Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 6, 1878, Page 10

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY."JANUARY 6, 1878-SiXTEEN'PAGES. . . RELIGIOTS.. Heénry Ward Beecher's Denial of the Existence of a Hell. The ‘Mysticism of Christ’s Teach- ings in Relation to Spir- itual Subjects. Hortal Comprehension Unequal to the Spirituality ot the Chris- tian Faith, Is It Hell or Hades?---The Original Does Not Mean a Place of Tormente : General Churck Notes—Personals—Da- bious Piety—Services To-Day. 5 THERE A HELL? HENRY WARD BEECHER SAYS ‘‘No."” Three weeks ago today the pastor of Plym- outh Congregational Church, Henry Ward Beecher, electrified his congregation by declar- ing that there is no hell, The vigorous mannerin which he gave expression to his views has com- manded the attention of the professors of all creeds thronghout the United States, and this thas been no little intensified by similar declara- Jons on the part of Canon Farrar, of Westmin- ster Cathedral. Mr. Beecher selected as his text the following passage from one of Paul’s epistles: Having made known unto us the mystery of His ‘will, according to liis good pleasure which Ile hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of ‘the foliness of times He might satker torether in one all things in Christ, both which are in lieaven, ;m{sflnchm on earth; even in Him.—Zph. 1., ‘He prefaced his sermon by alluding to the obscurity involved in the more impassioned ‘passager of Paul’s writings, and the many mys- teries which they contain. The background of all'theology, in treatinzof the nature of God and Divine moral government, is mysterious, 2nd yet it is in this mysterious region that the fancy of man bas been most despotic. The slightest aberration is regarded as damoatory. A few centuries ago it was punished with tor- ture, now with soclal ostracism. ‘The teachfng of Christ is mystical in the sense that it brings into view the clements that beloug to tae Divive and the earthly. 1t is the teaching of one who has the knowledze of Heaven, but who is engaged in the conditions of 1men on earth. In Histeachingsare paradoxesand statements, which, judzed by tbe standard of exact truth, are cxtravagances which go beyond gur experienee. Christ taught by fiction. = His parables are addressed to the imagination, and they produce in the minds of men more correct imuressions of the truth than any mere state- ment of fact could vroduce. There isin His 1ife “a manifestation ot divinity; a double con- stiousuess; a sense of things in this world, and 2 sense infinitely beyond this world, with thoughts and feelings playing back and forth between heaven aud earth, like a shuttle ina loom carrying a golden thread, the upper part of the fabric being invisible, and onmly the lower part, whereit touches Him, beinz visible.” Dia Mr. Beecher have doubts? What nights had he gone through! What jeopardies! IHis head had reeled, but e was put on earth not to falter. To -part with many cherished associa- tions of youth; tosee the truthos the blind man saw men “as trees walking ”'; to perceive . thing to be true and not to know, if you teach .it, what will become of the morality of the gen- eration; to feel the respousibility that lies on a man who loves his kind and bis God—this is & preparation which perhaps no man would covet, but it is a preparation which rew who are going 1o teach the way of God to men can avoid. The uniyersal law s one of suffering. Re- formers are pelted and beaten. Advanced thinkers are persccuted. The leaders of the wolf wust fight the fock. 1t is a bard thing for w pastor to preach the Gospel in regard to un- zertainties.” There are slumbering minisiers who have no trouble, but their flocks have. There arc inquiries among them, and they are told by the ministers that they are out of the correct path; they had better leave these sub- jects alone and attend to their duties. Mr. Beecher next made & comparison between the teachings of the New Testament on spirit- ual and earthly subjects. The laws of personal ‘morality are absolutely perfect: The presenta- tion of the spirituality of the Christian faith is removed beyond the powers of mortal compre- bension. The former we understand; in the latter we recognize the background of mystery. The question of the future state was then taken up, aod on this topic Mr. Beecher spoke s lollows: It scems to many men very strange that the world was created 88 it was' To many men it Ecems very strange that the human race were created on'a scale €0 vast, and with so little pro- vision for their development. It is said in the catechism that our first parents were creazed right- £ous; that they fell from their oricinal etate, and inat 'their posterity fell with them. Science icuches us that the human race eprang, T will not 1ay how far back, but certainiy as far back ns the ravace condition. This s the modern testimony of ecience. aud it is not contradicted by the cate- shism. So far the catechism and scicnce asree. Now, tnat the race should be put in this world 1t'50 low 3 point would not be strange, any more than it {8 etrange thata man cats a Httle twig off {rom a rose-busb, and puts it in 1 thumb-pot one inch across, and eets {t on a table in 2 propugating houee, with bottwin heat, if the moral problem were the enme a8 the physical one—where there is the instrumentality for germinating tne twig, where there is a gardener 0 take careof it, 10 shift it, 1o develop it, to give it room and oppar- tumity for growth and maturity. Dut that has not been the history of the human race. Man- kind are torown abroad on this continent in myriads, and we know that mot only their bappiness but their morality larmely depends on their knowledge of how 1o use their bodies, and how to control the natural laws that surronnd them; buton these subjects nota word Dor 3 ¥sliable {8 told them. It s £aid that there is A revelation from God; but we should expect, if Sod has made a revelation to the nascent race, that He wonld have told them how they are made, what connection there is between thoir facultics, and whiat relations they sustain'to the world outside of them; but they went on propagating 1,000 years, 2,000 years, 3,000 vears, without receiving any such faformation. The sweep of the populations that bave swarmed on the globe l& sumply incon- celvadle. Not all the waves of the ocean that have beaten on its shores duringall the centurics of time contained drops enough to cqual the namber of ha- 1020 belngs that have come into this world, und gone throngh life throbbing, striving, blundering, 4nd died, and pasecd out of sight. So many have there been that ail the eands of the veachore, all the stars of heaven. and all the figures of the arith- metic, would not be enough tomeasure the preface, even, of the book of the history of the creation of the race. And during three-fourths of its history the race was without an altar, ora church, or g authorized priest. 2 revelation, or anything but the Jight of matare. 1. now, you tell me that this rreat mass of men, because théy had not the knowlcaze of God, went 10 Heaven, 1 say that the inroad of such a vast amonnt of mud swept into Heaven would be destructive of its purity: and I cannot accept that view. 1f, onihe oiberhund, you ray that they * went to bell, then you make an infiel of me; for 1 do #wear by the Lord Jesus Christ, by His groans, by His tears;and by the wounds in Ris hnnmfl in His side, thatT will never let £o of the truth that the mature of God is to suffer forothers rather tlian Lo make them suffer. If Ilose evervthing else, I'll stand_on the fovereign idea thst God so loved the world that He gave IHis own Sou to die for it rather than it should die. Tell me that back of Christ there is 8 God who, for unnumbered centurics, has gone on creating men_and sweeping them ke dead flies—pay, like living ones—into hell, ie toaskme to worship a being as much worse than the conception of any medieral devil as zan be imagined; but I will not worship the devil, though he-ehonld come dressed in royal robes and sit on the throne of Jehovah. 1will not worehip cruclty. 