New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-02
THE EPISCOPAL CONGRESS-.

PULPIT INFLUENCE ON MODERN THOUGHT.
THE SUBJECT DISCUSSED BY BISHOPS LAY AND
CLARK, THE REV. DIR. sCHENCK AND OILERS
THE THEATRE AND DANCING CONSIDERED.
The morning session of the Episcopal Con-
gress opened somewhat late yesterday owing to the All
Saints Day services held many OF the churches The
hall crowded Bishop Potter said 1t only proper
upon such day to pay tribute to the memory OF some
who had passed since the last meeting Of the Con-
gcss and who had taken interest in its work
lie alluded TO the Rev s. Potte, OF Racine Wisconsin,
and General VIM +. Barel, OF the Army. The Rev DIR.
Newton, of Virginia, spoke few words about the char
acter and work OF the late Dr. Newton OF that State
The subject for discussion The Influence OF the
Pulpit Upon Modern Thought and Life" Bishop Lay, OF
the diocese OF Easton Maryland the nrst speaker
The following is an abstract of his remarks
shall speak you OF the average sermOn-as Is and
as should rcnder all to the grand ser
that grappe with the abstract problems OF dyln-
ity; but, be II known there is large multitude OF PEG
pie who can hardly be said read write, or think.
OF this multitude We think too little The average
sermon is too neutrality-suspicious., perhaps. Inc
themes are too lofty Tine style. also. is too ambitious
Why pcrplex people with finely drawn distinctions ~
may singular after what have already SAM, 10
declare that the average is deficient in literary
merit There May reasons why IL Is 80 Inc aver
lie seldom has separate study but does his work III the
family room HIS library comprises afew wsii-w1rn
yolumes-none that have the fresh thoughts or to-day
The lack Of mental discipline ia felt Ihe average
lacks feryor too Not passion or excitement put
Of retirement before tue delivery OF each SERMON
and Gods blessing should be asked on H.
The substance OF the paper by Bishop Clark OF Rhode
Island, was as follows:
The pulpit must speak to the times IL loses much OF
its influence hen it speaks OF dead issues Many people
are repealed from church because they take no interest
in the topics that discussed The Gospel should Do
preached Christ preached it, In His teaching WA;
practicaIitv Which we need Why denounce popular
anusements instead OF reforming them "hy ny ~
call people to chuch by frightening thei ls'Sau vi
tax n
that uttered should bear the impress OF thos
There should be manly style OF preaching sone thhg
than sentmentality or gentle eiilslveneSs'
Fairness. TOO. in statements IN arsments cGnG IeG
slOns is much IN demand. many man 'oo' ID "
astray by his desire to make an impression
The Rev T. Courtney of St. Thomas Church, said, In
part:
The pulpit does not exist solely to convert sinners ~
is TO instruct the people, aud II the preacher deN9es MN
sef in mart AT least to theories. ampned modified, or
superseded, Will be listened 10 even ms eont'"ns
be not adopted. II the preacher VIII eacn me 10 80
God IN these days. he must speak boldly against he W.T.
ship OF mammOn, OF fashion, OF ruhhng 10 anu I'd hc
drunkenness and the immense wee oi TINS age, Anu nv
himself, must fear God more than man. lie mus op an
plainly must love the souls OF the ptoo about the
dresses must believe ardenty WHAT nc ~ I'm IN
ngratitude OF sin and the blsencss OF seINln5 SILL
tins the pulpit may exert tue NeiS nleho'' ~
upon modern thought
the Rev Dr. Noah Hunt Schenek, OF Brooklyn,
sk tched tho history Of the pulpts influence referring 10
the effect Of the teachings Of Noses Of ChrSts Wors
to the Crusadcs, and the Reformation Aoou' 'No i4"N
ence it should exert to day. he sad
The mint Itself III DOM the poIti'i
intellectual world The pulpit IS utterly IGNORED Wnen
the intelligence OF New York is willing TO vote Tor con-
,Otod When wi"kedness at Washington,
turning obligations the most sacred eos W.
rcbuked The Churchs future ~ nVt nua? ,t the
y.aed The strength OF the dead monster now d. .Ie
hGuaTIum lay much in IT'S muscular system as
the long tentaccs which il could throw Out ia ssc VI
prey. Ghe pulpit Inlst staha rrauS t "u noferaIs H.
with tcntaces to throw out TO grasp s III; tb nseii
must not shoot at "A thousand yaiuS Du' az 'iio 0
possible proximity.
II was the opinion of the Rev. j. G. Armstrong OF
Wheeling Va that it ticklish business To vol
unteer 10 speak," he wished to protest Against Tue
idea that all modern thought was anagonisue 10 he
church. Much Dit tended to the elevation Oh huih"ii
,, and the sneaker vas almost ready 10 assert thdt
We took care OF humanity in this world IL "ouu 'Ao
care OF itself in the next
THE THEATRE AND DANCING.
Chckering Hall very well hlled al the evening o
sion Tho subject under discussion was ohrIs"'ni''
and Popular Amusements." The Rev. W. W. No"'on'
OF Boston, who read the first paper thous"'
that tbe subject Of tue theatre and theatre-S0-
ing was perple,ing one TO the Cnii''ia"
and ono which throw him back his moral founda-
tons and Divine standards. But the dramatic ihshcne
claimed was implanted universally IN human nature
and the world OF ideal art was rs pure ana rs
much for mans domination as the "oriu Vi h"'uio'
The fact mat the dramatic art had been abused was no
ore against the drama itself than the fact that some
beautiful grove or island had been used as place Ior
bacchanalan orge All argument against TUE so, w.
of The abuses OF the sltSe "eio wv
ahnsss ~ the corrupt heart Of men, Ihe stage, nc
honvht cond be reformed, and II was the duty oi 9
church 70 20 down into the world OF anusehehl ahu
make il purer and better. u,,,.o, roooorisea
,ba necessity of anuSeDcnts. IL was "a principe ol
GLrstiauity he declared that there was hoihlh7 uu-
ciean ~ itself The Jewish feasts were not mercy re-
ious ossemblages they were also merry ma hlhss, I
tna Iotter feature they observed III way thai NOulu
sn0ck The General Assembly even WIN llS
baht OF postpOnng business 10 accept soeia .
'.it,tions lie claimed II as an Acknowledged iact
,h,t the legitimate drama did not draw, ana tht Tue
n"rov OF actors generally was not al All what u ought
-, nv reformation sought to be eliecteu shouu pe
emped not directly with the form OF the amusement
o. lin Mica seekers Each mans inofa senthieu
nrd he deyeoped that he might know, what no Churcn
Snprress coud tell him, what forms Of pleasure "ero
~, ,or him and what wrong.
rho Roy Or +. q. Addison, or Washington, arraleneu
I'm the sever est terms the dance-at least ia lts oe
~, The square dance, he SAID, cOuid not DC hcpt
o,nro. il would be inded OF into the waltz me
9cnntou OF the dance not III the music nor III tne
l,,aniaI conpany winch it brought tOgetner THESE
ennld be secured without the dance Inc hluusn
un,sp that diadrms the dance Win sovereignty he
poud MOI describe bat II rested the curse Vi uou
pr,fessor ,owlng OF Louisville. IN nigbly humorous
adjress entered plea In behalf D0th OF the unce au
a. , Theatre both OF which he thought were innocent
forms OF pleasure -, 81. .ho manning session of To-
Adv viii be the Organization ana ADMINISTRATION vi
Charity"