The record-union., 1894-05-26
In RELIGIONS REALM
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligiOus Newspapers
The Religious Thought of che Day as
Expressed In the sectarIan Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

Newspaper reports from the East in
dicate. with some exaggeration, no
doubt" says the Living Chqtrch (P. E. of
Chicago. IAN episcopal attack upon 'ritu-
alism.' They even go the length Of as
serting that many of the clergy will
probably be suspended or inhibited This
Of course, is extravagant. In the first
place. those penalties are not inflicted in
the Episcopal Church without due pro-
cess of law. That there cannot be any
very widespread desire on the part of
the bishops to set in motion the ma
chinery of discipline, is made clear by
the hesitation generally shown to deal
with serious doctrinal alterations, far
more important than any questions of
ceremonial. Furthermore, with an ex-
ception or two, the advanced clergy
have shown loyal readiness to submit
10 the monitions of their bishops, even
when it has been pain and grief to them
to give up what they themselves and
their congregations priced as valuable
aids to devotion. 1t is true, however
that the course of very few has been so
defiant and irritating as to suggest the
idea that they were deliberately bent
uDOn 1Ou1GnIlDR d IIOl6SlAuL I6dCIlOu
anu bringing them renewal of the con
hicts of twenty years ago. But surely
the wisdom of individual bishops is equal
TO all necessary measures. 1t would be
serious matter TO revive general agita-
ton in which it might be difficult to pre-
serve firm hold of vital distinctions.
The danger is that for the sake of meet
ing special instances, ground may be
taken which would be subversive to
principles OF the gravest importance, and
IN the end affecting many who are far
from being liable to any charge of dis
loyalty"
Much is being said about the historic
episcopate as a basis for Christian union,"
says the New York Christian AdUocdte
tMeth.). "It may be well to point out
that it is that old arrogant enemy of both
Christian union and Christian unity; a
hgment which no man has proved or can
prove; the logical consequences OF which
are that those who hold it must cry out,
THE temple of the Lord are we,' and
those who accept 1t merely as a seemly
form of church order and an efficient
mode OF church government are COM
PEELED TO refuse pulpit changes with
other ministers as rigidiy as those who
maintain it essential to the existence Of
the church and the validity of the sacra-
ments. Both Roman Catholics and the
Protestant denominations that hold a
third order-namely, the order of bish-
ops as successors of the apostles-are will
ing enough to preach in the meeting
houses of the sects, and many of them
gain much credit for liberality in so do
ing, but when they admit Presbyterian
a Baptist, Congregationalisto or Meth
odiSt TO perform the functions of minis
ter in their churches it must be done in
corner, for in close observation for many
years we have failed to notice one such
instance that was not followed by disci-
pline or restricted TO something which
any layman is allowed to do"
The Christian Register (Unit.) of Bos-
ton says: "a broad-minded man, who is
a careful observer OF the religious signs
of the times, and who retains his stand
ing in what is called the orthodox fold,
has recently said that the issue between
IrinitarIans and Unitarians appear to
have been shifted from speculative to
practical grounds. II is now question
as to the amount and kind of use that is
TO be made of the life and personal lnfiu-
enee of Jesus in the pursuit of spiritual
aims. The older school, holding the link
of connection between man and God to
be small and weak looks 10 Christ TO
bridge the chasm between these TWO. The
younger school, not considering human
nature SO helpless in itself, Is inclined TO
try at least not to be SO wholly depend
ent upon the author of our Christian
faith. If this be true statement of the
question now at issue, the first thing to
be said OF the case, as thus presented, is
that 1t involves no disagreement to be
fought about, since the question cannot
be settled IN theory, and can only be de-
termined by the test Of experience. De-
bates as to the true definition of the per-
sonality OF Jesus having SO far ceased,
the way to make the best of His teach
M a1H HE inf ho 10
cided by actual trial. Whether as be-
tween liberal and orthodox, or as be-
tween radical and conservative factions
OF our own body, dispute over the
proper degree of reliance to be placed on
the leadership of Jesus is one of the most
fruitless OF all discussions. Each must
pursue the path that seems to him most
reasonable, and abide the results"
''Some of our sister denominations are
having serious-not to say heated-dis-
cussions over the infelicities of their
church government" says the Coagrega-
tt0HuttSt of Boston. "In the Methodist
Church there is DR.. Parkhurst OF Bos-
ton. lie has been reading paper before
the preachers meeting of Chicago on
King Georgeism in the Methodist Church.
He insists that lay members of the
church have no voice in organization or
taxation, no voice in the selection of off,
ClaIS OF III lnG 0ESOuESSulSDL Oh
The system, he says, is out of harmony
with our system of republican govern
ment Il Congregational minister l75
years ago issued tract which declared
that democracy is Christs government
It has been resuscitated from time to
time and has had mighty influence in
American church and political lie. Has
not the time come to put it into circula-
ton again? The Evangelist reiterates its
charges that the entire list OF delegates
to the General Assembly from the New
York Presbytery was prepared and
elected by packed caucus, that one
party is deliberately working the pres
byteries to override the rights OF the
other, and that these proceedings show
'how much lower is the standard of JUS
tice in the church than before the oom
mon law This is a good time TO COM
mend to the churches "a government of
the people, by the people and for the peo-
pIe.'"
'At present." remarks the New York
ChrlStlon IntelLigeneer (Ref.l, public
attention is almost asorbed with the strife
between the employer and the employed.
The air is loaded with threats. The So
cial structure is heaved and strained with
the endeavor TO overthrow the existing
social order and to establish regime in
which all men shall have ali things III
common. The conflict has been going
on for many years, is in progress to-day.
with unabated intensity. one thing is
greatly needed-genune Christian char
acter. This will reduce the strife and in
due time bring it to an end. Lack of
goou, eXalIed, noble character is the chief
deficiency in each army. The highest
character the world has ever had is a
Christian nature. 1t has no equal, no
rival. 1t alone is complete, and goes on
10 perfection. Every virtue, with possi-
bic human virtue, is included in it. In
it every attribute has its proper place.
has its due proportions Is in harrnnnu