Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, February 1, 1874, Page 6

. B ¥ S * HE CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1874, " RELIGIOUS NEWS. TheReformed Episcopal Church. Sermon by the Rev. John Vanghan Lewis, of Washington, The Spirit of the Religious © Press. Progress of the Churches at Home and Abroad. The Special Work which Is Doing in Chicago. The Rev. Dr. DeKoven---Profy Swing ---Chicago Orthedoxy. Services in the Churches To-Day. THE CUMMINS MOVEMENT. EERMOX OF THE BEV. JOXN VAUGHAN LEVIS, D.D. 87, Jorx's PaRiam, } WASHINGTOS, D, C., Jan. 23, 1874, To the Editor of The Chicago Triduue: DranSm: Ay attention has been called to s telegram in your columns of Monday, the 19th inst., to the effect that I had presched a sermon which gove & *‘qualified indorsement” to tho “iCummins movement.” If it were a ‘‘home paper, Iwould trust to my reputation for vindi- cation. But, as I heve noresson fo supposo that [ have any reputation in Chicago, or that your “telegram™ is not my first appesrance in that city, Imustaskyou notto give me quite such sn introduction. I send you what I did 1ay, cod sm quite willing to bs judged by ihat. Apd Dr. Cummins and bis friends ars juite welcome to any ‘‘aid 2nd comfort” ihat it gives them. The last paragraph (4) of “ho sermon was abridged, for want of time, as ‘he manuscript shows, but the principle asserted is one that I am ready to “ elsborate™ as well 28 to * mention.” 1f you will do me the kindness to print what I 21 ray, [ 2sk no farther *odds ” in Tnintaining my *reputation,” which may not be much, but isall Thave. Yours respectfully, Joux Vavemax Lewis. Tho sermon, whick was presched in St. John's Churel:, Washingeon, Jau. 19, is 8 foilows: Can any good thing come out of Nazareth.—St. John £46. [Tho first 30d second hesds of this sermon re- late, respectively, to the tiue interpretation of tho text, and to the lesson which the example of Nathanael affords to the private Christinn.] Third—And, i this be the leeson of the text, to individuals, it has also an Epiphsny lesson to the Church, not to despice the day of small thiugs, nor the power of obscure causes. * The Eingdom of God cometh not with observation.” 1t must come *‘ont of Bethlehem,” but it come by way of Nazareth. 1t doubtless seemed strange to ** tho thoussnds of Jndsh,” that Bethlehom Ephrata, the least of their cities, shonld farnish *‘ The Governor to rule God's people, Isreel.” But yet, Bethlehem was the Cisy of David, and its sheep-folds had once bafore been glonfied in David; but Naza- Tetn Lad mo traditions and no Teputation. It was, prabably, & new city, gince the return from the Captivity ; and * nothing good” had been caid of it by the Prophets in connection with * the Hope of Israel,” as nothing evil was said of it unail it suflered * the reproach of Christ ;” 20d the things that made it a Mecca to Christians became thie reasons why the city was sbandoned by its Jewish population, s it 1s this day, It had been,honor enough for Nazareth if it 45d only been the scenc of the Annunciation. Apd Jogoph and the Virgin eem to have taken ap their abode st Bethlehem, after the Nativity, »g if willing to fulfil ** the prophecics that went Lefore,” that Christ should como out of Naza- reth. Tt waa the wickedness of Herod that provented the manifestatiou of Chuist to Isracl, s * the Son of thet Josse the Bethlohemite,” and it was tho fear of Archelans that turned him aside *¢into the parts of Nazareth,” that **he should be called a Nazarene.” 1t was no feult of Joseph. or the Virgin, who then beld the destiniea of the Church in their Yeaping, that the Messiaship lapsed to Galilee, wnd that the holy childhood was not gpent 1n Botblcher, No man may plead his own crime @ self-defense ; and 1t was tha crime of Herod, nd of the Jerusalem that sympathized with bim, and_not their misfortune, that Christ “came to Tis owD,” 28 a Gelilean, sud 1ok 83 a Bethlehemite. But Ho came novertheless, though He did some * out of Nazareth,” aud Ho wsa the same Christ that ** was born King of the jews,” in ike City of David. And there is a comfort in believing and know- ing that God will **call Bis Sou out of Egypt,” aud glorify Him from Nazareth. And that every wutoward event, in the history of the Church, while it may be 18 ruinous to its perpetrators as Ticrod's treachery was to Herod, will, sooner or larer, redonad fo the benefit of the Church, through the careful Providence of Him who “brings good out of ¢vil,” and *camses the very wzath of man to praise Him.” Nothing cau excuso the act of the men who bas recently stolen from this Church the Apostolic Buccession to ueo it as_he pliases, and not as the Church requires. It is an offease, not only against Church-discipline, but sgminst menly honor. He took the Epis- copaze in trust from this_Church, sud for Church ; and, if be conld no longer conscien- tioualy, hoid the trust, for any reason, it would seem that he ought to have rosigned it, and not to have ron away with it. And, therefore, I am sorry for him, as I am s0rTy 8t any exhibition of cishonesty and bresch of faith, and I hope to &co Lim deposed and degraded from his place {n this Clurch, »a every righteous man must “rejoice when he seeth the vengeance,” And yet, without the least tolerance for *the wickedness of the man that lath done the tuing.” Ican eee it done without raising the achoes with my lameptatious over the stolen godds of the Church, and be moved, rather, to ponder the wonderful ways of God's retribu- tions and *Joving corrections,” than to pursue this culprit with vindictive denunciations. Let tim apswer for himself to His God. But we!{—| This Church has had the apostolic ministry, in crust, from God, for the beuefit of the world. And she has too often used it as if it were her own famiiy heirloom. 1 heso Colonies begged England for the Epis- copate for 200 years, and Epgland wonld not cive it. Our ancestors went to their graves ont “iho laying on of hends,” ‘which isa wfirst principle of the doctrine of Christ.” Qur candidates for Holy Orders were, literally, decimsted by perils of the sea, during the whole period, in going to England for ordination. Our parishes, fn many instances, wero supplied by immigrant clergy, who came bere because they wwere £00 wall kncwn at bome, and who bronght the Church into contempt, and the sufferings 1nd losses of our Colonial Church in men and reputation, and privilege and property, were 80 sreat that when, at last, we got the euccession ¥e were 80 fecbls that, for half a century, we sould do little else but apologize for our ex- istence. Johu Wesley begged the Enclish Bishops for srdination for his preachers at home and *or these Colonies, sud he never could zet it. ‘This Church’s nin sgainst the Viethodists is so grest that there i3 a soetic justice in the retribution tbnt has over- ien us;—tbat a . Methodist preacher should o into the church aud be ordained Deacon, Priest, and Bishop, and then yun awey with his yrders. It is ho glory to the mon who did it, sutif Godwill ouly put it into the hearts of \ethodiets, as their Zion's Herald already pro- Joses, to rectify and improve their own orders, by means of this Seceder's Epiecopate, it wiil be s thing of which this church will have no sort of rignt to complain. = “Tho fact stands that the Apostolic Saccession bas *Jeeked out " of Judea into Galileo of the Geniiles, and while we must reprobate the man- ner of its escape, we ougbt ‘‘to take joyfully this spoiling of our goods,” rince we cannot re- ject that Successio, if it comes back to us from Nazaretb. 3 We necd bave no fear for the Succeselon. We have been careful of it, to parsimoniousness. It bas “salt in itself,” and will ‘ koop,” where- ever it goes, There Dever Was an instance of an “Episcovsl™ nchism that did nok eoaner ar Inter, gravitate back to the Church. And, sin- gularly enongh, we have all been justifying. and applauding the German Old Catholics in thexxl‘ recent act of * Consecration by a single Dishop,” and our mouths are closed sgawmst the plea of that irreg ity. This Chusch would not give tho *Graco of Orders,” except on her own terme, and now it is stolen. She had “tenongh snd to spave,” and she hoard She was rich and ¢he was mot willing that anybody _else should be rich, except a8 her dependent and vas- sal. It is not too much to eay that this Church might have reconciled the American Methodists aftershe got her Episcopate, if sho could have gonceded to them any independence. Butmno! They must make their unqualified submission, and they could not be trusted, and #o the nego- tintion was broken off, and the schism contin- ued :—and 8o, she took in s ‘* Methodist" into hor Ministry, as ehe has o habit of doing, for she likes to be complimented by ** distinguished conversions,” it is one of hor foibles, and now he has made off with her jewels—and who is to blame? The Methodists ** took away our cloak" when they revised *tho doctrines of grace,” in tho widst of the dreary religious apathy of the eight- ecuth century, We, onrselves, ought to bave beed “cled with zeal, as a cloak.” And now that g Methodist” has talken sway our cost also,” 1 think this Church bad better bo silent, and wait tosea what the Lord will do with His own seam- less garment, thongh men msy * cast lots for it, whoae it shall be.” 4. And, yet, one_more thought, that presses upon me so strongly, that T must mention it if T 0 not vax your patience to clsborato it. Christ did come out of Ectb]nhem. Judab, in fact,though ‘He scemed to come out of Galilee. Salvation was “of theJews,” though thebest of them were Phari- sees. Andnotwithstanding eversthing, the Church that is— of the house snd lineage of "—the Apostles by record, is the Church that shall show forth Christ to the Wise Men of the Gen- tiles and to the gimple oncs of Judah. Auother Mothodist (Texas) newspaper won- ders why some Churchmen are eo auxious to reconcilo the Methodists to the Church, saying tuat the Methodists would swallow us up &t s mouthful, and we should lose our identity in their vast corporation. So they could * awallow us up?” bub we should bo as indigestiblo as Jooah was to the whale; and, while sach a sudden increase of our sgize would be perilons, and bring ing great confusion and disorder to the Chureh, there is no more doubt as to the result of such an “in- gathenng of the Goniiles" than thoro was of the vitality of the littla “ Church of the Cir- cumcision.” _“The itle one would becomo s thousand, and the small one a_strong mation.” And *‘out of Bethlehem eboula He come forth to Tulo that people, Iarael,” thouzh Galilee should give shelterto the infancy of the Truth, and Nazareth should be the refuge of His childhood. «+ Error i8 never daugerous when truth is left fres to combat it,” was the maxim of one of our shrewdest statesmen in worldy affairs. And this church has nothing to fear from Ephraim, Lhaush Eg‘}lnim have becomo ‘“a mixed multi- tude,” as Ephraim ought to have no quarrel with Judah,—as if ten parts in David " decided the birthright, or truth were governed “by majori- hes.” If tho “Apostolic Succession” be a gift of God, it is & gift in trust, and not in feo, and we must bebave with it 88 trustecs and not as own- ers. Ifanyman, of blameless life and sound learning and spproved piety, wants this “Graco of Orders,” to use for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, we must iind some way to give it to him, regulerly; because it is his, 2 much as it is ours. If any soct, which does not deny ‘‘The faith once delivered to the swinis,” but upholds and afirms the Apostles and the Nicene Creeds, is willing 1o take this ‘‘Grace” from our hands, and to zmend its ministerial order and discipline by Eome Catholic rnle. We ‘must share our trust with thet sect, and not bo 0 tenacions, as we have been, of our’supesior- ity, as if we owned the Church aud all hor priv- ileges. The succession, if it be “the gift of God,” will not only take care of itself, but it will take care of the men that get it. 1ts inflvence will be copservative and educatiopal. It will lifc the sects up ont of the sensitiveness of con- scious inferiority to the Ghurch into the egaan- imity of conscions equalily. Its diffusion will putastop to our superciliousness toward the sects, if their ministry and sucrawments become as good as ours. And it will remove tho very root of Schism, which is wounded pride, when & “Qigsenting " mimister sball he s good & ¢ Catholic priest " s the Archbishop of Cruter- bury or the Pope of Rome. And if this Church will not take warping, from recent events, to becomo more liberal in her dispensatiou of this gift of God, the Aposolic ministry, to men that bold ** the Faith,” we must expect that the gift will ““leakout™ more and ‘more, by surreptitions means, uatil ths glery of this Bethlehem shall be clonded and obscured, and Christ shall seem to come “out of Naza- reth,” and all they that speak in His Namo shall be Galiteans. ST LOTTS. A lango meeting ms bold at Dr. Brocks chureh, 8¢, Louis, Jau. 25, in the faterest of the Reformed Episcopal Church. The Rev. 3Mason Gallagher, & memberof the Standing Commit- tee of the Reformed Church, explained the reasons for the new departure to alarge audi- ence. Mr. Gallsgher referred to the growth of Romanist ideas in the Episcopalisa Chiurch, and especially to tho movement in England to re- establish the confeesional, and to the fact that Dr. Pusey and ‘ hundreds of others preach openiy in England tho doctrine of the Eucherist, for which Dr. Pusoy was, in 1848, condemned and suspended,” as evidence of the growth of Romsn idess in the Church in England. So fer as this country is concerned, Mr. Gallagher re- marked that there were three ritualistic institus t{Gusin foll blest in Now York, viz.: those of St. Albaps, Bc. Ignatins, and St Mary the Virgin. Herethe confessiopal, the maes and prayers for the dead. aud tho cultus of tho Virgin were openly advocated. Tho services were similar to the Romish ; as, * Prayer for the holy dead will besuid, andthe Blessed Sacrament administerad to~morrow (Thursdsy) morning, at8 o'clocs, at the Church of 8t. Mary the Virgin, West Forty-fitth street, near_Broad~ way.” 'The speaker also referred to Dr. De- Koven’s ritualistic practices, and said that Dr. Dix, of New York, the rector f the rickest cor- poration in this countiry, sdvocated the con- fessional and the whole sacordotal system of tho ritualista. In yiew of these statements, Mr. Gallagher inquired if there was not cause for the Reform movement. He argned thstit was a8 impossiblo to stay in the Church and reform it, 88 it would bo to atsy in a sinking ship sud try to keep it afloat. Every efort bad been tned to save the sinkiug ship before Bisbop Cummins left it. Petition after petition for relief had been refused, aud cauons hnd been made more stringent and oppressive. Said Mr. Gallagher : Dhencrer the Bishops Lave sought lo check the evil, they have been disappointed. Bishop Esatbura tricd it in_Boston, oud iost much of Lis influence thereby. Bishop McIlvaine once interfered in Ohfo, snd was tigmatized s a tyrant. Bishop Stevens Las recently rebuked Fatber Xteil.y, but tho offender govs calmly on his work of unprofestantizing his parish, Bishop Mcllvaine iuquired of the Archbishop of Can- terbury aud the Bishop of London “Why they did not kapproes the evil.” They snid, “It in fop Jate, 1f e diecipline one, bundred will demand to be tried.” 