Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, October 6, 1878, Page 9

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1878—SIXTEEN ‘PAGES 9- ‘ who kmow so well where all these places are and RELIGIOUS. The Suuther‘n Methodist Pub- lishing House and Its Troubles. The Second Coming of Christ-- Talmage Gathering Material.’ 3 . Fulton Street Prayer Meeting —The “Living Church.” Notes and Personals at Home and Abroad=---Church Services. «TIMOTHY TRIMMER.” Toe NOM-DE-PLUME OVER WHICH THE REYV. A. 1. REDFORD WROTE HIS ROOKS, WHICH PROVED VERY BENEFICIAL TO HIMSELF AND A DEAD LOSS TO TOE SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING-HOUSE. Special Correspondence of The Tribune, wasnviLLE, Tenn., Oct. 2—The Rev. Dr. A. T1. Redford, whose-late connection with the Methodist Pablishing-louse in this city as ‘Azcnt has caused so much commeot in Metb- odist circles lately, is an author of several books. Jlis nom-de-plume §s * Timothy Trimmer.” ‘Among his books are *Methodism in Ken- tucks,” in three 12mo. volumes; #Qreaniza- tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church,” de- 1ailinz the split in the churches; “Western Cavaliers,” treating of Methodism in Ken- to preach. * All were expecting to heara ser- mon. and Frea was COMPELLED TO DELIVER A DISCOURSE, which he did, of twenty minutes’ duration. On reaching. Oak Post, Fred made the ac- quaintance of three Baptist preachers who were very illiterate. One ot them ijuformed him that they regarded him (Fred) as a sheep in woll’s clothing. Nope of the three could read, for which, In their prayers, they thanied God. The text, as given out at_service, was_rendered by one of the trio, *“God forbid that I should not know nothing among you, but the cross of Christ and it crucitied.” The theme on which he chiefly dweit was horse-racing, which he pro- nounced a dangerous practice. This preacher was followea by another, who fave out bis text as * The Lord aas done mouty great thines for us, and we are mouty glad on 1t.” This ‘“learned divine ”’ dwelt on the great “human natar.” These two sermons occupied about an hour each, and were followed by the third, whose text was * The race ain’t to the swift.” This statement the preacher doubted, *for,” said he, *'I think the swilter a man is, the faster he can run.” - Strange to say, these three preachers, Messre, G——, M—, and V—, were very popular. The youue preacher met with many encour- asements as yell as drawbacks in his field of labor. He rarely ever preached in a church, there being but few in the country, but gencral- 1y beld forthjin the Court-House, two smali log rchoolbionses,* and often in private houses. Sometimes he fared well: at others he would bhave to sleep on u puncheon-fioor, with his sad- dle-blanket for his bed, his overcoat for a cover- ing, and )is saddlebaes for 2 pillow. His salary for the first year of his work was $6.51}. “Rather poor pay, Fred, was it not!” sald his uncle, pleasantly. “Not considering the kind of preaching they bad. You have beurd it said _ ~ IOOR PREACH, FOOR PAT.” With the many drawvacks the poor preacher labored under, he became discouraged, aud, with: the thought that he was accomplisbing nothing, was serfously tempted to mive up the work and seek somethinz ¢lse to do. Strengehenine this vacillation was a letter from an old school-mate with whom he had expected to read law, uriring him to_abandon the minis- tuckv.—in effect, 2 fourth volume to ‘““Mcthod- Pry and enter the oftice of Judge J—, 9s he ism jo Kentucky '; “The Préacher's Wife'; «Fred Brenning,” an autobiogravhy of his own life; and Frank Woodsou, the Boy of Princi- ple,” now running as a serial in’ his paper pub- liskea at Louisville. IS THE LIFE OF “FRED BRENNING,” 1n which his own experiences are detailed, Dr. Redford begins with the day when Fred, a boy of 1% or thereabonts, is plasing marbles on the strect, on the Sabbath-dar, with two compan- jons, whom be calls Fraok Blain and John Mor- timore. Fred’s father and mother were blessed with 8 nomerous family, and but hittle means. A sister.of Mrs. Brenuing, who is called Mrs. Wise, had adopted Fred when be was an infant, and, although living in the same. village with | 1nis parente,” Fred did not reside with them. Fred's parents, although not members of any chureh, nor even attendants upon aoy worship, vet had a deep and reverent respect for religion, and desired that their children shonld grow up touseful and upright lives. With Mr. Wise, lowever,—the uncle with whom Fred’s life was cast,—the case was different. He mot only ex- pressed an open and scofling jofidelity, but for- bade any tnember of his family from cver men- tloning the subject or attending upon any place of worship. On the Sunday morning upon which Fred end his two companfons were playing marbles, Tnes were approached by a tall, dignified gen- tleman, who invited each and all of them to GO WITI HIM TO SUNDAY-SCHOOL. The two older boys refused; but, when the minister—for such he proved to be—explained the fnvitation to Fred, be accepted it, and, 1aking the hand of the minister, was led to Supdav-school. Here he met numbers of his schoolmates and triends, and, entering into the exercises, new to him, enjoyed them very much, When he returned hotne, he dared not el his uncle where he had been; but, when asked. frankly confessed it, and further stated that be had enjoyed it very much. His uncle flew Ioto & great race concerning it, and for- bade his ever going to the school again. Te happened that, about that same time, TFred’s father and mother had held a consulta- tion regarding him, had deplored the pernicious habits be was forming, aud resolved that, al- though they were poor and had many depend- ent upon them, it would be better to bring theboy bome and put him under proper in- fiuences. Accordingly, Mr. Brenninz went, that cventfal Sunday evening, to take his usoal weeRIV Wik with Mr. Wise, and broachca the subject, when hs ascertained the action of Fred in going that morning to Sunday-school. The result of the conyersation was a reluctant con- ent from Mr. Wisé 1o ailow the boy to'con- tinue in the pathin which he hed started. In the meantime, 'Fred had-been having a con- versation with his: aunt, who-Lad long been se- cretly a member of the church, but bad never had the courase to tell her husband of the fact. Sue was an excellent woman, and did all in.her poWer to strengthen the boy’s resolve. From thistime Fred becamea * CONSTANT - ATTENDANT AT SCHOOL, and soon headed the train of six brothers and sisters in the- same direction. When; a few ‘montbs later, a revival was held in the neigh- borhood, Fred induced his mother and. father 10 attend toe meetings and earnestly scek atter galvation. In time both were converted. ¥red continued steaafast in his new resolve and new pursuit, and felt, as be erew older, that the call was strong upon him to become a minister of the Gospel; but he bad all his life enteriained different views, and .could mnot, without a struegle, give up his life-long am- ‘bitfons for the purpose of becomiig a preacher, with all its hardships and responsibilities. Therefore he had never spoken toany one about Lis convictions that he must presch.” When he was zhout 18§ {e.urs ot aze he was given a license toexhort in the churei. This was entirely un- expected by him, and he sought 1o be_excused from the duties thus imposed upon m; but 1o denial or refusal would be taken. Shortly altermard he was - called upon by Mr. THE SUNDAY- N—, a Methodist preacher of about 50 years of are and great experience, who® “ingisted that Fred should fill atew of his appointments for him during an unaroidable absence. The thought wasaopalling to Fred. His entirc theological training, which had never been intended as such, con- sisted of the perusal of a few standard works. Hedad resd carefully Fletcher’s “Checks to Autlnomianism,” Clarke’s * Commentary on Hng New Testament,” Wesley’s “*Notes™ and ¢ Sermons.” Watson’s “ Institutes,” Wesley on Oricinal Sin,” Law’s “Call,” and the *Life of Adam Clarke,” together with the Biblical Dictionary. Inaddition to his own disiuclina- l‘!i?)l;cfi fi-mu l::dministerial field, his uncle gns iLly opposed to his taking the sicp. But us licensed, and : B ALMOST PORCED, AS IT WERE, into the pulptt, Fred departed with Mr. N—\ woo called for him. He had not been able to settle upon any definite discourse, the idea of