The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-25

Lent is drawing TO a close and the
churches are actively engaged in maxi
ing their preparations for the Easter
festival. Choirmasters and choirs are
busy rehearsing the clebaroatc pro-
grammes of music which they will en-
chant to those who attend the servi-
ces in honor of the risen Saviour. To-
morrow is Palm Sunday and is sue
ceeded by holy week, the solemn period
| that marks the close of the season of
s1ent and prepares the way Tor the re-
burrection.
Much Interesting information con-
cerning the growth of ritualism or. at
least, the wise adoption of enrichmcnts
in the Presbyterian church, Is given
out by the Presbyterian Church Set
vice society. This society was formed
two years ago along the lines Of the
Church Service Society of Scotland.
which has for its object the bvautify-
ing aud enriChing Of the very plain
service. The association in this Coun-
try began its work by making can
vass of the churches i'm Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, New York and Nov Eng
land, having a membership Of more
than $50. The society holds that dig
nifty and symmetry are to be aimed at
and that the singing of the Gloria
Patri and Gloria i'm liXcelsis. rcspon-
sive reading Of Psalms or other Scrip
lures, the recitation of the Apostles
Greed. the employment Of old and New
Testament lessons and the knsclug
benediction are Cnrichmcnts. 1t was
on these points that answers were So
- Of hp LII,
that Presbyterian congregations are in
clining towards a more elaborate form
of worship and that this inclination
is more marked in New England. New
Jersey and New York state outside Of
Manhattan and Brooklyn. than it is
in those two districts. Although there
was elaboration i'm most all of the SER
vices reported, there was practically no
Uniformity About ten per cent. Of the
pastors opposed any change in TIC
general form of public worship. but the
others warmly advocated a change.
Some asked for the adoption Of DR..
Shields Book of Common Prayer"
The Presbyterians of New Jersey seem
TO be most advanced.
1t is learned by tho American board
OF foreign missions that the troubles at
Doshisha university in Japan are about
TO come to an end. Reference to these
troubles has been made in this column
several times. The university has been
perverted from the purposes of the
board and of its founders by reason, in
part, at least, of Japanese jealousy of
American influence. The institution
was founded by the Rev. joseph Nees-
nina twenty years ago. When a bov
Noeshima ran away from home and
shipped on a vessel belonging to AL
pheus Hardy, Of Boston. Mr.. Hardy
took fancy to the boy and had him
educated for the ministry. He then sent
him back to his people in japan. as a
missionary. DOshiSha was established
as Christian university, where native
ministers might be educated, but it also
contained an academic course. One Of
the Japanese professors was made
president, when Mr.. Nceshima died nine
years ago, and under his administra-
ton there has been a good deal of
backsliding in the faculty. Several
members Of this body have abandoned
the Christian religion, while religious
instruction has almost wholly ceased
Other important changes occurred
These conditions We're finally brought
forciblv to the notice of the American
board of foreign missions and remon-
strances We're made, but to no effect
The board then threatened to with
draw the endowment and withhold all
support. After long controversy the
trustees of the university have resigned
without carrying the matter into court
AS they at first threatened to do. For
tunately, the board found it possible tC
select the new trustees wholly from
among the Japanese. It is expected
that the constitution Of the university
which the recent trustees radically
changed in many particulars, will be
completely restored. There is no rea-
son why the prosperity and usefulness
that once belonged to the institution