The record-union., 1894-08-25

the other hand the truly devout student
viii as surely meet Christ in the Word
as Mary met him when she sought him.
in the garden. The book properly ap-
preciated will ever be link between the
believer and his Lord. The man who
warns US against bibliolatry is generally
seeking to substitute himself Tor the
Bible as an authority on matters OF
which it treats, and we certainly prefer
blind reverence for the Bible to the wor-
ship of any man who would put aught
else on a par with il. The C0ngregdtao7a-
dltSt says: The belief, which often mas
been expressed, that Christianity de-
pends upon the Bible. is an error. lnere
is danger in such a statement Wltnout
more abundant qualification than our
contemporary gives. If the Bible were
taken entirely out of the world and all
knowledge of its contents blotted out OF
human memory, there would soon De SO
small residuum of Christianity that the
world would become irremedlably bad."
Deplorihg the lack of religious lnstruc-
ton OF the young, the LaUtag Church u.
E.3 OF Chicago says: Even in New Eng
land, where we might expect to nnd, II
any where. the old family traditions pre-
served. the state OF things seems as bad
as anywhere else. A few months ago
leading representatives OF education IN
that locality, undertaking to explain the
lack OF literary culture among the candl-
dates for admission to college, attributed
il in large measure to the decline of Bible
teaching at home. This book they re-
garded as the prime basis OF mental cul-
tiVation, on account OF the degree IN
which 1t has nodded and permeated all
English thought and literature. But, IN
directly. this is strong testimony 10
great change IN the atmosphere OF many
Christian homes We feel sure that the
clergy might pave the way to a great re-
form by preaching more often upon the
subject OF religion in the family. Ii, IN
the household of every churchman, the
old obseryances OF family prayer and
systematic instruction in the Bible and
the primary duties OF the Christian lie
could be revived, the gain to the church
in her work for Christ would be lncalcu-
liable. Reform to be effective must begin
here. In our semi-paganized life, amuse--
ment, business and physical comfort ana
Indulgence push religion into corner or
exclude it altogether. Rightly consld-
cred il is religion which ought TO give the
law to the houshold. 1t is only when the
family life is thus dominated by rellg-
ion, when God is recognized first OF all,
that the third expedient can produce any
good results. In that case the Sunday
school comes in TO supplement and COM
plete the work OF the home, and form the
connecting link between the family with
its natural ties and the united corporated
life OF the Church of God. But as a sub
stitute for the training both of school and
home it must needs be weak and lneHect-
ive."
"The Roman Catholic Church in the
United States has been adapting itself TO
existing conditions" remarks the I1lte-
7-i0r (Pres.) of Chicago. There is less of
the stiff and unbending attitude it was
wont to assume under the pontihcate of
Plus TX. The present Incumb bent OF the
Holy See has far more comprehensive
mind than had his predecessor. Mgr. Sa-
tolli, his representative in this country,
has already infused into the Catholicism
of this land spirit of greater liberality
and progressiVeness. His latest pro-
nouncements on the temperance Ques-
ton, and their approval by several dis
tinguished Archbishops and other eccle-
siasIical authorities, will in time produce
important results. Once the saloon is
regarded with disfavor by the Roman
Catholic Church, it will lose much of its
power for evil. In the large cities the
saloon has been not only a source of
personal and social degradation, but a
fountain of all that is most corrupt and
demoraliZing in polItlcs. 1t has in many
instances been the headquarters OF tne
worst type of local politicians. Now that
the Roman Catholic Church in this coun-
try is coming into line with the other
churches on the temperance question,
the cause of clean civic government will
be able TO advance more rapidly"
The California Catholic says: "It is
we'll for Catholics to remember the church
has nothing whatever TO do with party
Ioy nh ho
Gratis, Republicans or Populists. But
this is not her concern. Circumstances
have arisen which make a majority of
Catholics believe in the principles OF the
Democrats. But that is their own indi-
viduai conviction, and rests on 10 order
from their church. Excellent and dis
tinguished of her members belong to the
several parties. The church in politics
asserts the commandments of God, the
precepts of the gospel, and the dictates of
the natural law shall not be violated"