1 will worship love—that sacrifices itsell for the good of thoee that err, and that is s patient with them as 3 mother is witha eick child. With every power af my belag will I worship a God of love euch as that, ‘But bas ot God justice also? And is be not of purer evet than to bebold infauity? Yes. And the distinctions between right and wrong are s eternal as God Himself. The relation botween sin and refribution belongs not to the mere temporal con-; dition of things: it ihberes in the divine constita-} tion, and 1 for all eternity. The prospect for any, 1man who goes out of this life resolute in ein may well make him tremble for himself, and may well mate us tremble for him. But it is not true—the Scriptures docs not teach it, and the whole gense of Buman justice revolts at it—that for_the myriads who bave been swept out of this lifé without the lizht and knowledge of the Divine love, there 18 re- served an eternity of snflering. In that mystery of the Divine will and work of which the Apostie Epeaks in the far-off dispencation of the fullness of tumes, thore is eome other solution than this nightmare of a mediseval theology. 4Wel), then," it is asked, **how do you get rid of the difiiculry that there is this population on the globe. and that they have been living 1 such a de- lorable state so Jong*™ How is it that 1 world so all of suffering ehould be continued under the ad- ministration of a parental God of infinite wisdom and ingnite power, who could, if He would, change itall? The history of the evolation of the human ruce upon the earth as described by the apoatie has been. - **The whole creation groaneth and travail- et tn poin antil now.” When the acute moratand benevolent sympathies of the soul are iaid bare to rows thet pour down like a tropical delus the gulf streams of misery that tiow through time; when one considers, not wist fs tae_condition of things abont him in the Christian families, bat what s the condition of the human race. when one does that by the buman race which Christ did,— joing him to i, and comes info_eympathy with its hole tarobbing and grouning Uie, then the gues- tion of reconciliation with the Divine love is one that must be answered. _ Either God does notexist, orhe has not tne power, as Mill says he has not, 10 do what He pleases, or elsc Infinite benevolence has & wider, larger, grander scope than we sre accustomed to imagine. - If we look at the phenomenon of suffering from the carthiy point of view. and with_the -limitation of our faculties, and from our limited knowledge of morul nses and’ ways, darkness and doubt are not only extremely natural, but inevitable. Dut if it i3 troe that all thfs vast multitade of numan creatures are in the zarden of the Lord, and that they are being treated according (o their various conditione, and that they arc to have some chancea besides those which they have on earth, that they areto zo up throush other achools than those of time, then the whole aspect of the casc is changed. That which makes the dealing to which the race are subjecetd «0 hard to bear is not that some men are ignorant (we are all ignorant), or thal they are limited (we arc all limited), but that they are seemingly neglected, and are’ denied such oppor- tunities s we enjoy. It i3 this that makes the phenomenon of the world such as to stagzer strong. men, and make impossible, to many, faith in the loving, eclf-sacrifeing nature of God. Take away the doctrine of the finality of things at death, con- ceive a finslend to be accomplished by ail this misery in the universe, and that it will be €0 transcendent that when you come to eee the out- come of it all the foregoing suflering will be seen 10 bave been insignificant. uot worthy to be com- pared with the eternal weight of glory produced by it._and the trouble coascs, ‘Once, when a boy, 1 stood on Mount Pleacant, at Amberst, and saw 2 summer thunder-storm enter the Valléy of the Connecticut from the north. Be- fore it was brizht: centrewise it was black a8 mid- night, and 1 could see flery streaks of lightning striking down through it; but behind it again,— for I could see the rear,—it was bright. In front of me that mighty storiu hinrtling throuzh the sl and before it Tsaw the sunlight, and bebind it I saw the sunlight; but to those that were under the centre of {t Lher¢ was no brightness before or be- hinait. They saw the thunder-gust, and the pelt- ing rain, and were cnveloped in darkness, and heard the rush of mighty winds; but I, that ‘stood afaroff, could seo that God was waterine the earth, and washing the leaves, and preparing the Dirds for a new outcome of jubilee, and giving 1o men refreshment and health. Sol conceive thst our human life hero, with its sorrows and tears, as compared with the éternity that we are going into, if no more than tie breath of a summer thunder- storm; and if God sees that our experlence in this world §s Lo work out an excueding great reward in the world to come, there isno mysteryin it,—to bim. The hild s fevered. and hardly knowing what it does, it says, **Mlother, giye me some water " and ‘€he rises fo get the’ water. and it sav: *+Quick! quick!” and thinks she delays, thou she dues not: and this thougnt in the mind of the is relative to the sorencse of itsnerves. And cven when the mother docs delay, it is because she thinks delay is best for the ‘child. It seems hard for the child, but the mother knows it is wise. Now what s time to men is not time to God. As we have but threescore and ten or fourscore of years to live, and as we have much to do, and as what we accompliish must be crowded fnto those years, we are in & burry; but Goddwells in eterni- 1y; He has time enouyh, He never nevas to hurry; 2nd that which, because we are in physical condis tions, seems to us delay 19 not delay to the Divine mind.. In the vast scheme accordiuz to which He works, a million years, or ten million years do not seem lonz to Him; mor will they scem long to us whon we are on the other side, Tho trouble with us is that we are bringing’ time- | mensares and fesh-measures to bear on themes to which only spirit-measures are adapted. Bat tne great background of mystery comes in for onr consolation, and it matters not if the races have been here Twenty or thirty thonssnd years, provided they aré going forward on a svs- tem which will in the end bring all these in heaven and on earth into onc in Christ Jesus. This thought talses ont of human life that bitter clement whica carries poison throuzh it from end to end. The sensc of aivine universsl justice, confidence in_God, the fecling which enables ‘one to say, “*Wait.’ Lord. as long as thon wilt; it 1 thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterdsy when It 13 past, and as & watch iu the night, then let & thousand vears meseure tho periods of human ascendency; only, in the far fnture, when iho world that has groaned aud traveled in pain s long shall have forzotien the cries of gorrow and sigh- ing, and learned the notes of gladness and joy, snd atlast the ransomed of the Lord shall have re- turned and come to Zion with songs of everiasting joy upon their heads, then let every sentlent crea- ture, ir heaven, on'carth, and under the carth, join the shining crowd, and 1ift up his voice, and help to swell the triumphant chorus that shafl fill the Infnite space of heaven, —that confldence takes &way, with me, the myatery of the elow aud long- deluyed operations of thie mortal life, A child at the foot of & mountain and the father at the top cannot sec alike. The child is embosom- ed in snrubs and trees, and is enveioped in dars- ness; and the sun comes up in the valley where he is long after it strikes the moautain-top; and 1t passes from the cmld's sizht far earhier than it does from the father's; and the view of the surronnd- ing country whicn the chfld gets down there is not to interpret that which toe father gets up there, So onr conception of finite love isnot to {nterpret God's concention of infinite love. Why, what is love? What do we know about it With us it ap- pears as eelt-loves and witn usatbest it is restrict- ed and imperfect. It is most beautiful, to be sure; et it 15 uncrowned. Butwhatis the love of the ninite? What is love to a heart that can take in agesand the racey What is love which is_unfath- omable, and which includes infinite tendernossand infinite compassion? Said Christ, as lle bent to wash the disciples’ fect, **Whaildo thou knowest not now, bt thou £hait know hereafter.” ~ When He stoops and lifts out of the cradle my beloved child, and disappears from the door, I hear the whisper in the hush of the air, **What ] am domg you know not now. bat you shall know hereafter.” When His hand sepurates between husband and wife, and one stands like Niobe in utter woe, from overhead comes down 4 Yoice saying, ** Whatl do youknow not now, but you shall knaw hereafter.™ We are told, *-All things work together for good to them that love God:” and **No afiiction for the present ecem to be jovousa. but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceadle fruit of righteousness unto them that are excreied thereby.