The record-union., 1898-05-01


the 'Universalist 9 Leader tUniv.) of
Boston and Chicago, why any special
observance of Lent fails to meet with
favor among Universalists, and this
even while we are constantly growing
into the true churchly spirit with ref
erence to Easter. The fast of forty
days. with it's rules and regulations
touching articles of food, is justly re-
garded as an observance which does no
good to the belieyer, and for which
there is no authority in Scripture Il 1t
leads to a distinction in meats, to adopt
the phrase used in the old controversies,
which is foolish and absurd For any
church to make laws about matters of
diet is to arrogateA TO itself a power
which Christ never gave to it, and which
is in no way serviceable to religion or
the good of souls. Lent, considered in
| this light, is only relic of ancient
church discipline long outgrown by all
emancipated from the errors of the old
church Lent, as modified by Episcopal
ians, is a much more reasonable OBJ
servance, as the matter of fasting is not
insisted upon, but left to the individual
| judgment-always wiser disposition of
the requirement, but fatal to the Roman
Catholic view to any true Lent. Even
with the modification among Episcopal
ians Lent has always been associated
with DEGREES and usageS of an eccleSi-
astical nature, with which Protestant
denominations have but little sympa-
thy"
''The task of a minister remarks
the ''Watchman" (Bapt) of Boston, lis
something very different from that Of
conducting twoor three services week,
visiting the sick and marrying and
burying. His main work is that of drill
ing his congregation to become an eff
cient force for the advancement of the
Kingdom of God. His preaching will
contribute to this and his pastoral work.
but the most faithful performance of
| these duties will not make him a sue
ceSSful minister Unless his activities in
these directions are co-ordinated to +he
purpose of making his church efficient
We have frequently been surprised at
the fruitful ministries of men who are
not eminent as preachers, and whose
social qualifications leave much to be
desired. But a study of their work dis
closes the fact that all their efforts
have been consistently directed to the
end of making the church a power for
righteousness. They have drilled their
| members in good works. Their congre-
| cations are something more than a
chance lecture audience-they are a
company of people engaged in a COM
mon cause, intent upon common pur-
pose. The sermons of such men are not
an appeal to overwrought emotions;
they are as weighty with business as
foreman's directions to his men, or an
officers address to his troops
| "The first essential Of the hymn"
| says the New York Observer CPres.)
'is simplicity. 1t must conform to GER
| tain meters, and the range is not
wide one. 1t may have little merit as
poetry, technically considered, and still
be an excellent vehicle of expression of
love to God and true worship of his
divine majesty The field of sacred po-
etry u.s. indeed, wide-one may almost
| say iIlimitable. There is not a shrub
or tree or hillock in ancient Palestine
which NAV not have it's inspiration for
the churchly poet BY cool Sloan S
shady rill,' and many similar picture
of Biblical life and nature justly sur
'l'e as being rlcn III spiritual SUGGESTION
The one essential is that religious po-
etry shall keep along the lines of Cod S
complete revelation, and shall concede
| naught to the eclecticism of an age
which has in measure attempted to
dethrone our Blessed Lord from his
place as the second person In the Trim
ity. 1t is by no means necessary that
every religious poem shall contain the
name of Jesus but every such poem
should breathe his spirit, and nowhere
should there be a concession to any
form Of modern belief. or rather unbe-
! lief, which would assign him merely a
place in the Pantheon of hero worship" ;"