The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11
GOSSIP OF THE
RELIGIOUS. WORLD
BY EDWARD LEIGH PELL, D. D.

Mr.. Charles Graves writes in the World
Works for May a rather melancholy ar
ticle on the apparent decline OF the
churches. He shows from the statistics
that while the various religious bodies
continue to make small gains In the num-
Der Of communicates. the rate OF increase
Is becoming steadily smaller, and he
quotes some rather discouraging views of
the situation from representative men in
the leading denominations. There is
certainly a widespread feeling that the
church is not holding its own. and it may
as we'll be admitted that the rate of pro-
gress for several years had not been en-
couraging, but the showing which a
church makes in a single decade is hard
ly Of more significance than the show
ing which q business house makes In q
single month. a business may have
a very bad month; a church may have
a very bad decade; in neither case does
1t mean ultimate ruin. Probably the
all-absorbinS industrial revival, which
leaves the world no time for those quiet
moments in which religious sentiments
flourish, Is more responsible for the pres
emit lack Of interest in religious matters
than anything else.
Mrs. ST. Clair Westover Alden. the
president-general Of the International
Sunshine Society, recalls a girlhood as
full of romance, tonahawl1s and hair
breadth escapes as a dime novel. She
grew up in Colorado in its widest days.
When but child she could ride like an
Indian, handle a rifle, and was expert
with the lasso and the bow and arrow.
Seven times she crossed the Rocky Noun
tains when they were infested with saw
ages. Once she saved driver who had
just been scalped. AT another time she
killed an Indian q 8 he was tonaha,wkinG
a boy. At twelve years Of age she con-
sented to be lowered over a precipice to
bring up the body Of q child She gradu-
ated from the University Of Colorado,
and since coming east has won success
as musician and as an author
A rema rl1a BILE change In the attitude of
the Nohammedans towards Christianity
has been recently noticed. For cen
turtles the penalty of death prescribed in
the Goran for apOstaSy proved an almost
inSurmOuntab BILE barrier against mission
airy work, but for many years the pres
sure of civilization has prevented the exc
cution Of this law, and of late there has
been noticeable in the Mohammedan
countries an encouraging openness Of
mid toward Christiaity, and 1t is SAID
that there is ow a promise of a great
tidal wave that will sweep away all bar
villages have recently united in appeals
for missionaries. The Mohammedans
number about 26o,O00,G0, or about one
seventeen the population of the globe.
The Sunday-school world is looking for
ward with interest to the International
Sunday-school Convention, which meets
in Denver Jue 18th. This convention will
appoint the LESSON committee, which Sc
lects the lessons that are taught in
large majority ov the Sunday-schoolS OF
English-spea1ing countries
The report of the conference of repre-
sentative men Of the Church Of England
held some months ago to discuss the
growing practice OF confession has just
been published. 1t is notable that al
though this conference was attended by
representatives Of almost every point OF
view. including many nigh churchnen.
it was agreed that the discipline OF
private confession and absoution could
not be shown to have existed for some
centuries after the foundation OF the
church, On the practical question,
however, there was g wide difference OF
opinion, some holding that the practce
of confession should be encouraged. While
others regarded it as a growing evil.
Rev F. B. Meyer, who some months
ago resigned his pastorate in London TO
give his attention to worldwide eVangel-
stic work. has been prevailed upon to
return to his church.
The ruuor that Rev. Charles Sheldon
the author of .'In His Steps" would be
a reform candidate for Mayor Of Topeka
at the approaching municipal election
is rather premature, as no election Will
be held this year. DR.. Sheldon is now
ENGAGED in an effort to enforce the pro-
hibitory laws in Topeka
Speaking OF Rev. C. Campbell Morgan
the English evangelist. who Is attract
ing much attention in this country,
St Louis minister says hat he Is
splendid fellow HE is no more like
Moody In his matter and method. than he
is in physical appearance. Surely ne IS
a new order OF evangelist, the KIM we
have been looking for with longing. lie
is a thoroughly modern man IN most OF
his conceptions and where ne is not
modern, as in his views upon the second
coming, he is tolerant. He is a combi-
nation Of e. splendid thinker, spiritual
enthusiast, and eloquent speaker. His
mower OF ANALYSIS and statement is re-
markable. He is a man OF broad culture.
In one sermon noticed quotations from
| Shakespeare, Tennyson. Browning, Rus
kin, and Emerson. Think Of that! IN an
evangeistic sermon, too.
The London Times, in e. review Of the
recent Boxer outbreak in China, says
| that one cannot fail to be struck with the
| fact that cut OF a long list OF mission
aries slaughtered by the Chlnese, only