™ These assurances take away the mys- tery of life. The mystery of the life to come curcs 1he mystery of this fite. The unknowable and in- explicable there sends explanation and definition back bere. And we cun say with the apostle, * We walk by faith, not by sizht. " Welive not by'scnse, nor_ by sevxtous reason. We are chilaren of the Ineffable and Invisible. And Christ snys to aw, **In my Father's housc aré many mansions (apart- ments)} T go to prepare a place for you; and if [ 7o and prepare a place for you, 1 will come again, ond receive you uuto myself; that where Iam, therd ye may be also.” And'then there is that other love token: *:lfaviny loved his own, he loyed them unto the end.” Even #o, Lord Jesus of Jove, weare patient, we are contented with weariness, and we_count all things blessing which shall bring us finally to thy ‘presence and t0 the joy of the heavenly land. HELL OR HADES. THE MEANING OF THE WORD IN THE ORIGINAL. Phtladelplia Times. The attention which has been drawn in the newspapers to some remarks upon the use of the word “hell ” fn the English Bible, made by a preacher of considerable replitation fn a re- cent sermon at Westminster, furnishes o re- markable example of the prevalent misconcep- tion against which those remarks were directed. There appears to bave been a good deal in Dr. Farrar’s sermobs to excite controversy, but the sccular papers have plunged into the discussion with g zeal that is scarcely according to knowl- edge, assuming that he had announced some startling novelty of doctrine, wheras, so far as concerns the passaze especially under dispute, he simply said what cvery Biblical student knows and bos said asain and again, that the word hell, in its modern popular acceptation, does not cxpress thc weaning of the words which it is used to trans- late, or even the meaning that it had in the miuds of the translators. What is the “ ortho- dox ™ doctrine upon future punishment it is not our province to discuss, but there is nothing in literary criticism more certain than that the popular idea now attached to the word hell has little or no conuection with its etymology, or with the sense in which it is most frequently employed in the Bible, this, like many other old words, hoving acquired i modern times a epoclal significance that did not belonz to it three centuries ago. The word itself is Anglo- Saxon, and its associate_verb is helan, to cover- or conceal. Luther’s Bible has Hoelle, which is nearly the same as the German Hoclile, a hol- low : a dark, hidden place. Halla, or Walhalla, 1s the abode of departed heroes. 'In short, our English word hell corresponds as nearly as pos- sible with the Greek Hades, the Latin interi, the obscure abode of departed spirits, the unknown land bevond the grave,” and this_is precisely the signification of the words which are commonly translated * hell™ in the authorized version. The Hebrew Sheol is used vers vaguely and fna variety of con- nections. Tt is doubtful if it ever siguificsa place of torment, and otten it is properly trans- lated as the grave. Jacob, for instance, says: % For 1 will o down into the grave unto my son mourniog.” Here—and in the correspond- ing passeze, * bring down iny gray hairs with sorrow Lo the grave’’—the "Hebrew word is precisely the same that is_clsewhere translated hell, the Greek Hades. Sometimes it has very plainly its etymnological imeating, as woen Jobsays: * 0 that thon wouldst hide me in ihe grave (in hell): that thou wouldst keen me secret till thy wrath is past.” It is doubt- ful, as has been "said, whether Sheol, in the order books at least, ever expresses & place of torment; it is rather the place of detention, the intermediate state_between death and the final consumation of all things. It was after the cxile that the idea was formulated among the Jews which we find in tiie parable of Dives and Lazaras, of a separation between the * pris- on-houscs ™ of the good aud the bad. In the New Testament, Gebeuna, the name of the place where the offal_and rubbish of the city were cast, and where fires were kept burning to purify the air, and which was cousequently em- ployed in popular metaphor, occurs frequentl. but it is translated in our version precisely as the still more frequent word Hades, and it {s to this promiscuous use of the word hell that Bib- Tical students like Dr. Farrar have long object- ed. There arc still other words in both the Old and the New Testaments which are rendered fn Enelish alike, to the evident confusion of the pooular mina. The scuse in Which the word was Tmore commonly employed than in any other by the translator of the Bible is the same in which it is used in the creeds: kafelthen en Hade; descensit ad inferos ; **he descended into heil.” As St. Paul expresses it: ‘*Now that he as- cended, what is it but that he also desccuded first into the lower varts of the earth; ™ or, as we have it in the Psalins, and quoted more than once in the New Testament, ‘“that lis soul was not left in hell.” It is very plain that this is an utterly different meaning from that which now attaclies to the word in popular use. and that as amatter of literary accuracy, apart from all questions of doctrine, our aceepted_translation could be improved upon revision. “What Canon Farrar, or anybody else, may choose or refuse 10 teach upon this” or any similar subject on which the ible and the anclent creeds are alike obscure, is not a subject for discussion here; but arzuments which are based upon Bible texts ought to be made with an understanding of Bible words. CORRESPONDENCE. DBEECHER V8. CALVINISM. To the Editor of The Tribune, Cr1cAGO, Jan. 4.—Calvinism does not arraign Mr. Beecher as unsound upon. election or pre- destination, but its terrible wailing 1s because Beecher has found a Gospel with no Lell in it. Beecher belicves the rejecter of Christ will be punished, but cannot preach that tiod creates a person and keeps bim wicked by predestination, and yet punishes for that wickedness. Beecher repudiates the predestinated Hell of Calvinism, and accepts the Scriptural one * pre- pared for the Devil and bis angels.” Beecher thiuks that a theoloxy which is so fearful that & soul may enter Heaven without undergoing the ordeal of Calvinistic predestina- tion (Hell) necds repudiation, He -cannot preach to a man, if Christ draw him, he can come, and at the same time suspend over him the uncertainty of election. He believes the atonement of Christ covers all mankind, aud therefore all men can be saved if they will. He caunot preach God as the author of sin, as he must when he robs mankind of their frec moral agency, and thcn punishes them for the fulfillment of a destiny they canuot avoid. He canvot preach the repropation of predes- tination to a portion of the human family, and vet claim God as just. Beecher’s cleventh-hour conversfon {8 a mar- vel of the nintcenth century, but ‘better late than never.” Iago. TRUTH VERSUS PORTRY. To the Editor of The Tribune. AuUBTRY, N. Y., Jan. 1.—An article in a late CuicaGo TRIDUNE, entitled “A Dive After Trath,” siened ** P. H. M., Auburn, New York,” is very poor logic, and, from the siznature, I saspect the author is one from whom we might expect *less truth than poetry.” The article is an attempt to give reasons for disbelleving the doctrine of the endless punish- ment of the impenitent. And first, Mr. M. says that, if a_sinner deserves everlasting punish- ment, it is impossible for him ever 1o get it, ‘because at no point in eternity can a sinner be said to have passed through one-hall or one- mwillionth part of it. Andif one cannot pass througl a small part of it, how much less cau e endure the whole. “This very like the proj sition of “the schools,” to use P. H. ) phrase, by which it is mathematically demo strated that one is equal to twenty-four. Ac- cording to this, 3 man cannot live ecternally either in blessedness or woe, because at no remote neriod of his existence can he be said to baye passed through the millionth part of cternity. And if oue caunot live so small a part of cernity, how much less can he the halt or the whole. 