The record-union., 1894-11-24

SN
which contribute to the modification of
cTeeos," remarks the Christian ReqisteY
W it.J OF Boston. There is an intellect
uai element, an esthetic element, a hu-
name element, an ethical and religious
eleinehl. Many of the old creeds are not
pelieVed. because it is intellectually alb
suFu 10 accept them, or because their
view OF human life and of the universe
Is altogether unDeautitul, or because they
contradict the humane sentiment and
our ethical codes, or, finally, because they
are pesslmlstlc and irreligious and bias
phemous. 1t is hard TO say which one of
these influences is most predominant and
lnnuentlal. great deal of influence is
ascrlbed TO the intellectual element. But
great deal must also be ascribed to the
clinical and humane sentiments, and per-
maps more than is supposed to the es-
Lnetlc sense. Calvinism was 100 unbeau-
tllul TO last; il was impossible that its
gloom should be spread over this lovely
world. And so it is that mental liberia
ton comes in various forms and through
Vcrlous forces, all working to the same
end. But it must not be thought that
these forces are simply destructive. On
TIE contrary, there Is not one of them that
is not working Tor something better. In
tellectual truth, esthetic perception, the
benevolent sentiment, ethical ideals and
rellglous aspiration are iashioning and
unfolding the religion of the present and
the future. All OF them are needed to
give perfect symmetry to any religion,
especially one that is adjusted to the
thought, life and knowledge OF the nine
teenth century"
1--WE have no disposition to slur over
the shortcomings of Protestant churches"
says the Udtchman (Bapt.) of Boston.
but we wish to raise the question
whether, In arguing any other matter
under the sun, ii would be deemed fair to
hold body OF men who are maintaining
certain set or principles responsible for
the errors Of those who do not accept
these principles. but VINO resist and an
tagonize them. Yet that is precisely the
case that is urged against the church.
The church is made responsible for the
evils OF our communities, ana yet the
men who are responsible Tor these evils
are, Tor the most part, those who repudiate
the Christian standards. We are well
aware that there are in some of our
churches men who practically ally them
selves with the evil forces of commu-
nifty; but no one in his senses would
claim that these men are more than
fraction of the whole number of Chris
tians. And 1t should be remembered that
the chief responsibility is usually placed
QpOH VIC DllulStSES, WHO are certainly
not, as a rule, hypocrites. More than
this, it is the church that is making the
only effective stand that is making any
where against these evils. The forces OF
reform Are almost wholly recruited from
the churches. Nine out of ten of the
philanthropic and reform organizations
of the country would at once disband if
the members of the churches would with
draw from them"
THE trustees of DR.. SWINGS church
have voted to disband," says the New
ork Christian 4 dUocdte (Meth.). "The
church is said to have had 900 mem bers.
Should 1t disband, as we are assured is
the purpose, IL will be conspicuous
illustration of the necessity of something
more than man to build upon. 4 COM
pound horseshoe magnet will lift large
number of tacks, Hath nails, tenpenny
nails and spikes through the air and at
tach them to itself; but Withdraw the in
nuence of the magnet and they will fall
apart. The Christian Church, founded
upon doctrine, discipline and co-opera-
ton in spiritual work, and upon the great
head OF the church, deprived OF the pas
tor, usually secures another at once; and
il there be delay, the intrinsic force of
the organization, not built upon human
beings, but upon the rock, preserves and
propels it. Altogether too much depend
the most thoroughly organized churches,
and therefore collapse is frequently APP
preached whom a popular pastor, who
drew primarily to himself and not to
God, disappears: but the church as a
whole has power enough to endure these
transitions"
1--WE are inclined to think" says the
New York Churci0an (P. E., THAT the
distinction which society draws is not
between desert OF punishment and con-
ylctlon, but rather between the conven-
nonal refinement or coarseness of the act
which has been committed The men
who have ability enough TO mismanage
bank stand on high intellectual plane;
the men who can successfully dupe in
Vestors into embarklng in fraudulent en-
terprlseS possess education, and polish
OF manner, and Astounding tact and clev-
erneSS, and the knack of inspiring conf
dence. They are members of society
and society takes them to its arms again
with very little coyness after their 'un-
pleasantnesseS' are over. The man who
sneaks along the Wharves in a boat to
steal ships iron or prizes open the base
ment window to get at the spoons is not
a refined person. His social and intel
lectual status would not be high, even if
he committed no crime. The community
would not take any particular notice of
him, and he would be admitted to most
houses by the rear door, if admitted at
all. In his own circle. an occasional visit
10 Sing Sing or Auburn does not lower
the estimation In which he is held in any
degree. His temperance on the scene
OF his activities is the occasion for reioic-
ing, and probably more or less debauch-
cry on the part OF himself and his frends
In fact the society to which he belongs
takes aim back into favor without delay,
1t seems 10 us that the course of the COM
munity at large toward criminals errs on
the side of leniency, and that at the root
of the whole matter lies the deplorable
fact that this easy-going attitude is due
to blunted sense OF the enormity OF sin,
and not TO the Christlike spirit of forgive
ness"
NEITHER legitimate competition nor
envious rivalry can shake the hold of
DR.. Prices Baking Powder on the public.
Howell's Love for Hawthorne.