The record-union., 1898-05-15

therefore, the more necessary that this
should be a true and helpful word. The
Guardian has recently had an editor
ial on The Clergy and Glass Denuncia-
ton 1t recognizes the new interest
in social questions which is found
among the clergy, but deplores a ten
dency. which is marked in England, as
it is here, to deliver right sermons to
wrong people. The danger is that
Whereas the practice of the great
preachers of righteousness in all ages,
from ST. John the Baptist to Dr. Pu-
sey, has been to denounce the Sins of
a class in the presence of that class,
some of the modern prophets of social
reforms seem inclined to reverse the
process and speak to one class of the
vices of another. They address CON
gregations of workingmen, in purely
working-class districts, on the social
shortcomings of the rich Such SER
mons are in opens nscontradiction to the
preachers unique opportunity. The
place of the Christian minister in the
social situation is to help people to un-
derstand one another"
'.The recent transfer by two prom
inent Presbyterian clergymen and sew
eral prominent laymen of their alle-
glance from one denomination to an
other'' says the New York 'Indepen-.
dent" raises again the question. but
in another form, which had TO be con-
sidered some years ago when num-
Der of Baptists changed their denom-
inal relations It is important that it
should be understood how much, or
how little, is involved in such trans
fers. And this is the most important
thing to be understood, tnat very lit-
tie, and generally nothing, is involved in
the field of doctrinal belief, but chiefly
or wholly what belongs to the domain
of taste or convenience. The people
who make a great talk about the sac
rifice of faith by those who leave, or
the decay and disregard of faith on the
part of those who receive these men,
either quite misapprehend the facts,
or are more likely, talking for the
sake of mischief, trying to persuade the
public that faith is perishing in the
world, and perhaps thus excusing their
own lack of faith
..Among his [Dr. Briggs] idiosyn-
crasies of thought" says the New
York christian Advocate" (Meth-),
from a Presbyterian point of view,
was a view of the church that makes
the transition from Presbyterlanlsm
to the Protestant Episcopal Church, III
which he has been confirmed, very
easy. so easy that we have on ME au
editorial prepared one week after the
decision in the General Assembly, en-
titled. DR.. Briggs Will Join the Pfet-
estant Episcopal Church; but as the
disturbance did not belong to US, ex-
cept as observers of Christianity at
large. we are contented at limiting at
the same. This is to be SAID IN faVor
of DR.. Briggs. He does not shflhk
from the logical conclusion of the posi-
tions which he holds. No doubt the
Union Theological Seminary will retain
him in his professional chair. Whether
if can claim and retain Presbyterian
patronage under such circumstances
is q problem to be determined by the
event. 1t is self-evident that IL
professor in a theological seminary In
the Protestant Episcopal Church We're
to become a Presbyterian, his position
would not be held day longer thdh
the official notification that ms place
was vacant could be legally made