1 'should not think such soohistr; would weigh much against .the word of God, whether that word was sooken in Greek, or English, or Latin. I M i o good, kind, trustworthy parenty and has « little child who will not believe what Mr. M. tells him for the child’s benetit, unless it coincides with that child’s previous knowl- edge and experience, and who wust alway s be made to understand thie reasons for his father's statements before he accents them, some of which reasons may be beyond his youthful com- prehension, would not Mr. M. think that child was exercisiog a very wrong spirit, and especial- if he tried to make his younger brothers dis- believe their father in the same way{ And do we not stand in & very similar relation to God and His truth as a cbild aoes to his father and bis father’s word? - How cau weg expeet to un- derstana all about His government and ways, who are so ignorant, foolish, and fecble com- pared to Him? ‘The rest of M.’s article is an attemnt to show that other people disbelieve in everlasting pun- ishment. because they seem so little affected by it. But AL will acknowledee this world is full of sin and misery. Somo one somewhere is dying; some sre passing through anguish and trouble equal.to Geath; some are suflgring the horrors of war, pestilence, or fanine. M. believes this, but does it interfere with his digestion? I think not, and I think it wouldu’t if he knew it was a thousands times worse than he now thinks it 1s. And if Mr. P. B. M. could have a special rove- 1ation from Heayen, which would conyince him of the certaloty of the endless pumshment of the |m%enit.en!., I very much doubt whether be would be more disturbed by it than are wany other zood men by the belief in this doctrine which they now profess and possess, if he at, the same time believed that God was his friend, 2nd that He was doing all He could to rescue the perishing. Certainly, Christians ought to ‘be more in carnest about-this aud thc other great realitics of religion: more anxious to save souls, even if possible as carnest and anx- ions as our Savior was, but not any more so. Aud, while the number of those who believe the doctrine of endless punishment of the wick:- cd cannot be deterined, et us be charitable enough 1o suypose that a majority of these who profeas to believe it do really believe ‘]xl_'u < GENERAL NOTES. ‘The Rev. C. Chiniguy announces the conver- sion of 103 French Canadians from Roman Ca- tholiclsm within a few weeks. Solarge has been the falling off, it is said, of contributiens to charities in London, during the past year, that some of the largest organiza- tions have been oblized to borrow money to meet current expenscs. We feel justitied in assuring the friends of eternal punishment that, whosoever clse may prove faithless, the New York Sun aud Chicago Timgs will not be scduced from their enthusi- astic support of hell.—Spring/leld (ifass.) Jee- publican. : The Business Committce of the Baptist Pub- Tication Society bave recommended the sus- pension, for the present, of the publication of the dmerican Baptist Quarterly. 1t is thought that the subscription-list does not justify its contlnuance. The churchyard trouble has reached British Guiana. The child of a workiogman in Georze- town, who had been baptized by 3 Wesleyan mihister, ws refused burial by the Archdeacon. For attempting to bring the body into the graveyard the father wag arrested. By his repudiation of the hell theory, Mr. Beecher has lost the conlidence of that class of religionists who believe we carry on in the other world the work of this Jife. 1f there were no hell, they arrue, there wWould be mo place for § the publication of the Chicago T'imes.—.Uidwau- kee Sentinel. Trinity M. E. Cbureh, the Rev. W. F. Crafts, pastor, has suceeeded i its effort to 1ift $25,000 of its debt, and has besides provided for the' in- terest of the remgining S15,000 for several vears to come. It is expected that pew rents will be largely reduced us the expenses of carrying the debt are thus removed. A resolution calling for the abolition of Free- masonry on the grounds of its being adverse to republican institutions and a practical imposi- tion upon the Caristian religion was adopted by the Committec on Resolutions appointed by the Christian Couvention which met at New Washinaton, Pa., Dec. 11. The Archbishop of York has declared public- Iy that beisin favor of oveninr the English churchyards to the Non-Conformists and their relizious services. It is reported that Lord Beaconsfleld, and others of the Cabinet, mak- ing a majority of the whole, are willing fo con- cede the Non-Conformist ¢laims. Although the Young Men's Hebrew Associa- tion in New York has been in existence only three vears, it has met with considerable suc- cess, numbering now asbout 1,000 members. Among this season’s lecturers before the New York Association have been the Hon. Stewart L. Woodford and the Hon. A. 8. Sullivan. The Rev. Dr. Crosby lectured before the Association on * Palestine Researches.” For the season, swhich will_open with January, the following Ieciurers have been obtaived: = Parke Godwin, Esq., and Revs. Jobn Hall, Ceorge H. He, worth, and A. 8. Issacs. Dr. H.u\rzwm 1ecm$ on “The Relation Betwoen Svience and Ror ligion.” Christian and Jewish Pisgchers meet on the sume platform before this Amociation. Christ, Church, Bishop Chene{. Reutor, and Trivity M. E. Church, the Rev. W. F. Cratts, astor, are to hold union services cvery night uring the week of })rlver at 7:30 p.-m., the first three eveningsin the former church and the Jast three fo the latter,—services cach ever- ing being conducted on the plan of Gospel méetings, with a brief sermon aud other relig- fous exercises. At the opening of the present century the Catholics of the Upited States had two ec- clesiastical institutions of oducation for young men; 8 quarter of o century ago they had sev- cnteen colleges, twenty-nine ecclesiastical fusti- tutions, and 400 female academics. They now have cighteen theological schools, with nearly 1,300 students, a larzer number than 15 reported by any other denomination. Mr. Sabatier, of the Reformed Church of France, says Protestantism is gaining some in- fluential converts. M. Bouchard, Counciltor- General of Cate d'Or; M. Remouvier, editor of the Critique Philosophique ; M. Turquet, Deputy from the Aisne, and M, Jules Favre, have not ooly privately given in their adhesion to the Reformed Church, but given their reasons for it publicly, and urged others to follow their ex- ample. : We learn from the Texas Baptist that the Bap- tists of Bell County, in that State, disclaim all connection with the whippine of Dr. Russell, the acknowledged leader of the Infidel Club, They declare that they * accept and preach the doctrine of soul liberts, understand its value, ask it for themselves, and accord it to others,” and that in their judgment * there {8 not a Bap- tist Church in Bell County, orin Texas, that would retain a member in fellowship one hour, where such a charge s this was sustained agninst bim.” Deau Stanley has fovited the Rev. Dr. Stough- ton, an eminent Congrezatlonalist, to preach In the nave of Westminster Abbey at the specinl services on St. Audrew’s Day. _ This is thethick end of the wedge. The Dean bewan with Max Muller, a layman. Then came Dr. Caird, of the Scoteh Kirk, one of lier Majesty’s chaplain: Next old Dr. Moffat, the veteran missionary, aud father-In-law to Dr. Livingstone. And now, without mitization or cxcuse, there comes a Puritan of the Puritans, in his simple character as a minister of Jesus Christ. The Church Journal is of the opinion that there is very little need of a Protestant Trien- nial Convention. The reason given is, that under the present Constitution the Convention has nothing to do. It says ot the last one: tIt had to meet. It had to sit three or four weeks. The reception of delegates was a relief- to it. An excursion to the City Poor-House helped to get rid of time. A funny socech was 2 blessing, and the kind-hearted gentleman who would make au_eloquent_oration on a proposi- tion the house had made up its mind to vote headlong out of doors was hailed as a bene- factor.”” The Rev. David Rosenberg, of Columbus, 0., issues a call for a national cofivention of ail Israclites whoare now willing to accept Jesus Christ_as the promised Messiah of the world, The objects of this Convention, we are told, will be to form an alliance of all the converted Jews and of Isracl throuvhout the world; to appoint a set time to confess the sin of the nation in re- jectinz Jesus Christ; to form & basis for a na- tional existence upon the New Testament Sérip- tures as the statute and the law of the nation, and to implore the Powers of the world to re- store Palestine to the people of God. The date and place of holding the Couvention witl be fixed by those in favor of the project. The laws of Pennsylivania, as of