The record-union., 1895-12-28

look to the end to be gained by the ex
ertion of influence. Comparatively a
few must constitute the nucleus, but,
they being faithful, the nucleus grows,
the central attraction increases, the
new world begins to shape itself"
In an article on Rural Religion"
the Living Church" (P. Ed of Chi
cago remarks: "In circles where relig-
ion continues to be an organized force
there are first the usual denominations,
Congregationalists Presbyterians, and
Methodists, for the most part, and next
a number of sects little known or heard
of in cities, but sometimes exhibiting
surprising strength of numbers. Such,
for instance, are the Dunkards and the
Omish, a sect which makes the ques-
tion of button-holes and hooks and
eyes q foundation test of true religion.
Here and there the Spiritualists have
gained a foothold. But the true rural
population appears to be mostly unat-
tached and to have little to do with re-
ligion except when some travelling re-
vivalist, whose antecedents and secta-
rian relations are often completely un-
known, organizes a series of meetings
in the nearest crossroads schoolhouSe.
Then there is a certain amount OF in
terest through the countryside, spas
modic awakening of half-forgotten in
stincts, and the meetings are attended
more or less faithfully according to the
strength of the preachers personality
or his skill in arousing the emotions of
his hearers. Sometimes conversions are
reported or souls are said to have been
saved. The preacher, after a time, goes
on his way, the public meetings cease,
and the community relapses into its or
binary habits and ways. 1t is sad to
observe that, generally speaking, the
converted or saved persons revert, like
the rest, to their former standards of
life and practice. They have had no
duties of a religious nature impressed
upon them, and family prayers are not
introduced. The conversion thus stands
by itself, and is sometimes appealed
to long afterward as giving the assur
ance of heavenly bliss"
"The season which commentaries
the coming of the Son of Man is one of
holy memory and of glorious hope, ="
says the New York Outlook. 1T is
also one of sober warning, When the
Son of Man cometh shall He find
faith?' This question, which Jesus
asked, is as fit for this time as for that
time. AT that time the Son of Man had
come at critical period for the Jewish
Church and state, to put truth and ear
nestness in place of tradition and pol
icy, justice and mercy in place of tithe-
paying and fasting. But Jerusalem did
not know the time of her visitation or
recognize the advent of her deliverer
He found no faith, and she found no re
demption. The Christian Church has
dwelt upon this fatal mistake of the
Jewish Church in singular forgetfulness
of the warning it gave to the Christian
ages, a warning accentuated by Jesus
question. That question, Shall He find
faith? evidently expresses a PRESENT.
ment that the experience of the Son Of
Man in that time would be repeated in
after time. The thoughtful reader of
church history must confess that the
presentiment has been verified. As
Elijah came again, SO Jesus said, in
John the Baptist, and they knew him
not SO the Son of Man has come from
age to age in Christ filled men, only to
experience the faithless rejection which
he met in Judea.