The record-union., 1899-09-03

love to Christ and interest in his cause,
but, despicable anti-climax as the
price of an oyster supper. bottle of
perfume, or box of soap! The trick
cry, stratagem and vulgarity that
mark many of these occasions are Of
fences to right morals and good breed
ing. If it be said that the motives of
those who have recourse to them are
good, we should reply that we have no
doubt of it. But we are not relieved of
the duty of seeing to it that our mo-
tives manifest themselves in accord
ance with Christian principle and pro-
priety Experience has taught us that
much failure to give, on the part of
the young especially, results from the
quid pro quo expectation to which they
are being educated"
''Mr Moody's disparaging remarks at
Northfield concerning the character of
much of our church music have drawn
forth counter criticisms Of the gospel
hymns and tunes, and. as might have
been expected, the retort is as sharp as
the original complaint" notes the
"Congregationalist," Boston. I'VE see
no reason for wholesale condemnation
of either type of music Mr.. Moody is
right in saying that the music in some
churches is often too elaborate and IL
hindrance to worship, but he goes too
far in his structures. His critics are
right in lamenting the evils rising from
an exclusive use of Moody and Sankey
ny mnology, but they also go too far.
There is a place AMI use for both
and each type of music has lifted souls
heaVenWard" ,"
"One of the urgent questions with
which every thoughtful Christian is
confronted to-day the "Watchman"
Bapt), Boston, says, lis this: What
should be my personal attitude to-
ward the negative and destructive
criticism of the Bible and of Christian
doctrines which seems to be having
great vogue? Shall I refuse to con-
slider anything that can be said against
Christian beliefs for fear that my own
faith may be undermined, or shall I
set about a careful examination for
myself of destructive criticisms, mean
while holding my own conviction in
allegiance? Neither of these answers
seems to us the true one. No honest
man can refuse to consider arguments
which may lead to the truth and the
faith that remains after all that can
be said against it has been weighed is
far more vital and robust thing than
! the faith that simply closes it's eyes to
evidence and refuses to consider what
can be said against it. There are many
circumstances in which a man shows
his loyalty to his friend by hearing the
worst that can be brought against him.
On the other hand, there are compare
| lively few persons who are qualified
to examine Sceptical arguments for
themselves, and to reach an indepen-
dent, well-reasoned conclusion upon
/ them. The most they can do is to have
recourse to authorities upon either side
of the questions in dispute, and balance
them against each other. For most Of
us the right of private Judgment is
the right of determining which authori-
ties are the more trustworthy"
In the comparative summary of the
Presbyterian Church the "Presbyter-
ian," Philadelphia, finds much Of en-
couragement, but also zone item which
would awaken anxiety. 1t is the de-
! cline from year to year, for the last
! five years, of the number added on cx-
animation and certificate We are not
receiving on profession as many as We
are dropping from the roll. How long
could this continue without disastrous
results? The decline is not in one
! presbytery or city, but a general falling
off in the whole church. Souls are with
in reach, and need to be converted and
added to the church. More are withiE- .
reach than ever before, and we never
had such facilities for reaching them.
But we have not drawn them to christ
!
religion, and older people are becOm-
ing more confirmed in carelessness AMI
urbelief. There has not been such
growth in the church as there should
be with all the advantages we have
had"
Buffalo's new Union railroad station,