1t 5 too Iate, both here and in England. ELSEWHERE. A Reformed Episcopal church has been or- ganized in Monckton, New Bruuswick, under the title of St. Paul's Church, and the Rev. W. B. Feltwell has been called to its rectorship, It is eaid that 8100,000 have been subscribed with great promptness in the City of New York in aid of Bishop Comumins in organizing and sus- taining the Reformed Protestaat Episcopal Church. ‘The Executive Committee of the Reformed Episcopel Church have zdopted & Consti- tation, to remain in force. until AMuy, 1874, ‘It provides, among othor things, that there shall be s General Council of the Re- formed Episcopal Church on the second Wednes- day in May in esch year, und in such place as ghall be determined by the Council. The Gea- eral Council ghall consist of all the Bischops and resbyters, with lay ropresentatives who shall ge communicants and members of the congrega- tion they may represent. The Bishops sball not wit 88 a separste house, nor exercite & veto power, but shall be members ex oflicio of the General Council, and when & vote is taken by orders they shall vote with the presbrters. The Biskops of this Church shall be chosen or received agreeably to such rales 28 shall be fixed by the General Council. No church decorations, ornaments, vestments, postures, or ceremonies calculated to teach— cither directly or symbolically—that the Chris- tisn miniatry possesses & szcerdotal character, or that the Lord's Supper is a sacrifice, shall ever beallowedin the warshipof this Church; norshall any communion-table be constructed in the form of an altar. THE RELIGIOUS PRESS. THE_STANDARD. . The Standard, discussing the relations of Christisuity to science, 8ays : Christianity oocupfes ground firmer and surer than any science, any philosophy, can claim, These forms of human knowiadge aad buman thought £rs simply o product of the workings of human inteliect during many uges, under conditions sometimes favorzble, somctimes unfavorablo. All through they bave been characterized by the wexknesscs, faults, and depravi~ $ise of tba men who hava neodnoed them. Certainty in them {a & thing difficult fo ‘attain, snd all thelr de- liverances must ba scrutinized before they can trusted, ond, periaps, muet wait the long test of time ond trial. The confidence “with which they speak 1a often puro arroganca, tha bald theory 3 reck- less conjecture, the proud, lofty deliverance just 5 burst of humnan vanity snd presumption. Chris- tamty, if L be ouything efuc but a wicked fmpoture, i8 o divine revelation, aud stands upon the firm ground of a * Thus waith the Lord.” The 'Standard, also, answering & correspond- ent’a qocries as to whether the Waldonses of to- day are not Baptists, thinks that tho atdenses as'a Baptist ‘*stronghold ” must be abandoned, since oven if they were Baptists iu the earlier ages, they hiave fallen away from the truth, until they now approach nearest theReformed Church in E!nnbe in character. The editor thinks the only Baptist “ stronghold” ia the New Testa- ment, TOE SORTHWESTERN ADVOCATE rencws its argument against State uoiversities, andsays : The State university is indesd more Christian than the State, but as the State advances in rationalism (for that {s the umversal fendency just now), its univeraity will follow that waytoo. The Siste must be seculst, und Its university is bound - by manifest destiny, If Tows has an exception, {f "is but an exception, and wo trost it may retain ita hsppy status. Our chicf zim 15 to persusde our church fo be aliva to her educational interests, and in Town and every- whero to spproach hor work as thouglh _thore were not » State university in theland. The churches are not listless, s 18 evidenced by the fact tbat of ths 368 col- leges int the country only 28 are State institutions, snd 251 are controlled by religious denominations. The editor also Jooks into the guestion raised in Scribners' Monthly as to the fate of denomi- national newspapers. He argues that, within cortan boundaries, there is smple room for de- nominational papers to be independent; for that, in all Protestant churches, while there are certain matters that are not subjects of discussion, there are others which are unsettied zad which gre debatable. The oditor says: That 1s, our plan of episcopacy, our Presiding El- dership, our term of pastorale, our hymo-book—all must be sacredly undebatable, Tiere is, indeed, sn unensy spixit of inkering that' teuds to dissatiafaction with all we have, and which will be equally ready to debate to death everything we may Lerenfter obtain. But, st the same time, all pofutsin our temporzl ‘ecofiomy should be examined, and if, for example, our bymn-book ia not as good as may be, Wwa should agi- tato until we get one worlhy of us, If the Presidiug Elderalip Is imperfuct, mend t, or, on the othor band, kindly debate until jts possible” perfection 18 manifest. THE ADVANCE gives advice to the large number of converts now coming into Congregational ohurchies. It advisos them to form the right ideal of religion; not think of it oy & mere heavenly.spasm ; to presa forward ia private sutlier than publio Iie; to study the Word of God for iustruction and guid- ance; to take the immediate responwibility of some rogular Christian work; to join the charch a5 gaau 88 they can without prosumptions and, finally, t0 reconstruct their lives by the stricest moral_and religious prnciples: The ddeance also discusses editorlally ** Iha Famine in Ben- gal,” and the growths of republics. THE INTERIOR is a8 polemic a8 aver. It snswers, in its leading editorial this week, Dr. Ryder's quories: ‘Must one beliove that Jesus Christ fu litorajly G i order fo bo entitled to the orthodox name? oo must ho also believe that thestoning sacrifice of Christ (God) placatea the wrathof God?_In other words, muat De believe that Christ, the very God, dfed to reconcile ‘Himsel, or God to man? The editor esys: “ We believe that Christ is God. The man who believes that Hois not God, does not think right, or, in other words, he is not orthodox.” 4 b And_further on, the editor still further nar- rows his definition, 8s follows: *Ws balieve that a man is not orthodox who danies the valid- ity of infant baptism.” In regard to the reasons why Unitarians, Universalists, and Roman Cath- olics were not fnvited to join the Alliance, the edator eays : . Toman Catholica were not asked to join the Allfance, for ona object of the Alliance {8 to protest sgainst the corruptions of Romanism and to do what can’ be_done to hostenits downfall. Nor asre Unitariana asked to unite in the work of tho Alliance. For the distance be- tween him who believe that Cbrist is God and hitn who Delleves that Christ is u creature is measureless. The Evangellcal Alliauce fntended to protest agsinst Arfan- {sm, Humoniturizatam, sod all forms of Christological exror. THE ALLYANCE expresses tho belief that : Our vast bulk of pulpit-talk muat have taken rise in Qays when thero Were no books, no mewspapers, no public education, and when the pulpit therefors deait out the needed rations of wisdom to tho multitude, The populaco waited to lave explained to them bt the pasage of tho camel throngh fhe eyo of the meedle was s fgure of speccd, 224 that Nicodemus went o Jewus by night (1) becauze t wua 000l, (2) because it was pleasant, (3) becauss hio was_idlo, (4) becauss he was ashamed, (5) bocause Christ way at leisure, (G) becsuse night ix solemn, (7) Decause night is religious. ‘Thus unfolding the Scrip- turcs to an infant mind, the clezgy necded » great many hours for their eloquence, sud many of tuem died'tn old aze with the work of expository preaching only partfslly accomplishod. Thoueands of books, dafiyand weekly newspapers, public education, tho Sunday-school, the Wednesday evening meetirg, hava comiuad to réduce the quantity of pulpit work, and greatly to cistgo its quailty, The themes which re- Thaln for the pulvit are fower in nuinber and more fundamental and dignified, CORRESPONDENCE. CIICAGO OBTHODOXT. To the Editor of The Chirago Tribuna: e is possible for & man honestly to pursue a dishonest course. Ho follows a line of action and speech ntterly at war with his professed principles ; and at the same time he is either unconscions of the contradiction, or else . thinks ho sees what is an adequate excuse for it. Writing, aad preaching, and scting, In “a Pickwickian sense,” has become 80 common that ono might suppose the wily French divlomat's theory of the political use of languzge had bo- come the accepted rule in theology, and that “-gpeech was given to msn to conmceal his thoughts.” Itis atransition age, when men are being pushed into the new, and yot are trying to cling to the old. This is partly an excuso for the at- titude of churches and ministers. The conser- vatism here manifested 15 natural, nad, to a cer- tain oxtent, usofal: only it is not quits 8o good as outright honesty. Tho temptation to it is strong: for he, whose conscieace will allow him to hold such & position, hss the double advan- tage of being popular with the crowd that de- mand a vowinal orthodoxy, and, at the samo time, of being perfectly freo in Mia private be- Liefs snd private ntterances, Thera are those who, et the cost of abuse, of friends, and laring future prospeets, have said what they believed in plain language, and taken the consequences. ‘There are many— not to uso s stroager word—who to-day are con- cealing their beliefs, or veiling them in alan- gusgo possessing tho convenient quality of & ouble ‘interpretation, and so aro maintaining their positivns in pulpits snd churches from ‘which a thorough outapokenpers would exclude them. Ministers are watched by eager listencrs on Snndays, with the same interess that Zollowa & tight-rope performer. This interest1s to see how nicely ho balances himself betweon ortho- doxy and liberaliem, whilo extremisis on both sides claim that when be does-fall it will be to- ward them. Liberals gaps astonished ac doctrines that bave been familiar 10 tho liberal pulpit for years; only it is 8o wonderful to hear them from ortho- dox lips ; nud then it is £0 nico and pleasant to ggvaflull the advantages of both extiemes com- ined, AMen of orthodox churchesboest toliberal min- isters, ** Our minister preaches just as li 1 doctrine as you ;” aud Liberal laymen say, Lavo no need tobelp build or support liberal churches, for we can get it all in orthodoxy.” At the eume time libersl miuisters and churches sre proscribed and banned. There seems to be a morbid fear of the name while the thing is ad- mired. I know of those who do not hesitate to confess that they like tho doctriue, but do not like to be called ** Yiberal.™ I know mimsters who confess they belicve what they dare not preach. They bold in their educated heads and eecret hearts what would drive them from their pulpits, if freely pro- claimed to tho pews. Thus, parposely or not, they help maintain s gigantic pretense, snd muko it barder for all wnquiring souls to be Tonest, and they thus also help to maintain a theological proscription against mauy with whose teachings they substantially agree. Observations, circumnstances, facts, uiter- ances, too numerous to mention, have given yiso to this line of thought. Two or three marked expressions of belief have lately detor- mived me to mako my thought public. The expressions referred to are an ortho- dox munister's docirine of conversion, tho Rev. JIr. McKaig's Jast Sunday morming’s sermon published in e TRnoNE, sud an article in_the A4llianee Yor Jan, 10 on *The Bible.” In regard to these, I will make a genersl statement to which I 2sk the csndid attention of all. With some ingignificant modifications, tho Alliance srticle, the sermon, aud the doctrine of conversion might have been written by Theo- dore Parker, signed by Matthew Aruold, and 1 would undertaio to get for them the indorse ment of every **liberal ” minister “in Chicago. Dr. Channing mignt havo demurred at them. A very radical {riend remarked to me within a dzy or two, ‘TAt rate it won't be long Lefore the Presbyterians will bo claiming that thoy have always regarded the Unitarisns 88 orthodox.” Tho roader will notice that, . in -the thres points above mentioned, aze represenied all the leading orthodox denuminaticns—Congregationalista, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalizns, Ba; tists—aud yet all these’ points are utterly irre- conctlable with any prioted orthodox standard af baliaf. 1 wish, now, to bring this tos head, to make some numbered pointe, and chizllenge reply : 1. Wo cither know, or elsa we do not know, that tha whole Bible is infallibly true. If it is infallible, no Christian bes suy right to be Lib- eral. If we do not know that it is mfallible, or if we ¥now it is not, then no one- has any right to dogmatiza, or be exclusive; for it all comes to the maiter of a rational study and test. 2. If _tho Alliance editors are *‘ liberal,” it is only foir tha! tiberalism should have the benefit of their countenanco snd popularity. If they are not ** liberal,” their liberal iaymen will know what course to talie in order to be comsistent with what they think is truth. 8. If these public utterances really contain the croeda of these gentlemen. then they aro uot “orthodox.” No man with such * loose™ theories on bis lips could pass an orthodox ex- amiaation for the ministry. They should cither confess this, then, and take therr right name of “liborals ; " or else they should confess that liberals are orthodox, sud take them to their confidence and pulpits. 4. If these expressions are not their creed, then hera is trifling with language which meavs Pickwickianism, which, being interpreted, means disingenuousness. ¥ i 1 do not wish Lo prolong this article, but, to make the foregoing clear to_all thinkers. it is needful to distinguish the ** Christian world” in- to three classes, Thus anyone may be able to place himsolf, or anyone elre, and this is the more_noedful because 80 many fail to think lc]cgrly, and are Jed more by sentiment than by ogi>. sflxa first class of Christians is the Catholic or High Church party. They place the Church abovo the Bible ; sud, though intensely ortho- dox, are such by virtue of Church authority, and they hold the Bible, in the lnnguage of aa Englisli Churchman, as only the * expression of the belief of the early Church.” The second class is the Protestant Low Church party, including all orthodox dissenters. They take the Bible as the ultimate standard of belief. They have no right to tamper with it, or allegorize it, or hold sny of it loosely. In tho words of Chillingworth, **The Biblo, the Bi- bleis the religion ¢f the Protestants.” This clags, as an Eastern Doctor of Divinity haa well gaid, “has no right to bo liberal. They aro ounly commissioned to deliver a message,” They canbot change or give up the Bible, or any part of it; but can only be commentators. The third class, for want of a better name, are called liberals. They hold reason, scionco—that is, verified fact—and historical criticism ay sbove all Churchies and sll books. They do not deny to tho Bible inspiration, but they do deny infallibility. The application is this: Tho Alliance article, the sermon, and tho doctrine of conversion all belong, properly and logically, to this third class in the Christiau Church, and eince this is so, let us have the right Japels put on the right packages. Yours, for Christisnity sud logic, J. Mxor Bavaem. THE BEY. DR, DE KOVEN. T the Editor of The Chicago Tribrae: Stz A writer in Tk TRIBUNE of this morn- ing, signing himself “ An Episcopalian,” de- fames tho Kev. Dr. Dolloven ecither ignorantly or malicioualy. In either ovent theattack is grossly outrageous. In my opiuion, tha writer, in- stead of being ** An Episcopalian ” (a5 Le repre- seuts himself, to give weight to his slanders), is s friend of M. Clieney, and takes this method of stabbing the Episcopal Church through an sttack upon Dr. DeKoven. ’ Dr. DoKoven does not sympathize with Roman Catholiciam in rospect to either the doctrine of ‘Tronsubstantistion or that of Confession, ‘as this slanderer more than insinuates. In the speech to which you made editorial reference in & recent issuo (and which reference called out the communication of the writerin ques- tion), the Doctor expressly declarcs that the Real Essence in the Holy Eucharist, as believod in_ by, himself and those ‘who sgrce with fim, is & spiritual, not corporal, prosence. This ‘s very far from the loman Catholic doctrine, 8s yonr readers of any intelligence are well aware. Roman Catholicism holds to compulsory con- fossion'; makes private confession and absolu- tion necessary, If your correspondent means to stato (what his words make him do in effect) that Dr. DeKoven is & believer in any such doc- trine, then I pronounce him o falsifier. I bave the grest plessure of a personal ac- quaintance with the Doctor, and know his views on these subjects ; heuce speak advisedly. Curcago, Jaa. 29, 1874, TRUTE. THE DISHOPDIC OF WISCONAIN, To the Editor of Lhe Chicago Tribune s Sie: Your editorial on Dr. DeKoven is some- what justified b{v, his languago in the late Gener- al Convention, but if you will read his other specch in the same body you will find that he modifies himself, and both speeches, onjthe same subject, in the same body, 60d &k the s3mo es- sion, must be considered. His views srenot received by many in the Church, but persons holding theae views are not only to'bo tolerated in the Church, but also heve their rights in a grand catholic and unsec- tarian body. The Cheney-Cummins' movement is much to be condemned, because it adds anoth- er gect to Christondom, 1t narrows, " ingtead of widening, the terms of communion. 