Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-05-30

an old controversy when the substance
,1s all gone can not be justified either
In logic or in morals, or by any plea of
expediency.
In political, social and business rela
tions, the North and the South have
practically ceased to cherish the ami,
mosities of a former period. They are
at peace with each other and working
together in an amicable spirit for the
advancement Of the national welfare
and happiness. The commerce of the
two sections, the industries, the states.
manship, the literature, are all pleas.
antly associated and intermingled: the
men of the two armies are fraternizing
as if they had all fought on one side.
1t is only in the church that the old
grudges survive and the old lines of
discrimination and intolerance are still
recognized. The ghost of slavery keeps
scots divided the same as the reality
once did, and when r, union is suggest.
ed, loud and scornful protest is heard
where there should be gracious ac.
knowledgement of the folly and mock.
cry of sectional distinctions in religious
organizations. 1t is not by such II
course that Christianity is Recommend
ed to popular respect and confidence,
or that the church is vindicated as an
agency OF sweetness and light in the
scheme Of civilization. This obstinate
persistence in the theory of denomina-
tional antagonism, regardless alike of
gospel teaching and of patriotic obliga
ton, is standing reproach to those
who seem to think it a credit, and a
serious detriment to the interests which
they claim to hold paramount to all
Others.
There is some room for the suspicion,
unfortunately, that the situation which
thus separates members of the same
religious family and depreciates their
general strength and influence accord
ingly is attributable in large measure to
individual ambition. As the case now
stands, there is more authority to be
exercised and more chances to secure
promotion than there would be if only
one organization existed for the whole
country. Men who have become ac
customed to the use of ecclesiastical
power are as loath to relinquish it as
other men are to surrender other Off
cial functions; in the church as out of
1t, there is human nature, personal in.
terest, desire for honor and leadership.
This is not of itself thing for criticism
Religious service, like that of a political
or military order, is apt to be better
when stimulated by the hope of prefer
ment; and minister isnot to be blam-
ed for wishing to be bishop. 1t is
only when the love of power and pat.
ronage becomes stronger than the sense
of devotion to the principles and pur-
poses of Christianity that there is cause
for complaint. The Southern clergy
should look to it that they do not in
that way make themselves responsible
for division that might otherwise soon
be healed and forgotten. No religious
sect can afford to dispense with the
virtue and the advantage of unity; and
perseverance in policy of that sort,
against the manifest suggestions of
practical wisdom and of moral duty,
invites unpleasant comment from all
good citizens, and provides cynics and
scoffers with means of doing great
harm to the church.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat.