Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, June 29, 1879, Page 9

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE SUNDAY. ‘JUNE 29: 1879—SIXTEEN PAGES ELIGIOUS. Another Critical Inquiry Into Christ’s Second Coming. - ‘An English Writer Maintains that It Occurred at the Sack of Jerusalem. . A Scientific Investigation of , the Claims of Modern Spiritism. * {rance, Involuntary Life, and :-Human Testimony Crit- « ically Examined. .- Third Paper on Scriptural Inspira- tion and Infallible Trans- : lations. Gonsral Notes — Personals — Sunday o Small Talk—Servie:s To-Day. “THE SECOND ADVENT. ‘pm Ir OCCUR AT THE DESTRUCTION OF JERU- ES SALEM. “(here bas recently appeared in London “A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doc trine of Our Lord’s Second Coming,” to a re- view of. Which the Spectator in a recent number devotes almost two pares. The question of the Second Adventt—one of the final issues of Revela- ion—it. pronounces as one worthy of the most carefol investigation on the part of theologians. : .The chfef positions of the work under review ? sdmit of being briefly set before the reader. The suthor: argues with great force thatour Lord declared thet His coming in Bis Kingdom would teke place during the lifetime of the generation which heard His words; and that this Parousia of ‘His was coincident with the destruction of Jerusa- Jem, in. A.: D,-70,—an event which brought the Oid-Testament Dispensation to a termination. Farther, that, according to the -testimony of-every writing in? the New Testament, the ‘entire “Apostolic .Church considered this Porousia'aS imminent, that they looked on it as the realization of all their hopes, and that their greati fear was lest they sLould bo excluded’ by death from a participation ‘In its blessings. Also, according to the author's views, the Parousia of the New Testament is a single, definite event, viz.:-the presence of our Lord ia His human personality; and that, to speak of it as a spiritual presence, or a coming in ‘the events of history, is to assign to it a meaning wholly “different from’ the one fiténded by the sacred writers. No less op- posed.is he to the idea, so widely adopted by commentators, that it admits of being viewed a8 realized-from time to time in a lower or parual sense in certain great catastrophes of aistory.: but that it will receive its complete reslizanon in @ personal coming “of Christ at the end of the present Dispensation. The au- taor has nowhere aid down hisown theory of inspiration, but one of a very decided’ character (which we think erroneous) colors the reason- ings of the entire work. In conformity with it, and we may say in consequence of it, he maintains: -that it is impossible that the Apostolic Church could have been mistaken in its: antjefpations .of the speedy coming of our }, aud of its realization within a short inter- ‘yal of all blessings which are spoken of in con- nection with it, and he lays down in very strong Jangnage that the contrary opinion is subversive, of the claims of the Apostles‘to ne.receivad..as authoritative teachers of the traths--of: Ohrie- tanity. This brings us to the sthrrling positions of the book. Assuming the truth of the above points, the author’ proceeds ‘to’ lay down that the second coming of Christ in His human per- ronslity is not a future, outa past event, and that it was‘coincident with the destruction of Jerusalem: that at that period of. time all the end saints were raised, and oJ} the living ones changed and caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and that the jadzment on the wicked actual- Ip took place: Further, as all the events which then occurred: constitute the great victory of Christ over His enemies, He ‘has already, in” conformity with. the . assertion of St, Paul, resigued his Messianie Kingdom (which he seems to consider to form a part of the Jewish Dispensation) to the Father; aud God has “become all in all,”"—of which, if, we understand bim rightly, the present state of the Church is the realization. The author is fully * aware that to these positions an objection may de adduced -which most people will pronounce conclnsive,—viz., that these most’ stupendous events have not left a single trace in the history of the past. To this he has 2 ready. answer,— that the Parousia,. the Resurrection, the. Judg- ment, etc., are events which have taken place in the invisible world. If he is asked on’ what grounds we van believe that such events as these can baye taken place, witbout one. single thing which bas occurred on the visible- sphere prov- ing that they have, his answer is,that ourLordund His Apostles have distinctly affirmed that they ‘Wpuld happen in connection with His Parousia, ‘that this,Parousia was to occur during the life- time of the existing generation, and that the'ex- act: fulfillment. of our. Lord’s predictions Tespecting the destruction of Jerusalem, and the divine jadgments which were to be poured out on the apostate Jewish nation—events which have indubitably taken place on the visible sphere of things—are a sufficient cuarantee of the fulfillment of the remainder: and conre- , Quensly, that these events, respecting’ which ; history is silent, have taken place in the **Un- ‘seen World.” Such is the author's theory. « “We anticipate that our readers will wonder ow We can speak in strong commendation of the Work which contains such incredible posi- tons. Nevertheless, our commendation ‘is ) Riven in all sincerity: we think many of its con- , :@lusions unanswerable, and that the whole Work, even where we dissent from its conclu- sions, is arzned with great logical power. We shall now, as far as our space will permit, Rotice afew of its most important positions. ‘We. consider that the author has aforded the Atrongest proof that, according to_ the oflirma- Uons.of the Synoptic Gospels, our Lord declared that s-Parotsia,—or manifestation of bis pres- ence,—would take place during the litetime of the existing generstion; and we concur with him tn the ‘opinion that the habitual rendering | f such expressions as “sunteea tou alonos,” ete. in our version, by the “end of the world,?” instead of, what they manifestly mean the “end of the age,” or dispensation, hasinvolved the whole subject in hopeless confusion. We are lous'to see whether those who are engaged in the revision of the New Testament will have the courage to make this necessary correction, for its absence will greatly ehake Our faith in the yalue- of the Revisers’ labors, We think - also-that he bas successfuly made out that ex- Dresmions such as “the last times,” “ the eud,?” and -other kindred ones, which 50 frequently occur in the. Now Testament were, tor the Most. part, .intended to refer ‘not to the end of the world, but to the last period of Whe Jewisb Dispensation. It will be impossible {or’as to put’ the reader in possession of the mass of evidence by which these positions are Supported. We must content ourselves with ving a few brief illustrations of the author's eof reasoning, Both Joba the Baptist and ea Lord commenced their respective munistries Ha the Drociamation that ‘the Kingdom of aven Was at hand.” Such a declaration must have been intended to conver a definite meaning to those to wiromn it was addressed. As all these Frtons Were eagerly expecting the speedy man- ‘station of the Kinedom of the Messiah, to them these words could baye conveyed only one Merning,—that’ this’ Messianic’ kingdom was , Boitiz'to be fuumediately set un. This {dea runs throughont the whole of the Synoptic Gospels, the cuntents of which may be briefly described 824 explanation of its nature, an enunciation of its laws, and 2 correction of the popular er- Tors which were entertained Tespecting it united 46 an account of those actions of ourLord which, the opinion of the writers, established bis im to be its King. ‘bie character he directly flsimed af the vermination of his ministry, aud doing s0 was the ground on which he was Gondemued by the authorisies of the Jewish na- he, whom, while in the act of condemning him, ¢ assured that, from that time” (ap! arti,*— Zot. jihereatter,”” as in our version), “ they ‘ould see him sitting at the rigbt hand of power, Sri coming in the clouds of heaven.’ ‘Nese Words vould bave been oaly understoud ¥ those that heard bim as affirming a Parousia some kind, which his adversaries would live fo Behold. | Su cumpletely does the idea of this cade Undertie the New Testament that ristisnity may be correctly described a3 the aion of a kingdom, rather then the in- e ‘stitution of a relfeion, or, to adopt the words of it. Mark, it is “the Gospel of the Kingdom.” Taking, therefore, the Gospels as a whole, we fully concur with the author that the only natu- tal meaning which tle ticarers of our Lord could Attach to his teaching, war that the Kinydom of Heaven was going to be sct up as a visible insti- tution within a short interval ot aime. Our space will uot allow us to adduce one or two strixing proofs of this ‘position. “All three Synoptics concurin affirming tliat six days be- fore. Christ’s Transfiguration, our Lord made the following solemn aflirmation: “ Verily Lsay unto you, there be some standing nere, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Sun of Man coming in His kingdom,” or, as St. Mark has it, “till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power.” This, and other, kindred declarations which are scattered throughout the Gospels, such as, “Verily, 1 say unto you, ye shall not bave ono over the cities of Israel un- til the Son of Man be -come,” the author truly argues, could only have conveyed to those to Whom they were addressed the idea that the Son. of Man would come in His king- dom during the Ufetime of some of those who .were then prescnt; and we thiak’ ‘that the last of them is a deliberate affirmation, that He would thus come before the greater part of those who heard Him. would ‘have passed away from this earthly scene. Several attempts have been made to get rid of the natural mean- ing of such lancuage by referring it to the Transfieuration which occurred six days after- wards. We have carefully weighed the reasons by which such an interpretation has been at- vempted to be supported, ‘and we confess that we tpink them wholly unsatisfactory. - [a it credible, weask, that our Lord introduced such an announeementas that sumeof the persons then’ present would be alive to -witness an event which was tu occur only six days after. by a solemn, “Verily, 1 say unto you"? But farther, in vo natural sense of the words did “the Sou of mancome iu his kingdom,” or did ‘the Kingdom of God come wich power” at the Transfiguration; fn fact, our, Lord afterwards repeatedly spoke of the coming of the kinsdom of God a8 an event yet future. The Transflz- uration was in reality. very transient event, and our Lord deliberately rejected Peter’s pro- | posal to make it a permanent one. We by no means wish to den¥ that it was intended to be a foreshadowing of Cbrist’s future glories; but, to our mind, it is clear thatin no event which occurred prior to His resurrection can it be truly said that the Kingdom uf God came with power. - This leads us to notice an omission of the author, which we: consider to have. greatly vitiated his reasonings, and to ba one of the causes which have led him to assume some of his most untenable positions. As we bave9al- ready intimated, the idea ofthe Kingdom of God forms the centre of the entire teachin of the Now Testament. "With it that of the Parousia is 60 closely corelated that the medning. which attaches to the latter depends on that which is assigned to the former. It follows, therefore, that it 1s a necessary condition of a ‘successful investigation of the doctrine of the Parousia that it should be preceded by a rigid acalysis of the meaning which the expression ‘the’ King- dom of Heaven” beara in the sacred. writings, ‘Yet this the author bas entirely omitted to do, except in a brief appendix (of only nine pages), in the middle of bis work, whick is chiefly. ov- cupied in considering it in connection with the theocracy. of the Old Testament. ‘-We are, there- fore, left.to gatber the meaning which he as- signs to this expression from his reasonings on pacticular portions of his subject, From these we are Jed to draw the conclusion that he al- most invariably connects its manifestation with the jocal presence of our Lord’s human personality. which, in bis view, constitutes the only Parousia, or presence of Christ’ after His earthly mintstry, which is known to the writers of the New Testament. Consequently, accord- ing to his view, “the Kingdom of Heaven” de- notes a state of things in the unseen world which has not yet been‘ manifested. on this visible sphere.“ From this view we strongly dissent. On the contrary, We maintain that the true con- ception of it fs the visible Church, from. its period arrives whfcb is spoken of by St. Paul, when it shall have realized its ideal in the com- plete subjugation of all things to Jesus Christ, after the acconplishment of which the Son is to resign the Messianie kingdom tothe Father. This great society has passed through several stages of development, and some are yet to come, one of: the most: important of the past being that ereat event, the complete destruc- tion of ‘the old ‘Theocracy, which effected the final .separation of Judaism-from Christianity. . These great crisis in its historical development, we maintain, in” opposition .to..the writer, are frequently designated in the New Testament, as corsings,or manifestations of thiskingdow,—tnat |. above referred: to being, pre-eminently so: But tie-coiicoption of the’ Kingaom of: Heaven is in- separgbly united with that ‘of--the person of its King;' aud. consequently, the mode of His “coming in His Kingaom” can only be deter- mined by the nature of itsmanifestation, We fally believe ust the Son of man came in His Kingdom at the destruction of Jerusalem, but notin His human personality; and that that event realized His assertion that His enemies suould sec Him sittiug at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven.” ic is evident that a Parousia or manifested pres- ence of.Christ is spoken of in the New Testa- ment Scriptures which dues involve the local presence of His human personality. As this isa point of great importance with relation .to the subject before us, we will refer to three ungues- tionable instances where such a- Yarousia is spoken of, According to St. Matthew's Gdspel, our Lord made the following promise to His disciples: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am { in the midst of them. The fulfillment of this promise certainly involvea 2 Parousia of Christ. Simi- Jar, also, is another, recorded by the same evan- gelist: “Lo, J am with you a!ways, even to the end of the world”?; or, a8 the author .justly cor- rects the rendering, age.” But even he must allow that the realization of these promises of His presence de not iavolye local. maui- haomen- personality. S80, also. in, the well- known promise recorded in St. John's Gospel: “Tf a man love me he will keep my sayings, and my Father will love him; and we wil! come to bim, and make our abode with him.” Here, again, it is simply inypossible that a Jocal Parousia can be the one intended, We consider, there- fore, that the author's neglect to ascertain the meaning of this exoression by instituting a care- fal inquiry into the meaning which “the king- dom of God” bears in.the New Testament is one of the fundamental errors of his work. “.: -MODERN SPIRITISM. A SCIENTIFIC XXAMINATION OF 1T3 CLATNS -PBONOUNCES IT A DELUSION. - Inarecent number of the North American Review, Dr. George ' M. Beard subjects modern spiritism to a searching, scientific examination, and, as the result of his investigation, pronounces itadelusion. The paper is a long one; the ful- lowing condensation will be found interesting: Modern spiritism is an attempt to apply the inductive method to religion; to make faith scientific; ,, to confirm the longings of theheart by the evidence of the senses. In thus submit- ting spiritism to the inductive method, its friends forgot that to prove'a religion would be to kill it,—to transfer it from the emotions, where it’ pelongs, to the intellect, where it ean. find ‘no home. A religion proved dies as a religion and becomes a scientific fact, and would take its place side’ by side with as- tronomy and chemistry, with physics and geolo- gy, in the- oreanized knowledge of men.’ Spire itists would, therefore, have been wiser if they had followed the example of one of the very greatest of experimental philosophers, the late Prof. Faraday, of whom it was said that when he “entered bis !aboratory he shui the door of his oratory.” The security of religious beliefs consists in their keening out of range. - Religion, indeed, is between two fires; absolutely proved or absolutely disproved, it is destroyed; dis- proved, it becomes a delusion, a negative fact of science; proved, & positive fact, in both’ canes recognized by the intellect and appealing to it; like the horizon, it recedes as we go toward it; even the attempt to submit it to scientific study causes it to disappear. © No religion on the globe is strong enongh to bear the shock of its own demonstration. i Modern spiritism fs s tripod, its three sup- ports being trance, the; involuntary life, and human testimony. Ten years-.ago trance was a realm as dark, and mysterious, and unexplained as chemistry in the sixteenth century; the re- cent demonstration of the fact that it is a sub- jective, not, as the world had unfalteringly as- sumed, an objective, state, is, in, its.own sphere and in its relation to our knowledge of the brain, arevolution as radical as the displacement of the Hipparchian by the Copernican. theories of the universe, Ii trance, the involuntary life, and human testimony were understood-univer- sally as they are now beginning to be understood by students of thé nervous system, there would not, could not. be a spiritist on our planet: for all-woul@know that: spirizs only dwell in the cerebral cells,—that sot our houses but our brains are..baunted. It is a very irequently oceurrn functional disease of the nervous .system, in Which the cerebral activity is concebtrated iv sowe limited region of the brain, the activity of bey of the brain being. for the time sus- pended. ees. in trauce man becomes au automaton; the foundation onthe day of Pentecost until that: festations of the:presence of Christin His coordinated action of the faculties that is called the will is displaced bya series of men- tal aud muscular movements as purely auto- matic as the beating of the heart or the opeu- ing of a flower. In this state objective or sub- jective becomes confoanded; there is, indeed, Ho true objective life; the brain absolutely creating objects, ‘persons, experiences, or mu- tilacing or transforming all impressions made upon it, according to what is repeated, or dé- sired, or apprebended,—the eve seoing ‘what it joule for, the ear hearing what it wishes or Of all the maladies that distress mankind Done are so speedily or poweriuily contagious as trance; in an instant, or In a time too short to be,measured, it may spread, like flames in a dry forest, rom oné to another through a wide assemblage, until all shall slmultaneously se uud hear, and feel, and experience alike: fad viduality is awatiowed up ina common ecstasy; @ thousind brains, or tens of thousauds, become aa a single brain; and to none is the evidence of the senses of any worth, The involuntary life which includes all those ohenomena of mind or body in their reciprocal relations that are independent of con- sciousness, or of will, or both, and which is seen in its extremist development in the full trance, 1s among the people uuderstood but incom- pletely; “is in’ trath least: understood in its minor and ceaselessly operating phases. In his calmest, healthiest ‘moments man is a bundle Of reflex actions; what is done by the will, pur- posively, solantarity. being a fraction too smalt for measurement of his whole activity; in the brala, thouguts come und go of reir will more than ours; the mind is never wholly idle, and never fully under control; in-respouse to ex- terual or internal suggestion we are always cere- brating, und corresponding to our thoughts are muscelar contractious and relaxations; when we thing, we move. . Weare not always: or usually conscious of our thoughts or of the bodily Movements correlated to them; and oftentimes only by. oxen investigation can the latter be detected, the individual himself being of all persons thé Jeast able to aualyze the activity of his own functions. (aie . Our present knowledge of trance and of ‘the ivolantary life unlocks na!f of the secrets of the world’s delusions; to spiritism its relations are numerous, and for specialists in this branch of .cerebro-physiology aud pathology who are alo practically skilled in one of, the most diftl- cult of the arts—experimenting with hving hu- man’ beings—clearly demonstrable. Herein physiology finds in large part the'sclentific basis Of those occult and absorbingly-interesting: Dhe~ uomena thar, before as well as since the birth of modern: spiritism, have been at once the wouder, the terror, and the joy of mankind It is this which causes the table to move beneath the hands of the expectant circles, performs the writing and varied emotious of planchette, and makes the bell suspeyded from the hand strike the numbers of any known: age or the hour of the day against the side of the jar by which it is environed; it is tbis that turds the divining- rod, be it witch, hazel, or apy - flexible thing whatsvever, and so deludes the opera- tor into the conviction that he has found a vein of silver, or of gold, or of running water; itis this that makes thought-reading a possibility, the operator so detecting the unconscious bodily tension andrelaxation of the subject operated on.as to trace the direction through long aud in- tricate courses where his thoughts are conceo- trated, aud to find, with precision, minute ob- jects und limitea jocalities, thus reading the mind through the body,—mind-reading really be- inga misnomer for muscle-reading; it is this that-uofoids the marvels and ali the genuine de- velopments of trance-orators and preschers, bringing their unwonted . eloquence, their va- garies, and their caprices under the dominion of natural law; it is thls, finally, that mates it eusy, if not inevitable, that enraotured and en- tranced inquiries after tidings from departed loved ones should see their faces and hear their voices, in dreams, in the darkness of night, or in the dim light of organized seances. The remaining support of spiritism,-human testimony, like trance und the involuntary lite, has hitherto been a mass of empiricism,—a chaos, dark, formless, boundless, inaccessible to science, the hiding-place of all the follles of mankind; to organize und reduce it to a science is the mission of neurology of the present and future. Of the various causes that have combined to overthrow spiritism, the exhaustive explanation of its phenomena through modern neurolozy is, without denial, the least important. No delu- ‘sion of history, not even astrology, has ‘been more completely elucidated by science than has spiritism: of noone of its fucts or’ phenomena can it now be admitted that it is even -myateri- ous; but. for. those condemned to the belief science comes too late to bring redemption, but is rather like the reprieve that reaches the juno- cent man just alter his execution,—science ap~ pealing to the reason, and spiritism mainly to the emotions,—they.do not meet face to face, but pass each other, and. both advance fa their re- spective ways. A new science, indeed, like that branch of the nervous systeni’ that relates to the trance, the involuntary life,/and“that complex product ot the braiu that’ we’ call “human testimony, does not reach the consciousness as science, but rather is degraded iuto some afd or appanage to the delusion that tt finds there, as in the tele~ phone the waves of electricity are transformed into waves of air and reach the brain as sound. For the average: man, indeed, new sctences may graze the brain, but do not enter and leave the subject where they found him, witb Ins feet fastin the stocks of his own fgnorance. Knowledge is: power; but in a limited time, near at hand, ‘at short range, ignorance is a far greater power. Although through the long ‘ages ‘science may conquer, yet to-day super- stitions, delusions, uutrath must ve supreme, On young, loyal, trutn-seekine minds, baifled by the former mysteries of spiritism, but open to ideas, the influence of the scieutitic explanation of those mysteries is doubtless great and yearly increasing, and already is tnaking it bard to find Tecraits. Tes ms Ridicule, meeting soiritism on its own plans,— the emotions,—hag been much more. effective, temporarily, than science; hence the porer of repeated exposures is.no disproof of the ab-- stract claim of spiritiam. Similarly