Eruemnv_v seemed 1o be 50 far from him. When e arrived at the appainted place, he*found an overflowing audience,—the report haviug. been circulated that a vouth was goiug to oreach. His first text was. “Prepare 16 mect thy God.” g:s remarks occuied only about ten minutes. uring the following weck he spoke at six dif- l‘:‘;?e’;: mggx:;,;, gh’mz different texts, but, as , always 2 Ve W}‘mfi"! oo 1y saying the same words In this way be was fairly launched the lite of 2 preacher. He felt that he w(:zmver)' Youug to undertake, the duties, and frequently delt discouraged, especialiy when some gruil oid fellow would wonder what the Bistop meant by sending sucha boy as that to preach tothem. At times nis embarrassment was very great, especially when he was called upon. to speak before any of his former companions, and . before Lis aunt and uncle, his father and moth- ¢r. About thistime Fred joined the Confer- ence, and was appointed to FILL THE OAK Y'UST MISS10; in ‘1)he mountains of Southwestern Kentucky. mdn his journey to the mission, which Wwas f e on horseback, he bad oceasion to stop at the house of Dr. F—, who, hie bad been told, utertained ‘all the ministers who passtd that v Calliog at the lLouse, Le mentioned L. t he was a Methodist preacher on the u:’ 10 bis mission, and had been told to ston ere. Thelady of the house to whom he had s ' £peaking looked at the small, hall-grown a3 ibaredulously, us it she wss'tempted 10 Souby Lis statements. . Recovering herself, how- grer, shefuvited bim in, and sent for her hus- od, telling him a younz Methodist preacher i arrived. Dr. F— came howe, and, pass- ng through the room where the “boy ™ was seadted. nodded to him slightly, then went on . and \fl;:dc'lllls \:r:(e where the preacher was. ol » dido’t you sce hi you passt troug the_narlgl-'l” she asked, 0o T bow Yo snewered the Doctors 1 saw a little - DOF sitting there, hut no preacher.” 5 That*is" the preacher,” said. Mra. F—. E th then - returned, sna by their generous 0spitality made amends for their incredulity. o T Doctor invited the boy-preacher. to hoid orvice that evening in the villawechurch, U ~afterward his neart misgave him _ -8510the young brother’s ability, and be resolved + l& revoke his request, telling Fred that proba- ': xnly they had better hold only a prayer-meet- dnp.’ To this Fred gladly consented, thankful :that he nad been relfeved from a task which he. -dreaded to attempt. But, when the church was ; Teacheq. it was ound full to overfowing.—the Tepart having gone out that 2 *!jttle boy ! was had intended in his earier years. He struggled with himself, and at his next meeting was som what encouraged by tuessing several conves sions; but wss deciced forever by receiving a Ietter from Lis former infidel uncle, stating that he had found a Savior. After that he mever wavered, but coutiuued in the ranks of itin- erancy, filling various . sppoiniments as a mi sionary in the mountains, on circuits, stations, or districts, and other.positions in the Church. THE SEQUEL. Fred finally rises above 2 salary of $6.814 per annnm to that of 53,000, aud then to $5,000 as Agentof a big Book-Concern. Fred gets Fred the Agent into s back room by ‘himself, and completely demolishes him. This was all very well for Fred, as things weut on, but bad for the Agent and the House, which was finally taken from his congrol. Himself and the transactions of the House are investirated by a Select Cominittec of his own brethren, who charge him with having written a book and sold it to himself, as Azent, for $1.20 wholesale, in- cluding the expense of ‘getting it out, which is charged to the Ageut, and divers other trans- actions mot benefictar to the Concern. The Committee make a report, which, a brotler- Methodist of the *Cedars of Lebanon” says, dia nov *handle Fred with gloves off, as such things are usually done, but with gloves on,— nid gloves at that, having upon them the softest down.” The next:thing is a contradi tion by Fred, and a reiteration of the Comm tee’s charges by the boo clerk of the Southern House. In his letter the veracity of several Teverend gentlemen is brought into question, and thus brings about ANOTHER DILEMMA FOR FRED, who was wont 1o brag that for two-score years or more his character as a minister had always been paseed; who will, if there be anything in strong intimations, have 2o stand before the bar of the Louisville Confercoce, soon to meet at Cadiy K., ear the question called, and re- spond to it. Here all the facts concerning the management_of the Puhlishing House will be brought 1o light, and be warmly discussed; lively scenes: will ensue, und, with a_possible dramatic turn to the proceedings, Fred will end the second chapter of his life, Dox. SECOND-ADVENTISM. CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS TO DISCUSS THE PRE-MILLESNIAL COMING OF CIIRIST. NEw YORK, Sept. 30.—While Dr. Stephen H. Trag, Jr., was at Clifton Springs this summer 8 meeting among hia fellow-clergymen washeld to consider the advisability of holding a Confer- ence to discuss the doctrine of the personal ap- ‘pearaunce of Christ’on carth, which recently re- celved the stténtion of a London Conferczce, sitice which it has éxcited a rapidly-growing in- terest in America, Dr. Tyng being foremost among the advocates of the doctrine. The Tribune says o large meeting of clerzvmen and laymen was held this evening at Dr. Tyn’s Courch to prey:\rc for the coming 1nternal Conterence of believers - in the pre-millennial and personal coming on earth of Jesus Christ. Dr. Tng presided, aod said he had 1eceived letters from Bishops® and clerzyvimen of the _Protestant Episcopal -Church favoring the Con- fereuce, and _consenting that their names should be enrolled.” The Conferenee would be held in Holv Trinity, Oct. 3) and 31, and Nov. 1, and -his father, the veoerable Dr. Tvog, has consented to preside if bis health would permit, The session would consist of the discussion of papers on twelve different topics beariug on the personal coming of Christ, and fn the evenings there would be evangelical meetings. ‘Among those who bad sevt letters favorinz a Confercuce: were Bishop Vail, of Kansas; the Rev. Dr._ Creamer, of Wilmington, Del.; the Rev. vr. Joseph Wild, of Brooklsn; the Rev. Dr. Grammar, of Baltimore: the Rev. Dean Boud, of Montreal; and the Rev. Dr. Edward Suliivan, of Chicago; and Dr. Bonar, of Lon- don, and Mr. Moody were expected at the Con- ference. Dr. Tyng adaed that, although he stood al- most alone on this subject among the clerzy of his Chureli in this city, he felt that he had all the traditions of the Clurch ou bis side. The Rev. Dr. Gillespic said he looked forward with hope to the cffect the Confercnce would produce. He claimed that attention was being drawn to_the question in the Presbyterian Church. He knew of clerzymen who were com- ingr to the Conlerence from lLilinois, lowa, and Wisconsin. The members of the Confurence should all be so zrounded 1n the faith that those who questioned their orthodoxy shouid sce they stood on the doctrines of the Scripture. The Rev. Dr. Herr said he was zlad to see that those who hitherto looked with suspicion on the movewent were now leaning towards it. The toree zreat questions before the Conference he held to be: Kirst, the personal ccining of Clrist;, second, His pre-mitliennial comings; and, third, His reifu fora thousand years upon carth. Belief fn this ddetrine, instead of par- glyzing evangelical - work, would stiuiulate Christian zeal. : A Chicago werchant eaid the Rev. Dr. Good- win, of the_ Cousregational Church in- West Chisago, had recently -preacited on the second sdvont, and he was the ouly minister in that section to advocate the orthodoxy of the doc- trive. The Rev. Dr. Kenion suggested a day of praver for the success of the Conference. A commitiee was appointed, consisting of the Rev. D. J. D. Herr, Ghairman, the Rev. R. C. Booth, the Rev. W. S. Gillespie, and nine lay- mes. TALMAGE’S NIGIIT OUT. NUNTING FOR FACTS FOR A SERMON POR HIS YOUNG MEN. New York Sun. The Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage made a tour of inpection of several dance-houses, gambling- houses, aud disreputable resorts in this city Thutrsday night last, for the purpose of collect- iog material for a serics of sermons to youne men. e wasaccompanied by two gentlemen —{riends. not clergymen—and escorted by Po- lice-Commissioner _Nichols, . Police-Tnspector Murray, and, part of the time, by Police-Cap- tain Willlams. They visited the Bucking- bam, the Cremorne, the Strand. dance-liouse at Crosby and Houston strects, snd several oher places, to sce the entire round of New York’s midnignt amuscments. Pr. Talmase spoke freely sesterday of his tour. *1 wanted to know,” he said, ‘what are the temptations to which young men are sub- jected, and to oe able Lo speak’ from what 1bhad teen with my own eyes. - Of course, I had.a general knowledze of these things. but 1 had Bever seen the dark side of New Yorklife.” was the trip a satisfactory one?’ ¢ My trip was highly satisfactory, while at the same time I was amazed and horrificd beyond all bounds at what 1 saw. I learned more of the world, the flesh, and the Devil than 1 ever Jearned in all my previous life. The wealth, the splendor, the glitter, the tair women, all re- vealed to me the terrible temptations that are spread out for the voung. ln my sermons I shall warn young men against placing them- geives within the fearful infnences of such temptations.” - g "5“ it oceur to you that the police officials “Generally, who accompanied you were on very good terms withs the proprietors of these placesy” ~+ Better not ask me thav question now,” Mr. Talmage replied. - ““1am not prepared to an- swer that question now."” -+ But is 1t not evident 10 you that ke police, the’ gain access to them so easily, could not put a stop to them if they desired to do s0!” 41 cannot answer that now. Have the news- papers called attention to that?” * ‘They have done so frequently.” “How about the aves of the men ticed in these disreputable places?” +- I ghould say most of them were under 30.” “]Is it not rather unfair to New Yorx for you 1o overlook Brooklyn in such atrip, and fake New York as the typical illustration.of wickedness? ™ «On!" Mr. Talmage replied, with one of his bearty burts of laughtzr, * thére is plenty of sin in Brooklyn.” “ Bat is it not unjust to go away from home for your illustrations? Last evening, at about midnizht, the Brooklyn police turned out an assembly In o dance-house next to a_police sta- tion. Why not take Brooklyn as an illustration tor your scrmons?’”? New York is so much lareer, and the acere- tionsof &in are on such a more portentous seale that there is vo comparison for illustrations of all the different phases of iniquity.” | - “But why should you not look after Brook- Ign tirstd? “Oh,” Mr. Talmage sald, mood-naturcd! +tls is no insinuation against New York. Sin 1s about the same in all cities; only it Is not so alaring in the sn:all as in the Iarge ones.” In the Police Central Office Inspector Murray said that he did not.know the Rev. Mr. Tal- mage, and he declined to say anything concern- ing thetrip. In the Thirteenth Street Police Station lust evening the officers said that the tour was news to them. A Police Sergeant said that he knew nothing of this particular trip, but he knew of a number of instances where the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher had made similar ex- cursions, and described them in his lectures to young men; and he knew o police officer who got §i3 for *stecring” the party on onc of !r.u[cscdxr!ps with Mr. Beecher and some Western rlends. you no- FULTON STREET. COMMEMORATING THE TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVER- SARY OF THE PRAYER-MEETING. New York Trabune, Sept. 30, The twenty-first auniversary of the Fulton street daily nmoon prayer-mecting was beld sesterday at the Middie Dutch Church at Fourth street and Lafayette place. There was a large congregation preseat, among whom were mauy weli-known business men aud retired mer- chants. The only decorationsconsisted of some fern-leaves that were trailed about the pulpit and in front of the platform; at the close of the service these were eagerly sougrht after by the ladies present as reties. The Rev. Dr. Samuel D. Burchard, Presbyterian, was the leader In the exercises. J. C. Lanphier, the missionary who originated the noonday prayer-meeting, led the congrezation in singing; prayer was offered, and ten minutes addresses by leading _clersy- men of different denominations followed. ‘T'ne Rev. Dr. Burchard said that the causc that had combined to produce the good results that had Dbeen reached by the meeting were the wather- ing of all together, and the (eelhzg of accord that prevailed. The Rev. Dr. William Brown, of the Cougre- gational Church, said the praver-meeting had lived through the most eventful years of our na- tional history. Hundreds of thousands had been brought to Christ between the years 1857 cnd 1878, and the great agency everywhere had been prayer. When our fathers, brothers, sud sons were on the battlefields, thousands flocked to the noondmy praver-meeting to lift their voices_in prayer for the safety of those in dan- ger. Durmng the great financual panic, when such a cloud hune aver so many, it was another time of great attendance. During all these years the Fulton street prayer-meeting bad been constantly increasing in influenee and in- terest. Two things it had established clearly— that men believed in a persoual God, and that they believed in the efficacy of praver. The Rev. Dr. A. P. Carter (Protestant Episcopal) said he thought there could be only one feelinx as to the results of this prayer meeting. When it assembled twenty-oue vears 2go, one solitary individual came to offer his prayer. The meel- inz went on increasing until the place of assem- vling became thronged, The results were ap- parent and undoubled, in the extension of the universal Church. The Rev. Dr. Elder, of the Bap- tist Church, said that the eharter of this prayer- meeting was found in the words * Wnere two or three are gathered together in My name there am I in the midst of them.” There must De a definite agrecment and & petition put up in the name of Christ, and’ all seltish prepos- session put aside, and then Chbrist would be present. The Rev. W. B. Muritt, of the Re- formed Church, said be was a.- member of the North Datch Church bafore Dr. Lanphicr was cmployed a8 o missionary. He, was a merchant's clerk down town at the time ot the first prayer- meeting, and remembered it well. Mauy have pone to Heaven through its azency whose names are unknown to us. Toe praver-meeting was born in the midst of a tremendous fuancial crisis. e remembered how. merchants came in there and asked God’s help. He remembered, too, that those merchants paid_their_debts in full, or 623§ cents on the . doliar. What was theu a sentiment in the uniting of churches in a praver-meeling had come to. be a principle, 1t had been the agency of uniting the, Christians’ work. D The Rev. S. B. Rossiter, of the Presbyterian Chureh, said that the first noonday prayer-meet- ing was called fromthe sense of a deep waut. One man, walking the street, thinking of the needs of the merchants, had the idea suzgested to his wind. 1t had been. praver in the name of Christ for the upbolding of the Holy Ghost, and it_bad not been denied. The Rev. 8. L. Weed, of the Metliodist Church, suid tiat the mere announcemcut of the noonday prayer-meeting, which bad hung ou the old Ful- ton Street Church for yearsand years, staring men in the face, had done much .good. There could be no question that this prayer-meetivg hiad fully established the efficacy of brayer, and refuted the theories of “philosophical scollers. The Rev. R. W. McKee followed with an carnest address to business miep, after which W. R. Eadie led in prayer, and the services closed. DANGEROUS TENDENCIES. RESULTS OF THE WAR IN: THE DOMAIN OF SIORALS. The Atantic for October nas a remarkable ar- ticle entitled ** Certain Dangerous Tendencies in American Life,”” which is causing considera- ble comment smong thoughtful men. Thear- ticleopens with a portrayal of the effect of the Civil Waron the cconomical and industrial habits of the people, and next considers. the comse- quences on the churches. We malte room for the following extracts, aud commend the whole article to the reader: THE WAR destroyed hundreds ot millionsof dollars’ worth of property, and the Government was compelled to borrow some two thousand millivns of dollars 1o ¢nable it to coutinue the scrugzle and muin- tain the existence of the nation. These two factsare, for suy study of our present nationat life and couditious, the siguificaut features and results of tha contest. The more dramatic