Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-31
The EDiscoDaI Church.

AZ TUG lUullu aDDual session OF inc IIplScO'
pal ChnIch Congress, held 10 New York yes.
trrday, the first paper was read by DR.. Richard
Hunt. Of New York, on "Church Architecture
that We Need" lie gavo an Interesting his
tory ard description Of churches of ancient
times. and also carly Christian churches. ST..
PaulH. aud St. Peters, al Rome, were tho
roughly described, aud the construction ond
style Of architecture of nearly every church Of
any ani;qlity or celebrity was introduced 10 the
paper. DR.. HUT is OF the opinion that the
Protestant worship Of to day. Dignity and re-.
turc Churches should be So arranged that all
can sec and hear. Real progress can only be
hoped for by originality CT idea, not by copying.
Mr. f,miyn Littcl then read a paper on the
same siIt let lie advocated ample rom and
space for the chanccl, as being the most central
figure Of the church, and whatever Of art is in
the church should be centred there, and the
rcrcios should be the richest part of the chan
eel, and wrought OF rare aud choice material.
Considerable applause followed the reading Of
the paper.
The next paper on the subject was By the la.o
Rev. DR.. w. A. McVicksr, which was read By
RcJ. DR.. Nevin. Tho paper stated that this WAS
the ago # iii leli!y and the grasp OF infdeity
was on tho throat of tho church 1t WAS An age
" zen tho popular mind favored carved and gid
cd affairs aad picturesque and decorated church
C.. II dsplor2d such a state Of things, and said
j. wara bette. to ii The MAD on the worship
ard glory Of God, and not on the gorgeousnc,s
of tia altar. 1t advo sound, solid structures.
Tho churches should have porch. nave and CHI An.
Gel and should stand east aid west
The Rev. 9. w. Ward Ct Providence, in
addressing tbs Congress, stated that the lighting
churches should be from the roof. after the
manner Of theatres and public halls. He object
I'd to high vaulted roofs, with iInumeratle wood
Ell pillars, columns and supports, where the
word Ct God is lost among the echoes, install CT
reaching tho ears Of the Worshipers
Tho topic Tor the evening was "Tha Relation
Of tho Christian Church t. Social and National
Lii, in America
The Rev. Ii. NJ. Thompson, Of New Orleans,
s.il that where States pass laws as in Utah and
Illinois, regulating divorces and polygsmy, and
whore they arc opposed to Ill moral we'll being
and seem even m advocate OF incest and tend to
destroy the social SYSTEM then tho church should
not accept such laws but should stand on its
divine and holy authority, and declare itsolf AZ
g.inst such innovations. Society is over ready
10 receive with open arms who make their mil
lions, seldom enqui1ing whether they msdo
them honestly or whether they had not dafraud-
cl soma ono by getting rich. A man, even
though declared free through tho bankrupt laws
should be pronounced thief, if at any time he
becomes ablo and docs not pay his just debts.
(Applausn) Tho churcn should not be captured
by the rich ana good paying pew.holders simply
because they are rich She should always up.
hold justice, righteousness aud truth.
Addresses were also made by Row. j. S.
Hankc OF Charlottesville, Virginia Rev. DR..
Fulton. Of Milwaukee; Rev. DR.. Mckim, Of
New York and Rev. DR.. Bstor:hall of Albany,
New York.
NEW YORK, O.t 3l.-rhc annual session Of
The Protestant Episcopal Church Congress was
resumed to day and was we'll attended, Bishop
Clarke, oil Rhode Island, presiding.
The programme for this morning was tho
topic, "rhc Spiritual Forces 10 Civilization.
Rev. L. G.. Ever, d. d., Of New York, con-
sidG.cd the spiritual forces as synonymous with
Christianity, aud dWelt on the ciVilizng effect
Of the latter, tracing its effects along pagan ages.
Rev. Francis A. Henry, Of Stamford Ct.,
dcscantcd on forces which have reared and
which hold together fabric! OF society. lie
gave lengthy deiiuition OF his ideas Of historic
providence and fundamental principles which
governed it.
y paper on the topic was read by Rev. Percy
Br)wn, Of Boston. lie declared that absolute
unity Of humanity had strengthened mans
power of thought, and that spiritual force was
a most powerful motor in fixing conviction of
man in dealing with divine revelations. Posi-
tvism breaches the gospel teaching persons to
believe only 10 thIogs that are seen, and that
things unseen were not worth considering. lie
claimed The iotellectual progress OF to day as a
revelation of Gods spirit working through hu
mauity and as evidence OF his spirit in map.
The highest duty Of the Church was to search
for intellectual force 10 humanity