Year: 1875




defamer of the innocent


The Methodist holds up in striking contrast
the impression that we, as nation of ''rings,"
actually make upon Europeans with what wa
hope and expect to make by our national
jubilee and centennial celebrations. There is
q wide margin between our pretensions to
reform and our real efforts and experience.
The Cha~chmGn referring to certain adverse
comments of the Opinion Rationale on the
laying OF the corner stone of the Church OF
the Sacred Heart at Montmartre, longs for the
restoration of the old Gallican Church--the
true Catholicism for, of all forms of Prot
estantism which have obtained ON the Cont
nent. French Professionalism seems the most
unlovely. No now Church would or could do
what the old Church, purified and elevated.
could do for the lifting up of the people. All
the troubles of the Church and of France the
Churchman traces to ultramontane in
huence, which must continue to be
a disturbing element. The Christian
Advocate gives expression to the alarm,
well grounded, no doubt, that exists
in Germany at the dearth of tbeologians. The
Germans have for years made biblical nvesti-
cation their special study; but now the coll
leges, universities and theological schools are
almost deserted by this class of students. And
the reason assigned is that the ecclesiastical
laws against Rome are operating against
other clergy also, and that the ministry, being
thus placed as it were, between the upper
and the neither mllstones, there is no induce
ment 10 young men to enter that profession.
Besides, the tendency is toward disintegra-
ton and the separation of Church and State.
and In that event the ministry in Germany
has very poor prospect of living. This
being the season for ministerial vacations the
Christian Leader says emphatically that
they ought to have these respites, for
no class in the community is harder worked
than ministers. Their vocation is the most
taxing of any, and they must toll incessantiy
TO prepare new sermons for their congrega-
tions, to visit the sick and bury the dead, and
attend to many other duties that tax the
nervous system and bear heavily upon the
emotional nature. The Christian at Worc
wants Moody and Sankey, and Pearsau
Smith and Hammond, and Earl and Whittle.
and Bliss and all the other revivalists on
this and the other side of the Atlantic to
come here next fall and surround New York
and capture it TOR Christ. If New York and
its surroundings Can be taken for God the
editor thinks the whole country is thereby
captured. And the land needs to be washed
from its pollution. We want q revival that
will shut up the dramshops and empty the
theatres and rouse up the dead churches and
set the flames of Christian zeal sweeping on
swift as the fire on the Illinois prairies. The
Jeuish Times is Justly proud of the part that
its coreligionists are to take in the Centennial
celebration in 1876. But it wants its people
TO emphasize the idea Of religious liberty be-
cause it fears that we may wake up some
morning and find q large combination in favor
OF State religion. But we may add, for the
comfort of the Times, that whenever it wakes
up ii will fnd larger combination against it.
SO that it need not lose sleep at all on this
account. Church and State gives eleven rules
for the clergy to observe in vacation. They are
to travel on horseback or in carriage instead
of walking take the full measure of sleep
every uay, anu not go uSnlnS OF rowing oohtS
at three o'clock in the morning avoid con-
troversies on moral subjecIs have no anxiety
about the eucroachments of the Papacy nor
pother the mind with a course Of reading on
divinity or anything else; write no lectures
for winter campaigns, preach short sermons not
moro than an hour and forty minutes long.
lay aside clerical appurtenances talk freely
with everybody and muse on the beauties of
rural life, and be attentive to wife and chill
dren, laugh much and cry none, read the
Bible aud say prayers, and health and enjoy
mcut will ensue. Be virtuous and you will be
happy for godlness with contentment is
great gain.