The record-union., 1894-10-13
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.

"The plan for holding general missions
simultaneously IN several Eastern cities
has aroused well-grounded misgivings," :"
says the LiCtng Church (P. Z. of Chicago
Those who realize that some of the
tendencies already developed in connec-
nection with the Christian unity move
ment are fraught with danger to the cause
OF truth and the internal peace of the
church, cannot view without apprehen-
SION movement like that now pro-
posed. A mission conducted by the
church must have two purposes: First,
10 awaken in the hearts of men a convic-
Ilon OF sin leading on to true repentance
and amendment Of life; and second, to
prIng them to knowledge of the truth
These two elements are not to be sepa-
rated, cannot be separated, without trea-
son TO the doctrine of Christ as this church
hath received it. 1t is not permitted US
10 preach Christianity without definite
DelIef, religious life without sacraments.
Nor can we encourage or connive at a
method Of preaching which ignores or
appreciates the very foundations upon
Whlcn Christianity rests, and upon the
basis Of which alone true Christian life
can be formed"
The frequency with which the subject
OF church unity comes UP is evidence that
the loss arising from the multiplication
and rINalrIes OF Sects and factions is rec
ognlZed," observes the Christian ReqlStey
UNIT OF Boston. I'm seeking to repair
this injury it is not worth while to at
tempt more than Is practicable. 1t is ev-
ICent that no organic union is possible
where perfect freedom and the exercise
OF feuglouS preferences are allowed.
Mental constitution, tastes and predilec-
tlons create that variety by which one is
Catholic or Protestant, Il Baptist or an
Eplscopalian. In the different denomi-
nations some lay emphasis upon form.
some upon poIIty, others upon doctrine
ana some upon Tree inquiry. 1t is i'm
possible to recognize them by any to-
plan scheme. But though unity is I'M
possible, cooperation is not. IL may be
promoted in various ways by bodies
which are as widely separated as the Ro-
man Catholic Church ana the Unitarian
not, indeed, by denOminational effort
but by earnest work in the cause of social
and philanthropic reform. Among the
Protestants not very widely separated
such as the Baptists and orthodox Con-
gregatIonaiists, or the Universalists and
Ihe Unltarians, closer cooperation in
their religious work is easily possible if
the disposition to apply it could be de-
veloped.D
Nv are confronted with the following
sltuatIon," says the New York EUunqeL-
2St (Pres.): "A majority of the church be-
heye certain positions held by minority
TO be unscriptural and dangerous. The
minority are firmly persuaded that they
are neither the one nor the other. On the
one hand, certain Professors have been
suspended from the ministry for teaching
what is charged TO be contrary TO tue
standards, and those who agree with
them are urged 10 leave communion in
winch they are told they can 10 longer
conScIenuouSIy remain. On the other
those who are thus urged 10 leave be-
IleVIng themselves to be in full accord
with the standards and confident Of the
mistaken character of recent eeclesiasti-
cal judgments, refuse to leave the church
IN which they were born, and to whose
history and traditions they know them
selves to be loyal Thus the two parties
are set one against the other, with the re-
suit OF the friction and miSunderstand-
ing which all deplore. 1t is evident that
such situation cannot permanently con-
unue. Either the difference between the
Two positions IS so great that they cannot
rlghttuuy remain side by side within the
bosom Of a single communion, or it is
not. Ii the first be true, the sooner il is
known, and the separation made the
better for all concerned and for the
Church OF Christ If it be not true, then
the sooner this is known, and the neces-
sary adjustment made, the better. And
so we say, Turn on the light that we
may see clearly just What the situa-
ton is "
TO emphasize the necessity of good
business sense III all Christian effort and
enterprises does not imply any disparage-
meut OF dependence on the divine etti-
clency,' says the AdUance (Pres.) of
Chicago. Gods grace puts no premium
upon mental Incidence of any sort. 1t is
just the other way. The whole tendency
OF the teachings OF Christ is to wa<en into
activity every faculty Of our being This
is one reason why the Christian nations
are, even from the material point of view,
the most enterprising nations of the
world. There is somewhat hackneyed
phrase about looking at things from the
business point of vieW,' phrase that is
often misleading. The business point of
view may not always be the Christian
point OF view. 1t may be lower and
more limited view than the Christian
taith should take. Nev,rt rtEeless, there
is no form of Christian effort, whether
Tor individuals, churches or other religi-
Gus associations, which does not have
need of the constant exercise of good
business senSe.o
The majority of church choirs are to-
day struggling to keep up more or less
bad imitation of cathedral service" saws
tAe New ork CH1fchll0H (P. j.. }. ''It is
but reiterating what has been said and
written numberless times before to point
out that such q service never was in
tended to be congregational in the small
est degree, and never can be made so. 1t
IS The 1ruit and power of the cathedral es-
tablisnment, with its system of founda-
lions, appointments, scholarships, ssi-
pends and daily round OF choral duties.
There exists nc complete example OF
such an establishment in this country,
and yet very many Of our churches go on
IN the vain endeayOr to maintain q serv-
ice which Is no better than a mistit.
There Is no reason why any congregation
should not be taught to sing weiI-seIected
hymns, TO chant the canticles and master
the music Of the responses, provided
the conditions precedent which have
been outlined are fulfilled. This Is the
season of revivihcation in most parishes.
Could any more praiseworthy work be
undertaken than the awakening of par
ishioners TO sense of rights and privil-
eyes which they have suffered to be taken
from them and OF the duties which they
have neglected? There is fraud in the
matter more serious than that which the
sluggish church goer permits to be prac-
ticed upon himself. VIII a man rob
God?' Yes; if he willfully witholds from
Him the outward and visi sible-aye and
audible-homage which is His due.''