The record-union., 1895-08-31
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From the Various Re.
liglous Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the Sectarian Press
Some Matters Of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

"On the WHOLE" says the LiUilg Church
(P. E.) OF Chicago. 1--WE do not observe
on the part Of such papers as seem to
have the best claim to represent their
several denominations any special en-
couragement for our brethren OF the
League of Catholic Unity. The various
denominations to whom these overtures
are addressed are evidently not hanker-
ing after the Historic Episcopate.' Ii
there had been any feeling that their
ministry needed completing by the
adoption of an episcopate claiming to be
historic as a fact, without any theory,
the Reformed Episcopal Church has
stood ready these many years to crafty
that desire. That church would have
been glad long ago to offer the terms of
the League to all who would accept
them. In fact as we understand it, the
Reformed Episcopal Church occupies
precisely the position defined in the pro-
Agramme OF the League. 1t Is matter OF
surprise that no names OF ministers OF
that church appear among the signatures
to that document. II the Episcopal
Church itself were prepared for unity
with other bodies on the basis there ex-
pounded, il would be an imperative duty
to make its overtures first OF all to the Re-
formed Episcopal Church, and make
amends for what, on that showing, must
have been the narrow and bigoted posi-
ton and course OF action which gave oc-
casion TO the secession OF twenty-five
years ago"
"In the general disposition to regard
set religious obseryances as so many fet-
ters 10 larger spiritual mindedness, and
To cut them down to the last limit, there
is danger that their value as reminders OF
religious duty may be lost sight Of" says
the New ork Observer Pres. doubt
less the strongest minds may find III re-
lease from stated times and seasons for
the discharge of religious obligations a
new source OF strength. But the great
majority of people need them, II only as
preparatIveS for religious thought, and
without them suffer a very perceptlble
loss OF religious feeling. y tast-day. Il
day of humiliation or OF thanksgiving, a
stated hour for prayer, the constantly
recurrent discharge OF some religious
duty such reading a chapter of Scrip
ture giving a. set times portion OF III
come to church uses, etc., serve to recall
and keep alive religious attention. With
out such reminders there would be, for
the great mass of people, no external
stimulus to religion left. The mere habit
Of doing something which serves TO keep
up a separation from the world, and to Il X
the mind on spiritual things, even though
IL be a tedious and Durdensome habit,
renders the mind more receptive To the
1nHuence OF religion and prevents 1t from
being wholly absorbed in material things.
No doubt Christians ought to be able to
keep the spiritual flame bright without
such reminders. But The TACT remains
that the great majority Of them cannot do
80 without the danger OF grave increase
of coldness and Indifference"
do not our churches work?" asks the
New \ York Independent. "Do they not
keep up their regular meetings? Do
hey not invite in everybody? Do they
not have their sociables aud picnics? DO
they not raise money to pay OIL their
debts? Do they not make great efforts
to pay their pastors salaries? Are not
their sab bOath-schoolS made attractive by
pictures and fountains and feats2 Do not
their Christian Endeavor Societies hold
great annual picnics? All true, some-
times, and all very good, very good; but
ali this Is not what the church was made
for. This is not obeying the command
of its Founder. This is not the whole
nor the first part of what the church was
organized for. The command is not
Draw, but Co. The record is, They went
everywhere preaching the Word The
story OF the great apostle is that he vis-
tied not merely from city 10 city, but
from house to house. And thus the
church grew and was gloriied. Tell US:
Has your church so organized its work
that every person within the limits of
its local influence has the Gospel carried
10 MIN? We should like to know how
many such churches there are. We
should like to know the story OF a church
in which the roll is kept, not merely of
its mem bers and families, but OF its nom
members. We should like to hear how
they receive the faithful message as
brought to them. We should be glad 10
repeat the story how such church visits
the outskirts, the hamlets and homes
that know no Sabbath; how it reports
the individual condition aud history Of
its non-menbers, and sends not the pas
tor alone TO visit and advise with them,
but TO them each the brother or sister in
the church who can best reach their
hearts. Have we many such churches?
Is there more than one IN five thousand?
II not, why do our churches complain
OF their GOODNESS and death?'
at is true that TO the really religious
nature all days are holy and all places sa-
cred. but we are immensely helped by
fellowship and association" says the
New York Outlook; land the immemo-
rial cOnsecratiOu of SUNDAY To rest and