Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-09-13
INTRODUCTORY.

INTRODUCTORY.
In the March issue of the Forum, | read
with much pleasure and some degree of
satisfaction, an article from he pen OF an
Episcopalisn clergyman, Rev. William B.
Hale, on the topic: "A Religious Analy-
sis of New England Town"
l was pleased, because l regarded the
article as an indication OF a desire, more
or less widespread among good and
earnest men, for true union of Christian
forces. that thus the objects OF Christian
ity may be more easily and speedily ac-
complished. My satisfaction arose from
the fact that the desire seems an honest
and earnest one. The eye has become so
accustomed to lines OF division, and the
ear SO familiar with notes of attack, from
the various sects that this essay of the
reverend gentleman comes like happy
sugury of better things. 1t is like the
first cry of the Christian dawn-"Peace
to men of good will
Rev. Mr.. Hale, however, seems to see
clearly that perfect peace cannot exist,
nor can corporation be available, with
out harmony in all things; nor can such
harmony abide without union in all
things. His plea, then, IS for union. he
has shown the pressing need of union by
giving u pen picture of the state of
affairs under the system of disunion, as
illustrated in the life of Middle boro.
Mass. where he is stationed. He knows
that of which he writes by actual and
painful experience. And any man at all
familiar with life in New England is we'll
aware that the picture is typical.
BY this it appears that the various
churches of the sects are starving for
want of spiritual mamma. though I'M
pleasantly active as rival centres of social
attractions. The rolls of membership
have fallen SO low that ordinary modes Of
meeting current expenses no longer avail.
So extraordinary means are employed, in
the way OF concerts, lectures, suppers,
plays and the like. These entertainments
attract that part Of the population which
belongs to no church. And efforts to
eclipse in this new field of church work
consume the time and energy once re-
quired for he old field of religious work
Result-spiritual starvation.
The reverend writer might have added
apply to the Catholic church. With her
the roll of mem bership is ever on the in
creasing scale; and if she has recourse to
entertainments at times, they are held
almost invariably in some public hall,
while the proceeds are destined for pur-
poses not included in the list of current
expenses. Finally, Wit b her children such
entertainments are not OF so important a
character as to interfere with spiritual
duties, and are never used as an attraction
to church service. Result-though her
congregations are often composed, for
the most part, of the poorer classes, they
are, nevert heless, most prosperous col
lectively; they are the best instructed in
the principles of their religion; and they
are most devoted to their church.
The reverend gentleman refers touch
ingly to an elder day when a common
religious sentiment pervaded the whole
community, and when the church ruled
the social life; while to-day religious
sentiment seems absent, for the social life
rules the church. In this, | think he has
put his finger on the button that moves
the whole machinery. 1t is merely social
life that moves the churches of which he
writes, and the poor are not in society
His plea for union will awake prayer
full response in every honest heart But
his plan for reaching that desired end
must, | think, seem to most men to be
strikingly peculiar and extraordinary in
its simplicity. Let us drop denials," he
says, land hold to affimations." He does
not seem to be aware that he is thus re-
moving all ground from beneath the feet
of the sects. For Professionalism exists on
the principle of the right to DENY il it
be a principle. Hence the generic name.
Then, what some affirm Others deny. Be
sides, how can man, or body of men,
cease to deny what is honestly believed to
be false and pernicious, unless proof of
error be advanced?
AS to Catholics, he says, let them hold
to their creed but let them cease to in
terpret it. Could anything be simpler?
Let everyone hold his faith, and at the
same time hold his tongue. Believe as
you please, but please as you believe.
After all is considered, | think if the
above rule regarding the action of the
sects, could by any possibility be made
operative, then that latter part referring
to the Catholic church and its creed
would be found unnecessary; for VEN
ture to assert that if the sects agreed to
drop all their present denials and to unite
on the affirmed or positive, parts of
Christian doctrine held by each and all,
then we would all be Catholics. II is my
conviction, that if all these positive doe
trines be brought together in clear and
comprehensive form, we shall find our
selves confronted with an almost exact
copy of the creed of the Catholic church.
But | believe most men will regard this
plan as too simple to reach the end in
view. You see this plan looks entirely to
utility and ignores. principle. As the
most favora BILE result of such plan, we
cannot imagine Christian union, but,
rather, a business copartnership.
Is there, then, no plan that might be
effective for the desired union? Yes; |
think there is one, and one only. But in
the first place, beg to be heard, not as
one would hear an enemy. Before any
thing practical can be even considered,
we must stand upon common platform.
That platform may be described in four
words-He are not enemies. Unless we
be convinced of the truth of that state
ment all discussion is idle and Wastpd