The record-union., 1893-11-03
In RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligiOuS Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed In the Sectarian Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.


Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.
80 far as can be gathered from a con-
sideratlon OF the present state of religion
III America, says the LiUing Church (P. .E.)
OF chicago, land the irresistible drift of
pubic sentiment in both the secular and
rellglous spheres in all matters pertain
ing 10 government, an Episcopal Protest
ant alliance Is an impossibility. The
Episcopal Church, regarded (as this view
OF things would regard it, as a Protest
ant denomination, has not the strength
OF numbers or the general popularity
which could enable it to attain the posi-
tlon of leadership. On the contrary,
wherever it has been presented in the
hght OF Protestant sect, affiliating with
other sects, 1t has always been far more
affected by them than it has succeeded in
affecting them. At the same time its in
huence as definite teaching force has
been impaired, and failing in moral
power it has lost something of the re-
spect Of its own members and often has
proved unable to retain their warm allie
glance. Again, it must be clear that in
lhe present age, as the trend in Europe
ana America Is constantly towards more
popular forms of government in the
State, so it will naturally be in religious
organizations where the principle is rec
ognized that they have the entire right to
mold themselves"
The action of the American Board at
worcester is not triumph Of radicalism
over conservatism, says the New York
outlook, nor Of progressive orthodoxy
over conservative orthodoxy, nor of An
dover over DR.. AIden-it is a triumph OF
the catholic spirit in the Congregational
Churches and in its board, the more sig
nincant that 1t is won, not by a majority
Vote-that is, by one party over another
party-but by vote which is practically
unanimous-thati is, by the spirit of broth
erho0d In both parties over the spirit of
faction in both parties. In answer to the
suggestion that two cannot walk together
ii they be not agreed, and therefore that
portion of the board would better depart
and carry on their mission work in their
own way, conservatives and liberals re-
ply by this action. We are sufficiently
agreed to walk together, for we are one in
our Gospel message and doubtful dlspu-
tations shall not be permitted to drive US
aSunder.'
Undoubtedly the liberal element in
the board will claim this as victory"
observes the New York I1tdependcnt.
Perhaps 1t is in some sense. 1t is
compromise, however, and compro-
mise means concessions from both Sides
IN appointing Mr.. Noyes the board has
reatfirmed the validity of the instruc-
tions against future probation. That the
radical element certainly did not want.
In consenting 10 it they have on their
Wa
result Will justify the action OF the board.
And we must assume that the judgment
OF such Stanch conservatives as President
Storrs, DR.. Bartlett, DIR. Virgin, Chester
Aoicombe and DIR. Wellman couId not
have been carried for either an actual or
a virtual surrender. Moreover, there
was no arraignment of the Prudential
Committee or of the Secretaries. The
committee of fifteen offered no word OF
criticism of the action OF the adninistra-
ton. This cessation of unjust attack
helped greatly in securing a harmonious
result. AS tor the independent, while
the result is not what we hoped it would
be, and what we firmly believed it ought
to be, we shall make no difficulty aud
cOuntenance no revolt"
'The enlargement of the Prudential
Committee and OF the board were pro-
vided for at Worcester last Thursday,
and the ultimate result is plainly 10 be
seen," remarks the New York Observer
All this is part OF a movement to Con-
gregationalize the American Board, of
which the Moves matter is but an Incl
dent. The members OF the board will
hereafter be largely nominated by Con-
gregatiOnal State Associations or similar
bodies. Young men accepted 10y local
councils VIII be presented for acceptance
by the Prudential Committee with the
oiogical trademark upon them which 1t
viii be demanded shall pass muster so
far as theological requirements are con-
cerned. If such councils are inged with
scepticism, or the larger-hope doctrine,
or any other extra Scriptural theory,
they may, and probably Will, pass young
men into the ministry who may have
doubts and difficulties, and vague hopes
and visionary ideas on a good many
points. The liberals have never lost sight
Of their goal"
''The Synod of Ohio has refused to sus-
tain the appeal of Professor Henry Pre-
served Smith, DID,, against the decision
of the Cincinnati PresUytery suspending
him from the ministry" says the New
i ork kUGHgejlSt (PreS.). lit has de-
clared that il will not tolerate in its min
listers any difference opinion on the mat
ter of the inspiration OF the Scriptures.
II has virtually affirmed that the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
has the right to establish new tests of Or
thodoxy, or, in other words, that the
General Assembly can virtually make
additions to the Confession OF Faith at
the pleasure of a majority. x DIR.
Smiths argument in his own defense
was most mastery. His Christian spirit
was never ruffled, as his tercest enemy
had to feel and acknowledge, and as his
friends knew it would not aud could not
be- How, in view of such a plea, from
such man, whose whole being is conse-
Grated to Christ and to his church, "a synod
of Presbyterian ministers and elders
could vote TO suspend him from the
Christian ministry, surpasSeS compre
hension."
''We have no hesitation" says the Chi
cago Interior (Pres.) lin charging the in
crease Of divorce to the lowered tone of
popular reading and to the shameless pa
rade everywhere OF the nude in art. APP
petites and passions that need the strong
curb OF conscience and the restraint Of a
pronounced public opinion are not re-
pressed but excited by much Of the liter
ature of the day, whose chief recommen-
dation is lis animalism. In prose and
verse a Zola and Whitman set the pace,
and are applauded despite of or by reason
of their undisguiSed bestiality. Writer'S
scarcely less gross and not whit more
moral are found upon the tables of pro-
fessedly Christian households. Delicate
phrases by which to thinly disguise
deadly sins, become familiar to the minds
of youth, and are accepted as sufficient
apology for the harboring of foul imag-
inations. We e1purgate Horace but