The record-union., 1896-10-25

vor disestablishment when the time
comes; and there is spreading among
the Conservatives Of Parliament a feel
ing of indifference in regard to the
church. But the most serious dangers
are from within. The church is di-
Vided; the clergy are not holding their
own; while the average of culture and
intelligence on theological questions
among the laity has risen. the clergy
have not kept pace. The growing tend
ency to priestcraft and the abandonment
OF the doctrines of the Reformation on
the part Of the church may one day lead
t1 Its overthrow. There are but two
alternatives. disesta blishment or re-
fCrm."
'Ballington Booth, if rightly reported
seems to imply that he received minis
terial powers from his father sufficient
to constitute him a Christian minister
In the Salvationist body, but now in
connection with a new body he has
thought 1t necessary to have new or
dination. 1t is a noticeable fact" says
the Living Church (P. Ed of Chicago,
that this ordination has been conferred
by the authorities of the Reformed
Episcopal Church, body which has
decided, as we understand, in its high
est legislative assembly, that it will
not repeat any ordination which has
been sufficient in the body to which a
minister has hitherto belonged. 1t is
clear that we have in all this some
curious Inconsistencies. 1t seems GER
tain that the affair marks the first step
in the transformation of the Volunteers
a nf he ho n<a
pecially as it is intimated that Com
mander Booth will now proceed to
transmit the orders he has received to
certain Of his officers"
Doubt pure and simple, is every
where paralysis says the Interior
CPres) of Chicago, "and nothing else.
But there is an activity of faith which
is incorrectly and unscientifically called
doubt, which has for it's office
and use the protection Of the
mind from hurtful delusions. This ac-
tivity cannot proceed except from faith
any more than the hand could operate
without the body. For example, a
sound financier doubts the value of
financial bubbles and booms, ana keeps
clear of that which wrecks individuals
and communities. Why? Simply and
solely because he knows, and has alb
sClute faith in sound, true and tried
financial principles. His faith in those
principles is SO strong that unhesitat-
irgly, and without investigation, he
pronounces whatever is contrary to
them to be false and delusive. To
speak Of such man as a 'doubter' is
a preposterous abuse of language. Our
Lord, the founder Of Christianity asked
no man to believe on Him as a matter
of credulity. When John sent asking
Him who He was, He said: There are
the facts. Judge for yourself. The
language of Christianity from the lips
Of it's founder, and from all true lips
since this day is, come and see.' Even
the old prophet, a thousand years be-
fore did not say, God is good; l have
said it, He said, Taste and see that
God is good, and that he is blest who
trusts in him Investigate for yourself.
Do not take my unsupported word for
it. The most perfectly clear and scien-
tific definition of faith in it's higher
meaning ever given was by Paul, faith
is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seem Faith
is the foundation of the wise man
credulity, the delusiOn of the fool
doubt, the disease Of the intellectual,
moral, and spiritual paralytic."