New York, recognize Sunday as the Christian Sabbath on which Jabor and trade shall cease. But the Pennsylvanians are more strict than the New Yorkers in_the enforcement of their Sabbath lay Mr. Daniel C. Waldo isa farmer in Craw- ford County, Pa., aud is also a conscientious Seventh Day Haptist. He keeps Saturday sacred and works on Sunday. He has been be- fore the courts several timés for offenses srow- ing cut of tnese fauts. He does not deny the violation of the law, but thinks and sets up the defense that the law violates his conscience, and is, therefore, unconstitutional. Iu his view the millions who keep Sunday holy are wroug, and the units who keep Saturday are right. Bishop Cheney inaugurates at Christ Church this evening & somewhat © new departure * in the way of the Gospel for the masses. For eight successive Sunday evenings, beginning to- mi2ht, he is to preach & course of sermons on # The Tabernacle and Its Trpes of Christ.” In order to secure comfortable seats for all who may come, the entire auditorium of this Iarge chureh has been divided into single sittings, and for each a reserved-seat ticket for the whole series Issued, entitling the bolder to have the seat kept for him up to 7:45 o’clock. These tickets are freely given away to all who will ac- cept them. Thus, persons who feel unable to rent even a single sittidg may obtain the same seat for clght succeasive evenines ** without mouey and without price. Tickets for such scats #s are yet untaken may be obtained from the usners this morning or evening. All per- sons attending thecourse are requested to bring with them the first series of Moody and Sankey bymns. & A few weeks azo the Canadian press had a clerical sensation, In which it was sugrested that the Rev. Father Fitzpatrick, of Essex County, had been kidnapped. He has since turned up at Riviere des Prairies, P. Q., from where he wrote the following letter to his former parish- ioners: 1 hope it Is not yet too late to humbly a. pardon for te scandal I must have caused some few Sundays azo by my presence in a neighboring Methoaist meeting-house, ond speaking in the #ame. In regard to my entering such a place of worship, I liope you will the gasier overlook it when T'confess that at the time I scarcely kuew what T was ubout. Nefther then nor atany other purt of my life did I believe in auy other Church but in that alone of which I um an unworthy minis- ter. _In regard to my speaking on the occasion, 1 apaln ask your forgiveness Iowever, I thunl God that i that line I went no_ farther than to recommend charity and good will among all re- Digious denominariche, Taking, then, my friends, the whole into con- sideration, I would humoly ask you in spirit, on my knees, 1o think of it nomore; to forgive me for the scandsl and pains I may have caused oy that rash and sinfal step, and to pray taat God may forgive e, nnd grant me grace never agafn to cauze His faithful followers to blush at wy con- uct. CASTING SINS IN THE SEa. A strange scene was witnessed by an English visitor at Odessa on the first day of the present Jewish year. Late in the afternoon a large number of the 50,000 or 60,000 Jews iuhabiting Odessa wended their way to the sea with the purpose of throwing their last year's sins into it, in order to begin the new year with a clean soul. They stood about iu groups, closcly packed to- getherin some places, looking toward the wa- ter, reciting prn{grs or reading psalms or a por- tion of Isalah. The groups were formed for the most_part ol listeners, with a man, and in a very few instancesa woman—an old woman swith spectactes on her thoroughly Jewish nose—read- ing to them., Some of the people turned their eurpty pockets fnside out and shook them to- wards the sca. Others only made a sign of throwing something into it PERSONALS. . Bishop Merrill sails Jan. 10 for Vera Cruz to visit the Methodist missions in Mexico. ‘The Rev. Samuel Longfellow, brother of the poet, has gccepted u ‘eall to the Unitarisn Church, Germaatown, Pa. @ The Rev. Dr. Lartzell is doing his level best to keep alive the Universalist Church lately abandoned by Mrs. Pheebe Hanaford. Bishop Colenso, according to a telegram from Cape Town dated Nov. 30, had met with a se- vere accident oiwing to the overturning of his carriage. Mrs. John C. Green has given unother noble donation of $100,000 from her late busband’s estate, befriending this time the Presbyterian ‘Howe-Mission Board. Archbishop De Binnchi. of Trani, has been appointed to the Archbishopric of Sforza. He speaks Enpiish fluently, and is a warm admirer of-the United States. The Rev. E. P. Gardiner has resigned his pas- torate of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Roches- ter. N. Y., and accepted acall to the Payson Memorial Church of Portiand, Mc. Mr, Thomas Spurgeon, son of the Rer. Charles H. Spurgeon, of the London Tabernacle, is preaching very successfully in Australia, where he has gone to recruit his health. Tt is stated that the Rev. Charles O. Harmer, of Saugaties, N. Y., who was recently suspended by the Methodist District Conference, will apply for admission to the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. William Newton, rector of the Church of the Nativity, Philadelpbia, has with- drawn from tiie Protestant, Episcopal Church to connect himself with the Reformed Episcopal Chureh. The Rey, Fidelio Dehm, Provinclal of the Franciscan Fathers in this country, has becn appointed to the See of Jassy, in Turkey. He has made his home in Syracuse, N. Y., for the ‘past sixteen years. Dean Stanley is a broad churchman. His Westminster sermon on Sunday followed the Tine markyd out by Canon Farrar. Among othi- erthings hesaid: *‘All gooduess belongs to Christ, regardless of creed or church, Christ’s cross is everywhere. It belongs to o sect, fl\lg. the true Chureh knows no Turkey, no Russia. ‘The Rév. Edward Abbott, who retires Irvw the Congregationalist, withdraws also shortly from the Congregational denomination, and _enters the Protestant Episcopal, He is a son of Jacob Abbott, a brother of Lyman Abbott, and nephewof the lateJ. S. C. Abbott. Dr. S. Irenreus Prime, uoder date of Nov. 29, writes from Rome of the health of the Pope: +“'The impression is here that he is pot to die just yet. Pmbnblz' there is more excitement ahout 1t in Paris, London, or New York, than there is in Rome. Here no one is disturbed.” The Rev. Dr. Shipman, who recently beeame Rector of Christ Episcopal Church of New York, while at Lexinuton, Ky., severely de- nounted from the pulpit the racing associutions for pool-sellingon the grounds., This zavegreat offense to leading members of his church, aud led to his retirement. = Bishop Lane, of the Colored Methodist Epis- capal Church South, is somewhat over 40 ycars ofage. He was formerly a slave, and in_boy- hood did not attend school, He is a rood pre- siding officer and a graceful speaker, and seems to understand affairs as well as any men who have lad a more liberal education. Father Fitton, pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Redeemer, East Boston, celebrated last Sunday the completion of the fiftieth year of his pastorate. The sermon was deliveréd by Bishop Healy, of the Diocese of Portland. "After the sermon_ appropriate gifts were presented to the pastor by his friends. ‘Tie editor of the Southern Aethodist Quarterly Review, Alfred T. Bledsoe, LL. D., is dead. -He Sas stricken with paralysis some weeks 2go, aod did not, rally. He was born in Kentucky in 1808, was a graduate of West Point, resigning his position In the army in 1832, He was sub- sequently professor, lawyer, Assistant Secretary of Warof the Confederacy, then a Southern Methodist minister, He ‘was editor of the Southern Review mauy years, aud was a strong thinker. ‘The Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, the patriarch of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Chureh, be- i uow in his 95th year, has written o letter to the Christlan Advocate, in which he counsels a union of the Northiern and Southern Methodist Churches in foreign mission work. He says: “ We are becoming essentially one at home in fraternal peace and love; but we must become absolutely one abroad. Actual fraternization in all forelen mission work will insure fraterual union and peace and good-will at home.” DOUBTFUL DIVINITY. See lere, sn’t it rather curious that when Mr. Noah was in the preserving business he put up nothing on pairs? The earth is full of outeasts since Canon Farrar and Henry Ward Beecher abused hell. Before that they felt sure of a place to go to. A hopeful minister says that he has no doubt that the time will.come when the members of a church choir will bebave just as well as other folks. ‘They've just held a Convention of Undertak- ers in Orange County. Isu't this Convention business being run into the ground? It’s tomb much—tomb much. i The Rev. Matthew Hale Smith says that the Bible is chozk full of wit from Genesis to Reve- lation.” That's so. Take, for instance, where father-in-law Laban played it on Jacob in 8 way that the latter despised. First Scot—*‘Fat sort o’ minister hae ve got- ten, Geordie?” Second ditto—*¢ Oh, well, he’s no muckle worth. We seldom get a glint o’ him. Sax days o' th' week hie's envees'ble, and on the seventh he's encomprebens'ble 1 H. Holworthy—Did you hear “Israel in Egvpt,” Miss Koseleaf ? ~ Miss R.