1t excludes ritualists and all men like Dr. DeEoven. The Church ought to be broad enough to hold men :61 ;:xd vVarieties of opinion, recaiviag the Apostle’ reed. But what are Dr. Deloven’s views? I mean not as gathered from an unguarded _debate, but from the whole of his wntings, They scarcoly approximato thoso of Martin Lutker, and argus ouly a real prosence, but not of a material, but spirited _kiund—a 1cal pregence to the pemitent and believing recipient only, They arc nob stranger than those of Calvin, Would thoss who rail at Dr. DeEoven shut ont Luther aud Calvin from the Protestant Church ? But_your corrospondent styling himself ** An Episcopalicn,” but manifestly a purtiean of the Dew movement, puts it too strongly for any in- telligent reader, and disgusts every lover of fair- deslmg Dr. DoEoven i8 no advocate of private con~ fession, in the ordinary use of the term. But Dr. DoKoven feels that mere preaching 18 not sufli- cieut at the present time torcach the ovils of student-life. He does pot belicve that the best method of governiug colleges is by Faculty meet- ings, formal rials, snd morning moral lectures ; but the Doclor becomes a father to the boys, and, imstead of taking his easo out of school- hours, encourages the boys togo to him with their troubles and impropricties. He does not rofess to forgive sins, nor teach such nonssuse. ut hois a real father and loviug friend. Sach confossions 23 he enconrages Wwould mako s bet- ter and brighter world for us all, aud save many young men from ruin. ‘These very confessiousmake the college atiract- ive and eficient, and they should be eucouraged everywhero. The resulis of their labors iu the reclamation of wanderers induce Presbyterians, Methodists, spd Low Churchmen to "pass by their own institntions and patronizo Racipe. When understood, the religious Protestant world will everywhere favor such confessions. The insinuation about girls is only werthy of aa snopymous elanderer. It marks tho parentage of the last communication. Many of us do uot think Dr. DeKaven go well fitted for Biskop of Wisconsin as & gontleman {rom a foreign diocese, but wo very much fear that such slinders and attacks will sccuro bis election. There i & sentiment among our peo- le that, whatever & man's opinions, he should En\-a © Fam-Pray, WIO OWNS PROY. SWING o the Editor of The Chicago I'ribune Sm: Doubtless Prof. Swing would reply that he is Lia own master, and, from a purely person- al standpoin, he is Tight; but in s larger and more liberal Bonse he 1s wrong, for if ever a Chi-~ cago preacher belonged to the whole people, Prof. Swing does. His preaching at the world's church (McVicker's) was tantsmount to his dedi- cation to the optire community, and so tho bundreds who have listened to bim there regard- edit. They pronounce 1t adownright robbery for the Fonrth Presbyteriau Church to take Prof. 8wing to the narrow confines of its church on the North Side. But, admitting that the Trastees have soma ciaim on Prof. 8wing, what a mistake they made to give up a congregation of 3,000 for one of 1,100, and at the same time double their currens expenses. Leb them calculate what they coald bave Emcnmd for the $0,000 which their peiw ehurch cost them. At 350 & Sunday for McVicker's Theatre, their $£30,000 would have paidzent fgr 1,000 services daring a period of twenty years! Wzs the 280,000 a first-class investwment ? Y. M. C. A, The Young Men's Christian Asgociation makes the following announcements : Noon-day pray- or-meeting every day, from 12 m. to 1%:45, in Methodist Church Block, in_lecture-room, and on Satardaye in the lerge nudienco-room, when the Snnday-achool lesson is the topic discussed. These meetings have been well attended and are growing in interest. The one yeuterday woa led by the Rev. Arthur Mitchell, of the First Pres- byterian Church. TIE JORE FELLOWS, aband of young men conuected sith the Asso- ciation, have charge of sand conduct the follow- ing meotings, which are free to all, and young men in the city, especially sirangers, are invited toaftend: Gospel meeting this evening at the rooma No. 97 West Randolph street, conducted by W. E. Clough ; meeting in Holt House sit- ting-room every Sundsy eveninz, led this even- ing by Brother Buchanan ; meeting in Rail- way DBrapch Reading-Room, in~ Michigan Southern Depot, every Sabbath slternoon, at balf-past ¢ p. m., conducted to-day by Dr. Mont~ gomers ; meeting in City Jail every Thursday afternoon ; the Itev. J. Smith Gordon will talk 10 the inmates this week, and a number of ladies and gentlemen will aid in the smging. _There is s young men's prayer-meating on Randolph streot, ot _the rooms, every Satunday evening, conducted by J. N. Crittonton. The Freo Libra- ry and Reading Rooms, at No. 97 West Randolph sireet, aTo_open every day from 9o m. to 9p. m. The library contains over 3,000 volumes, whilo on the files and tables will bo found the leading papers and magazives freo toall, Over 600 yersonsara now drawing books, whilo the everage attendance in the reading-room is over 100 dails. The Railway Reading-room, in the Michigan Southern Depot, i8 open overy dni from 8a.m.to 9 p.m, is well stocked "witl papers and magazines, aud has an average at- tendance of over 200 daiy, showing it is well patronized by the railway emvloyes and others. LECTURES, Mies Anna Dickinson is to deliver tbe next Iccture before the Association Monday evening, Feb. 16, the place and further particulars wil appear in the advertising columns of TuE Trin- uNE. ‘This will be followed by two more lecturcs tobe given by Maj. J. . Powell, of Colorado exploration fame, illustrating his discoveries on canvas, and parrating his adventures in such an interesting manner as to make them among the most epjoyable and profitnble lectures of the season, Other lectures will follow, for which preparations are now making, to all of which members will be admitted free. It is, therefore, to tho advantago of all young men tn join 6t onco and avail themselves of these privileges. Any young man may become an active member by piying 32, an associate for &1, and any lady may become an auxiliary mom ber for $1,0r a life- member for £10. Any gentleman may becoms a Jife-member for €20; 125 new members joined the Asgociation during ths month of January. NOTES. METHODIST. A new Methodist church was organized at Englewood about a month ago. A very pleasant sociable was held in Graco Methodist Church, Chicago, Thursday evening. MMusic and literary exercises varied the exercises of tho evening. Bpecial religons meetings have been com- menced in tho First Methodist Episcopal Church of this city, and they will be continned tbrongh tho present weck, with prayer-meoting Monday evening, and presching during the remaining evenings of the week. Dr. Haven's Wednesdsy afternoon lectures on ancient philosophy, in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of this city, are atiracting the attention of a considerable number of the most highly cultivated sud intelligent citizens of Chicago. ‘The lecture last week was upon the **Ecectic Philosopby.” Next Wednesdsy he lectures on Socrates. The Norflucestern Christian Adrocale last wock contained notices of revival meetings in its denomination, chiefly in the Northwest,which occupied a column aud a guarter of space. The number of_converts noted was over 1,000. The 'most noted revivals that were mentioned occur- red in the Methodist churches of Greencastle, Ind., and at Mattoon, IU. Ineachof thess churchos over 200 conversions have taken place. Trinity Methodies Chorch held & festival Thursdsy evening, in the basement of the build- ing, for the purpose of raising money to buy a piano for the Sunday-School. The eatertain- ment atiracted s large audience, aud consisted chiefly of music and elegant tableaux. The affair refiected much credit upon_the enterpris- ing young people, who believe in a little inno- cent amusement. About three years azo the society sold the lit- tle church on Indiana avenue snd commenced the prosent structure on Michigan aveuue, near Thirty-second streot. The building, with the ground, cost £13,000, the ground costing $17,- £20, and the building 25,231, The building is furpished with the seats of the old Wabash av- enue bmiding, which were a donation from that society to this, Tho Michigan avenue society s raised by sabscription a sum of $34,000, leaving & considerable balance to bo raised to- day tn'the usual way,—Dy contribution at the conclusion of the dedicatory service. The choreb, since its8 organization, has bad threo pastora, viz.: The Rev Hooper Crows, the Rov. R. D. Sheppard, and the present pastor, the Rov. J. . Phelps. 