Year: 1875



 Last week the Ch,isttan Union issued its first number under the immediate and abso- lute editorial control and management of the Rev Henry Ward Bcecher, who sets forth in an editorial the aims and purposes of that journal The following is what he says: & A

 My connection with the CArTstian Un- sos, although originally intended to be inti- mate, has for reasons not necessary to be stated, hitherto been that of supervising or consulting editor, rather than of wri- ter. With change Tn the business organ ization, propose to take far more active part, and 10 make the paper my own in more important sense than it has ever been. shall consider it as parish parallel with Plymouth church, and shall give it the same earnest zeal that give to that; the same spirit and the same views of Christian life and dispositions.

 It will aim to be Christian journal, not in the hackueyed sense of defending a cer- tain routine of doctrine or serving partic- ular sect, but in leuding it's influence to those truths which are held in common by all the great sects of Christendom and es- pecially by it's temper and Christian spirit.

 It will seek the Union of all Christians, not by chasing the phantom of an organic unity, but by promoting such dispositions of charity and kindly sympathy as shall hri, oE Exx,1o svo to real sympathetic relation with each other.

 It will recognize the existence and inn portance of Christian doctrine, but it will not admit any human statement of doctrine to be inspired or authoritative, but to be al- ways open to new thought, criticism and reconstruction. It will regard no doctrine es fundamental unless it is indispensable to the formation of Christian character. Doc trines may be fundamental to the structure of given system of theology, which are quite unimportant in the formation of Christian habits and dispositions

 Believing that the SNcr'd Scriptures rep resent the Gospel, not simply as an accom- plished and external history, tut as the Dis closure of Divine Power. forever active and unfolding itself in the experience of Gods people, through all generations, we shall interpret the spirit and text of Scrip lure not alone by the laws of language, but by the experiences of the Church and by all the disclosures of Divine Providence in human society.

 Whatever throws light upon the struct- ure of the body, the nature of human fac ulties, the divine method of creation and development of human,life and society, we shall believe to be included in Christianity, az trees arc included ill the seeds from which they grow. Whatever in the whole range of science, and in the results of art, promotes the welfare of mankind whatev- CT in political economy augments the pro- ductive forces of society: whatever in pol itics tends to purify the State. destroy its enemies, exalt the government In wisdom, fidelity and benignity, we shall regard as a part of that great development to which the name of Christ will be forever joined. who IS the divine fountain from whence flows the vital influence by which mankind are to be exalted from animalism to Chris tian manhood. Above all material laws, and behind all sensuous instruments. is a Living Soul. We receive devoutly records and revelations of the truth wrought out in human life and experience by that Soul in the past, and with quick sensibility we shall listen to every disclosure of Gods truth which he is making through all ave. nues in our own days.

 | It is the purpose of the Christidn Union, 'as much as lieth in it, to avoid controver- sY. But when it is unavoidable it will do with it's might what it's hands shall find to do.' But it's chief endeavor will be to se- cure good in the household, the church and the state by the genial and kindly forces of Christianity. Conscience, without benig- nant sympathies, is unchrlstian. A high ideal of human life and society, enforced by cold and severe criticism which dis dains all human weaknesses and infirmities, is less vulgar than rlbald scof1ng, but is none the less tyrannic and Satanic.

 While generous criticism of the views and practices of all sects, parties and per sons will not be disallowed, it is the pur- pose of this paper. in all ways, to bring mems hearts together. It will earnestly strive to encourage good works in all sects, to rejoice in the prosperity of each denom- ination; to cover their faults rather than to proclaim them; to be generously just 1; to avoid all spite and malice toward ene- mics to resist all influences which tend to separate men from each other; to promote kindness and sympathy between unlike men not to disown severity of rebuke, and yet mainly to overcome evil with good to promote cheerfulness and innocent mirth i; to give to conscience an atmosphere of be. neyolence to inspire hope, courage and love in every household. It will in short, | seek to diffuse that Gospel whose annunci- stion was Good will to men, whose Au- thor and Hero sacrificed hls own life to save mankind, and whose God and Father is named Love. H. W. B. EDITORS TROUBLES. If we were called upon to specify two of the most serious aunoyances which beset the journalist in his efforts to meet the public demand for the new and entertaining, we should unhes- itatingly mention the urgency of one class of people for the publication of matter of no special interest to the public, and of an other in procuring the suppression of news which is legitimate material for publica. tion. The editor is frequently besought to avoid all mention of some occurrence which may have become the subject of general comment, and the results in nearly every instance, IS that the yielding editor