The record-union., 1896-02-08
IN RELIGIONS REALM
Expressions From Various Religious
Newspapers.
The Religious Thought of the Day as
Expressed in the sectarian Press
Some Matters of Interest to Both
Ministers and Laymen.

1T seems probable that the church
has not made as much use Of the timer
ant system as might be done with ad-
vantage" says the Living Church
tP. E. of Chicago. "A district Of some
extent, including several villages or
small towns, is placed under the charge
Of one priest, who visits each point sys-
tematically and endeavors to bring
himself in touch with as large a part Of
the population as possible. Some men
have a special gift for such work. and
doubtless a considerable number could
be found If it were understood to be a
regular department of the missionary
work Of the church. We could speak
Of more than one soldier of the cross
who had strongly and durably affected
the populations with which he had to
deal. One such occurs to US, who, be-
ginning this kind of work in newly set
tied regions, has left behind him a won
derful string of village churches, every
one Of which is now a living center Of
active influence. In three or four such
regions successfully occupied during a
period of thirty years or more, the re-
suits of his labors may be seen. But
our impression is that this method has
CHIEFLY been confined to newly settled
parts of the country in the missionary
jurisdictions, where a certain amount
OF means could be obtained from the
General Board. The question is whether
1t would not be desirable to apply the
same instrumentality in some of the
older dioceses where large districts still
remain in which the church and her
services have never been known, and
where an increasing number of the in
habitants are coming to stand apart
from all definite forms of religion
I've venture to insist" saws the
Christian Register" Unit) of Boston.
that the only issue between our broad
church friends and US is a question of
the use Of words and phrases. That the
'hliaP relation has place in the divine
nature we believe as truly as they do.
It is in virtue of this relation that we
are children of God If others Judge
human conduct by the standard of the
ideal man. the most perfect conceiva-
bic human life, we also judge likewise.
Call this ideal by what name you
chose, the mind of Christ 'the Lord.
the Spirit, the best self the God in
u.s. the perfect Life we believe in the
use it daily. It is this simple but pro
found fact which constitutes the incar-
nation. God is revealed in human life
constantly. All heroic and beautiful
deeds are of God. Call this historic
stream of divine life the Christ in
history, if you wish, provided the term
carries no misunderstanding 1t is the
fact for which we care, not any special
name. DR.. Gordon is with US in holding
that the fact is of transcendent i'm
portance. Neither have we any real
issue about the new Interpretation Of
the Trinity; namely, the Paternal, the
Filial and the Union of these two.
Our only doubt is whether, unless in the
realm of metaphysics, there is any
special fruitfulness in urging this dis
tinction. Is not the third term of it
al least little difficult to apply to hu-
man life and conduct? Can one love
the Father and not the Filial? Can one
obey or love the Union of these Two?
More simply. if one loves God with all
his heart, after Jesus rule, can he add
more to his love by means of this meta
physical distinctfon?"