—Oh, yes; was it nut perfectly lovely? Where they say, “He shall lead his people like sheep,”” didn't yeu seem to see the sheep come in? H. H.—Yes. Bar after bar, I suppose. 1f you wish to become popular with your con- gregation lj_usz‘tell them that you bave not in- vited Mr. Kimball to oceupy “the pulpit next Sunday. You will make many a man feel happy in the region of his pocketbook, which i3 s vital spot in theso hard times. A Massachusetts clerzyman, who prayed last Sunday for the present Congress, offcred among other petitions the following: O Lord, give them common-sense.” This preacher apparent- 1y is one of those who refused to believe that the awe of miracles is past. Alittle 5-year-old girl had been banished to the hall for” disobedience. Presently a curious stamping of little feet was heard there, follow- ed by a peremptory knock at the door by little fingers. Who's there!” was asked. *Dou!” was the stout reply’from_the hall. * He wants to tum right in, too, for it’s told.” ‘The current topic elfects even the children. One of our citizens was somewhat nonplussed the other day by his little motherless daushter, who asked: ‘‘Say, papn, did mamma ever be- lieve that some folks would be losti”. “Yes, she did,” replicd the father. * Then what did she suppose would become of you? A little girl down in Maine was listening with mach interest to the story of Jonah. When the question was asked, *What should you suppose would be the first thing Jonah would do after the great tish threw him upon the landi” she promptly answered, <1 si'd fink he'd go home quick as e could and get cleaned up.? As a funeral cortege was making its way along thie erowded streets the othier dav, a bootblack called to a companion: *Iley, Jack, what_big zun is dead now!” “Tain’t 10 rich folks,” re- plied Jack, as_he looked down the street. “Tain’t, hey! Well, just look at them twenty cight hacks!” ®Thai’s what I was lookiug ut, —that’s low I know it’s some common man. Tuch folks don’t keer what folks say, but poor folks ez big funeral processions to deceive the public.” CHURCH SERVICES. BAPTIST. The Rev. N. F. Ravifn will preach this morning and cvening in the West End Opera-House, No. 431 West Mndison strect. —The Rev. D. B. Cheney will preach at10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p, m. at the Fourth Church, cor- ner of Washington and Paulina strects. —The Rev. W. W. Everts will preach morning and evening at the First Church, corner of Sonth Park avenueand Thirty-frst strect. —There will bea Gospel mecting, led by B. F. Jacobs, at 7:30 p. m. In the Tabernacle, No. 302 Wabash avenue. ~—The Rev. J. W. Custis will presch morning and esening ut the Michiran Avenue Church, near Twenty-third strect, —Tne Rev. R. De Baptisto will preach morning and evening at Olivet Church, In Fourth avenue, near Tuylorstreet. : —The Itev. A. Owen will preach morning and cvening at tae University Place Chnreh, corner of Donglas place and Rhodes avenue. M ftev. L. G. Clark will preach morning and evening at the South Churen, corner of Locke and Bonaparte streets. —The Rev. J. A. Tlenry wHl preach mormingand evening at thie Thirty-seventh Street Church, near Dearborn street. —The Rev. Galusha Anderson will preach at the Second Chureh, corner of Morgan and Monroe streets. Subjects: Morning. **The Lord's Sup- per™; evening, * **Prayer and Science.” .Com- munion in the morninz. i —The Rev. D, B.Cheney will presch morning add evening at the Fourth Chirch, corner of Washing ton and Paulina strects, 7 —The Itev. C. Perren'swill preach morning an eveninzat the Western Avenue Church, corner of Wagren avenue, —The Rev. E. K. Cressey will_preach morning and evening at the Coventry Church, corner of Bloomingdale road, —Tlie Rev. C. E. Hewite will preach morning and evening nt the Centennial Courch, corner of Lincoln and Jackson streets. —The Kev. R. P. Allison will preach morning and evening at the North Star Church, corner of Division and Sedgwick streets. —The Rev. E. O. Taylor will preach morning and evening at the Central Church,~Martine's Hall,—on Chicazo avenue near Clark sireet. The Rev. J. C. Hoselbulm will preach morning and evening at the First German Churen, corner of Bickerdike and Huron streets. —The Rev. H. A. Reichenbach will preach morn~ ing and evening at the Nordish Tabernacle, corner Noble and West Ohio streets.. =3 Ougmun will preach morning and evening at the First Swedish Church, on Oak street near Sedgwick street. —There will be services morning and evening at the Millard Avenue Church, Lawndale. — The Rev. W. J. Kermott will preach morning and cvening at the Halsted Street Church, near Forty-sccond sireet, —ihe Rev. C. Swift will preach morning and evening at Evangel Church, 1n Dearborn street, near Forty-seventh street. . —The Rev. 1L M. Carr will preach morning and evening at the Downer'a Grove Church. —The Rev. C. H. Kimball will preach morning und evening at the Enzlewood Church, in Engle- Wooa avenue, ncar Stewart avenue. —The Rev. F. L. Chavell will preach morniog and evening at toe First Church, Evanston. —The Rev. I L. Stetson will preach in the evening at the Lake Shore Church, Winnetkn. —The Rev. J. K. Wheoler wili preach morning and evening at the Aostin Church. —The Rev. A. Blackburn will preach morning and evening st ihe Ou Park: Church—Temperance Hall. —The Rev. C, C. Marston will preach morning and evening at the Norwood Parx Church, —Tie Rev. H. L. Stetson will preach in the morn- ing at Unity Church, Wilmette. ~The Rev. L. W. Olney will preach morning and evening at the Hyde Park Church. Subject: ‘*‘The Law of Success.™ ¥ ; CIRISTIAN. A. J. White will preach this morning and even- "l‘;ele.i.&. Cuntrsl Chureh, No. 997 Van Buren uf — The Rev. J. Carroll Stark will preach this morning and evening fn the First Church, corner of Indiana avenue and Tiventy-fifth street. —The Rev. M. N. Lord will preach_in the morn- ing and the Rev. J. Carroll Stark at 3 p. m. at the Central Church, corner of Van Buren street and Campuell avenue, CONGREGATIONAL. The Rev. Charles Hall Everest will preach this morning and evening in_Plymonth Charch, Michi: pan avenne, between Twenty-Gfth and Twenty- sixth streets. 2 —The Rev. D. N. Vanderveer will preach this morning and evening in the Union Park Church. Evening subject: **The Functions of Forgetfal- ness. —The Rev. Z. S. Holbrook will preach this morning ip the Oakland Church. Subject: **Christ aKing." TIn the evening, the Hon. James Rea, LLD., late Consul at Belfast, Ireland. will speak on *‘Ingersoll’s God —The Rev. E. F. Willlame will preach this morn- ing in the Forty-seventh Street Church. —Prof. G. N. Boardman will preach this morn- ing and evening in the New Englana Church, cor- ner of Dearborn avenue and Delaware place. - —The Rev. G. If. Peeke will preuch this morn-, 1nz and evening in the Leavitt Streot Church. —The Rev. G. Mackie will preach this morning in the South Park Avenue Churca, corner of Thir~ ty-third atreet. ~—The Rev. C. A. Towle will preach this morn- ing and evening in Bethany Church, corner of West Huron and Paulina streats. —The Rev. G. W. Mackfe will preach in the morning at the South Park Avonue Ohurch, corner of Thirty-third street. EPI3COPAL. y The Rt.-Rev. W. E. McLaren, Bishop, will officiate in_the evening at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, corner of Washingion and Peoria streets. _Communion at 10:30 a. mi. —The Rev. Samuel S. Harris will officiate morn- ing and evening at St. James’ Church, corner Cass and Huron streets. Communion at 12 m. —The Rev. E. Sullivan will officiate morning and eveningat Trinity Church, corner of Twenty- sixth atreet ‘and Michigan avenue. Communion at . ~The Rev. Francia Mansfield will officiate morn- ing and eveaing at the Church of the Atonement, comner pf Waehington and Robey strects. —The Rt.