Extent of Christian Duty.
By Editor
The S. S. Times very sensibly speaks as follows:— It is certainly to the credit of The Independent that it is being taken to task by the Christian at Work for expressing its disapprobation of card-playing, theater-going, and tobacco-using. The latter paper affirms that the former paper "has, in fact, set up a new decalogue—rather triologue;" of which the critic says:— "The Independent's new triologue is neither sensible nor timely; and with every regard for the personnel of The Independent, it is open to the charge of impertinence." Then follows the counsel:— "We advise our beloved contemporary to change its course and disestablish its new code instanter, and hereafter to prescribe no other commandments than those to be found between the covers of the Bible." It is a very common misapprehension of the entire spirit and purport of the Bible, to suppose that the specific commandments and enjoinings of that Book are our only guide to present conduct. The Bible does not attempt to specify every form or phase of sin by name. It lays down principles. It gives germs of thought in the realm of morals. A prominent duty of the Christian preachers—in the pulpit or through the press—is to apply those principles, and to unfold those germs, in the face of the dangers and the duties of to-day. Faithfulness in that sphere is, however, sure to call out a protest against the preaching which hits particular misdoers; as is again illustrated in the experience of The Independent.