ac- companiments, the cmancipation of the slaves and the management of the revolted States after the War, bave had far less influence upon the life and thought of our people. With our national wealth or productive property so ter- ribly reduced, and with the uew, strange burden of an enormous debt, there was but one course of wisdom and safery,—that of the most rigid ceonomy. Bat, by a remarkable detusion, our people came to reeard the paper money, every note of which was 3 certificate and reminder of indebteduess and loss of property, as a real and boundiess addition to our -wealili, which not only made good our material losses, but made us iar richer than we had beeu before the War. Under the influence of this astoundiug error, the people,and the Government plunged at once 1nto reckless extravazace of expenditure, thus greatly inéreasing the loss which the nation had by the War. . sufles Rl ‘This extravagance, ana the delusion which fos- tered it, had some importaot results IN THE DOMAIN OF MORALS. Manual labor came to Ue regurded as in great measure unnecessary, and to be despised as a badge of inferiority by many who had alw. been engaged in it. Multitudesof men who had until then honestly earned or produced their living by the work of Lheir hands now began to live by their wits, by starting and controlling business-enterprises for the investment of other people’s mouey, and by taking Government con- tracts and corporation jobs. The abounding dis- honesty which has since then been our curse, the repudiation of the-debts of States, towns, and ciues, with te slarming development. of the disposition to steal trust-funds,—these, and other unfavorsble elements in the life of the - time, ‘had “their source snd main impule in the delusion about the nature and powers of paper noney, in the unzertainty of its value, and in the extravagance engendered by the War. A passionate greed for riches was developed among our people. Men had no longer any vision for realities, but built upon illusions and impossibilitics as il they were the sotid facts and laws of nature. The leading clergymen ana writers of the Nation encouraged and defended this enormous ‘and reckless ac- quisitiveness, and talked, in _piflosophical phrases, about the aspirations of the masses for improved conditions, leisure for culture, and & higher civilization. The pulpit GAYE To LCXURY THE SANCTION OF RELIGION, aud the press urged the people onsward in their career of extravagance in the name of patriot- is1a, and declared the nationa! deb a national biessiug, It was not to be expected that the workingmen should be wiscr then their tesch- ers. The increase of wages for ail kinds of man- ual labor was very great, -buf compara- tively few of the Workinenlen saved soything. They fmitated -the profusion of their emplovers and wuides. —Econ- deemed unnecessaty, _stupid, and cw wants were invented, prudence and simplicity of life went out of fashion, and habits were formed and scntiments adopted which have wrought most ' important changes in the character and aims of the werkingmen of this country. ‘Lbe sheer wastefulness of that eriod, it it could be adequately portrayed, | would appear incredible to all who did not wit- ness it. A curious feature 6t the time was the fact that for so many men all foresight seemed 10 have become impossible. ' They were Intoxi- cated by their faucied Fwsumty,_ and were con- fident that it would last forevér. Into these conditions was suddenly plunzed o population which bad no sufficient moral safeguards what- ever. The' transition to dishonesty had - been prepared for among all classés, 2ad was already partly accomplistied. T “This leads me to_consider ;the. relizious and moral characterand equipment whichour people possessed fliteen years ago, and tlic cffect of the new conditionsupon these {agtorsof our national life. The nominal faitn or rélixion of the coun- try was what is called Evapeelical Protestant- ism. Its early creeds aud symbols were still unchanged; but the real relizion of the people was already, to a great extent, © A DECOROUS WOREDLINESS, The formal observances of: relizion depended largely upon habit; thatis, hhc religious activi- tics of our people liad louiz _been chiefly the mo- mentum remaining from oldrimpulses, from in- fluxes or evolutious of moral or spiritual force which bad inspired men iv fofmer times, and had then produced an earnestness and-self-dental ot which even the tradition wag mostly lost. The force which remained was gonstantly diminish- ing. Themoral impulse received long before had mostly passed into stru%t“urt, bad produced very nearly its full effect. ugjon the character of men and the forms of life n societv; and by a well-known law, which uppears in the work- ing of ull forces of ~whatever mnaturc, the power that had thus been embodied could not be used azain in the same form. There was no -lonzer any considerable ioflux or evolution of new religious zpower or vitality. Many ministers and muititades of the more in- tellizent members of the churches had become skeptical in reard to some of the cardinal doc- trines of the populur Christianity. These doct trines werc, in the preaching of the time, habit- ually so softened and accoirmodated to the growing doubt that nearty all their original meauing was cxplained away. A vague feeling of alarm and uncertainty bad for some time pervaded the more earnest portion of the Cbureh,—a distrust of tendeucies which yet seemed necessary and irresistible. Preaching became more and morespeculative and rational- istic. Evervwhere it alniosg,ceased to deal with morals or duty. 1t Jost all edge, oll directness of application to the real questions and interests of human life in this world. | « IT WAS NO LONGER ADDRHSSED TO THE CON- SCIENCE,, - but to the taste, to the wmsthetic judzment. ‘The sweep of the new time carried us out of the region and conaitions in whjch it had been the tunctfon of the pulpit to rcbuke the sins of men, to quicken and reinforce their con- scicaces by faithful teachiniz of the moral re- quirements of Christianity.! The effect of the new hunger for wealth and display extended to religion and its organic activities. ‘The new tide of worldliness rose cverywhere, and submerged to a great extent a Church which it found open and without defense againbt’ the flood. The couditions of life, the temptatious and entice- meats, were new. The religious people of the country in zenceral had no sdequate training or moral discipline to prepare then to face the new foes. The Church failed to :meet the needs of the time. She dia vastly bettcr than those who did nothing,—thau piany of her critics. But that was not enough. o Tue disintegration of religion has proceeded rapidlv. There are now several features of our national religious life and. thought which must be noted in any real study of our present condi- tion. ' Noone statement ‘or<aflirmation can be made to include all the. trgth. The religion of our. country canoot be sfudied adequate- Iy or successfuily in thic churches of the larze cities. alone. What of the people in the smaller towns, the villazes, and cointry nelrhborhoods? What is their relizion? T'lie éhurch is ow, for the most part, a depositoryjoLgocial rather than of religious ntluences. Ttsehief foree or vitality 18 X0 LONGER RELIGIOUS. There are still, of course, éx?y traly relizions people in the churches, ‘o sincerely believe the old doctries embodied 4t all the creeds. But these are everywhere s%sfiil minority, and tiey arc mournfully consgidns that the old re- ligious life :mdrfm\\‘er bavg devarted from the church.. They distrust the mthods of the mod- ern-revivalism, and do not.zel.at howe . awong the younwer members ot thé;church, with thefr advanced views, and fashiomable, thorough-go- ing worldline: “They are:itarmed to find the atmosphere and the toue dbthe church becom- ing more and more seculamrand business-like. These people, who thus xepresent the better clements of a former stato of thmgs; are the real strength of the Evmgelical Protestant churches. so far as religioni is concerned, and their character is one of thed most wholesome and truly conservative foress of our national life: They are not liberal ini their views, but they are sincere. They livepure and good lives. ‘They speak the Truth,—a rase virtue now,—and they can be trusted withcanybody’s money. They will do what they believe to be