the charges of unpatriotism, unpracticality, and of immo- rality, “continually burled— against apiritism, through the-mediumship of the popular’ emo- tions,.have mach aided its swift decline, al- though they leave the logical arguments on’ the side cf. the deluston as stroug as ever. But the one cause of the decline of spiritism is general more than special,—the evolution in modern society of. the” scientific. spirit, which, although not a special faculty, but a mode.of operation of the: faculties, ts-yet al- most equivalent practically to the develop- ment of a ucw sense in man. This spirit that enables its possessor to scek for truth through the intellect alone, without the interference of the emotions, though born in ancient Greece, has yet been so retarded in its growth that only until the last quarter of a century cao it be said to nave attained maturity in any vonsidera- bie number of minds. ‘he scientiflz sense ena- bles one to utterly divorce the intellect and the feclings, 80 thet each may pursue its own course, as on entering a depot the engine is switched off from the train. It is this sense that reverses the usual operation of the faculties, and makes the taought the father to the wish. It is this sense, in. a word, that marks the high maturity of the mind, and which, indeed, if a man bave not, be cannot enter into the kingdom of sci- ence. It ié the development of this new sense, the bighest of which the bumean intellect is ca- pable, more than any- special discoveries or in- ventions, that is now overturning all the philoso- oby of the world. In Bulwer’s bright romance of “The Coming-Race,” we are told that the rods loaded with Vril, when pointed at frightful monsters cause them to crumble co ashes. ‘The ‘Vril of the present day is this scientific sense, at the very presence of which all forms of delusion begin to wither. SCRIPTURAL INSPIRATION. GOD THE GOD OF THE LIVING PRESENT, NOT THE DEAD Past. ae To the Editor of The Tribune. Mritwaurez, June 27.—The inspiration of Scripture—as defined by Methodism in par- ticular and accepted by Orthodoxy in general— having been considered in two previous articles, the suoject, although far from being exhausted, is brougnt to aconclusion within the limits of the present paper. As an antidcte to the shal- low theory and puerile hypothesis under consid- eration the potent words of Dr. Theodore Christ- lieb, a distinguished German scholar and divine, are pertinently prescribed. Speaking before the last meeting of the Evangelical Alliance, he says: Azove all do not let us place unnecessary difi- culties in the way and furnish onr adversaries with dangerous weapons by an exaggerated tueory of fnspiration,. whicn, in its ‘equal application to all the books’ of our present canon. can be justitied neither by Scripture nor by historical evicence. ‘The very limits of our present canon are not an orainsnee of Divine rent, inagguch a8 no propnet ever declared tae hist of Old Testament sritiozs closed 1 the name of God, and no Apostle super- intended: the collection of the New ‘Testament books. E ‘These eloquent and inspiring utterances come from a man iit whose feet Methodist ministers, Presbyterian preacners, and picus prelates of all denominations who stand for an infal- lible book might well sit, and learn a rational as well as Scriptural theors of inspiration. ‘There are many considerations besides those alreaay urged twat militate against the theory of verbal‘ inspiration. Among them may be enumerated. ue mutability of language, the se.bility of forgeries, the probavility of interpulat.ons io transcribing the unayoiuable mistakes and errors and documenta, omissions that must attend the processes of: printing and reprinting, “translating and retranslating the Scriptures, the lability of important and necessary documents being lost before the Bible canon was formed; und last, but tot Jeast, the absence Of the indispensable elemeut of nmversality. The lack of this ele- ment alone, apart from all other considerations, wauld constitute suel a revelation 2 most -dis- astrous failure, and besides would fasten a most terrible impeachment upon the churacter of its author, Think of bow small a fraction of the buman race have any knowiedge of-the Hebrew or Christian Revelation; think also of the Orthodox assumption that these Scriptures contain the only “Word of God" vouchsafed to mortal man; consider the logical seqnence of this as- sumption;—ihat the Inftoite Father. has disin- herited-by far. the greater portion of His off- spring, und left them ia lofely orphanage uyon. the surging sea of life, to be tossed by angry breakers upon the bleak and barren rocks of doubt and darkness, fear and fate which skirt ihe distant shore, without @ compass or a chart to guide the sroping nations on their way, or lead them from the dark, disastrous night into the golden glory of 1 grander day. ‘And yet this is the paiufal spectacle protraded upon bhuman consciousness ia the assumption that the Bible is the only “Word ‘of God.” It ‘is said, however, that the foregoing ‘objections do ‘not affect the question of the original plenary inspiration of the Scriptures, but are only ar- guments against its availability and usefulness. Well, let it be so, for‘tlis is just where the obilosophic force of the “argument plies with prodigious effect upon: the main question at issue. All the objections to the theory of ver- bal inspiration arc fully sustained; for it is a fact that language has changed, Gospels and Eptstles bave ‘been forged and corrupted. interpolations <have been’ inserted by pious buc not overscrupnlous copyists und compilers, errors have been made in. translation, vuco: sciously,—resulting from: fgnoran¢e, and con- sciously—in the interests of dozma, and fastly, but a sniall portion of the human race are aware of such’ a revelation. In the text-book under review there is no attempt’ to unawer this im- peachment of the .practicabllity of plenary in- Spiration based upon the’ foresoing’ array of racts. Thisimportant phase of the subject is not approached, and consequently its vita) bearing upon the question is not. brought to an issue. , And this constitutes the weakness and the ruin of the author’sargument.: The failure to notice these objections is an adaiission of their validity aud amounts to a virtual ‘‘surrende: of the fort.” ‘The potency of these objections being admitted, it follows, as ‘the night the day, that the defenders of the little “fastness” of an infallible book areimpaled upon the horns 6f another-dilemma. Conceding to them the fact (which we do not except for sake'of the argu- ment) that the, Scriptures were orizinally plenarily inspired, they niust either admit that such inspiration, confined as it is within the uarrow limits of a book—for the most part un- kngwn to the world—is .o very partial, unjust, and unuvallable affuir, unworthy of a God; or they must abandon thelr puerile position to save the character of their Deity from the de- grading imputation. yi ‘fhe obvious injustice and unwisdom of such a Revelation (for the few) is an all-ufficient answer to those who foolishly affirm: it. ‘The Maker of the universe und the Father of all men could neyer baye dropped: into Israel's little camp as infallible record of Bis will, and left it in the precarious keepiue of unlettered men, subject to the vicissitudes of time. the mutations of human -thought and- earthly fortune, all of which’ are stamped indelibly upon the Bible of to-day.