1 APTIST. Six conversions are reported at the Coventry Street Church. Three persons were baptized at the University Place Church 128t Sunday. The Rev. W. W. Everts, Jr., baptized two in the Indiana Avenue Chapel last Sunday. Nino were baptized in the Twenty-fifth Street Cuureh Jan. 18, making fifty-four received by baptism since Nov. 1. Tho pastor of the North Star Church, the Rev. J3.)M. Whitchead, is conducting a revival in that church. Tivo were baptized Jan. 18. Tho Scandinavisn Union Baptist Church was organized and ‘‘reorganized” Dec. 19. The Zov, 1. A Roichonbach, the pastor, biptized three converts on tho evening of same day. The Daptist Churchat Morgan Park have near- Iy completed thoir meoting-house, The peoplo ara ablo to furninh the honse, but will need holp from the Unioa to pay tho salary of a pastor. The Trustees of the Baptist Union havo as- sumed the rent of Emanuel Chapel, on tho cor- ner of Centre and Dayton stroets, and have et C. H. DeWolf, s university student, at work there. Trinity Miseion was established in Tammany Hal, corner of Lincoln and West Indiana streets, wbout a year ago. by the Union Park Charch of this city.” Its S v-school is large and grow- ing, with a prese.. -.:endance of about 200 Tho Sabbath-echool connected with the In- dicna Avenue Baptist Church has doubled its numbers within the past six montbs, so that the sudience-room aad the tdjoining rooms are sbout &S full a3 they can conveniently be, Deacon T. A Marsh is superintendent. The Standard say! “ At the Second Baptist Church, Sunday evening, Jaa. 25, Dr. Goodspeed baptized fifteen, one of the his father, another his own son, 4 difference in sge of 50 years. It is an interesting fact that Dr. Goodspeed has had the privilege of baptizing his wife, father, two children, lus brother 1. W., aud lus brother's niece.” The little Baptiet church at Englewood, under tho Rev. Edward Ellis, the pastor. is rapidly st- faining & prominent position in that suburb. The church was ergunizal two ysars ago, with 2 membership of about s dozen. It now con- tains over seventy members, and & revival is in progress which ndds to the number new names cach Sabbath. Last Sunday five persons were baptized. As = result of this growth, the church edifico, which was dedicated » short time go, is already too smalil. Thureday evening, the First Baptist Church of thix city held its fogular monthly missicnary sociable ot the Louse of Deacon A. Sheppard. "There was a very large sttendance, ard the evon- ing was spent very happily. Mre. Sheppard treated eomething less than ‘a hundred with a most excellont supper, and Prof. Havens, G. C. Stebbins, Exq., Mrs. Aonio Havens, and s, Edwin Smith caused dolightful music to rise with its voluptuons swell, and all to g0 merry 83 & marriage bell, notil—Hush ! hark ! a deep sound awoke like a rising kue)l. This sound proved to be the well-known voice of A. D. Titsworth, Eaq., singing an Irish melody. The sndieacs was delighted, and approved Ar. Titsworth's mu- sical art by the most cordial spplause. LUTHERAN. The Lutheran and Missionary says the Rev. E. Delfour, pastor of St.John's Church, Easton, Pa., bas resigned his church there to take charge of an English Lutberan cburck in Chicago, and preaches his first scrmon this evening. The ‘paper ays : The ar fitness of Rev. Belfour, as to nationality, experience. and attainments, have' 50 particularly pointed to him as the person i 81l the place, that the call, unsought by Lit, has come 23 an unmistakable call of God, which could not be declined. Vo canpot but think that be bas done right in xo- cepting the sppointment, and that the mission com- ‘mittee bas hit upon the Tight man and the right policy in thig instance. A great, wide, important, but difi- cult, ficld is presented in Chicago. There is little to ‘begin with, but the material is sbundant. Theroare 1ot less than pize Beandinavian and elght or ten Ger- 1080 Lutheran churches in Chicago, many of whose people are already English in language, and yet there iz 0o English Lutheran church in the place, save the merest beginning, after years of anxious effort, the great fire having swept away nearly overything that had been previously done, and what remains having been saved only by tho indefatigable effortsof the Rev. F. Richards. But with such = population, a8 imay readils be eeen, & good Eaglish church is » neces- sity, and, sith the right man to taka 1 in hand, must 8002 be &n accomplished fact. UNIYERSALIST. The First Universalist Church at Briggsville, Wis., will be dedicated to-dsy, Feb. 1. Teams convey from the cars, ai Poriage sll who come by railroad to attend the services. The Rev. A. C. Darry, says the New Corenant, 4 Has lectared with great success in Fond dit Lac, 1f 5 large bearing is any test. His Sunday- school is growing steadily in every way. His parish membership has been_cousiderably in- creased within a little time, He has given uo- tice of his inteation to Icave Fond du Lao at the expiration of hia present engagement, or on the 1st of July next. He thinks he mast have rest.” The Rev. Dr. Ryder, pastor of St. Pauls Church, Chicago, baptized and dedicated five children Jan. 18. The exercizes took place in the vestry at the close of the morning service. The New Covenant notes with pleasure that the Rev. A. C. Fish, pustor of the Universalist Church in Racine, Wis., took part_in tho ennnal meeting of the Racine County Bible Society, giving an addzess on “The Bible,—tho Chart for o Conduct of Life.” The New Covcnant thiuks thia 18 what tho Prophot predicted whon he fore- told the time when the Jion would lie down with the lamb. ROMAN CATHOLIC. The Vindicalor says : A mission was opencd in St. Stephen’s Church, cor- per Sangamon and Fourth streets, Sunday, 11th fnst. 1t was conducted by the Rev. Father Damen, 8. J., o5~ uisted by Fathers Koopmans, Maaselis, and Putten, and was brooght to a_succesaful conclusion on last Tuesdsy evening. Thres sormons were preached dally, and attended by jmmense throngs of people. In the evening the atiendance exceeded the accommo- datlon of the church, and many were thus compelled to go away, aud be sure to return earlier the following evening. it 1s estimated that no less than 4,600 poo- plespprosched holy communion; ten converts wers made, and a large number of adults prepared for st comriunion. Sunday, the 18th, the entire congrega- ‘t’i:ln:va solemuly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of It will thus be seon that religious revivals are not restricted to Protestant churches. Father Damen, with his companions above mentioned, left last week for Fort Wayne, Ind., thence to Carbondale, Pa., aod from there to the Church of the Holy Innocents, New York. TIn sl theso places similar missions will be established. The Vindicalor eays: “ The cloir of the Church of the Holy Family has recently been augmented in numbers and efficiency by tho or- ganization of an orchestrs of no common abili- %.” The grand effect of the combined choir, organ, and orcheatra will be tried to-day