The record-union., 1895-09-07

preme literature OF the world, could be
made which would be acceptable as a
| t-book of morals to all denominations,
| and this, we understand, is being done
! in some places, to the satisfaction of
Protestants, Roman Catholics and Jews
alike. But we are confident that the
American people stand together on the
common ground that the State must edu-
cate lis children TO be good citizens, that
moral training is essential to good citi-
zenship. and that the moral law which
men must obey in order to be good citi-
zens comes from the supreme lawgiver,
who is our Heavenly Father. We be-
lleve, therefore, that some way will be
found which will be generally acceptable
| teaching moral principles and the source
from which they come. Meanwhile, the
success of such teaching depends far less
on text books than on teachers"
"Some mems orthodoxy" remarks the
Observer (Pres.l, lis of so stern char
acter and its predOminance so marked
that the owners appear to their fellow
Christians TO consist of nothing but back
bone and thistles. They bristle with or
thodoXy. Such men have q creed that is
clear cut and definite TO hairs breadth.
The mysteries anu marvels of Gods
Word are measured and weighed, sorted
and labeled by them with precision that
is peculiar. Nothing remains to be
learned or discovered. The ordinary
mortal OF average Christian capacity, ,anx-
! lous to The hearts core to hate every false
way and 10 know and cleave to the truth,
finds the man who bristles with ortho-
doxy al uncomfortable companion. We
do not take kindly 10 briStles, although
we DO like orthodoxy. The orderly ar
rangement Of doctrinal truths is a desid-
eratum. Doubt and the devil are ubiQui-
tous foes, and nothing Will down them like
well conceived, consistent and lnsistent
plan of truth. This is long seawall that
defends every inch of the coast. By
score of siiniles we could show our high
estimation OF the value of doctrines
searched out and set In order. But there
Is no creed and no confession which con-
tains all that is movable or all that is
thinkable OF God and the deep things
which He has revealed SO far as human
language can reveal them. The right
pertains to no man to say to the thinking
mind, Thus far and no further, or, Here
at this confession or at that compendium,
of doctrines shall the proud waves of thy
thought be stayed. We cannot abide the
bristllng man. We do not want to run
against quilted porcupine whenever
we talk about the truths OF God. We
doubt not that many devOut inquirer
after truth has come to repudiate much
sound and helpful doctrine because pre-
sented at the point of the bristles."
The Rev. S. w. Pratt, answering in the
Evangelist (Pres.) those who are some-
what afraid of Christian Endeavor be-
cause there is SO much OF enthusiasm in
it, says: Enthusiasm from its derivation
means being in God or God in one. One
is possessed by God or inspired under
spiritual influence. Its New Testament
equivalent is filled with the Holy Spirit,
endowed by the Spirit. Commonly it
means ardent zeal, inspiring energetic
endeavOr with strong hope and conf
dence. 1t is an eXultation and fervor of
soul, the mind and feelings engaged in
devotion to u principle or object Re-
HgiouS enthusiasm has its spring in
knowledge of God and in Him and love
for Him, which begets earnest devotion
to His service. There may, as in every
thing else be false as we'll as true.
and enthusiasm may be ill-balanced and
become visionary and fsnatical. Itis the
enthusiasm of God and humanity for
which we plead, enthusiasm of faith and
love founded on Gods character and
truth and promises, and for His cause
and church and glory. A revival of re-
ligion is the natural outgrowth and ac-
compartment OF religious enthusiasm"
The Spectator, discussing the qualifica-
tions OF a Bishop, from tho English point
of Wow, says: 1T used TO be thought that
it was very important for Bishop to be
an eloquent preacher; and, perhaps,
when sermons were fewer and Bishops
more rarely seen Iii the pulpit. it was un-
fortunate ii the conjunction called forth
nothing 10 enlist the hearers attention.
Now, however, that good preaching-of
kinds comparatively common, and
that Bishops draw no larger congrega-
tions than an ordinary Clergyman. the
case is different. Those who have the
choice OF Bishops are now more inclined
to give the first place in their list of re-
quirements 10 administrative ability.
A Bishop is the engineer-in-chief OF a
great living machine, and If he has not
the power to guide and direct it, there
will be a huge waste of power. That is
true; the diocesan apparatus will work
well or Ill, according as strong or weak,
an active or an indolent man has the con-
troll OF l.. 1t is a truth, however, that
needs careful guarding, If it is not to lead
to the multiplication of more routine
Bishops. The analogy with the machine
breaks down In one particular. In dio-
cese the parts of the machine are made
of flesh and blood, and Bishop who has
the faculty of inspiring his clergy, of
bringing out their best side, of enlisting
them in his own work, and stimulating
them to find fresh work for themselves,
of raising them above their natural level,
of leading them to look at their office in
new and higher light, will have kind Of
administrative ability which will make
him worth a dozen men who can answer
letters punctually and never forget an
appointment"
There is none SO homely but loves a
looking-glass. s.-South.