The record-union., 1896-09-06
IN RELIGIONS REALM.
Expressions From Various Religious
Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the Sectarian

Expressed in the Sectarian
Press.
An interesting article upon the posi-
lion OF the communion table in PreSDy-
terrain churches recently appeared in
leading Scottish newspaper" says the
Living Church. P. Ed of Chicago.
1he writer deprecateS the new depart
ure In the externals OF worship in the
established Presbyterian Church, and
mentions that many new churches have
the table at the eastern wall raised two
steps above the level Of the church,
with, In some cases, rotable and a
small cabinet resembling tabernacle.
Ii is curious to find such writer ap-
pcaling to the Second Prayer Book Of
Edward vi. as having force in the
Scottish Established Church. 1t is still
more instructive to find in the same
connection an argument from the use
Of the ancient Celtic Church, in which,
however, the conclusions reached do
not agree with the best authorities. The
writer defends the practice of commu-
nicants remaining in their seats, and
insists that this was at one time the
practice in England. as doubtless it
was wherever Puritan influence pre-
vailed, though always against the law.
He cites the case of Christ Church. Ok
ford, as an instance Of this practice
up to 1856, and adds that DR.. Pusey
frequently communicated in this way.
This leads us to surmise that there may
be difference between remaining in
their seats Chat is, in their places in
the choir stalls) and remaining seated,
and that the writer has confounded
the two"
us it perfectly certain" asks the New
York Independent" that beauty and
dignity are of such primary Importance
In worship that they may not be sac
rificed to other advantages of even
greater Importance? Is it not a fact
that there may be a lack of interest
where the order is always fixed in the
same way-where song and prayer and
instruction follow each other in just the
same grooves Sunday after Sunday?
And may there not be an advantage in
liberty and even in variety? 1t is quite
certain that the best results are OBJ
tained by having long prayer always
come In a particular part of the service,
and three stately hymns drop into their
appropriate inches, and one public ad-
dress, called a sermon, nonopolize most
Of the space, and all parts of the SER
vice conducted with all the authority
and dignity that ordination gives to the
administrant? Is there any particular
reason known why the pastor might
not put into his Sunday service some Of
the same freedom that is allowed in a
prayer meeting? Does anyone know
any reason why he should not utilize
for his Sunday services the help of his
wise old men or his bright young men
n the reading of the Scripture or in an
address? Is it certain that the religious
services of the apostolic church were
not a sort Of sociable?"
THE peril to the church from per-
sistent theorizing is beginning to make
itself felt.'' says the New York Evan
gelist" CPres). I'VE have fallen upon
times when theoretical theology are
challenged by the conditions Of practi-
cal life and growth. TIC our theorizers
the simple road to uniformity of belief
Is to cut of all who DO not think as we
do. A straight line must be laid down
before the church door and all who
enter must walk that right line or be
put out The fate Of the re-
vision movement in our church is an
example. Theorists insisted on the ex-
act features of the old form Of confess
SION So revision was wrecked on the
one word 'Calvinism.' When the theo-
retical theologians had got that rock in
the road, it was effectually blocked.
With what results to our practical
church life this killing Of revision, de-
n1anded by most Of US, has been ac-
complished, all men know Practically
our confession has been revised by
every generation of ministers in the
century; but theoretically it Is never
to be changed. Now that excision has
done it's work on theoretical lines with
such disaster as to make compromise
committee necessary, Il begins to dawn
on the mind Of the church that its prac-
tical sense Of light and wisdom has
been switched off to side track, while
theorists have run the church perilous-
Is near the brink Of disaster. There are
signs of returning resolve to revise our
confession of faith and our methods OF
enforcing theoretical views Of theologi-
cal truth. But we would be the last to
urge or advise any sweeping change
Let us move slowly and cautiously,
with constant prayer to the Father OF
light to guide US in the way of truth
and of peace"
1.-THE tendency of many ministers and
churches to foster what may be termed
the philanthropic side Of religion Is one
of the noteworthy features of the time,
remarks the New York observer
(Pres.). Religion has with not a few
come to be largely a philanthropic cult.
Love for the masses has developed a
new creed, given us new command
rnent. AS 1t is grounded in religion
there is no doubt that it win yield good
results of its own. 1t will, for exam
pIe. diminish suffering, conduce TO a
better understanding between classes
and give development TO capacities
which may greatly increase the force OF
the nation. 1t should, too, perceptibly
increase gentleness, the relation be-
tween that quality and Christianity
though difficult to define, being intl-
mate There viii be less Of selfishness
and of grudge, less Of rivalry between
the needy and the wealthy. All these
will be desirable results. But the dan
ger is that with everybody processing
philanthropy there may develep gooc
deal of hypocrisy. A good many people
and parties are certain to profess more
sympathy for the masses than they
have to assert an equality In when they
do not at all believe. The end may be