right, thoagh all men deride or appose, and at any cost to themselves in business or worldly in- terests. But they are TOO FEW TO REGENERATE THE AMERICAN cHURCH though their influence is highly valuable in re- sistingr some of the cvil terdencies of the aze. Most of them are old, and'they have few suc- cessors amony the younger people. They have already done most of theiravoris, and their oum- ber and strength diminish.from year to year. For u very large class of which we may next , the Chinrck furnishes opportunity for a spea pleasant social life, which is in no wav different ' from the social life of amiable, intelligent peo- ple out of the Church; that is, there is noth- ing distivetively relizious about it. For this class all the barriers and distivctivns between the Church and the World have been removed. Church-work is for them, in all its forms, a kind of sucred amusement. Public worsbip, with its pulnit oratory and modern church music, is aun wstiietic entertainment. ‘Toey have developed areligion which is not religious. They have learned how to be Christians, according to their meaniug, without auy seif-denial, or any abride- ment of the pleasures, pursuits, or ambitions of people who acknowledge no religious obliga- tious. They are the most intelligent members of the popular churcies of this country. They are decofously moral, conforming to the easy, worldly criterion of people of like social po- sition.. They are nearly all able to live comfort- ably, possessifi the necessarics of life and a fow of its luxuris. They arc mot usually scru- puiously truchful or conscientious, and do not believe 1t possible to maintain a very lizh stan- dard of justice or houesty in business-life. They remard the Golden Rule as imprfecicable, and with more or less siucerity deplore the ex- istence of insurmountable obstacles in the way of obeying it. They do not believe the crecds which they subseribé when they join the Church, and eenerally make no sccret afterward of their doubt or dishelief respecting various funda- mental doctrives of Cbristianity. But they have a borror of all dissent which takes a man out of the popular Church, and show no re- soect for the plea of conscience in such cases. THEY ARE ALL OPTIMISTS, believing that thingsare sure to come out right. They distrust personal earuestuess in rellgious matters, but are capable of self-savritice or ac- tion fof the public £ood in Wuvs approved by their class, while they are without the qualitics or temper enabling 3 man to serve an unpopu- lar prinviple or cause. They give larzely for all kinds of charities. In them the relizion popularly professed has “spent its force, and they can contribute little to aid in the moral regeneration of the country. 'fuey are almost destitute of moral ixuigh_t’l and have little confidence in principles,—trust- ing entirely to.management, to policy, snd to Ppiésent success. Their ministers are meun of intellizence and eonsiderable calture. They believe even less than their people of the doctrines of their creeds. They generally avoid doctrinal sub- jects in preaching, snd huve for some vears based their \teaching mostly ‘on utilitarian grounds. ‘They have for themselves accepted rationalistie belicts far iu advance of what they teach, and consider themselves engaged in 2 ‘most necessary and useful work,—that of lead- ing the people grudually onward in thought and knowledze by carefully giviug them the truth 28 they are able to bear it Thuir caution is ex- treme, and they thus sacrifice whatever strength may belone to courage and outspeken sincerity. Their tegching is far less advanced and rutional- 1stie than the habitual thought of their hearers. ‘Tney do not noderstand the real tendencies of the time, Jacking the insizht and the synthetic judgment which result irom independent scarch for truth and from heartiness ot conviction. “They greatly overrate the suecess of their system of repression,—of keepiug back most of whut they themselves believe. . IT FOSTERS SKEPTICISM, and'spreads distrust of all moral and religious verity. as the people are aware that their minis- ters practice the concealment of their real ve- Yiete! Their preaching is_usnally far more in- tellectual than formerly, but is not based on the creeds, nor on any _announced or colierent philosophy,—fragments uf hostile systeus of ught often appearing in amizble proximity, not in any real relation, to each other. Tuere i nohody £o criticise the preacniyg of these clergymen. Thelr teaching is often curiously remote from all the practical concerns and cos- ditions of life in our time and country, and is almost entirely destitute of morat authority and power. They regard “the general enragement of their people in the work of charity-orgaatza- tions as evidence of the trinmphant vitality of Christianity in our age; which is much as if the officers of an armv should boast that all their soldiers ablc for duty are in the hospitais caring for their sick comrades, and that all the able- bodied men at home must soon be couscripted for the same service. They do not see that Christianity, to be successful, must learn how to Iry uo, in great measure, the sources of the risiog currents of pauperism, vice, and crime; nor understand that their own methods are largely responsible for the magnitude of the burdes, rapidly becoming_intoserable, of the charities which are their pride. \ Iu the more prosperous American churches in the regions to which modern styles of dress and living have extended, there are now but few poor prople; aud these feel more and more each year that THE CIURCH I3 NO HOME FOR THEM. There is for them, usually, no fraternal asso- ciation with their more fortunate neighbors in the Churca; no whulesome, natural, cordial re- 1ation betweeu them as human beingzs or breth- ren. Aud there is a very large class who arc not extremely poor, but who are obliged to dress plaiuly and to _practice economy in order to obtain the mecessaries of life. In favoruble times they may be said to rise to conditions of comfort, but for the most part lhey are familiar with the pressurc of hardship, and their life is a strugele for the means to live. They, of course, cannot aspire 10 what is now considered good 'social positiou, as that usually depends upon the style of dress and house-furnishing more than upon character. “r'his is & very important portion of our popula- tion. Most of them arcindustrions and honest, and many of them arc advancing in intelligence. Some of them have a strong desire for knowl- edge, and read the best books they can obtain. There i6 zood msterial among them for a more rauonal and practical culture than is yet pos- sessed by their_neighbors who arc in better cir- cumstances, This class also is rapidly passing out of the Church. The movemeut is largely the result of inpulscs from the wore prosper- ous people in the churches, and is not caused so much by the zrowth of irrcligion’ among these men and their familles as by the development of an unfraternal spirit— a class-fecling—among those more successful in acquiring this world’s goods. Many who are tous separating themselves from the churches ARE INJUKED BY THE CHANGE. They enjoy their greater frecdom from restraint, and often sink toa life of less strenuous effure at self-direction. They do not feel bound to resist temptation, or deny appetite its gratifica- tions. But most of this class are still, i the main, moral and wholesome in character aud Pmumx intluence, chiclly from the power of habit and family traditions of rectitude. Many of them are gradually becoming "hostile and bitter toward the Church and ail specifically relizgious activitics; and their children usually receive at howme no religlous _instruction what- ever, being free to go to charch or not, as they please. ‘L'ic effect of this parental indillerence upou the culture and morals of the young peo- ple is not favorable. Among the more intelligent of this class there has been, within the last fiftcen years, .a rapid development of what is called infidelity; that is, of opinions which involve the re- jection of Evangelical Christianity. Up to this time the great mass of plamn peoplein this coun- try, of those who work with their hands, know nothiog of any religion besides Evangelical Protestantism snd Roman Catholicism. Tie people who reject the popular religious creeds, buth among the poor and among the more pros- perous