at 1034 o'clock, when Mozart’s * Twelfth Mass " will be suDg. PRESBYTERIAN. At the dodication of the now Presbytorian Cburch at Highland Park, last Sunday, sermons were_preached by the Dev. A. E, Kittredge, of the Third Charch, Cicago, and by the Rov. J. H. \V‘i:nn, pastor of the Highland Pack Baptist chur Tho Presbyterian ministers of Chicago, at their meetipg Alonday morning, discussed the question, ‘¢ What is the legal status of Chris- tianity in our Government, with parcicular ref- erence to_the right of Goverument o provide religious instruction 2” Tuere is not unlikely to bo a secession of Presbyterians in tuis city. Jan. 18, Tax TRIDUNE published a sermon delivered by Dr. McKaig in the pulpit of the Ninth Prespyterisn Chburch, which eermon the Inlerior, the Presbyterian organ of this city, declares to bo infidel in its cnaracter. The Inlerior says with regard to it, after quoting Ar. McKaig's rationalistic explana® tion of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrsh, and of the convertion of Lot’s wifo into & pillar of salt, that— The session of the church have an immediate duty to perform. A those appointed 1o take care of the church's dntercsts, they should protest agalnst the teaching of that sermon, and they should exercise the suthority vested in them by forbidding Dr. McKaig to preach again in their pulpit. This is asevere remedy, weknow, But the disease Ia sovere, and thero is no time fo bo lost in ita treatment, The Presbytery of Ghicago1a heroky advisod, moreover, that oao of its churches is ministered to by an infdel. On the other hand, the Ninth Presbyterian Church has given Mr. McKaig a call to become their pastor, and be hag sigoitied his willingness to gccept. ‘Tne Inferior thinks the churcn bas made & groat mistaka; but tho church, 1618 ro- ported. does not concur in this opinion. The Interior has mow two populsr Chicago Presbyterian beretics on its hands, namely, Prof. Swing and the Rev. Mr. dcKag. of whom it says: Dr. MeEaig's eclecticism, we should ramark, differs trom that of Prof, Swing. Tho latter eliminates cer- tain laws and pealins only, The former finds in cer- tain historjcal narratives the spectal object of bis aver- sion. The principle in both cases is the same. ATSCELLANEOTS, The Rov. Robert Collier bas inaugurated in the Church of the Messiah a course of Tuesday night chapel lectures. Prof, Swing delivered the firat, Robert Collyer followed Jast Tucsday even- ing, and pext Tuesdsy the Rev. Laird Collier will deliver his lecture on_* Beethoven.” The chapel 15 on the corner of Micnigan avenue and "Pwenty-third street. AMr. Collier has commenced a series of lectures on social subjects, which are to be delivered each Sunday evening. Last Sun- day the lecture was upon *‘The Ideal Woman.” To-night ** The Perfect Gentleman™ will bo por- trayed. PERSONAL. caIcAGO. The Rev. Edward Eggleston has been in Chi- cago during the past week. He led tho ncon prayer-meeting Wednesday. Thbe Rev. C. E. Felton, pastor of Grace M. E. Church, deliversd a lecture in the First 3. E. Church of Clevelund on * How to Get Rich.” The Rev. C. W. Wendte, pastor of the Fourth Unitarian Church of this city, is going to Ea- rope in s short time, to Temain for several months. Lnst Wednesday evening the Rev. TFather Damen delivered his powerfal lecturo, ‘‘Popu- lar Objections to the Catholic Churcly,” to anim- monse audience. Tho Rev. Edward B. M. Browne, editor of the Jewish Independent, preached in English yester- day at the Rev. Dr. Messing's temple on Wabash avenue, opposite the Post-Olffice. The Rev. C. F. Reed, of tho last class in Chi- cago Semiary, was ordained pastor of the Con- gregational chureh in Naperville, Jan, 13. The services were conducted by tho Rev. G. N. Boardman, D. D., and the Revs. L. F. Penedict, | N. A. Prentiss, and D. D. Hill. The Rev. Dr. Forrester, pastor of the Second Taiversalist Church, Chicago, is giviug & course of sermons on religion in practical life. The firsy was delivered Jan. 18, on the * Religion in the Hands.” The lecture last Sabbath was on “Tpo Religion of the Tonguo.” The Rev, F. Masselis, 8. J., of the Church of the Holy Family, in Chicago, and the Rev. T. Edvwards, of St. Stephen’s, parrowly escaped in- jury, last weok, while riding in & buggy. Tho fore axle broke aod precipitated the clergymen to tho ground, but fortunately causing no serious injury. ELSEWHERE. Tho Rov. Henrv Powers, pastor of the Church of the Meseinh (Unitarian), New York, has re- signed. < Dr. W. G. T. Shedd bas been elected to the Roosevelt Professorship of Systematic Thoology in Union Seminary, N. ¥., in placo of Dr, H, B. Smith, resigued. ; The New Covenant says it is reported that Mra. Lottie D. Crosley, wifeof the Rev. W. J. Crosley, bas preached several times at Urbaoa and Champaign to good dcceptance. On the 14th of January Bishop do St. Palais, of Vincennes, Ind., celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his episcopate. His dioczse con- tains 145 churches and nearly a8 many schools. The clergy number 100. . An ex-priest at Treviglio, Lombardy, named Paronio, threw a quantlty of tartaric acid wto the altar wine, by which weans cight ofiiciating priosts were brought nearly to the grave. The culprit is in prisou awaiting trial. The Rev. George H. Hopworth, of the Church of tho Disciples, New York, gives Bibla loctures in hia chureb, illustrated by tablesux, in which tho people of his congregation, men and women, take part in characteristic costume. AMessrs. D. L. Moody and Mr. Bankey, who ‘have been makingsuch a stir in Edinburgh, Scot- land, are now in Dundes, and will go to Glasgow early in February, snd will commence meetings in Belfaat, Ireland, in April. So says the Edin- burgh Review. The New Orleans Times says Bishop Simpson left that city » fow days ago for Mexico, on tho steamer Franklin, in company with his wife, Mr. George McCreary, of Philadelphia, and Bisho Koene, of the Mothodist Episcopal Churc South. Gov. Kellogg issued cechificates of citi- zenship to the divines, under the seal of the State of Louisiana, The Christian Union says of Parepsa Ross, “ Whatover she touched, sho glorified, making it avehiclo of blessing and inspiration to all wao heard ber, _That euch an ariist and such a wom- an should di in the very matnrity of her powers is & calamity to the whole world ; and it certainly is not irreverent to say that the music of heaven will be sweeter and nobler for her accession to the throng who shall forever eing ‘ the song of Moses and the Lamb.' " RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY. AT BOME. It is snid that during the past year sixty-four adult converts from Protestantism wers bap- tized into the Catholic faith in the Church of the Imwaculate Conception, Boston, Mays. ‘The “ Catholic Directory,” recently published, gives the latest statistics with regard to Cathol- fcism in the United States. It says they are divided into seven provinces, namely: Balti- _more, Cincinnati, New Orleans. New York, Or- egon, St. Louie, and San Francisco. Thesoprov- inces contain seven _Archbishops, filty-six Bi ops, 4,512 priests, 4,387 churches, 15t churches in course of erection, 1,415 chapels and stations, and 1,250 parochial echools. Tha total Catho):. populition is given in round numby m”!' thing over 6,000,000, bl Thore are eighteon Methodist Boston, with a total mumberam:ol'ila)? e Bishop Mennesay, of Eansas, has Prohibited daucing 1n that dic fostivats, ocese 26 Catholio faira o) Tt i6 said that the first publi by Gen. John . Dix was 8o addrass by dpe Ll day-achool of Christ Church, Cooperstown, Ny, Tho Leader says that at a service in mems of Agassiz, Dr. Peabody salected for iy ot “Tie gravo withereth, th fower fadeth " ops The Washington .Avenus Baptist Churg] gorgaklr&; I:iavo h.