The record-union., 1894-04-21

llgence. 1t is missionary age. It is
SABBATH school age. It is a Christian
Endeavor and Young Mems Association
age. With all that is undone, never was
there a time in the history of the church
Wnen more was attempted, and more was
effected, for extension of Christ kingdom
on earth than there is now. We cannot
demand herculean labor on insufficient
diet. or expect physical energy with fail
Ing strength. No more reasonable is 1t
to associate the Christian zeal and enter
prise Of the day with pulpit decline.
We believe that the American clergy of
this day are as thoroughly furnished in
mind and heart for their work as are
their brethren elsewhere, or as the
American clergy have been in any Pc
riod past"
Practical ministerial ethics need to be
toned up, if ministers wish men of affairs
to respect them," says the New York
Examiner (Bapt.). For example, many
ministers like to receive call now and
then, even ii they have no wish to leave
their charge. 1t is like proposal of
marriage to The belle of the season, trib-
ute to her charm and an enhancing of
her consequence in the eyes OF others.
These ministerial coquets encourage calls
for the privilege of declining them, and
go TO all lengths short of absolute false
uOOO-ll Is SOmStlIIi6S whispered IQdL
they are actually guilty of falsehood-
in order to induce church to call them.
1t makes their people think more highly
of them to know that others covet them.
A call makes good club to reduce re-
fractOry Board of Trustees or some short
horn deacons to order. But when pull
pit committee, composed of hard-headed
men OF business, has had few experi-
ences of this sort, what wonder if its
iofo -io1
honor"
$50 far as a so-called institutional
church is to be church that works out
side of parochial lines, and plunges into
the highways and byways, we do not
think that there is SO much necessity for
the entering Of new paths and the adop
tion Of new methods as for perseverance
in developing what has already been be-
gum" says the New York Churchmdn (P.
E.. Ever since, according to history
or tradition, st. Martin of Tours divided
his cloak with beggar, st. Nicolas saved
girls from ruin, st. Christopher assisted
wayfarers, the Christian Church has al
ways gone out among the masses. What
IS required Is no new church of senti-
mental philanthrophy. but a reunion
among the forces of religion and phiian-
thrOpy In one great Catholic Church. It
would be absurd to say that humanity is
suffering for want of the aid which should
be offered, but is denied by cold and
formal ecclesiasticism. The sparks are
still alive in the bosom of Christian
ity. They need tanning into blaze, and
directing towards all that needs to be
warmed and kindled. A hundred points
Of danger and darkness are being as
sailed by the guerilla bands, who only
require gathering and training and teach
ing TO become one with the greater army,
the mighty army which began its march
at Jerusalem, and has continued it in a
series Of unbroken victories up to the
present moment. First union in faith
and worship, then union in practical
work for God and His cause. This is the
natural order of growth, and there is no
other that We know Of"
"It does seem as if the church is not
going far enough when it urges its mem
bers to engage IN good work. but does not
find the work for them, and assign tasks
to each member" observes the PreSbu-
terrain Banner OF Pittsburg. "But, on the
other hand, socialism may be carried too
far In the church as well as i'll the State
In the politics of our day we have not yet
reached the point of requiring the State to
furnish employment to its citizens. That
is still considered higher form of state
which furnishes the general conditions
favorable to successful labor. but throws
upon each adult citizen the esponsibility
of finding work for himself, and OF form
ing such associations in business enter
prise as he may deem wise. The church
attains its highest ideal form when it acts
upon the same general principle. Its
members, presumed to be regenerated,
need the instruction and stimulus fur
nished by stated pulpit ministrations and
the ordinances of grace. These have at