and cultivated, with some exceptions to be nored further on, are generally SIVING UP RELIGION ENTIRELY. No new system _or form of relizious belief or life is taking the place of the old faith which has lost its power. But these peopie are still aceessible to any vital improving influences not specifically ecclesiastical in form. Their morals are commonly 25 good as those of the most prominent church-members; and they are prob- ably more truthful, conscientions, and just than most people in the Church. But they are not relizions; that is, they have no ideas, prin- ciples, or beliefs in regard to buman responsi- bility which excrcise any considerable power of restraint upon therr conduct when in- terest or _appetite Is' involved. . They fecl no impulse to association with their neizh- bors for auy kind of moral or religious culture. A few are inclined to propagate their negative: notions and hostility to religion: the greater number are simply indifferent. Many of them have read the newspaper and magazite dilutions of the writings of Darwin, Huxley, and Spencer, and have thus been strengthened in their oppo-. sition to the old beliefs. AMost of them are sensible, practical, capable people, not xiveri® to sentiment or illusious of apy kiud;. often some- swhat narrow and hard, but with valuable intel- Iectual and moral qualitics. - Their greatest de- foct scems o be, that they . fecl too little re- soonsibility_for the moral culture of their children and those of their’ neighbors. They bave too little aspiration anid- national feeling, and are giving themselves - entirely to material interests. It cannot be said that thev are, as a class, doinz much for themselves, and nobody else is doing anything - for them as to culture or morls. Their future course deoends upou that -of - the cultivated classes. 1f there s within a Yew years a marked expansion of uational calture and incresse of its dynamic vitality, these people will do much to strengthen the better tendencies of the na- tion's life. Thev are cdpable of important chanes. Below these as to intellectual character and equipment there s a larzer class, in whom PREHISTORIC OB SAVAGE THOUGHT STILL SUR- i VIVES, with very slight modifications from Science or any other modern influence. Our fellow-citi- zens of this cluss betieve in luck, omens, dreams, sigos of many kinds (that is, iu supernatural in- dications or foreshadowings of tuture events), and in the presence and influcuce of the spirits of the dead, whom they habitually or ozcasion- ally consult’ in various ways. Ticse have not all'rejected Evangelical Protestantism, as ereat numbers of them are members of the popular churches. Many of them have weaith and social position. The women of this clgss con- stitute the larzer portion of the great drmy of readersof worthless books of fiction and serfals in the story-newspapers. Perhaps a majority of the meribers of the Evangelical Protestant churehes in this country have at some time con- sulted the spirits of dead people, by the help of some professional ghost-scer or medium. But, outside of the Church, the believers iu spirits, svells. possessions, omens, visions, warnineg, and the other teatures of prehistoric supernaturalism, are usually hostile to Caris- tianity. Tney think the inspirations and reve- Iations of many trance-speakers and medinms in this countrv superior in value to those re- corded in the Bible. They have usually a scorn of history, and of the Past as a teacher, and are especially hostile te’ belief in any authority except that of the individual soul. They mostly regard Society as'a great oppressor. and believe that priests (they call all ministers priests) have been the authors, aud are uow the chiet sup- porters, of nearly all the evils which afllict mao- kind. i E THEY ARE ALL SENTIMENTALISTS,— that is, they attach little value to facts, and do pot think it important to study them. Their contempt for scientific .methods of mvestiga- tion is nearlyequal to their scorn for history. They depend cuicla pon Intuition and the great instincts of anity for their yuidance, and for the determination of all problews. They would like to sce the existing organization nad institutions of socicty displaced, and think it would be 1 great gain to stop trying to patch up the old systems of relizion and law, and berin anew. ‘They see no great ditlicuity in the at- tempt to establish an_entirely new orzanization of Society, with all necessary institutions, ma- chinery, and activities; and believe that it could be done at once, with inunense advantage to the people, if only the priests and the money power ivere put down. They bave a kind of rage awainst churches and all the orzanized activities of Christiamty. They have not yet any relizion of their own, in the modern sense of the word, a5 u they do not worship or revere anything a5 bigher or better than themselves. Their earcst approach ‘to adoration s therr belief in the omnipotence of u free platform,—that is, of a mass-meeting of beliey- ers in THE SOVEREZIGNTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, with absolutely no restrictions as to the direc- tion or extent of the discussions. ,They have 2 stronger impulse to propagate their sentiments than is mavifested by any otber class in our country at vresent, aod have more euthusizsm and self-sacrifice for their cause and objects than the people who. bold better doctrines. (Tuis stirring of powerful impulses amon the more iznorant and undeveloped, whils the cul- tured classes, the leaders of Society, arc be- wildered 2nd indisposed to action, is onc of the most sigmficant features oi our age.) They bave not wholelv escaped fnjury to their morals in thus casting off the restraints of the old be- liefs. There has becn o serious and general lowering ofmoral tone and quality among them duringz the last fiftcen ycars, aod this deteriora- tion Is still going on.. But this has not yet resulted in any ereat increase of con- crete immorality, .. except the - immoral- ity of worthiess ..tatk, incesant, uni- versal, and interminable. ~ Tnere Das been some sexual vice among them, but it has been mostly of a cold-blooded kind,—the effort of theorists makiug experiments and ostenta- tiously trying to be wicked, rather than thevwlld play of ungoverned impu n. Toere { is uot yet s lary srowth of liv American soclety. It increases only as the crim- inal classes incrense, and especially as thieves become more numerous. Thieves of all izrades, burzlars and pickpockets, habitually resort to houses of ill-fame. 1t is the common wethod of spending money dishonestly obtained. Buc there s not yet any considerable soread of licen- tiousoess upward through sooiety, and life is probably cleaner and better in this respect in our time than ever before. In other ways the immorul effects produced by theideas and sen- timents of the large class which Lam now de- scribing are EXTENSIVE AND DIPORTANT. ‘They have scriously weakened respect for law in all parts of our country, snd have profound- ly influenced public = sentiment in_op- position to the punishment of criminals. They bave toa great extent abjured the dou- trine of ndividual responsibility for wroug-do- ing; and their ideas bave pervaded the atmos- phere of the age, and bave so benumbed the conscience of the nation that the unwillingness of good peope to have the laws enforced, and their sympathy for criminals, are amoug_the most threatening evils of our society. Their worst immorality is their teaching, especially the character of thelr addresses, lectures, and discuseions. in which there almost every- where a wild vehemence of attack apon all the orinciples of religion, morality, und socal or- der, which is unrestraiued by aoy regard for truth, decency, or justice. The orators are ab- solutely irrespousible, as they recognize no au- tuority but their own wills. ~They'have a flu- tney of extempore utterance, with ability to talk for any length of time. which inspires ereat admiration among the peosle; for the wasses Iu our country bhave a bound- less delight in what they call eloguence,— mesning usually a great flow of words and a confident manner, with many sounding phrases about the promress of Hu- manity, the zrandeur of iree thousht, and the resistless uprising of the people. No other cluss is at present 50 SUCCESSFULLY EDUCATING the people of this country. They ure positive and agrressive, and