‘ There “are no original MSS. of the Bible in existence. All we have are copies of copies, ‘with no assurance that e;en these are free from the errors of ignorance and the foterpolations of designing dogmatists. Among the oiapy MSS; found there have been discevered tens of thousands of various readings, some of which most mightily affect disputed points of dogma. {f the de fenders of plenary inspiration expect their theory to gain a:place in rational thought, they must first’ decide bevond dispute which copy is the correct one. ‘hey must also demonstrate beyond a doubt that this particular sealing of the record is the one originally given by God, and that under His divine guardiauship it- has been copied by fallible beings und yet -preserved its infallibility, passed-tbrough clouds of igno- rance and yet escaped error, been: formulated into a canon by unlettereé men without omission, nud translated: by ordinary mortals without mistake. Having reached the conclusion that the theory of infallible inspiration’ ig aot defensible on grounds of reason, or demonstrable on grounds of Scripture, it may be well to set forth what is conceived to be the true theory of Bible inspira- tion,—one., that is in harmony with. reason aud the récord, in consanance with. the facts of his-. tory and the requiremenwtof-sound logic.” We find in a study of the Seriotures—especially the- New Testament—indications: of an: elevated in- spiration or insight into spiritual things not common to mortals under ordinary cireum- stauces. This iusigut was a revelation of Divine truth’within the souls of living mon in a pecal- far age. They possessed an inward yision, an iutuition of religious truth on higher planes of thought. than svared tbe common herd. The inspiration snared by. the Apostles was the gcn- eral inspiration of all deyout souls; they were inspired in a‘ marked deuree, for they were marked men, living in aremarkable age, und were thoroughly consecrated’ to their work. ‘They were not inspired to write, but to preach and to teach. te truths of. the new religion. Nor were they infalliblyiiuminated, for they “spake after the manner-of men,” and ‘saw as through aglass darklv,” having the ‘treasure in earthen veseels.” But. thé inspiration was * profitable,” ana this waa enough. ‘The writers ot Scripture were not manipulated from with- out at their finzers’ ends, nut were spiritually quickened and iMumined from within at the seat ot being, whence issued their faminy words and their prophetic tire destined.to create auew and quicken into life the inate energies of men. it 18 only wheo men.loge. contidence in human nature that they Gevice the theory of mechanical inspiration. The only basis ‘the theory has is : the wail of the,misanthrope, who supposes that virtue, justice, and love are. not native to the human soul, but have to-be supernaturally’ in- jected from without by the force-pump of an “ infallible revelation ” before man can have a saving knowledge of relitiousduty and Divine truth. A correct diaznosis of the mental mal- ady of the apostles of plenary tuspiration re- yeals the fact that their theory, instead of being founded on reason or grounded on Scriptare, is simply the necessary outgrowth of their belief in the tunate depravity aud spiritual impotence of the race. ‘hey imagine that man is mean at heart, st enmity. with goodness und with --God,. ‘and . that continually.” And so they say: “How is the conscience of a wicked race to. be bound by a chain ove link of which is weak!” Thus we see that the loom tn witch is woven the whole web and woot of their argament is the puerile and pes- simistic belief in the total depravity and fnuate: spiritual inanimity of the human heart. - But man {s not s moral wreck of what he formerly. was; he started at the lowest point of izno- rance, commenced with'the incapacity of inex- perience, and has grandly grown from less to more, until to-day he stands upon. the loftiest bight his feet have ever trod, andin bis up- ard look he grasps as ne’er before the mizhty fnouche of God. Inspiration is nota relic of the receding past; the Bible is not 2 closed book; revelation did uot.perish from the earth with the expiring breath of John, notwitnstand- ing the closing curse he pronounces upon ail who would add to or abate from his utterances. God is God of the liviug:present, and not of the dead past, and is still revealing His- will: and waystomen. The revelation uf the Spirit is Not in noiay babblings and guttural tones ‘As some opine the hoarypast hath known; . | Bat in the still small yoise of tender love, . Ingentle rays descending from above, Every cbild of God may bave inward reveal- ings of Divine light aud: love (according to his capacities) that sbull be.to him an inspiration as true ag ever tonched the heart of. .propiet, priest, or King. No revelation of the past cgn 1il1 the measure of man’s present need und sat- isfy the longmg of a human soni fora more di: rect and personal. communion with: its Maker. Anspiration-is not a circumstance of the past, butis the property of ‘sall the ages and all the peoples that dwell beneath the stars. Itisa permanent potency within the souls of men, as natural as the blowing: clover, as refreshing as the falling rain. ‘fhe souls of men to-day have Jarger capacities, intenser longings, and mote urgent needs than the. souls of tbose who have gonecbefore. And sball not our Father in Heaven respond to man’s present needs with-a greuter amplitude of love than the past in all its waoing glory has ever known? Such is the devout belief of the writer in the immanence of the Sacred Spirit, sucb_the se- Tene repose and filial trast’ in a Heavenly Father's infinite and eternal love. . “. C. N. Errixger. THE PULPIT. WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT OUGHT TO BE. 5 To the Editor of The Tribune. ‘Crrcaco,; June 25.—WWhat this age wants from’ the pulpit is not doubt,sbut faitn in God: - ‘ Humanity, forever restless and hungering for truth, are ever asking for the sincere milk of the Word; and the pulpit, failing to dispense it, is an utter failure... ‘ See ‘the ambition of too many pulpits is to glorify, self, for how,often oné hears ‘“ What a wonder- ful preacher!”’ instead: of “ What a mixhty Christ!” . Whenever a preacher becomes 40 lib- eral as to become a chronic doubter, then Skepticism rushes to the’ rescue, crowns bim Brains, and Jaments theoccupation of bis mighty intellect upon so barren a theme as the In- finite. Idol-worship is a crime before God, whether it be a wooden one in India or a flesh and biood one in America. Very many pulpits under the infatuation for applause are vieing with Ingersoll in the realm ofdoubt for supremacy. ‘The pulpit nas be- come so mercenary that her mouth opens and shuts agreeable to circumstances. What pulpit dare speak about the demoraliz- ing effects of secret societies, whose official members belong to some lodge? eos. How many will ‘not lisp'one word in favor of temrerance, because a good-paying brother rents bis basement to'a sdloo-man? Auother never. mentions the crime of prosti- tution because the official. who. passes the plate: Upon the Lord’s Day would be obliged to can- cel bis lease on Sherman street. Another grows never so cloquent upon very many sins, but remaias mysteriously silent 25 to the immoralitivs of the race-course; for the model Deacon will go “where gentlemen do most congregate? atall hazards. In the baleyoa days of American slavery, pulpits so pundered to the'sentiments oftheir pro-slavery hearers that never a word was heard in condemuation of the terrible crime.” ‘The loophole through which Goa Jet the Wesle\'s in upon the Established Church was the devotion of ter clergy to the chase during the intervals between Sundays. ‘The dving purishioner catled in Wesleys und Whitfield to supply the established man’s ab- sence. Let'the American pulpit become so en- amoured. with .pet: sins and sinners as to keep silent, and her candlestick will be removed. ‘The pulpit is mouro:ng Sabbath desecration; * let her take warning Jest ner prayers be an- swered; not’ by blotting out Sunday picoics, but by turning her taithleas pulpits isto babite- tions for bats and owls, While the pulpit is on her annual pilgrimage to the stirines of fashion and shoddy, bis Satau- ic Majesty’may become go firmly intrenched. Ubat uoun return from: vacation the pulpit, like onc of old, may find his occupation goue. Taco. GENERAL NOTES. A Iyear-old girl plays the cornet in the South Church, Pittsfield, Mass. The Minnetonka Sabbath-School Assembly begins Aug. 6, aud lasts fifteen days, Pre para- tons for’ an immense attendance have been made, eM Pentecost’s sermons on “ Worldly Amuse ments "’ in Minneapolis created a great stir, and was productiye of much newspaper correspond- tenes defending dancing and theatres. ‘Tennessee fifty years azo had a population of 420,000, und no Protestant Episcopal clerzyman was within her borders..