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THE PRESBYTER!
VOL. I. ATLANTA, OA., F
This Week-=
The Appeal to the Church.
Titles to Our Church Buildings.
Miracles Arp Parte Nnt Fanripc
The Chapman-Alexander Meetings.
The Son of a Physician.
Doctor Webb's Theology of Infant Salvation.
Lessons From the Earthquake.
Watchman, What of the Night.
Laymen's Convention.
Notes in Passing.
Calvin's Second Stay at Geneva.
A Sermon In the Fog.
Editorial Notes
"The world is a mirror?try smiling at it!" This
CQffA 1 r 1 nrlnrl in rAoorvn on/1 inof I Anrl AurvA
aut iv.v, ivuiiuvu ha i vaouu auu J uouiiv.u uy
rienmight well be written over the doorway to your
thoughts and hearts.
Ruskin finely remarked, "You keep the Sabbath in
imitation of God's rest. Do, by all manner of means;
and keep also the rest of the week in imitation of God's
work."
Among the kindest words written of our new paper
are those given in the last "Christian Advocate," of
Nashville. That great paper is justly esteemed one of
the finest that comes to our atble, and one from which
we gather many of the very best thoughts and suggestions.
Its commendation is highly prized.
From what comes to us, from various public and private
sources, the "Executive Commission" provision
lately adopted by the Northern Church is not beiner
used with any special alacrity or zeal. A spirit of indifference
teems to prevail as to its practical application.
This is equivalent to proof that while it was assented to
by the great majority of the Presbyteries this assent
was given more in the nature of acquiescence in somebody's
proposition than from any sense of need.
Mr. j. McGlothin, quoted in The Presbyterian of
Philadelphia, gives some figures concerning the strength
of the various denominations in New Orleans. He is
entirely wrong on many of them. He gives the Roman
Catholics at about half their actual number, or if the
recent census ot mat denomination be correct, which
we greatly question, at about one-third their number.
He gives the Episcopalians three times their actual
number as shown by their latest diocesan book, the
Methodists fifty per cent more than they have, and the
Presbyterians nearly twenty per cent fewer than their
actual numbers. We wonder where he got his figures.
* ?
AN OF THE SOOTH
EBRUARY, 3, 1909. NO. 5.
A correspondent thinks our church is a little toomuch
given to exploiting historical events and the heroes
of a former age, and thinks that the time given to
memorial addresses, preparation for Calvin quadri-cencennials,
celebration (?) of the Revocation of the Edict
of Nantes, which was the very singular observance
recommended by some a few years ago, would be better
spent in enlarged attention to the vigorous preaching of
the gospel of Christ to the dying men of today. It is
rather hard, sometimes, not to agree with our brother.
There is danger of overdoing such things.
"The Family Altar League" is seeking members. Of
course its object is good. But why a league for every
duty, for every commandment, for every line of service
or work? Why depreciate God's way and God's organization?
Why sign a special pledge or covenant for each
duty or endeavor and thereby discredit one's solemn
vow vaken on entering the church? this taking of many
vows makes all of them lighter and more easily disregarded.
Of course, as with most of these leagues or organizations,
there is a "magazine" to be taken by the
members "at actual cost."
A few days ago we saw a great procession, with banners,
bands, regalia, and streamers galore, filling the
streets 01 tne city with its thousands ot marchers and
spectatois. It was the annual parade of the "Holy
Name Society," an organization of Roman Catholics designed
to cultivate obedience to the Third Commandment.
But all this was on God's Holy Day. The motive
and purpose of the organization are admirable, and'
if carried out in fullness of spirit would be of great
benefit. But the great parade would have been much,
less of a fan-faronade had it not broken one commandment
in proclaiming its loyalty to another.
About the greatest piece of folly that a preacher can
be guilty of is fearing lest an earnest delivery of God's
message, based upon a sincere belief in the authority
and integrity of the Scriptures, will cost him his pulpit.
Congregations do not turn off men for positiveness in
telling the words of God, but they do forsake the ministry
of those who are afraid of their own shadows, whomingle
doubt with their words, who disparage the Bible,
who exalt the reason above faith. Strong, vigorouspreaching
of Christ and him crucified attracts men. It
never runs them away, and never runs a preacher out
of his nulnit. F.vpn wnrldlincrs havp cpntp Ttn?*r L-?/-n.r
r -r-.. C- * ">.jr ,VWW ?Y
what sincerity is. They know, too, what they need,
even though they do not accept it when it is offered.
They arc not going to ask for it or take it at the hands
of doubters.
Now we have it! The latest out is a "special Sunday"
to be observed as "Anti-Tuberculosis Sunday"!*
Some of the New York and Brooklyn churches have appointed
it. What next?