Lave o certain power of cii- thusiasin or afllatns which nu other class now possesses. ‘They have mauy orgunized socicuies, traveling lecturers, and missionaries, and a score or two.of newspapers, besides au cnor- mous literature of their own, i one miay appl the word literature to thelr productions. It a great and successful movement for the propa- tion of uneducated thoueht, the spectacle of the untaught classes and disorganizing forces of the time taking possession of the printing-press, of the rostruin, and of the bellot, and attacking modern society with its owa weapons, It 15 2 widespread revolt ugalust avilization. CHICAGO. TNE “LIVING CHURCH.” The last number of The Province has the fol- Towing: 1t has not been our custom to cry ** Wolf!" so we do not fear that our announcement of the com- ing pyper will be discredited. Arrangemnents have atlast vcen made for the transfer of the Province to Chicago. and its immediate enlargement to a weekly. ‘The enterprise is on usound Unancial basis, we behieve, and is in charge of those whose names are sufficient assurance of success. Dr. Harrin and Dr. Fultoa, the editors, are too well known ta need any introduction to_our read- ers or any indorsement. before the public. In the whole Church it won!d be difiicalt_to find two men of more oromtnence and ability, or better fitted for such awork.” Dr. Fulton is one of the best de- baters in the General Convention, if ot the best; and as & canonist e ranks among the frst, if he is not the very first. Dr. Harris, who has the priuci- pal manazement, {82 man of affairs, a8 well us s scnolar and wnter excelled by none. His admin- 1strative abilities are just sach as incivil affairs are in greatest demand, and always ata premiom. In Jaw, or politics, or business, he would hold the ficet place, and _has held it. It I8 fortunate that the Church can have the benefit of these unusual talents. which we seldom see consecrated to her service. Tae Lizing Church (by which nzme the weekly ‘will be known) will be especially strong and brght where some Church papers are especially weak and dull. Its news department will be in charge of onr present news editor. Dr. Cushman. With him in that position, our readers may be sure that the beat points of the' Province will be found in the weekly, sud its best elcments of populdrity and usefulness will be preserved. Some years ago eleven Bishops of Southern dioceses appoinled Dr. Casbman editor of tae Church Intelligencer. the only Church puper then in the South. In his work with us on the Digcere and_ Frovince, be nas won -many zolden opiuivns, It i3 to be hoped that the new enterprise will be able to employ all inis tiwe nud talents, ana 10 pay for thems, as we have not beeu xble to do. . Yo M. € A Report for the wonth of August of papers re- ceived and distributed. Reccived religions pa- pers: Standard, 150: Advance, 200; Iuterior, 130; Aliancz, 20; Northweslern Advocate, 200. Secular—TRIBUNE, 200; Inter-Ocean, 200; Even- ing Journal, 80; Scandinavian, 150; Staats-Zei- tung, 100; Swedish, 60; others and Testameuts, 200. - Distributed—County Hospital, 675: jall, 200; Habnemana Hospilal, 100; Erring Woman's Home, 1S0; Testaments to County Jail, 20; County Poor-House, 450; miscellancous, 525. Report of noonday prayer-mectings held at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. during the month of Scptember: _Total attendunce for the month of Séptember, 3,5%; average, 143; largest. 2505 smallest. 75. Evenine mectinzs—Total attend- auce, 2,423; average, 110; largest, 275; smallest, THE NEW CHURCH OF ST. THOSIAS. The Cuurch of the Atonement has united with St. John's at their solicitation.” It {5 strange how time changes all t St. John's, an offshoot of the Atonement, is again within the fold of ber wooden walls. Lt is hoped that wih the sinkine of both names a new dawnof Christian life may be awarded to_the united pmish. Thenaume selected by the Bishop is St. Thomas. For the present the new church will acenpy the old building used by the Atonement, its vestry havinz leased the church and furni- ture to the Church of -St. Thomas. The con- grezation look forward to occupying a new chareh building that shall be as clezant, if not as jarge, as the lost temple. Thereisarich field for the new parish. The services at the church to-day will be of 2 most Interesting character,—the first services of the united coneregation. ' The Re. Rev. Bishop McLaren will ofticiate at the mornini service at. 10:45. It Is to be regrtted that the Rev. Fraucis Mansfield, the newly-elected Rector, hus been calied to New York City, as, be being such a_favorite with both congreputious. much pleasure was unticipated from the first service. The following comprise the Vestry of the Church of St. Thomas: -, J A Reuben Taylor, Sleeper, Wardens; D. Gregory, Cant. E. K. P. Shurly, A. Pearsou. Col. Le Grand Peree, D. R. Brower, M. D., R. W. Folds, Dr. £. Garrott, C. E. Crandall, Vestrymen; Col. W. W. Street, Vestry Clerk; J. A. Sleeper, Treasurer., EMMANUEL CHUECH. The dedication services of the Emunmnuel Church at La Grange took place yesterday morning. A special train brought large num- Ders of visitors, together with the clerzy of the citv. The church was tastefully decorated with flowers, and the ceremony was, conducted with all 1.+~ ‘mpressiveness of the Episcopal service. Bisnop MacLaren officiated, assisted by the Rev. Drs. Sullivan, Locke, Morrison, Fisher, Canon Kuowles, and the Rev. Messrs. Flectwood, Smith, Moore, Kiuney, and F. N. Luson, Rector of the Church. The Bishop and the gttendant_ clerzy were met at the door by the Wardens and Vestrymen, who escortad them to the chancel, the clerzymen siuging an- tiphonally the tweaty-fourth psalm. Mr. D. B. Lyman, the Senior Warden, presented the In- strument of Donation to the Bishop, after which the pravers of dedication were read by the Bishop. The Rector, on bebalf of the Bishop, then read the Instrument of Consecra- tion, after which the regular service was com- imenced by the chioir singuz the first seutence of “The Lord is in His Holy Temole.” The -cholr, althoush young snd in s great measure untrained, sang with decided feeling and impressivencss. the soprano solos, which were taken by Miss Cossitt, being especially noticeable. The Rector then pro- ceeded with the service as far as the Psalter, which, tozether with the first lesson, was re by the Rev. Mr. Fleetwood. The sccond les- son was read by the Rev. Clinton Locke and the Creed and prayers by the Rev. Dr. Fiske. RBishop McLaren then presched the dedicatory scrmon. He. tookas his text the twentieth verse of the secona chapter of the Prophecy of Habakkuks: *The Lord is in Uis Holy Tem- ple; let all the earth keep slience before Him.” Al the close of the sermon the Rev. Dr Sullivan read the exhortation to the people pre- ceding the reception of the Holy Communiou. "After the services the visitors. were invited | to the basement, where a bonateous lunch'was spread. - "I'he church buflding_isa handsome structure of stoue. The dimensions are $0x32 feet. 1t has an‘apsidal chancel, with a tower sixteen feet square and seventy-five feet high. The windows are of claboratcly-stained glass: . ‘The celling is of ash and black walout, twenty-five feet from the floor. A wainscoting of the smae material as the ceillug is runup to the hight of the windows arouud the couren. -~ ‘The building was commenced in the spring of 1575, the corner-stone being laid in Juae of the same year. fhic basement was finisned and oc- cupied, and arraogements were made 1or the cowpletion of the walls the mext yesr. The structure was finished externally in the sum- mer . of 1577, with the exception of - the tower. The building was finished “throuzhout, including the tower, during last summer. ‘The slow progress of the work was due to the fact that it bad been resuived to build the church without incurring any debt whatever. “This bas been done, and thepeople of LaGrange Do pussess a nandsome and substantial church buildirg, without the buniens mmi vexations in- cident to mortgages and interest. The butldioz * isinall respects a credit to that eaterprisiag | suburd. The seating capacity is 350. IN GENERATL. To every 800 persons {n _this country there is one minister, while in India there is not ome mimster to 300,000. The Reformed Episcopal Church has oriran- ized fourteen colored congregations wn and around Cnarleston, 