-Now the population is 1,250,000,. and the number of. clergymen about forty. : Ina letter from India Gen, Grant mentions that there is a universal testimony to the good effected by missionaries in that lund. “The resi- dent English, he says, speak in’ the highest terms of their work. A merchant io Natal, South Africa, has re- cently given $100,000 to the Wesleyan Missiona- ry Society, of Lordon. This is from a manon the ground, who ought to know whether or not foreign misslonary work is worth doing. Aretura as to thé relitious persuasions of the non-commissioned officers und men of the British army shows that, of a total of 94,833 men, 62,860 belong to the Church” af England, 20,872 are Roman Catholics, 7,125 Presbyieriana, gud $985 are Protescants of other denomina- ions. ‘the Moderator. of the Free Church of Scot- land (Presbyterian) denles that the Church is gettiuig liberal. She has not changed or re- loxed, he asserts, one iota of what her “Confes- sion” savs shout the Scripture as the Word of God. ‘Deuteronomy, so fer as she is con- cerned, is safe.” A > ‘The misappropriation of funds-by the Treas- urer of the Home Missionary Sovietv, according to the official report of the Massachusetts Con- gregationa) Association. amuunts to $536,000, and includes all of the Society's investinents.| He destroyed his correspondeace und books, 20 that his operations could not be fully traced. “The London Missionary Society,” Congre- gationalist, was “founded in 1793,” as its pro- gramme says, ind must therefore be the oldest in existence.” It tas missionaries in every part of the world; on every: continent, and in “the ' South Sea Islands. {ts younvest=‘inission, -ex- itt isin cept that just opened in Central Aj New Guinea. The London Dat’y Chronic port on the Jewish Mission a sembly of the Free Church at Edinburg showed that the cost of converting five Jews had been $5,521 a head; while from the corresponding re- 39) ays that ‘the re- inter port in..the Established Assembly it appesred - that some $25,000 had been spent in proaucing one “anxious inquirer.” . ae Dr. Morgan Dix, of Trinity Church; New York, in bis * Manual: of the Christidn’ Life,” warns churchmen not to attend the places‘ of -worshio of other devominations or sects.-." Go not at all,” he says, “either to hear preaching out of curiosity nor to oblige friends. ‘Keep to the Caurch alone. You have naught to do with those without the Church but to’pray for them ana treat them with kindness.” ~~ # The worldly-minded editor of the Advance must have taken a vacation, for the last number of the -paper does not contain any ot -the “objectionable personals” of which it. bas Tately hadso much to say; or, is there a better day dawoing,—the day when the religious press ‘will keep Clear. of snide jewelry, wretched chromos, frandulent business advertisemenst, und sophomorical indorsements of patent medi- cines and quack doctors? : “The Ragged-Schoo! Onion, of London, ex- pends about $130,000 a-vear in endeavoring to elevate the lowest and ‘poorest classes. It has 30.500 children in Sundav-schools, 5,489 in day- schools, and 9,267 in nignt schools. It main- taius seventy-five ragged. churches, manages eignty-two lending-loraries, und’ seventy-five penn:-banks, besides superintending mothers?’ meetings, men’s ‘clubs, Bands of Hope, and‘a Varivty of children’s meetings. ‘The Rituslistic troables in Sonth Africa abate nothing of their seriousness. Bishop Merriman entered the Cathedral at Grahamstown several weeks ago with the intention to preach the ser- mon, but when the prayers were closed the Dean without loss of time began to read the text him- ‘self. The Bishoo was then heard to say aloud -from the. chancel, ‘ Before:God and this con- gregation I protest that Iain interrupted in my” ministrations in this place.” After saving this he walked deliberately from the chancel down a side aisle and passed out of the Cathedral, ; The. Jewish Occident of this city, in a. recent Dumber, savs: | é Judaism in this connfav-to a large extent isa sham and a pretense,.or, to come nearer to the trnth, there exirts but a mere shadow of the former giant, such as hay been photographed on this Con- tinent from old Europe, viving outlines and fea- tures, but Iosing the soul and expression of.the godly-imaged original. Our’ people here are mer- chants, Gera, professionals, and money-makers. For aopearance sake they keep a sort of religion; ° and dub, it Judaism. Jt consists either of some glittering phrases of free-thinkers and modifled atheists or a lot of. useless, meaningless. thouzht- Ives cremoninl, and between these—a three days’ annual worshi; gain with the Lord. - The Desbv- Congregational Church, Montreal. Canada, an offshoot from the Weslevan Metho- dist, {s nearly completed, and will be opened for worship on the 29th inst: by Dr. Thomas (Meth- odist), of Chicago. The Rev. James Roy, M. A., who two years azo was excommunicated from the Methodist communion for expressing ovin- ions at variance with the standards of that body, has since preached in the Academy of Music to many who were once, Methodists with him und bave since become the :Desby Conure- gationalists. ‘They bave built him a church with a seating capacity for 800. , ‘The memberanip is already about 150, und the Sunday-schooi num- bers about 200 scholars., {t is probable that they, will enter their new church, wnicn cost $35,000, free of, debt.—New York Hera‘d, : Is'Dr. Prime, of the New York Observer, a Jesuit in disguise? » That is the latest und most interesting question’ under discussion by our Presbyterian fricads. ‘When the*General As- sembly bad worked itself, the other day, into a bigh fever of excitement’ over the validity of Roman Catholic baptism, the Doctor very naively bad the question laid over for a day and then bronght in a resolution of bis own which: de- eared that the Roman Catholic forms “a large. art of the Church,” und. if so, of ‘course’ its Baptism is valid. But Prof. Patton wanted the Assembly to say: differeotly, and he- made a powerfal speech on that side. But Dr: Prime’s paper -was adopted, ‘and now it is suspected that he belfeves there is a Iarger part of Christ’s Choreh in the Catholic than in the Presby- terian fold.—New' York: Hera‘a‘ “The recent Vermont Congregational Conven- tion adopted the Toltowing platform, indicating acreed, by an overwhelming majority: Pbsoived, That tae General Convention of Min- isters and Churches of Vermont, while recognizing the entire abgence of. authority in'the Convention over the churcaes, onderstands that to be pustor ofa Congregational church indicates and requires the acceptance of the Word of God—which 1s our only rule of falth—aa teaching the doctrines com- monly called. evangeheal, held im our caurches rom the early timey, and suflic:ently set forth by 0 the As-- and plety—making trade and bar-. former ‘General Councils,’ notbly by the Corincils of Koston and Oberlin; and that the repudiation of any substantial part of these: doctrines (held in common by all evangelical churches) is considered by us as inconsistent with continued claim to de- nonvinational fellowship with our ministers and ‘churches, . : What is likely to be one of the most complete and interesting. arguments in controversion of. the teachings of Col.. Ingersoll through. his skeptic lectures which has yet been delivered in Chicago will be.given by the Kev. Samuel Ives Curtiss, New. England Professor of Biblical Literatare in the Chicago Theological Seminary, Suoday morning and evening, at the Union Park Congregational Charch. Prof. Curtiss’ training in theology, his emfnent scholarship, and his Power to voice his thouchts, altke fit him for this somewhat difficult task of refuting the peta” of the .sharp-tongued orator of eoria. ? Arecent number of the New York Tablet ays: Should a dying sinner appear before his God withont the usual unctaons but verbose appeals to his faith in the merita of Christ and -to Christ in his behalf, ee it matters not in the estimation of the grest majority of Protestants, The whole appliance for remediai purposes at the bedalde of the dying, orin the earof the healthy sinner, consfats in talk; and, as itfis a cheap article, eo it is practically- deemed of little worth or conse- quence. - ‘The writer must have assisted at two or three hangings, where memoers of his own church | officiated in the principal role, else he could have known nothing of the “unctuous but verbuse appeals”? of which he complains. ‘fhe para- graph is in shocking bad taste. . is ‘THE LUTHERAN SYNOD. At the meeting of the Swedish Lutheran Au- gustana Synod, Friday, the proposed new con- stitution was presented