The record-union., 1896-10-18
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From Various Religious
Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the Sectarian
Press.


formally and solemnly effected by the
Bishop of New York on a recent occa-
sion, is a most suggestive rite" says
the New York 'Churchman" (P. Ed. 1T
teaches that nowadays people seem so
slow to learn that there is a clear and
distinct difference between things
sacred and profane, and between what
is secular and what is religious. A
church duly consecrated is to be treated
with reverence, because conservation
means the separation of something for
q specific, and that the highest use.
The material quality of a building is
not altered by conservation, but the pur-
pose and use of it are solemnly devoted
to the highest and holieSt ends. The
consecration of a building means that
within that building there is to go on
not trade, but worship; not social talk,
but the praise of God; not the feast of
earthly hospitality, but the supper of
the Lord; not worldly intrigue, but
prayer; not laughter, but silent medita-
tion and communion, uttered or unut-
tered, with God. A devOut architect
once remarked that what produced rev.
erence in Roman Catholic churches was
the Host in the Tabernacle and the
lamp that burned before it. A much
more pertinent and evangelical reason
why people should move softly and
speak little excepting when addressing
God in a consecrated church, is because
that house has been dedicated to a par
ticular purpose, and that purpose the
most solemn of all-the practice of
prayer praise, spiritual instruction, and
the partaking in the sacraments of the
Gospel"
''The decision of the Pope with re-
spect to the validity of Anglican orders
probably brings to an end for this gen.
Grafton at least the movement of the
extreme sacerdotal party In the Church
of England and the Episcopal Church
of this country for reunion to the
Church of Rome" says the New York
"Observer'' Pres.). THE indispensa
BILE preliminary to that reunion was de-
clared by the leaders of the movement
to be the recognition of the ordination
of the Anglican clergy, which, of course,
involves the recognition of the Anglican
communion as a branch of the Church
Catholic. That with many
who have hoped for some compromise
on the part of the Papacy by which re-
union to Rome might be brought about
1t will end all further advances is prob
able. That it will increase the number
of individual conversions to Rome is
also probable. Many of the extreme
ritualists have shared in the move
ment in order to find in a final and per-
emptory authority a relief from their
own Wavering judgment With such
the Pope's unhesitating assertion of au-
thority, his fearless demand for sub
mission, will only increase admiration
and attraction. But that the Pontiff's
decision will end all hope of the sub
mission of the English people to the
Iapacy there is no doubt, even were it
not prevented by their insularity.'
These discoveries of ancient records
and life" says the Boston "Congrega-
tionalist," ARE the most valuable COM
mentary on the Old Testament ever
written, and many of them antedate the
Old Testament. They illumine the di-
vine purpose as declared in the Biblical
accounts of the history of Israel They
remove difficulties which have been
great stumbling blocks; and if they
lead us, as they do to rearrange our
ehronologies and to change some of our
methods of Interpretation, they both
confirm and illustrate the general his
torical accuracy of the Holy Scripture.
just at this period, when scientific at
tainments have for the first time made
them ineligible and taught us their
value, can but suggest the providential
care of God over the Word which he has
given to men. His truth written on
buried walls and tablets, in the sacred
books Of his chosen nation and in the
hearts of men, is the same truth
through all the ages, and It's record IN
every place bears witness to itself and
to the mind which gave it..
"a good rule for the sturdy, practical
Teforrner is, 60 for something you can
get, and then get what you go for" re-
marks the Christian Register" (Unit)
of Boston. 1.-The trouble with some re-
form movements is that they aim to
shoot too high and explode in the air,
or choose too long range and fall far
short of the target. a definite, con-
crete aim, something that can be hit If
there is powder enough behind the ball
something that can be done if there
IS strength put into the doing-these are
necessary conditions of early and fruit
full success. In many so-called reform
movements there is too much scattering
of fire. This is true of the temperance
Some are working in one direction and
some in another. Some are depending
largely upon political success, and are
spending their time and efforts in work
ing for utter impoSsibilities. For in
stance, we have a National Prohibi-
1ion party which, apparently oblivious
of all other issues. is putting up candi-
dates of its own for the Presidency and
urging the country to accept them. OF
course there is not the remotest shadow
OF a ghost OF a chance of the election of
the Prohibition candidates on a ma
tfonal issue. IL the same amount of
time money and strength We're put in
to securing local victories for prohibi-
ton or temperance. something prac-
teal might be accomplished
I'm one of his letters touching a very
important event in his life, George Fox
wrote: Wherefore | let the thing rest.
and went on in the work and service of
the Lord There is a deep and vital
truth of practical living suggested by
this fragment of a sentence-a truth
which, received and acted upon, goes
far to make the mind calm, the heart
peaceful, and the hands effective" OBJ
serves the New York Outlook" {" There
are a great many conscientious but anx-
ious people who find themselves contin-
ually tempted to postpone work until all
questions can be settled; who attempt
in a word to anticipate the education Of
life by grasping at the beginning those
results which come only at the end. For