-l(cv.:’wllllnm E. McLaren will ofil- clate In the morning, and the Rev. J. Bredberg in the eventng, at St 'Ansgarius’ Church, Sedgwick street, neur Chicago avenne, Communion in the morning. —The Rev. Clinton Lacke, D. D., will officiate morning and evening at Grace Church, Wabash avenue, near Sixteenth street. Commumunion in the morning, —The Rev. Stephen T. Allen will officiate morn- ingand evening atSt. John's Church, comer of ‘Washington street and Ogden avenue. —There will be services at the Church of the Holy Communlon, on Dearborn strect near Thir- tieth street, morning and evenine, —The Rev. Arthur Ritchie will officiate morning and evening at the Churchof the Ascension, corner of LaSulle and Elm streets. Communion at 8 a. m, —The Rev. Charles Stanley Lester will ofticiate morning and eveningatSt, Paul's Chureh, on Hyde Park avenue near Forty-ninth street. —The Rev. B. F. Fleetwood will officiate morn- ing and evening st St. Mask's Church, corner of Thirtv-sixth street and Cottage Grove avenue. —The Rev. G. F. Cushman wil oficiate morning and evening at St. Stephen’s Church, on Johnson street, near Tirelfth. —There will be servicesat 4 p. m. in St. Luke's Mission, corner Taylor street and itcrnavenne, —~Sunday-school will be held at 2 p. m. atthe Hope Mission, No. 885 Milwaukee avenue. —The Rev. Luther Pardee will ofliciate morning and eveningat Calvary Church,on Warrenavenue, near Oakley street, Communion ot 11:30 8. m. —The Rev. T. N. Morrison, Jr., will officiate morning and evening at the Church of the Epi- puu% an Throop street, near Monroe, —The Rev. W. J. Petrie will ofliclate morning and evening at the Church of Our Saviour, corner of Lincoln and Belden avenues. —The Rev. Henry G. Perry will officiate morn- ingand evening at AN Saints’ Charch, corner of Carpenter and Ohio streets. —There will be services in the morning at the Good Shepherd Mission, Lawndale, —The Rev. F. N. Luson will officiate morning and evening at Emmannuel Charch, La Grange. —The Rev. J. Stewart Smith will otticiate morn- ing and evering at St. Mark's Church, Evanston. Commanion at 7:30 p. m. FREE METHODIST. There will be preaching this morning and even- ing in the church at No. 40 North Morgan street. FRIENDS. : The Society of Frienas will meet this morning in the Fricnds' Meeting-House, Twenty-sixth street, between Indiana and Prairie avenues., INDEPENDENT. ‘The Rev. H. M. Paynter will preach this morn- Ing. and Judge Layton conduct the first of 8 series of Gospel mectings this evening, in Calvary Taber- nacle, No. 820 Ozden avenuc. LUTHERA The Rev. Edmund Belfour will preach this morning and evening in the Church of the Holy Trinity, corner of Dearborn ~venue and Erie street. METHODIST. The Rev. Dr. Thomas will administer com- munion thia morning and preach this evening in Centenary Church, Monroe street, near Morgan. —The Rev. W. F. Crafts will preach this morn- ing and evening in Trinity Church, Indiana ave- nue, near Tienty-fourth street. Evening sub- ject: **The Certainties of Prayer. —The Rev. 8. McChesny will preach this morn- ing and evening in the Park Avenue Church, cor- ner or Park avenuc und Robey street. The even- ing sermon will be a New-Yeur's discourse. —The Rev. T. P. Marsh will preach this morn- ing and eveniug in the Grant Place Churcn, corner of Grant place and Larrabee street. —A. J. Bell, assisted by other laymen. will con- duct 3 Gospel ‘meeting this evening in the Harrl- son Strect Cinrch, corner of Paulina street. —Tue Rev. A. W, Patton will preach thid morn- ing in the Wabash Avenne Church, corner of Wa- vush avenue and Fourteenth street. —The Rev, Dr. Willismson will preach this morning snd evening in the Michican Avenue Church, Michizan nue, near Thirty-second street. Morning subject, **New Year's Resola- tions, and How to Keep Them." 'he Rev. John Atkinson will preach a New Year's sermon thiy morning, and the funeral ser- mon of the late Mry. Dr. White this evemng, in Grace Church, coruer of North Lasalle aud W hite streets. —The Rev. S, H. Adams will preach this morn- ing and evening in the Western Avenue Churci. ~—The Rev. Georze Chase will preach this morn- 10z and eveninz in the Winter Street Charch, cor- ner of Forty-fourth strect. Evening subject, PRESBYTERIAN. The Rev. Arthur Mitchell will preach this morn- ing in the Farst Church, corner Indians avenue and I'wents-tinst street, nad_this evening {n the Railroad Chapel. comer of State and Fourteenth streets. —The Rev. James Maclanghlan will preach this morning and evening in the Seotch Church, corner of Sanzsmon and Adums streets. —The Rev. Charles L. Thompson will preach tnis morning and evening in the Pifth Church. cor- ner of Indiana avenue and Thirtiethxtreet. ~Even- ingsubject: **The Parable of the Sower.” —The Rev. J. Monro Gibson will preach this morning and evening in the Second Church, corner of Michizun avente and Twentieta street, —The Rev. J. M.'Worrall will preach this morn- ingand evening in the Eighth Ciurch, corner of Waest Washington and Robey streets. —The Res. Jacob Post will preach this morming 10 the Holland, and this eveninz in the Enghsh tongue, a1 the Noble Street Church. New Jefferson Park Church. corner of ‘Throop and Adams streets, will be dedicated this evening. There will be services in the morning, union gervices at 8 p. m., and in the evening th pastor, Prof. F. L. Patton, will preach after the dedicatory services. REFORMED EPISCOPAL. Bishop Cheney will hold conflrmation, and the Rev. F. W. Adams will preach, this morning, in Christ Churcn, corner of Mickizan avenue and Twenty-fourth strect. In the evening, [ishop Chauey will preach the first of a series of Sermons on **The Tuvernacle and Tts Types of Christ." —The Rev. M. D. Church will preach this morn- ing und evening in St. John's Church, Ashiand avenue, near Madixon strect, Communion services after the morning scrmon. Evening subject: “*Tneolosfus the Great." —The fev. R. H. Bosworth will preach this morning and evening in Grace Church, corner of Hoyne and Le Moyne streets, and_at 3:30 o'clock thia afternoon in Trinity Church, Enzlewood, —The Rev. F. W. Adams will preach at 3 o'clock this afternoon at the Marine Hospital, Lake View, and this evening in Emanuel Charch, corner of Hanover and Twenty-cizhth strects. —There will be morning and evening services in the Church of the Good Shepherd, corer of Jones and Hanover streets. —Bishop Fallows will hold_confirmation this morning, and the Rev. W. J. Hunter will preach this evening, in St. Paul's Church, corner of West Washington and Ann streets. Subject of evening sermon: **An Uttermost Savior." SPIRITUALIST. The First Society of Spiritualists will meet this morning and cvening at Grow's Hall, No. 517 West Maudison street, Mrs, Cora L. V. Richmond, trance Epesker. Morming subject, ** Mesmerism, Clairvoyance, Psycholoav, and other Occult Scf ences and their Relations to Soiritnalism,” by the Spirit Phenix. In the evening Emanuel Swedenborg will entrance Mra. Richmond and can- tinue his series of lectures on tne sphercs. The services will close swith an 1mpromptu poem. —E. V. Wilson, Esq.. will lecture in Grow's Hall, No. 517 West Madison street, at3 o’clock this afternoon.. —A Mediums’ and Spirituallsts’ meeting will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon in the parlors of 3r. Richardson, No. 239 West Madison street. SWEDENBORGIAN. The Rev. L. P. Mercer will preach this morning In Hershey Hall, No. 83 Madison street. Subject; +*Fature Punishments."™ —There will be services at 11a. m? at the Church of the New Jerusalem, cormer of Prairie avenue and Eihteenth street. The Rev. W. F. Pendleton will preach at 3 ock thisafiernoon in the temple, corner of West Washington streetand Ozden avenue, and this evening in -the New Church Chapel, corner of North Clark and denominee streets, Eveninz ‘and these facts I transmit in verse, as follows:] subject: **The Resurrection. UNITARIAN The Rev. Brooke Herford will preach this morn- inz, and the Rev. T. B. Forbush- this evening, in the Church _of the Messiah, corner of Michizan avenueand Twenty-third street. Morning subject, *Holding on One's Was.” Evening aubject, **TheWord of God." —The Rev. J. T. Sunderland will preach tiis I morning in'the Fonrth Church, corner of Priiri~ avenue and Thirtieth street. Subject: *‘The Re- volt [nside the Camp; or, Will Popalar Christian- ity Be Driven to Give Up Ita Endless Hell>" Mr, Sunderlsnd will also preach in the evening in Unio THall at Evanston. Subject: **Everlasting Pnnish- ment"—an answer 10 Dr. Hatfeld's recent sermon on the same topic. * —The Rev. Robert Collyer will preach morning aud evening at Unity Charch, comer of Dearborg avenue and Walton place. Morning subject: +*4 Watchword for tke New Year.