The record-union., 1895-06-08
IN RELIGIONS REALM
Expressions From the Various Re-
ligiOus Newspapers
The Religious Thought OF the Day as
Expressed In the Sectariau Press
Some Matters OF Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

1.-THE papal address to the Christians OF
England contained no reference to Angli-
can orders" observes the Lining Church
(P. E. of Chicago, 'either for or against.
The persistent reports as to the Pope's
own inclinations may have had some
found alton: such an impression Is
strengthened by the honors recently con-
ferred on the Able Duchesne, who, at the
request of the Pope q short time ago,
wrote memorial on the subject OF An
glican orders. He has lately received
from Cardinal Rampolla large medal
of the Holy Father in recognition OF his
valuable literary and theological serv-
ices to the church. The Anglican Church,
however, is not waiting for papal recog-
milton. 1t would take much more than
that to bring about an understanding.
One thing seems to emerge from this
business. The doctrine of the personal
infallibility OF the Pope receives some
damage. The Pope. it appears, desired
to declare that Anglican orders are valid,
but was not allowed by the Congregation
of the Inquisition to make such state
ment e1 cothedrd. This distinctly weak
ems the doctrine of infallibility as it
seemed to be defined by the Vatican
Council, and thus does something, IN
eort of back handed way, to remove one
of the great stumbling blocks between
Rome and the rest of Christendom. 10
be sure, most Catholic Christians who
have examined the subject will, of the
two positions, viz, that the Pope is only
infallible when he utters the views OF the
Roman congregation, or that he Is only
infallible when he acts as the mouth piece
of an oecumenical council, prefer the lat
ter. But in either case he ceases to be
infallible."
"Romanism permits a long tether,"
gays the Christian Register u nit of Bos-
ton; but its checks and hindrances. hid
den and open, are potent its power to
subdue the genIds of its exceptional men,
working them into the general lump of
subserviency. is power possessed by no
other order. However, it would seem
that modern thought, modern impulses,
are too strong for the old church. 1t can
no longer remain stationary. 1t must
move, il must grow, ii it would live. Its
saving graces must come to the front and
take the lead, and put forth buds and
LEAKAGE, like Aaron's staff. The Ameri
can stamp of Catholicism will reach
wholesomely on the stagnant European
Church, and has already reacted. Ireland
and Gibbons have emphasized precious
truths. They have felt more as men than
as ecclesiastics. Their robes rise and
fall over human hearts with feelings
broader than their own connection.
Whether conscious OF it or not, they
stand for free thought and the liberty of
the spirit. The forward step they have
taken in unison with science, with polit-
ical reform, with the growing vital tend
encies towards recognized brotherhood
is ii remarkable illustration of the power
of free institutions to slough oil every
thing pernicious to its own well-being.o
1--WE have held that too much interior
ence by the General Assem- bly, with the
conduct of its theological seminaries is
not in the interest either of those semi
naries or of the church." says the New
u rk Independent, that as there are diff
fereut schools of thought comprehended
in the Assem- bly,, there should be room
for theological seminaries OF different
types. 1t was apparent last year that the
proposal OF the General Assembly TO Sc
cure direct control was by no means
agreeable to several of the seminaries.
The replies of the directors and trustees
to the conference committee during the
year show that this feeling is strong
one, and that it does not prevail simply
in those seminaries like Princeton and
Western. Princeton is the center of con-
servatiSm, and IL has declared that while
II synpathizes with the general purpose
of the action it deems it 'unwise and I'M
necessary to secure the required changes
III lis C0dIteT. IL Wd5 sdIu III tU0 Q0Ddt0
in the General Assem- bly, at Plttsburg last
week that nearly three hundred directors
and trustees have expressed opinions UNI
favorable to the Assembly's action.
Some weight is surely due to this DELHI
crate judgment. 1t is not at the bottom
question of orthodoxy and heterodoxy.
1t is question whether a control which
may become rigid and repressive is to be
vested in the General Assembly, or
whether the seminaries are TO be trusted
with large degree of liberty. 1t is not
just the thing 10 put all the seminaries
under heavy bonds because one has
proved recalcitrant. So far as sound
teaching is concerned we do not believe
that it can be more certainly secured un-
der the proposed than under the present
system, ana the continued agitation of
the question seems to US unnecessary and
unwise."
Running over the proceedings of the
Assembly as reported in the daily papers
of this city, we are impressed" says the
New York Evangelist (Pres.), with the
familiarity OF certain names, and eSpe-
cially OF characteristics in opinions and in
manners, which brings out q feature OF
this representative meeting, not agreea-
BILE, and surely to be deplored. 1t is evil
dent that man who has been two or
three times consecutively in the body be-
gins to believe himself essential TO it, and
by right moving spirit For instance,
two or three men from New York have
been so much in evidence in the last four
or five Assemblies as to make it appear,
and manifestly to make them think, that
they really represent the largest Presby-
terry in their sole personalities. We no.
tice with regret that one Of these repeat
ers'-if we may so call them-had the
bad manners to affront a man like DR..
Herrick Johnson. The trouble arises
from the altogether reprehensible prac-
tice of allowing the same elders TO go year
after year. New York Presbytery owes
it not only to itself. but to the church and
the rest of the world, TO suppress this
sort of representation. There Is no sutl-
cient reason for it, and where any Pres
bytery is regularly represented by the
same crowd il forfeits the respect OF
many, aud offends all by giving ground
for the belief that few men own and run
the meetings."
The New York Charchmdn (P. E..
speaking OF agnosticism among the Jews.
says: The perpetuation OF Judaism has
TINS advantage-that il moves in line OF
regular and easy exclusiveness. The
race and religion are one. But herein
hes also Its fatal defect. The movement
OF the present day is towards the confed-
Grafton, even the amalgamation, of races.
The unity OF religion is something which,
according 10 the Christian ideal, trans
cenos the divisions of race. st. Paul
taught this new principle, and the princi-
pie mas now become fact. The Jewish
religion causes isolation, where the Chris
tisn religion. falling in with the highest
results OF scientific theory and social de-
velopment, tends not TO exclusion. but to
inclusion. The best fruits of jewish re-
ligion have been harvested in the Chris
tian Church. All honor to the Jew for
what he gave to Europe and to the world.
What he gave has not only passed into