and adopted, as was also a uew catechism, The Centra! Committee on Missions reported that the work had been carried on in al! sections of the country. :The ‘Treasurer reported a de- ficit of $600; and it was resolved to take up two collections during the year for the benellt of the Mission Fund. = Editor Evander, who had been commissioned to Sweden, reported that he had been successful in securing for the students of. the Augustuna Colleges who-had taken the degree of A- B. the payllees of prosecuting their studies at the niversities of Sweden without passing the ex- amination of maturity. ‘The thanks of the Con- vention were voted to the King of Sweden and Editor Evander. A letter from ‘the Rev. A. B. Carlson, mis- stonary to the Telugees in India, was read, and ordered printed. dt was resolved to remove the remains of the late Prof, A.J. indttton from Florida to the urial-grodied of the Augustana Coliege, at Roel fajand, ee pee, ‘The salary of the President of the Synod was fixed at $1,000; that of the Secretary at $25. After resolving to hold the next meeting of the Synod in Des Moines, Ia., in Jane, 1880, and passing the customary resolations of thanks to pastors and congregations for entertainment, to the railroads for courtesies, and the press, the meeting adjouroed. The theme for discussion ac the next will be; Resolved, That,-if the Bible be excluded from the public schools, this body will nut have anything to Go with eaid schools, but will tram its children en- tirely in parochial scnools, SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. ‘The fifty-fifth annual report of the American Sunday-School Union has come to band, and gives an interesting extibit of the operations of the Society for the fiscal year ending Nov. 1, 1879.:' ‘The cash receipts from all sources were $91,187.19, aud the expenditures $73,107.30, Teaving a balance (appropriated, however) of $17,699.89. . The following tabulated statement, compiled from the records of the Association, shows at a glance the extent of its labor during ihe past year: ‘ é Schuols organized....... ‘Teachers. 4,915 39,769 2,718 16, 622 152, 962 232, 622 Addresses delivere: + 5.52) Bibles distributed + 2,137 ‘Teataments di . 6,618 Famines visited... + 14,140 proud. It shows conclusively that united effort accomplishes more than can be achieved under the most favorable circumstances by denom{na- tional endeavor. .PERSONALS. ‘The younger Dr. Tyng, of New York, has been seriously ill for some weeks. ‘The Rev. R. T. Hall, of Pittsford, Vt, bas ac- cepted a call to Mt. Vernon, O. -‘The Rey. Dr. Jessup has beena missionary Syria for over twenty-three years. © > The death of the Rey. Edwin. Seabury,.cf Walpole, N. H., is announced. Aged 68, Mr. B. H. Cushman. who lately died at Farm- ington, Me., lett $1,000 to the Bangor Theologicat Seminary. pee : The Rev. F. F. £merson was recently installed pastor of the Congregational church -at Am- herst, Mass. The Rey. E. A, Adams, missionary of the American, Board, hag returned to,his field of Jabor at Prague. Chaplain McCabe is in the city for a few days, and will occupy the pulpit of St. Paul’s Reform- ed Episcopal.Church this morning. The Rev. H. P. Lamprev, formerly a Free Bap- tist, bas become. a Congregationalist, and _ac- cepted a cail to West Stewartstown, N. H. “i The Rev. J. N. Waddell, D. D., LL. D., bas been clected Chancellor of the Southwestern Presbyterian University at Clarksville, Teno. ‘There is a mortgage ou the organ of ‘he Brooklyn Tabernacle for $2,500, and there’ are some wicked enough to say that the moncy was used in paying Talmage’s trip to Europe. Several of the English. relicious papers are engaged in puffing Talmace in a manner that would dv credit to the adjective burling bill- writer of the “only greatest show” on earth, ‘The health of Prof. Jobo L. Tarlor, D. D., is co seriously impaired that he is likely to resien his vosition in Andover Theological Seminary, and in that case it is believed the devartment with which be is connected will be abolished. ‘The Rey. Francis Lobuell, Rector of St. Panis Chureh, New Haven, Conn.. has received a call from St. Andrew’s Church, Hurlem, N. Y., which it is thought likely he will accept. Mr. Lobdell has occupied bis present pastorate for ten years. 4 .'The Presbyterian Committee of Missions for Freedmen, with headquarters at Pittsbure, pub- lish a circularwarning the public not to contrib- ute any innds to one Rev. J. D. Robertson, the Principal of the Blulton Tostitute, on account of his “ unworthiness.” Stephen Greenlief, of Norway. Me., since 1866, has read the Bible through thirty-nive times. He read it through once in eighteen aays, and says that cach time it becomes more interesting tohim. Mr. Greenlief used “to bean infidel, but is now a Methodist. . The Rev. Georee 8. Umbleby, a graduate of Mount Union Coilege and of Boston Theological Seminary, bas been appointed by Bishop Merrill missionary to Mexico. He isto sail for that country immediately after the hot season, and to be stationed at Orizata. : ‘The friends of the Rev. H. M. Paynter, whose departure for Eurove was noticed in_ these col- umns a few weeks since, will’ be glad to bear that he’ arrived safely, and bas already com- menced bis evangelistic labors in Birkenhead Church. Liverpool. Leaving theze he will visit Glasgow and other places. The Rey. A..B. Ross, of Port Huron, has been sued “for libel by the Rev. W. H. Utely, of Pontiat, for telegraphing to the churzh at‘Stan- ton, which was just to give a cailto Mr. Utely, that the Eastern Association. was about to in- vestigate grave charves against him, and saz- gesting the wisdom of the church at Stanton de- Javing action, The position of the Rey. C. H. Toy, D. D., as Professor in the Southern Baptist ‘Theological Seminary, at Louisville, was made unpleasant tor, bim by unfavorable criticisms concerning certain views which he was said to hold concern- ing the inspiration of the: Scriptures. -He'has resigned, anu his place fs filled by the Rev. Basil Manly, D. D. eee Evangelist Moody.is enjoying a quiet sammer at Nurthiicld, Mass. He has not settled upon his next winter’s campaign, though he has re- ceived several pressmg invitations to visit larze cities, Referring to his stay in Baltimore, be says that be bas never visited a place where he had been treated so cordially, or which he and his family felt so much regret at leaving. . Pins IX. left two-thirds of his private prop- erty'to his’ relattves. Not content with receiv- ing the interest of the bequest, they desire to get posséssion of the capital, and an important. legal action is likely to grow out of the matter. ‘Puree Cardinals were made executors, aud the efforts ot Leo XII to mediate between the con- testants have. thus far come tocaught The Mastai family are, 1t seems, snort of funds, and have found a capitalist who will support thea in their suit against the Cardinais. At the same time it is reported that mauy articles of value belonging to tue late Pope have disappeured in “wick streets, :at 10:30 since his death, among them a bandsome snuif- bor set with jewels, which he used to keep on his writing-table. SABBATE SMALL-TALK, / A parishioner of a Berkshire pastor was asked’ what the color of the pastor’s eyes was. He didn’t really know, “for,” ne said, ‘when ho prays his eyes are shut, and when he preaches I generally shut mine.” A bright little miss of Naps, Cal., aoted for her quaint sayings, said to her mother the other ~ day:-“‘ Mamma, when, yon went to Heaven to get medid you pick out the prettiest paby on God’s floor?” Of course mamma said yes. Messrs. Scribner & Co. receatly received the * following bona fide order from country Saa- day-school chorister; ‘Sirs: If you have any- thing new in the line of sacred songs, com’c or senitmenta’, will you please send me some sam- ple sheets.” : Dr. ‘Newman spoke, ia. a recent”sermon, of “the sad funeral procession” which followed‘ Abel to the grave, An irreverent woman'fn the audience’ nodged ber companion and whisper- ed: “Not such alarge procession, but-very st-" lect. None but the tirst familiez.”” Why is it that the boy of ordinary mind would prefer to go in hia every-day clothes and sitona muddy bank: fishine al! Sunday rather thaa to sit on a nice, dry seat in Sabbath-schoal : for an hour, cressed up in: his best bib and. toekett Girls ain’t that way.