Year: 1872

cal feature which has for some time post


given an air Of liveliness to the pages Of some


of our ecclesiastical editorial brethren seems


suddenly to have disappeared. From per-
feet aurora borealis Of thought and sction
it has subsidized into the merest scintillation Of
an idea that there is such an event as Rresi-
dental election pressing closely upon us as .
people. How and why is this2 How is it
that the Christian Union has suddenly become
dim and somnolent? that the Golden Age
sheds no more golden rays upon the field Of
politics? that the Independent wields no longer
its ponderous battle-axe, like Herewari the
Barbarian, in behalf of its favorite? that the
gentle Evangelist lisps not word upon the
pending crisis, or what was only short time
ago crisis? that the sagacious Observer.
has not o sentence upon local or national cor
ruption, or the dangerous tendencies of the age
in regard to the distribution Of the school fund,
or the approaching important election, or any
other matter of general consequence? Why,
we repeat, this silence? Do these papers,
which were wont in double-leaded articles to-
plead for their particular candidates and to
denounce the candidates of their adversaries,
in no measured terms, see on the one hand q
bow of promise in the skies and on the other
bloody chasm that may only be the entrance.
to the bottomless political pit? Briefly, since
the recent State elections, do these politico-
religious prints consider that, in vulgar and
profane phrase, ''the jig is up" and that they
had better dance to pious church music
hereafter and let the brawling orgies and
indecent songs of the pothouse politicians
alone? '''Tis q consummation devoutly to be
wished


The Observer tenderly teaches the govern
ment how to treat the poor Indian, and pro-
tests against the policy of Generals Sheridan
and Crook and Western religious contempo-'
rary that 'bayonets should precede mission
aries in the treatment Of the savages. The
Observer asks: What use would there be for
missionaries after the bayonets had finished
their bloody work, unless to civilize Crook
and Sheridan and what may be left of their
followers?" Our Presbyterian contemporary
need give itself no uneasiness on this subject
The building Of railroads in the Western wilds
and the steady march Of immigration following
upon or bordering their tracks will soon push
unfortunate Lo to the verge Of sundown and
pitch him over if necessary.


'.Students and Strong Drinks is also the
subject Of an editorial in the Observer It
appears that the ssSociety for the Increase Of
the Ministry in the Episcopal Church" has
been considering the subject of some legisla-
ton respecting the personal indulgences of
students assisted by the society. Among other
things they are expected, as long as they
receive aid from the society, positively to
abstain from the habitual use Of tobacco and
from alcoholic drinks as beverage" The
following substantial reasons are given for this
conclusion:-


That the articles named are luxuries, and Injuries
are inconsistent with the professions and position
or beneficiary. That the purchase OF such uXurieS
consumes money needed by the purchaser for other
purposes. That they injure the health and mental
some devout persons believe the habitual use Of
strong drinks to be wrong and derOgatOry to the
ther opinions in this regard should not be oenSed
by their benefciaries.


To these conclusions all pious people will
calculate s'Ameni"


The Evangelist dscourses on what it terms the
ssOld Catholic Congress at Cologne, and says
that however strongly the old leaders may
cling to old associations, yet, so far as Rome
and the Papacy are concerned, they are Prot
estants. According to the Evangelist s'they
cling indeed to the Catholic name, and
among them there may be some who still
cherish the delusive hope that the present sep
aration will prove but temporary. But the
Congress as body were almost unanimous in
the adoption of measures which make the gulf
between them and Rome impossible"


The Independent is powerfully eulogistic upon
the plymouth PASTOR" but Mr.. Beecher has
become SO accustomed to what Sam Slick
would call ''soft solder that the most full
some fattery fails to raise bashful blush to-
his cheek. The Independent also touches upon
the "White House Disease" but it is not quite
SO prevalent as it was couple of weeks ago;
in fact it may be said to have subsided alto
gether, so far as one patient was concerned


The Examiner and Chronicle has been think
ing during the present political campaign
about the Christian doctrine of election; and,
especially, about Peters charge to the
churches Brethren, give diligence to make
your calling and election sure" 1t ventures
the assertion that mot single local politi-
cian-from the very keenest to the most OBJ
tuse-has sent back to headquarters the as
founding intelligence, If Grant (or Greeley
is to be elected he will be-. Instead Of that,
they send to their leaders-along with protes-
tations of personal diligence and fidelity
earnest appeals for speakers and money and
documents The fact Of Gods sovereignty
his overruling Providence-does. not in the
slightest degree paralyze their efforts" And.
now, concludes the Examiner -


Messieurs Politicians why DON'T you manifest
the same common sense with reference TO the
affairs of the soul that you manifest with reference
to your political concernss Why dfd you think it
such a shrewd thing TO say, during our last revi-
val "If am tC be saved, shall be Saved,ff yet