, 1875-01-10
MONCURE d. CONWAY,


!
Another character seems to stand in curiou:
relation to this bitter controversy between the
theologians. That is, the strangely gifted and
wholly original Moncure D. Conway, the head Of
the III materialistio congregation At South Place
many years, preached the celebrated IT, J. Fox,
some time member Of Parliament for large
manufacturing town, OLDHAM and known as the
champion Of the principles Of radical Democracy.
| Mr. Conway is a Virginian, who came here first
as an advanced advocate Of the Union cause
seY6n yeaf5 sKo. Having been previously we'll
known in our country for the great ability with
which he resisted the productions of slavery and
took issue with the peculiar doctrines OF the pol
iticians in his native State, tho prominence
with which he identified himself with the
among certain advanced thinkers who have al
ways sympashized with America. In this way
he WAS called to the pulpit at South Place, where
he still continues to preside, att tactlng large
numbers every Sunday morning BY tho peculiar
tiles OF his opinions and his style. His ability
sat under him, last Sunday, could not restrain
my admiration Of bis genius. tall spare man
Of about 40, with q most intellectual yet ascetic
face, closely resembling John A. Kasson Of Iowa,
member Of tue present Congress-, his oratory is
quite unpretending rarely rising to defamation,
and only when presenting his strongest point ex-
pressing intensity. He is Of the matesialistic
school, in fact, bow-shot bsyond John Stuart
Mill in his thesu, rejecting personal Deity
and insisting that what we call God is with
IN us-our inner conception, manifested BY our
aspirations after truth. It Was novel sensation
to follow this brilliant student and scholar
through his intricate reasonings in support of
his position, md to mark the effect of his rhetoric
upon bis large and thoughtful audience most OF
whom belonged to the better CLASSES. They ao-
cept his platform with enthusiasm, and as most
Of them are people Of rare culture their num-
ber is rapidly increasing. The singing was e1-
quisite, and the hymns, Of which here trans
cribe two we're given with unusual sweetness
and power:
We never. never Will bow down
: TO the rude stock or sculptn1ed stooa.
We worship God, and God alone.
HIN,
Everlasting =! changing never:
" OF one strongrh, no moro, TO Ia =.
:. Thine almightnees for ever,
Ever ono, Thy holiness; . - r.:
Thee eternal, "
Thee all glorious, we possess.
Shall things witherea, fash,ora Or: :
Keep US from hfe's flowing srr.r2
Waits for us the promise golden
Waltz Ss:t,nas 9ach n9T d divinef in thing, >,
Why this hopeless tarryia62 go
81 ~ t5ath more no7e largely m tsfs;: ~ !.
Upon ufe dirfuer aat2r. =, !.
Mto day mors glorious break! : l..
To the ages =: ~.
cMT peQuests a1d cosby make.
By the old aspirants glorious, ''.E
HJ each soul herpical, -
DY tho sttiverB haff- victorious, =.
by Thy Jesus aud Thy PITY 7s>.;.'; -. p"
Truths own martyrs .-
We arc summoned one aud all. >.
by each saving word unspokcn, -.
BY Thy truth, as get half-won, .
b each idol still unbrokea, --.
By Thy will, yet poorly done, '~
Almighty! ~~:.:
We are borne resfstsess on.
Mr. Conway receives ESQ, or e1, ,25o. year
[or preaching once on Sunday morning at South
Place, and probably almost 81 much for his dis
courses on Sunday evening at Camdentowu. He
+ the correspondent Of tho Cincinnati CONNER
;ica. and his letters arc us peculiar as hs spokeo
'ssayE: He is also contributor on theological
7iewH, md great fayorite in society, Very nat
lrally, he will be found foremost in tho attack
lpon tho Catholics, yet he could not be more
rcncliant than in his various criticisms upou the
church Of England. He admires Bismarck i'm
neusely, and prefers the German to the French
xampie, having sympathizcd with the former in
he late Wnr. He is a welcome visitor in many
o1ses. is charming companion, aud outside his |
ideas is one Of the most arreeablo |
alkcrs. South Place chapel ia '' Liberty Hall :" |
D the freedom with which all creeds nhd opiu- |
er, Of Chicago, filed his pulpit seyeral times,
few yeara ago, and the Indian reformer, |
Chunder Sen" +" there set forth bis views, Next |
thursday Miss Downing, q Catholic, is to discuss !
l the debating society of the chapel from her |
olnt OF EaeT, :" Conyentiole Institutions, Their |
lee, ETC." Il could not h4fp smiling or Sunday
fter Ceaxsy-- haI nenied- tho .uGstenco '6f a
evil AND peee'aimed tis49uetthh to a .perseeal j
lett. 'Ra1stlns tH9t azess3aaf had bis Own God T