speaking OF the close of the Hebrew
year, the JelciSb Messenger says: III pom
the whole, the old year has witnessed
commemorate amount of activity along
various lines, which prove that American
Judaism is by no means slumbering.
There are. however, many difficult prob
lens To be solved, some of which concern
the life blood OF our faith. The process
OF elimination would seem to be carried
so far that it is impossible 10 distinguish
in many Instances the original elements
OF Judaism which have perpetuated the
Jew and his religion. On the one side
we have the frosts of in6delity under the
yarniSh OF ethical sentimentality, which
has lost its balance wheels of old-fash-
Toned Jewish belief and reverence, and
has not the courage to acknowledge its
uni eWisn character while its represen-
tatives draw their goodly salaries from
the synagogue. ON the other we have
the fires of mediSevalism with its eXag-
gerations and alterations that are Spurned
by the Intelligent and are no less tray
esty on the faith of prophet and sage.
May the New ears trumpet-call sum-
mon the great body of American Israel
who wish their religion to represent more
than the transient whimS of temporary
leaders, to more earnest and energetic
efforts, to maintain and defend the laws
and statutes which God revealed as an
everlasting covenant with Israel, with
all their precious associations that make
Tor righteous living"
"Do we want another Professionalism"
asks Ullty, and it answers the question
as follows: Yes, a Professionalism, not of
one theology against another theology,
but a protest against the dictatorial power
Of all theologies. We want a PROTESTANT
ism not to annihilate, but to right the
sects-a professionalism that will prick the
bubble of complacency that under the
ears to those who in bad English and in
dirty clothes are praying in various ways
Tor companiOnship with man and COM
munion with God. We want a Protest
autism that will eventually make theo-
logical Professionalism unnecessary by
making unrighteOuSnesS the supreme
test, love the only confession and truth
the adequate quest. 1t Is obvious that at
the present time there is no movement
before the public represented by any or
ganization that does represent just this
Professionalism. 1t is equally obvious
that thousands do feel underneath such
a Professionalism an everdeepening faith.
To such a Professionalism the bloOdleSs
little creed OF the UniverSalists, used to
circumscribe their universally, is as
offensive as the Thirty-nine Articles,
whose place in the church economy is de-
termined by the churchman's skill in
explaining them away. This Protestant
ism has as great protest to make against
the class distinctions of society as against
the thought distinctisns Of the creeds.
This Professionalism seeks to unite the
millionaire and the day labOrer upon the
things they hold in common. 1t will be
a church for the masses, a working
church, a Seven-day church, not in one,
but in many ways. Not for all, but for
many, it will be a worshiping church,
tending more and more to devOuJness.
When the coerciYe element in worship IS
eliminated, the wOrshiping spirit, which
is Jealous OF its freedom and which must
always have q spontaneous element in it,
viii grow"
''There is an alarming condition of
affairs in New England" says the Central
Baptist. 1.-THE census of ;l690 shows that
the communicates Of Roman Catholics
in New England exceed the number OF
all the members Of Protestant Churches
combined by nearly a quarter of mill
ion. New England churches contain
l.O05, 120 Catholics and 703, 9S7 Protesants.
DR.. Wordsworth in the CORgTegdti0nGtist
explains the condition of affairs in this
wise: The pulpit of New England ID the
last twenty-five years has changed as to
the style and quality of its preaching. Up
20 that time it had a strong doctrinal cast
and tone. The older New England pull
pit was militant, and was not only ready
10 defend itself. but to attack error and
unbelief on any ground it might choose
to occupy. But for a generation it has
been growing pacific, and has been quite
content to let false doctrine and false
teaching SHIFT for themselves, while its
own tone has been apologize, and as
little antagonistic as possible. There has
been cry: Let controversy alone. Don't
hold up the dry bones of Orthodoxy.
Preach Christ, and cease from the hard
doctrines Of the fathers! The cry has pre-
vailed, and the pulpit has supplied the
demand made upon it. The old doctrines
ale still formulated in the creeds. and are
still assented to by the candidates for
church membership; but they are held
very much as the fossils of extinct ami
mails are held in our cabinets of natural
history The lesson for US to learn in
view of these facts is this: First, that we
should maintain high degree of spiritu-
atty and that we contend earnestly for
the faith once delivered to the saints
without fear, favor or affection. A cold
hearted membership and acringing, time
serving ministry present the most invit-
ing field on earth for the Catholics"