‘.ely,‘zxg ;‘\1 subecription of 830 , entirely extingui the ol house of worehip. e Tho Church Standard says: “In B Anderson's tmnslation of tho New 'rr:;:fieg' > verse of tho chapter is omitted becauso it is spuriona. T OF A% 18 The Rev. Dr. Talmage will dedicato b g e o had hundred and tweniy-five mombers wer added to bia charch 1n one week, - oom) The telegraph made Chaplain Sund: tho Senata of the United Slx;les, p;’;, c&;’:rfidfh:,' gny, t}x;‘t God gousd make Congress a3 ‘i acred Ram to the Jew.” For** Ram, read Sanhedrim. it i The American Bible Rovision Committes, j co-operatioa with the Britwh Commi:te:,el:’a:: just iinished the rewision of Geoews ang Afatthew, and sent it to England. The Com. mittes hold regular monibly sessions in thy Dible House, and are making steady progress. A Roman Catholio Bishop, being invited opea the Vermont Logisiaties som tim. t:%o': surprised the body by uttering tho followiny po: {thun(: ‘!‘May cormptionb;x:d. siu of avery form 0 88 far from every member of this Legiala: 88 thow azt, O Lord,” et An Eastern paper ssys: *The English ploration party in. Palestine have come iy surca%hagl containing insctiptions on the Mount of Olives, not far from the site of Bethany, “They cm:ltlmu the bones of Christian Jews, and among the names given are those of Bimon, Saribhs, Lazarass © A Now York ‘paper eays the Marcy Aven Baptist Charch, Ymo\dyn, under the ministry of the Bav. Dr. Jeffrey, formerly of Chicago, iy rapidly increasing in numbers. Tho member. £hip has recently risen from forty-five to mnety. eight. Twenty-one converts wers baptized wit in'three weeks, The Ciacinnati Commercial says the Rev. R M. Hatfield, D.D., pestor of St. Paul's Mothodis( Church, Cincinaati, it is said, will go to Phils delphia in the spring to take chargo of the Arch sz.rv.;ob c’lmfib'b hDr.A!IAtfi&ld was _formerly pastor of Wabas] venus and Centeus Churches in Chicago. gl Here is another exampla of the wolf and the lsmb lying down together: “The common ground of faith and sympathy,” says the Uni- Tersalist, * between all Christians was recognized in Charlestown on Sundsy, in the_exchange of pulpit services between the Rov. W. W. Loxd, of the First Baptist Church, and the Rev, W.'T. Stowe, of the Universaliss.” Zion's Herald, Boston, says: * The religio oople of Portisnd aro’ seitstiog tho quesiion Shall we have tho Puritan or German Sabbath Nearly every Sundsy during the winter paid saloon concerts, paid praise mectings, and paid lectures have been held in tho City Hall. Soma of our leading ministers have sanctioned thess by their preseace and participation.” ‘The Old South Church, Worcester, Mass., hat voted by a majority of Sixty-sevea against twenty-nine to add four ladies to its corps of deacons. The resolution which was adopted saya: “In avading hersolf of the help aud counsel of godly women, this charch seeks to recognize and 1mitate the policy and usaze of the Congregational Church of the New Testa ment.” The Rev. P. A. Hanaford, in his historical sketch of the First Universalist Church of New Huyen, Conn., 88y : 4 Less thsn half a century ago,” the writer s3ys, & be a Universalist was to be accounted a0 nfidel, The name was synonymous with athelet, Few dared to s tend a religious gathering of this people, and, among that few, women were afraid and ashamed to be seen. Shie who'dared brave public opinton, so_ far as to st tend, was caunted * strong-miudod,’ and her religion, if not her morals, questioued.” Thers was a timi when no hall conld be obtained in New Haren, and thi meetiugs were Lieid ou the green, the prescher standing a0 tho steps of the State-House. According to Bishop Wiley, New England Methodism has made groat zdvancos in the lasi balf century. He said that fifty years ago there were only 21,000 Metkodists in alf the six States, but gince that time tho number had muitiplied six times, The denomination now hoa in that part of the country $10,000,000 worth of chasch ‘property, 116,000 cluldren in its Sabbath-echools, 1,000 preacbers, whose preaching reaches at 16ast 300,000 peoplo thronzh 1,800 churches. Bat for gomo reason Aletlodism has not grown in that direction during thie past year, a fact which the Bishop conld hardly explain sstisfaszorily. A Boman Catholio journal says: Owing to tho troubles and persecutions in Ttaly, ‘many prectous relics have becn taken from their usaal Tepusitories and trapaferred to places of safety. The Rev, Fr, Gartuer, C. SS. C,, Professor n St. Francls Semipary, near Milwaukce, Wis., and_Superior of the Toheian and Slavanian Missions of this conutry, bt becn intrusted with many of these relics taken from Twome and Venice, Thess include a piece of the trus Ccross, » thorn from the crown of tuorus, and many relics of the Passlon, of the Bless.d Virgin, and of tke te. Theyaro exposed to the veueration of ihe faithfal in the chapel of the Church of the Most Haly Redeemer, New York. The Christian Union soys : Alas | in what an ags of heresy do wa livel Evea €00 Dr. Curry of the Christiun Adcocafe, who bas 3 perfoct hawk’s eye for unsoundness in the faith, is Limself sbaky upon the doctrine of the resurrection of the material body. Having ventured to intimate his doubts in the ddvocate, "and thersby awakened the anxieties of some of his”brethren, be concludes a de- feuse of himself with the announcement : Ve leave the subject—probably forever, as fax s theso colamas are concerned.” The editor of the Christian Tnion ** irembles to think what might have been the resuitaol further discussion, and tnay go into convulsions when he learns that ¢ further discussions™ kat already been begun by the Northwestern Chris- ian Advocale, which last weok discovered the heresy sbove-named, and Buggests & heroid remedy. ApROAD. Dr. McCosh's plan for a fedoral union of the different branches of the Presbyterian Church is said to moet with much favor. M. Clermont Gannesu hos discoversd neal Jaffu a tomb of the first century, containing in- seriptions which reproduce Bible names. A misslonary statoment says that in the Fifi Islands the converts number 100.000, whilethere are 50,000 native children learning to read write in the mission schools, The Christians of Indis havo been greaily scandalized recently by the conversion of a 500 of the late distinguished Canon lelville to Alshommedsvism. sl‘he:e aro ono or two Boston divines who have n leaningin the same direction. Aporson signing himsclf * Anglicanus” i~ quired in the London Record during the woek of prayer: * Would 1t not be adwisable aso in this to plead for the downfall of Rome sud Mobammed, the lifting up of Jeusalem aud Judab, and the removal of tho veil that hides tho Ton Tribes 2" News from Gormany states that the Ishop & Breslau has already mado his dispositions for tho time when be shall be tarncd out of his See by the Imperial Government of Germany. I3 diocese extends over somo parishes which sre part of the Austrian Territory, and b proposes to reside there and govern his Prussisa Diocesa from within tne limits of Austrian ralo. A missionary of the London Society describes £ celobrafion?{ the Lord's Supper by the c;mrrf at Atapes, one of the Polynesian Inhud&wn large jug contained tho water which was used I liou of wine, and £Wo tea-caps aad w0 dinnes plates, the latter containing smail pieces 90 cacosnat, stood oo one side. On the other 'm » cocosnut-shell, sapportod by four BloGE, keep it upright ; this was their baptizmal basin- Bishop Foster told the editor of tho Westrn Christian Adcocate, & tew days 850, that “11 sgm enteen years Mr. Spurgeon bud Tecoived 13, pervons into his church, bLad erected thiry S0 chapels in London, and supplied the ssme e rministers trained 1n a college of bis own foun 2 ing, Bishop Foster thinks the crowniog l’fi liarity of Mr. Spurgeon ''is pis gentle, ds?i“ g and even tender and pathetic, tones inde ; iog tho_Gospel message, and in bis pomer O/ personal recognition. ‘Ihere ig scarcely ,’. e inall of hisregulsr congregation, agETessiog pearly 7,000 besrers, whom be know personally. To a great extent, he tfila o4 tnem by name, aod 88 to theirtemporaland 8 itual condition, he needs not that any oae inform him.” S ® SERVICES TO-DAY. EPISCOPAL. There will be no service to-day 12 the mmicl m. Ascension, corner of Eim and “LaSulle stres choir 1a requested to meat in the chiazch 08 day aad Friday evenfogs, " The k. i, N. FPowers, D. D., will preach as st 1a St. Jobn's Chiurch, on Ashnad svenue, Dear t. l m_-lflifiney. Arthur Brooks will preach mosning il