—Steubensille Her- The following startling announcement was” given out by the parish clerk in a‘small church at Somersetsbire, “England: I gees uotice nex Sunday there wun’t be no Sunday, ’vause Rector’s goin’ to t’other. parish. fishin’.” By this the accustomed congresation understood ; tbat the clergyman would officiate a few miles off, : A bright little fellow of 4, the son of a former: vastor of a flourishing church, who attends tae infant-class in Sunday-school, received last Sua- day morning acard on which were the words, ‘Pray without ceasing.” After his mother had explained tue text, he satd, “I euess I won't show this to the minister; he prays long enough now.” : ‘This ‘is the way they tell it in Arizon: v0, men were riding together near Apache Pasa. They arrived at 2 place where they expected to fiud water, but the spring haddried uo. One of the mes began to pray, the other to swear. Within an hour the sktes blackened, a torrent of rain fell, lightning leaved down, killing the: man that prayed, while the profane sinner re- freshed himself, tilled his canteen, and went on his way rejoicing. - A nonplussed theologian is said to have sat up until a Jate bour rruitlessly trying to cet the tangle out of the following anecdote,* which is related in Mr. Conway's recent book: ‘in an orthodox family, with which I have bad some acquatatance, 2 little boy who had used naughty expressions of resentment toward a playmate was admonished that he should be more like Christ, who never did any harm to his enemies! ‘No,’ answered the wrathful child, ‘but he’s agoing to.” CHURCH SERVICES. EPVISCOPAL. Cathedral Free Charch, SS. Peter and Paul, core ner of West Washington and Peoria streets. The Rt-Rev. W. E. McLaren, Bishop; the Rev. J. H, Knowles, priest in charge. Choral morning prayer ana celebration of the Holy Communion at ° 10:20. m. Choral evening prayer at 7:30 p. m. —The Rev. S. S. Harris, Rector, will officiate at 10:45 a.m. and 5 p. m. in St. James’ Church, Cass and Huron streets. Commanion at 82. m. —The Rt.-Rev. J. W. Beckwith, . Bishop: of Georgia, will officiate in Trinity Charch, corner of. Michigan avenue and Twenty-sixth street, at 10:45 a, m. and 7:45 p. m, ; —The Rev. William H. Knowlton, Rector, will officiate in St. Andrew's Church, corner of West i , Washington and Robey streets, at 10:50 8, m. and 7:30.p. m. —Jobn Hedman, lay reader, will officiate in St. . Anstarius’ Church, Sedgwick street, near Chicago avenue; at 10:30a. m. and 7:30 p.m, —The Rev. Clinton Locke, Rector, wilt’ officiate in Grace Church, Wabash avenue, near Sixteenth atrect, at 11o,m, ana£:30 p,m. Communion at 8 am, 4 —Thé Rev. Arthur Ritchie, pastor, will officiate in the Church of the Ascension, corner of North LaSalie and Elm streets, at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Communion at Sum, : —The Rev. C_S. Lester will oficiate morning and evening in St.’ Paul's Church, Hyde Pari ave- nue, . --The Rev. B. F. Fleetwood, Rector, will of- ficiate in St. Mark's Church, corner of Cottage Groveavenne and Thirty-sixth street, at 10:30 a. m, and 7:30 .D. m.. —The Rev. J. D. Cowan will officiate in St. Stephen's Chirch, Johnson street, between Taylor and ‘1welftb streets, at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. —The Rev. L. Pardee, Rector, will officiate 1 Calvary Church, Warrcn avenue, between Oakley atreetand Western avenue, at’ 10:30a. m. and. 8p. m. Communion ut 7:30 a. m., Rit <The Rev. T, N, Morrison, Hector, will of- ficiate in the Church of the ‘Epiphany, ‘Taroop street, betwee Monroe and Adams, at 10:30 a. mi. and 7:10 p.m. Commanion at7:30 a.m. —The Rev. W. J. Petrie, Rector, will officiate in the Church of Onr Savior. corner of Lincola and Belden avenues at 11m. m, and 7:30 p. m. BAPTIST. . ‘The Baptist ‘Tabernacle baa removed to tho’ northeast cornerof Wabasa avenne and Van Buren’ . B. Jacobs will preach at 8 Dp. m. ‘ol at 2:20 p. m. : —The Rev. G. C. Lorimer will preach in'the First Church, corner of. South Par! first street, at 11a. m. and p.m, 3 “The Inspiration of the Almight; ve **Selt Conanest.” i —The Rev. John Peddie will preach intheSecond Church, corner of Morean and West Monroe streets, atl0:20 a. m. and 7:45 p. m. i : ‘The Rey. James Paterson will preach in the Michigan Avenue Chnrch, near Twenty-third. street, 26 10:30. mand 7:30 p. m. —The Rev. E. B. Uulbert will preach in the Fourth Church. corner of West Washington and Pamina streets, at 10:30 a, m. and 7:30 p. m. ~The Rev, Galasha Anderson will preach in tho University Place Church, corner of Douglas place and Ithodes avenue, at 10:3) a. m. and 7:30 p. m. —The Kev. P. Allison will preach in tho North Star Church, corner of Division and Sedg- a.m. and 7:20 p. m. + —The Rev. C. Perrm will preach In the Western . Avenue Church, comer of Warzenavenue, at 10:30 a. m, and 7220p. m. —the Rev. W. H. .Parker will preach in tho Coventry Street Church, corner of Bioominguolo road, at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. : : —tThe Kev. KR De Baptiste will preach in Olivet Courcb,, Fourth svenue, near Taylor street, at 11 a.m, and 7:45 p. m. G. Clark will preach in the South 3D. '—The Rev. L. Charch, corner of Locke and Bonaparte streets, at a, m, —The Rey. G. Sutherland will preach in the Centennial Charch, corner of Lincotn and West dackson streets, nt. Da. m. and 7:45 p.m.” —The Rev, E, O. Taylor will preach in the Cen- tral Church, No. 200 Orchard street, at 10:35 and 7:30 p. m. ~The HL. M. Carr will preach in the ‘Twenty-fifth Street Church, near fentworth 21 enue, at: p.m. 5 < The Rev, J. Q. A. Wenry will preach: in tho Dearoorn Street Church, corner of Thirty-suxth street, at 10:30 a. m, and 7:30 p. m. 5 —The Rev. C. Switt will preach in the Evangel Church, Dearvorn street, neat Forty-seventh, o£ 10:45 a, m. end 7:30 p. 1m, ‘i : PRESBYTERIAN. The Rev. Arthur Swazey will preach in the For- ty-firet Street Charch, corner of Prairie avenue. at WHS a.m. 5 3s tig —The Rev. Arthor Mitchell wil presch in the First Church, corner of Indiana avenue and Twenty- firat atreet, at 10:30, m. Evening service heldat Railroad Chapel, No. ‘715 State street, at 7:45 p. 10. —The Rev. J. iL Walker will preac in the Rto- union Church, Fourteenth street, near Throop, morning and evening. —The Rev. W. A..€McAtee will preach im the Fifth Chureb, corner of Indiana avenme and Thit- teth street, at 10:30 a. m. »No evening service. —Tke Rey. George if. Wells, of Montreal, will preach in the Second Church, corner of Michigan avenue aud Twentieth street, morning and evema:.. —Tat Rev. H. -M. Collison will preach In tuo Fallerton Avenue Church at 10:30 a, m. and G25 p.m. Morning subject: ‘Moses and the Ten Plagues of Egyot."” Evening’ ‘* Abiding in cl i —The Rov.T. M. Cunningham, late of San Fran- cisco, will preach in the defferson Park Church, corner of Throop aud Acamsstreets, at10:30 am. and 7:45 p.m. : —The Rev. E..N. Barrett. will preach in tha Westminster Church. corner of Jackson and Peo- ria street, at 10:15 2. m. and 7:J0 p. m. Morn- ing subject: ‘*The Fullness of the Believer's ‘Biessing in Jesus Christ.”” Fee eek, George Norcross, of Carlisle, Pa, will preach in the Third Church, corner of Ashland, and Ozden avenues, morning and evening. 5 “~The Rev. George'Norcross, D. D., of Caslisle, Pa., will preach this morning, commencing at 10:0, in the Third Churca, corner of Ashiand and Ogéen avenues, and in the evening at 7:30 o'clock. —The Rev, A. M. sIcAtee preaches this morning: atthe Fifth Church, corner of Indiana avenue and Thirtfeth street. No eveningservice. : “METHODIST. ae ‘Tne Rev. Dr. Willismson preaches in the Michi- gan Avenue Church, near'Tbirty-second street, at 10:30 a, m. and $p.'m. Evening subject: ** Way, When, Where. How, and What Should Onr Young People Read. - carseat ~The Key. E. M. “Boring preaches in.the State Street Church morning anu evening. - ~The Rev. J. C. Hartzwell, of Nev Orleans, will preach in the. Centenary Church, Monroe street, near Morgan, 10:30 a.m. and 7:45 p. m. ‘The Rev. & McChesney wiit preach in the Park avenue Church morning and evening. * —The Kev. Robert f. Shepparu wi!! preach in. Grace Church. corner of North Lasalie od Wuits streets, at 10:40 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Morning subject: ** Quench Kot the Subject." Evening: *+A Song Service.” i ~—Tae Key. F. C. Clendenmng will preach in the ok ©