8. C., some of them meet- ing in log buildings. Within four years the Methodist Church of Canada bas recelved an fncrease of 20,49 mem- Lersaund 134 ministers. beside sendiny out 127 more foreign missionaries than beiore. Its to- tal membership is now 113, The Baptist Gencral Association of Illi will bold its thirty-fourth snuual meeting with the First Baptist Church of Gal mencing Tharsday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p. m. opening services will be preached by the D. B. Cheney, D. D., ot Elgiu, or the Rev. K. J. Langridge, of Kewanee. A pilzrimage of Rowan Catholic editors and writers, made up of men from ull parts of the world, is to take place on the auniversary of the cxaltation of Pope Leo XHL _Already 3 jour- nalists from vurious places in Eurvpe have been heard from who have signiticd their intention thus to do honor to the Pope. The lurzest Sunday-school in the world is probably at Stockport. Chester County, E gland, o town with a population of valy 55,014 Th < cost $100.000, and has bew ooms. Sinee Tae Syuod of Ilinois North will meet Tues- day, Oct. 13,at 7:30 p. u, in the Centrai Chureh, Ro Meeting for Forcign Missions, Wednesday eveniog. Ladies® Missios ary mecting Wednesday alternoon, to which Presvyterial societic: invited to Send dele- wates. Synod’s wieeting for Home Mussiovs “Thursday evening. Sowe Fraocigesn fathers from Westphalin resolved to ered o monastery at St. Berutiarl Neb. The B. L. R. K. tiave Ziven themw u 160 acres for the new foundation. A wol- . house, two stories high, i3 in process of erec- tion. St. Bernhard promises to become, in course of time, one of the most louristunyg Ger- man settlements i the Far West. The Kev. Washington Gladden, formerly of the Jndependent, recently made a signiticant statement. He finds that in theology and re- heious thouzht * chauges nre wolng on now and will continue to 2o on in the future, and there, i3 no more reason to be alurmed on account ot them than there s to be alarmed because of the discoveries that are wade iu electricity or wedi- cine.” In the Diocese of Long Island there are 30 clergymen, including the Bishop; S8 churches and chapels, 18 Deaconesses cmployed in the diocese, and 13 lay-readers und catechists, and - 14.586 communlcants. There are 15,505 Suudav scholars and £,033 teachers fu the diocese. Toe contributions_for the last ccclesiadtical vear amounted to $10,553, or nearly $27.50 for every communicant ‘The authorities of the Roman Catholic col- lcge at Manbattanville have purchased the princely mausion erected for Ben Halliday and about forty ueres of the Oplir farm, uud con- terplate the removal of the college to that place. The property Is situated in the town of * Harrison, Westchester County, nbuut three miles from White Plains and four miles from * the village of Rye. St. James’ Charch, Hatcham, Eogland, is aguin drageed intv public notice. It seemsthat ; the use of incens: hud been discontinued, but some zealous member of the choir made the building tragrant with incense betore the begin- ninz of a tecent service. The Rector was ac-, cused of complicity with the transaction, which be denied. Abusive words followed in chirch and in pewspaper correspondence. ‘The present year is the 250th anniversary of the settlement of the first pastor of a Reforined Dutch Church in this country. ‘Ihe Rev. Jonas Michaelius assumed the pastorate of the Dutch Church in New Amsterdaw, fu April, 1628, He found fifty members present at the first com-* munion service. From that small beginning this branch of the Reformed Churcn has becowne | a body consisting of nearly 79,000 coounuui- cants, belonging to more than 43,000 families. - Somebody basestimated that at the present rate © of conversions in lodia {t will take 6,000 yeursto - convert the whole country. There are others who say the converts are *the worst rogues in Indie.” The Ezaminer (London), citinz these - and other statemeuts, says people are besinniug to consider.whether it s wise or just to send “ tens ol thousands of pounds abroad tocvnvert | a peoplé who are more moral than ougselves, while at home we baye, sunk 1 vice, iguorauci and degrudation, millions of our own country-" men. The new choir of St. John’s Reformed Episco- pal Cnureh, Ellis_aveoue, near Thirty-scventh strect, is composed of the tollowinz well-known sinzers, all competent soloists: dgs. 1 A. Jewett, late of the Fourttn Unitarian choir, so- prano; Miss Helen M. Brace, for some time the contraito of Piymouth Consregational Clhurch; Mr. A. D. Eddy, basso; and Mr. O. F. Dody tevor. The ormunist is Yrof. O'Shaugiiiessy St. Jobin's Church, tnough one of the youngest in the city, is ove of the most thriving and pros- perous. The Rector is tné Rev. M. D. Ctiuren. PERSONAL. ‘The Rev. Evau H. Cotton will have charge of St. John’s Church, Dresden, Germany, dariog the coming winter. s Keshu Ciunder, Sr., leader of the nativa- “Theistic Church of India, the Brahmo Soma}, is dangerously 1l with fever. ‘The Rev. W. W. Steele, late of St. Jobn’s, Petersburs, has accepted a call to the Rector- ship of St. Luke’s, Dixon, Til. The Rev. W. W. Case has been transferred from the Cincinnati to the East Ohio Coufer- encc, aod has been stutioned at Akron, O. Miss Mamic Irwin, sccond daughter of the Rev. R. Irwin, D. D., of St. Louis, will leave St. * Louis on Monday, Oct. 7, for service in the Tal- labassa Mission, Indian Territory. The Rer. Ben Helm, who has been laboring. faitbfully as a missionary of the Soatbern Pres- brterian Churen in China for ten vears, is now ou a visit to his bume at Flizabetbtown, Kr. “The Rev. Dr. Budinztou, who went to Europe to have surgical xttention for a cancer on the lip, has had the excrescence removed after two unsuceessinl operativns. He will return to his church in Brooklzu in October. The Rev. J. A. Heard, formerly a clergyman “of the Church of England, who about three * vears ago left it and joincd the Coniregational- ists, has uow returned aou veen licensed to the curacy of St. Andrew’s Wesminster. ‘The Rev. John Jasper, of astronomic fame, ‘has been dismissed by his colored society at Rich- - mond, which could not stand more than six months of his lucubrations, and now old Mrs. Jasper’s “'son do move” In search of a mew eall.” The Bishiop of Indiana bas been for about a year or more peculiary unfortunate. We learn that while bathing at Coney Island. daring Sep- tember, he broke it bone in one of his feet, and that he wilt be nnaole to move without crutebes for several weeks to come. Myron Phelps, Esy.. of Lewistown, IlL, be- queathed to national sucletics as fotlows: ‘To the American Sundav-School Union. 35.000; to the Americaz Bible Socicty. ¥5,00: to the American Tract Society, $3.000; to the Americas Missionary Association, $1,000; to_the Presby- terian Board of Fureign Missions, $2,000. Mr. Kimball, the *church-debt raiser,” has met with bis first decided defeat. He attempt- & recently to raise an 35.000 debt for the ap- tist Church of Swamoscott, Mass., and was fain to let the congreation 2o after midnizht, alter Baving obtained only $400 from it. At Charles- town, Mass., be bas since raised $31,00 for Trinity Metbodist Church. The Rev. T. R. Sampson has just safled for Athens, Greeve, as & wissionary uf the Southern Church. The Rev. H. Lawrence. late of Law- rence, bas removed-to Norwalk, O. Tue Walter-S. Puterson has changed from Romul N. Y., to Swan“Lake, Turuer County, D.'T. '] The Kev. W. K. Eddy, of-Scranton, Pa., Is soon to Sail 48 & [ISSIODAFY tQ SYFIS, 777 S e The following is taken from an English news- aper: *St. Johu's Enguigh Episcopal Chu ochee Road. ‘The Rev. Dr. Laue will delives Dis aunual fiower lecture on Sunday eveim next. Gentlemen will please wear a flower in their buttoohole. Ladies kow best where tu arrange them. Subject: * Lexsons frow Flow- ers.’ _ Carriages and cabs,at 8:15."7 . The Province says: “Wehad a pleasant call. recently from the Rev. Walter 1. Moore, late'cf Nava City, in Califurnia. He hopes tolind work in Hiinois,—that i3, in one of the three dioceses of our prostnce,—and we hope he may succecd. -We should be glad towork side by side with him, 204 that is sometbiog to say, fur we have known hiin from the egg, us it were.” The Reformed Church at Nyack, Rockland Coynty, N. Y., whose pulpit has been vazant for 5ix months past. has finallv secured the services of the Key. Williun A. McCorkle, I D., of the