The record-union., 1894-11-03
carrying it on 50 long can be absolved
from the charge of wanton wickedness,"

Speaking of the new preamble to the
Unitarian constitution, the New York
lhftSttdn 14dCOcdte (Meth.) says: 1.-The
Unitarians have at no time been a numer-
Gus body, but they lave occupied place
IN the public attention disproportionate
to their numbers because they have so
boldly challenged evangelical Christ.
ianity, and because they have numbered
among their ministers and laymen some
of the most distinguished literary and
pnbllc mon OF the generation. DR.. James
Freeman Clarke declared many years
ago that ne believed the new theology
would show itself hospitable TO whatever
OF good there might be in buddhism,
Contucianism, NJ Mohammedanism, and
Zoroastrianism, but that its center and
life would be Christ, the central figure
in human history The Unitarians of
to-day do have great respect for these re-
nglons, but their growing regard for them
is accompanied by decreasing att ach-
ment for Christ and Christianity. 1t is
with regret that we admit it; but it is
true, and carries its lesaons.n
"The strength of Congregationalism
lies, not in its clergy, but in It's laity,"
observes the C}triSt1Gn Register (Unit.) of
Boston. 1T is perversion Of the Con-
gregatlonal system when the Whole work,
authority and responsibility of running
church are thrown upon the minister.
There ought to be no such thing as Con-
gregatlonai hierarchy. 4 church ruled
by minister is misruled. Occasionally
we have heard of ministerial despot in
the Congregational order, whose church
constituted a little monarchy of which he
was the imperial autocrat. His despotism
extended even to business meetings and
such delicate subjects rs the adjustment
OF his own salary. such autocracv ia
fart lDn abr nah, fcx
the minister, and generally results in dis
affection. The only thing as bad as a
boss IN the pulpit is the boss in the
pew. Occasionally man is found who
wishes 10 run the whole church, the 1nIn-
lister included; but the usual effect of such
an ambition Is to run the church off the
track or into the ground. In the cemetery
Of deceased churches there is many
tom bstone that reads, Killed by one-man
power"
''Some political parties are indus
trlously utilizing the alleged religious
question this autumn" says the North
lCeSteJ7I ChriStidn Advocate (Meth.) of
Chicago. 1T is rather difficult to carry
national issues in local elections, particu-
larly when they are intricate. like the
tariff question. When political fires do
not burn brightly, the church contest
comes mandy to those who sincerely love
ana honor no church There is no Ques-
ton that many Roman Catholics depre-
cate such contests, and that many other
citizens have reason to believe that some
Roman Catholics often do utilize the
franchises OF their church to influence
opinion ON political occasions. There are
some Romanlsts who deserve castiga-
ion, while some other citizens uncan-
uldly appeal TO prejudice and seltishly stir
the fires Of Protestant jealousy for party
benefit. There is little doubt that de-
signing men are now at work with full
intent to ride into Office on the wave OF
popular revolt against the Romish
church. Certain Roman leaders are in
part responsible for this, and they can
not complain Of the results of their un-
worthy work. They are being repaid in
their own coin. The thoughtful cItizen
will lament that there has ever been
cause for mutual suspicion and struggle.
A direct appeal to voters on church
grounds when a church question
is not at stake cannot fail to
make infinite trouble. If one church
enters the political lists, all may
do so. Ii one generously refrains from
such tactics, all should do the same. There
are about half q dozen dangerous issues at
hand, and these are enough to absorb the
zeal OF all wise men and women, and TO
summon all voters to unite for the rescue
Of good order and righteous administra-
tion."
"The sermon that would attract and
benefit the man not in the habit of going
to church must be strong in thinking and
simple in language" says the New York
Observer. at is fatal mistake 10 offer q
handful Of cOmmonplaces decked out in
baby words. Some would-be preachers
to the people try that method and wake
up from their dream to find that instead
OF preaching to people they are preaching
TO empty benches. The workingman has
enough of the man III him to resent and
despise whatever teaching does not rec
ognize mis- manhood. True evangeli-
cal teaching has that element in abund-
ance. The gospel of Jesus Christ is es-
sential for men. Only so far as a man is
in Christ and like Christ can he attain tho
standard OF manhood the Creator Re-
deeluer would have him reach. Christi
anity abounds in appeals to manhood;
Quit you like men; be strong En-
of Jesus Christ Fight the good
fight OF laith.' The preacher who respects
the manhood OF his hearers by refusing
TO dilute the strength of his message
with the water of sentiment and namby-
pamby whimpering will speedily find
that he has forged one link IN the chain
which Is ultimately to bind them to the
church, and through the church to Jesus
Christ"
John roster, speaking III one of his SER
mons of q man perfectly we'll known to
be vastly rich, but not less notorious for
niggardly parsimony in his contribu-
tions TO the cause of God, says that it APP
pears TO him that there must be some
thing very uns0und in the constitution of
church that retains such a man in its
membership. This does not appear to
us to be the case at ALL" remarks the New
York Cirjstio7e IRteItigetcer (Ret.l. lone
may feel very sure OF the wealth and the
parsimOny of such a man, but how are
you going to prove it? Have any church
authorities the right to examine a MEM
ber as TO his means or as 10 his gifts
Besides, where is the standard? ? Does
the Bible anywhere put limit to any
ones acquisitions or does it say how
much he must give in charity? 1t has
often been suggested that covetousness
should be made a matter of discipline,
but there is no way in which this could
be done without trenching on the rights
of the individual. Better leave it where
the Bible does, with each mans heart
and conscience. 1t contains many warn
ings against the love of money, but does
not authorize the church TO put anyone
on trial for giving way to it"
EVER so FUNNY.
What is the matter with Jones tonight?
NNE l tf L.