™ —The Rev. T. B. Forbush will preach in the morning on **Tru¢ und False Chiristianity,” and the Rev, Brooke HMerford will lecture in the evening on *‘Georze Fox,™ at the Third Chutch, corner of Monroe and Latlin strects, UNIVERSALIST. amner Ellis will preach this morning in the Church of the Kedeemer, cor. ner of West Washinzton SANTAMON sireets, —The Rev. Dr. Ryder wili preach morning and evening at St. Paul’s Chureh, Michigan nue, near Sisteenth street. Evenin subject: *-Is One Justified in llu]flIng Positive Viewsin Reference to the Future Life?” MISCELLANEOTUS. The Rev. D. K. Manuiteld will preach this morn- ing, and Mre, Mansfield this evening, at the corner of May and Fulton streets. —The free meeting of the non-gectarians will b held at 3 o'clock this afternoon in Room 23 N vada Block, southwest corner of Washington and’ Franklin streets. —Eider J. ) Ing in the 'h: Subject, ** Immortality Oniy Throuch Christ. —The Progressive L{ceum meets ap a0 o'clock to-day in Grow's Hall, No. 517 West Madi- Son sirect. { —Eider H. G. McCalloch will ‘presch for tho Second Adventists this moraing and evening in the Tabernacle, No. 91 South Green street. —Prof. lfam A. Baldwin will Jecture at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon in the West End Opera- House, No. 441 West Madison street. Sapject: “*Melchisadek, and His Successors.” —There will be preachin this morning in Unton Chapel, No. 97 South Desolalnes street. —The Disciples of Christ will meet for worship at4 p. m. at No, 220 West Randolph street. —Mr. John E. Morris will preach at 10:453, m, aud 7:30 p. m. at Berean Mission, Owsley's Hall, corner Wast Madison and Rabey strects. —The Rev. Miss A. J. Chapio will preach at the g]d Schoolhouse, Englewood, at 3:30 p.m. to- ay. —The Rev. 3r. Holcomb of Downer's Grova will preach ot 11 2 Mission Chapel, : —Mr. €. M. Morton will preach morning and evening at the Chicago Avenne Charch, corer of LaSalle street. * o CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK, EPISCOPAL. Jan. 6—Epiphany. caTmoLc. Jan. 6—Epiphany of Our Lord. Jun. 7—Qf the Octave, Jan’ 8-0f the Octave, \Tan. 9—0f the Octa Jan! 10~0f the Octave. Jun, 1101 the Octave; St. Byginns, P, M. Jan! 12—0f the Octave ———————— SISTER MAY. [To the Hon. Simeon W. King theae lines ars most respectfully dedicated, in behalf of his dear Sister May, to whom he is devotedly attached, and the more £0 on account of her stricken condition (the result of o fall whena littie girl), most piti- able fn the extreme, yet borne with & Christian fortitude and resignation worthy of the highes commendation. [ say worthy, becanse there are 50 few cases akin to hers. When we consider s person a4 suffering from any serfous disease, acci- dent, or otherwise, we are supposed to consider such 2 one as snffering pain, but not continuously 803 but here we have & person uuderzoing themost intense torture, 50 to speak, for a period of nearly ten years, and during all this weary time no respite save onc half-hour free from pain; when suffering most, no marmur, 1o sign of complafat,— bearing her burden with noble consciousness of s future reward; ina word, demonstrating, to.a re- markable degree, the higher attributes of the Christian chsracter. so rarely seen under such verse circnmstances, so beantiful tobehold, and so worthy of the highest praise a1d exaltation. These are the facts as given me by Mr. Kine, herbrother, Dear Sister; hear me while I sing. Thy long and patient suilerine. For thee | tune the pensive Iuy. For thee, mine own Joved Sister May— ‘Amtiction's child. Afdiction lonz Tath been the theme of Poct's song. Tihe Jyre hath known no sweeter straing Than when the Heart hath_sung her pains; Tne harp would long have been unstrung— By far the sweetest songs unsung. - Thus, what we name as countless ills Named not should be, but Heaven-born thrills, Bleek Resiznation slopes the way 7T life made pure and bright xlway. Dear Sister, hear me while I TThy lonz und patient sullering— Ty days and mghts—lons, wenry years— Al me! what days—wnat nights—what tears! 0 be it mine to prondly tell No murinur from those dear lips fell. Thine own pure beurt. great, rood, and kind, Looks np afar, outwines the \wind, On acrial plunies now breasts the gale, Now to its God doth proudly sail, Lake some fond bird that long has atrayed Far from it» home in foresi-shade, w fleelng from the hunter's dart, Now bears aloft the qUITEring neart, Avway. away. o'er land snd sea, Till found it buth its sanceuary: So, too, thy spirit inward burns. Still ta its God, still foudly turas, Oblivious of its own sid alls, Obitvious not to what God wills; Our Heavenly Father still is there, * Above, nround it, everywhere. Thus what wo name as countless llls y Named not should be, but Heaven's own thrills, Thus Kesienution slopes the way To life made pure and brigntalway. Dear Slster, hear me while I bring Sweet rolace for thy sullering. Anothername [ link with thine— A vawe Celestial and Divine. 1 wpeak of bow that Mighty One, Our dear Redeemer, fouzht and won. Tarice did e fall upon His way Up Calvary's steep—thrice marmured, Nay, i scot and jeers e still was trae? Tle came to die—lle died for you. For me, for all, ie meckly bore That cruel Cross—could ile do more? Ah, no, dear Sister! none but He Conld bear. could love, still loving be, When tortured to its inmost soul, His volce rang out in swect control: “+ Futher, forgive them. ask I you - These men, they know not whit they do. These were 1118 own sweét words, dear May; Thou knowst them well: thou dost obey ‘The sovereign will of thy dear Go Thou walkest the weary way He tro That Crown of Thorns taou dost behoid Naught 's but a crown of purest gold; “That blood-stained Crozs thy Savior bore 13 thine—yew, thine—for evermore. Thou wouldst not part with such a prize No. no, dear May—thine own dear eyes Do 'so declare; I sce them stray Tp, up the steep and rocky way; Notr on the summit of thaC hill, Now bending, now adoring still, Now at thing own dear Savior's feet— ‘Kiss after khs repeated sweet. Thus what we name as countless ills ; Named not should be, but Heaven-born thrilla Tuus Reslgnation slopea the way To life made pure and bright alway. ook up, my Sister—look and see Thy Brother—he who sings for thee— That Brother whom thou well dost love: 1 speak for thee, my gentle dove: For, *monast thy many, many ilis, ‘Another comas, still further dils Thy cup, thy bitter cup, of wo; Goil lian 50 willed 1t—De it ¢o. God has so willed that epecclt divino Shonld he no more, no longer, thine. Our Heavenly Fathier knows what's best— Obey we mast fis high bolicst. Obey thou dost, heroic child; 3 Thy munners still are meck and mild. £ In colars bright, forever fuir, Faith, holy Faith, is mirrored there. Tpon'thy brow she still is seen— The seif sume patient, sulering Queen. 0 meek enchantress of the beart. Tow nobly dost thon beur thy purt. Most nobly too, thyself, for she 1n but a prototype of thee. When ten lony, Wweary years are by, To-morrow's sun will bame them nigh; And, during ail this stricken time, Just one-half hoir In Pleasure’s clime— One short half-hour—ah, me! what bliss And O how thankfal e'en for this! ] H H 3 ] 0 preclous gift from Heaven consigned, 0 uolace sweet unto the mind, Religion fule—hee bippy train ‘Around the wretched bed of paim; Wretched—ah, no! for wretChedness No benediction feels—no le No benediction can bestow Hence wretched not—it can't be so. Thus, Sister, thy unhappy lot Must happy be, thyselr forgot; A wiiling sacrifice you give, And for that same long will you livet Both here, aud in the life to be, Green, green shall be thy memory. 1 need not say kind friends are near; Great hearts, good hearts, forever dear, Are with you every night and day— ‘Are with you, yes, though far away. Bright spirits from the Hetter Lan Heaven's own immortal, happy band, ‘Thcy, too, with thee siweet hours prolong, And cheer thy eonl with deathless song. E *Thy will'be done!" O noble praser! Must make thy name forever {air. 3 hen thou art calied awsy from here, Who will not blees my Sister dear? Who will ot hold her up to view, A3 I, ber Brother, prondivdo? . When living. toll the world that sha Was more than dearly loved by me? When dead. a soul that loved her Gt That waiked the weary way He trod? CuicaGo, January, 1878, - Jo3sea D, TORsER e B