"BABYLON IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN."
It is quite common to hear from their own lips the admission that the popular churches are losing their spiritual power. A writer in the Interior (Presbyterian), after avowing loyalty to his church, utters the following complaint, which is but a specimen of what is frequently heard from representatives of all the daughters of Babylon:— Is it not a fact that about all the old methods, such as visitation, catechising, prayer, and oversight of the baptized, have been dropped? What has taken their place?—Nothing! Nor do we recall that the General Assembly has ever advised giving up these old methods of the fathers. In the matter of discipline, where is the church session that has done its whole duty? Take a sample of sessional proceedings on the subject of discipline. The eldership is gathered together to look after the spiritual interests of the church. They have opened their conference with prayer for God's guidance. After the transaction of some matters of minor importance, they begin a free conversation on the state of religion in their church. Mention is made of one brother who does not properly observe the Sabbath—sometimes driving, sometimes looking after his business, often neglecting the services of the sanctuary—and it is telling on the life of the family. They are all sorry that such is the case, but they hardly think best to do anything with him. He is high-strung, wealthy, and they do not wish to alienate him and lose his support. Probably a sermon by the pastor on Sabbath observance will prove effective. (But if he ever hears it, the pastor must have it cut and dried and laid up for him whenever he catches him in the church!) Mention is made of another who is becoming the victim of drink. He is a "tippler" and has gone to the stage of drunkenness and disgraced himself and family. They are exceedingly sorry for him, but it will hardly do to discipline him, for he is brother to Mr. A., and is related to some of the best families in the church, and it would be very humiliating to their pride, and probably alienate some of them, to have the church take up the matter. Thus it goes, no discipline being exercised. The sessional records are free from scandal, if the church is not. It is not hard to understand how and why the spiritual condition of such a church is continually growing worse.