The record-union., 1895-01-05
IN RELIGIONS REALM
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligious Newspapers
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed In the Sectarian Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

recent attack upon Anglican orders, the
Living Church (P. E.) of Chicago says:
sWe believe it was w. G. Ward who
said that Vaughan, whatever his merits
otherwise, was no theologian. Probably
he has not amended this defect since
those days. There is a refreshing SIM
plcity, or an admirable kind of GOODNESS,
in bringing forward the old objections as
il they had been hitherto unheard of,
quietly ignoring the answers which have
been made scores Of times. The Cardinal
knows that to many of his readers they
will be new, and relies upon his skill in
expression. Those who are unfamiliar
with the controversy may well be unset
tied by the assured way in which the clev-
er Cardinal takes many things for granted.
But the answers to his propositions will,
it may be hoped, be as widely read as the
propositions themselves, and in the long
run it will be seen that the only Roman
resource is to take shelter behind the
Pope and to say: We reject Anglican
orders because the Pope has not acknowl-
edged them;' or else TO say there is no
Catholic unity except IN communion
with the Pope, and therefore Bishops who
do not recognize his supremacy are no
true Bishops. This position is intelligi-
1irst principles. The question of the
papal supremacy is the real dividing line
between the Anglican and Roman
Churches. So long as no agreement can
be obtained on this point it is time thrown
away TO discuss lesser issues with Ro-
man controversialiStS who always fall
back upon this at last"
THAT the very good go straight to
heaven is novelty in belief" remarks
the New York ChlH'ctDldl (P. e.,
(which we supposed was strictly con-
fined TO certain sects which have forgot
ten Advent and thrust the idea OF final
Judgment into the background. The
Scripture is Distinct upon these points.
The words are the Lords own words.
This day shalt thou be with me in Para
Disc spoken to the penitent thief, cer-
tainly did not mean, whatever else it
signited, that the Lord was TO pass into
heaven before His Ascension and before
lie had taken on the Body Of His Resur-
rection. If words could make plain that
Paradise stands for the intermediate state
before soul and body are reunited-it is
these words, and so the church has ever
held. That the penitent thief was of that
high order of sudden sanctity that he
should be the first 10 enter heaven and
be freed from all need of purgatiOn-if
need there be-is statement as curious
as 1t is difficult of belief, and yet this is
the foregone conclusion if Paradise means
heaven. That the heavenly consumma-
tion aud bliss are attainable before the
resurrection and on the expiration OF a
purgatorial period is certainly anything
but the teaching OF the Prayer
The CitTlSttan Register (U nit. } of Boston
says: The Presbyterian generously con-
codes that perhaps far greater number
of Catholics than we have been wont to
suppose Will be saved as yet by fire.
Very likely there are Catholics vino also
generously concede that perhaps more
IresDyterlans Will be saved than the
original Roman Catholic estimate. But
is ii not about time TO give up this kind
OF calculation? The different missionary
bodies, both Protestant and Catholic
have had actuaries who seem to have
busted themselves in computing the
chances Of life hereafter for those who !
have not been insured in their special
companies; and often they have placed
the rate very low. But in this day and
age about the last thing we should have
Tine IS To apply theological arithmetic 10
calculating the possible application of
God's mercy and its limitations in the
world to come. Salvation no moro de-
pends upon mans denominational con-
nection than mans character depends
upon the name he bears"
There are some churches" says the
New York Observer (Pres.), ''whose
work is constantly presented to the pub
lie through the press. All that is done,
all that IS said, all that is given, is quickly
heralded. The name OF the pastor is
prominently mentioned in connection
with that Of the church, and both pastor
and church seem TO be at the head OF all
spiritual activity. Other men and other
churches are counted dead and without
influence because their names 90 not an
pear in the public prints. This is a
grievous mistake, and there Is danger
that the evil may increase. y good thing
ought to be reported, for the good is
likely to be increased; but not all good
things are reported, and the conclusion
that that which is not made conspicuous
is worthless or dead is a laundering mis-
lake Some of the best Christian work
IN progress in the world is never de-
clared IN public, and many OF the best
servants OF Christ will surprise the null
lJudes when they are placed at the head
by the Master at the final award. Names
and reports of church work get into pub
hcIiy IN all sorts of ways. Some men re-
port their own doings, and statistics of
their church activities; newspaper men
belong TO some churches, and so quickly
give notorlety 10 all proceedings. Friends
circulate the important items OF interest
about those in whom they are interested
While the regular reports given at public
gatherings attract the attention to others
sui much and often the best is never
pushed forward to public notice Com
parsons and contrasts are often made on
the OASIS OF public reports that do great
harm to quiet churches, and bring pain
anu encouragement to noble pastors"
The great American vice, according to
the New York outlook, is covetousness.
me result Oh national heritage and educa-
Ton. II declares: The results of this
heritage and education are seen in MANY
phases OF national life and character.
seen IN our treatment of the Indian race.
whose lands we have taken, not only
without compensation, but often in vio-
1ation OF solemn treaty Obligations. We
have seized their praires, their forests,
their mines; we have begrudged them
our churches, our schools, our civiIiza-
ton. Seen III our great slave system; for
what is slavery? Strip it of all its eu-
phemistic DISCUSSES, and it is at the heart
OF II a mere vulgar desire to get the fruit
Of another mans work without paving
him wages. Seen in our great national
vice of intemperance. Is that due to APP
petite? Not chiefly; bat 10 greed. Our
liquor shops are multiplied on every
street corner and at every country cross
road, because there are so many thou
sands of men eager to make money and
care less of the means by which they
make il. The saloon is pimple; the
brewery and the distillery are the cor
ruptors of the blood that multiply the
plmples; and the man who owns and
stocks q thousand saloons, and multiplies
poverty and tears and blood, but dwells
IN fine house, rides In tine carriage, and
Sits IN line pew, finds open access to
reputable society, because he had sue
ceeded. Seen in the gambling passion,
which exhibits itself in protean forms,
1rom the betting on ball game To the
galhpllng on the exchange"