The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-06

but it is a singular chapter in the his
tory of the metropolis which records the
opposition and ridicule of the city press.
Each new step was met with volley of
gibes. But the infexible commissioner
persevered and literally transformed the
city. 1t was triumph of decsncy and
of civilization. When one reads how
the plague is depopulating filthy Bonn
bay. he feels new emotion Of admira-
tion and gratitude for what has been &C.
complished in New York.
Some Of our esteemed contempora
ries, and among them the Outlook and
the Christian Register, have been in
quiring, and after their own fashion ans
weriDg, What is orthodoxy? Our inter
est in the question is somewhat languid.
Ayserene consciousness of being sound
as bullet ourselves removes from us
concern on this point. Neither Of our
friends before mentioned, nor many
more that might be mentioned, is in our
happy case. They know themselves to
a prey to anxious self-examinations. At
tending to what they find it in them.
selves to cay on the solemn question.
What is orthodoxy we see why they
should be agitated by doubts. How can
one know whether he is orthodox when
he cannot come within rifle range of
telling what orthodoxy is?
1t must be confessed that orthodoxy
is very much mystery. In all our ac-
quaintance we know of only one man
who knows to a certainty and nicely
just what orthodoxy is. We shall
not reveal his name for we love his peace.
1t is comparatively easy to define Cal
vinism, Methodism, Universalism; less
easy to define Congregationalism. or
Unitarianism; impossible to draw line
that will enclose orthodoxy. We can
approximate definition by saying that
orthodoxy is the prevalent theory Of re-
ligion. But before we have advanced
far in ascertaining what theory is preva-
lent we discover that it is not fixed
but fluid thing. 1t is undergoing con.
tinual modification. Whenever we hear
anyone state the prevailing theory.
whether he does it to approve or to op-
pose, we are at once aware of certain
protest in us, as if we should rise up and
say, that was the theory but is not now.
1t is better not to depend on definition
but to rest as we do on the solid rock OF
self-consciousness.
1t is said that the private secretary
of the retiring President is chiefly re-
sponsible for the inaccessibility and ex-
clusiveness charged to Mr.. Cleveland. 1t
is quite possible, however. that the first
law Of nature has driven the executive
to take care of himself and husband the
strength which an inconsiderate popu-
lace would waste. 1t is marvel that
any recent President has lived out his
term, 30 incessant is the drain on his vi
tai energies from callers. This is a great
country and there are seventy millions
of people who own the Chief Magistrate
in severalty. The traditions are that he
should be at all times accessible to "the
people," The wear and tear of that
usage. which has nothing to do with ad-
ministration and is mighty interfer-
ence with it, is enormous. The Presi-
dent-elect started in to revive the
traditions of the office and be always at
home to everybody; and he has broken
down before he was inaugurated.
BREvITIEs.
The Fort Plain, N. Y, parish has
beautiful and commodious church home.
The modern church, of the Protestant
variety, is an architectural adjustment
of means to ends. The ends are. the de-
velopment and maintenance of the re-
ligious life and the social unity of par
ish. The means are ample and approved
facilities for all the activities organized
around the particular church.
1t was forward movement OF the
same kind that is needed in many other
places, when the Universalists of Fort
Plain determined to build for themselves
and for the generations after temple
worthy their position and adequate to
their needs. For one thing. it settled
the question whether they should stand
at the front or fall to the rear.
The satisfaction finds general and
spontaneous expression that the new era
onens auanicioualv under the laadarahin
of pastor so wise, devoted and efficient
as the Rev. H. w. Carr. All the out
ward conditions of period of prosperity
are now met. II the inward sources of
thought and heart are at all commen-
surate with these. career of awakened
religious life and of large religious USE
fulness is before pastor and people.
CANTON THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.
The Two Harpers Two Isaiahs,
(TntAriOFl