The Inaugural Ball by Another Name
By Editor
WHAT would many ministers do without "Robert Elsmere," or "John Ward, Preacher," to talk about. Sermon after sermon has been preached on these novels, till they are now getting somewhat stale; controversies have raged till people are becoming weary; and now some of the political Christians wish to prevent the inaugural ball of General Harrison, the President-elect. Finding that not easy, they are proposing the same principles as National Reformers use concerning our Government. It is not Christian now, but if it will only adopt our proposed Constitution, and call itself Christian, it will be all right. So if this inaugural ball can only be given another name, it will not be so bad after all; for it is, say they, "only a reception." To such we commend the following, from the N. Y. Weekly World of Jan. 23:— "A number of Methodist ministers of Boston, Mass., will request the Committee in charge of the inaugural ceremonies at Washington to change the name of the evening entertainment from 'inaugural ball,' to 'inaugural reception.' Just how this substitution would make any difference as regards the moral tone of the affair, is hard to understand. Even if the festivities were called the 'Inaugural Prayer-Meeting,' or the 'Inaugural Aid to an Upright Life,' nothing would be gained thereby. It is the thing itself, not its name, which counts in the long run. The Lord cannot be fooled by euphemism."