Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-17
CHURCH CONGRESS.
Meeting of Episcopal Chdrchmen at Gin
cinnati to Discuss Science and Revelation
Bishop Jagger's Welcome:


cinnati to Discuss Science and Revelation
Bishop Jagger's Welcomes.
CINCINNATI, O., Oct. 16.-After communion
services at st. Pauls church this morning,
where Rev. Phillip Brooks delivered an ap-
propriate address, the Episcopal congress con-
vened at Pixies opera house. Papers upon the
Interpretation of the Bible in relation to the
present condition Of learning and science were
read by Rev. Frederick Gardiner, ID. D., Rev.
Edward HARDWOOD and Prof. John McCrady.
Bishop Jaeger, in welcoming the Episcopal
congress this morning, said: There are special
reasons why our church here should extend a
welcome to this congress. It brings boldly
into view the comprehensive character Of the
organization. 1t is not commercial institu-
ton. 1t does not legislate. 1t represents no
party. 1t invites men Of all shades of thought
and ooinion to meet on a common platform and
speak out honest convictions on the living
practical issues of the day. We are glad to
have the world know that the Protestant Epis.
copal church is not afraid to let men think on
the essential points of faith. 1t recognizes
liberty of thought in proper limits. The ex-
pertinent has proved that free, manly inter-
change of views in open discussion tends to
promote unity rather than create antagonism.
DR.. Gardner, upon Bible Interpretation In re-
gard to the learning OF the present day, said
'The effect of recent research SO far from con-
ments. The result of the search of scientific
men for truth may not accord with long cher
ished views and tenets. but the time always
comes and will come when the revelations of
the sacred word will be attested by the
investigation of those who seek after truth.
Dr. Gardner expatiated at length upon the dis
coveries in old ruins of tablets and images con-
frmatory of the tower of Babel and the ruin
that came on Babylon; as also the story of the
reign of Nebuchednazzar, as narrated by Dan
iel. The inscriptions of Nasha, king of the
Moabites, alters not a statement of the Jewish
writers. The interpreter If scriptures should
be conyersant with the laws of science. He
work of God in his works. He should be able
to realize that the laws of God never conflict.
They are the same in all ages. Men say they
often find science does not bear out the state
ments of the Bible. They mean the Bible
does not bear out the conclusions they
reached through fallacious reasoning from an
erroneous standpoint. These con .lusions often
work injury to the hearts faith of those who
are not grounded in hope, but one by one these
fallacies have been exposed, the church
strengthened and the right vindiceted.
Rev. Edward Harvard followed upon the
same topic, putting forth views rather opposite
to those expressed by DIR. Gardner. There is a
disposition to force the scriptures into harmo-
ny with science, which is wrong. Interpreta-
ton must resist science. To force the scrip
ture into harmony with all newly discovered
facts, is not scriptural Interpretation. 1t
means what the author said or it does not.
Back of the consideration of the Bible as
relic of the past dies the original fact-the
chart, guide, of Christian believers. The mod
ern man is on trial. Humanity has reached
maturity. Shall he not he still reverent to his
Creator? Or treat him IS worn out un-
worthy of his present needs? When man thus
dies to faith the value of life is lost forever.
Rev I)r Tiffany of New York WAS tho novt
speaker. He said in regard to the interpreta-
tion of the scriptures, that time the true in
terpretator of any book, is bringing out, the
truth which that book contains. The Bible
must be interpreted in accordance with the
spirit and nature of the book, and from
spiritual standpoint.
Rev. W. P. pubose, of the University of the
South, followed with very direct and logical
argument.
Rev. Edward Rowland, Of New Bedford, de-
livered the closing argument. He showed that
in underwriting to harmonic the teaching of
science and the Bible, the attempt was not to ex-
plain the construction of the world, but to make
known the creator. Rev. Thos. s.. Bacon was
the first volunteer speaker. He affirmed that
the proposition that the Bible and science agree,
is Elusive. unmeaning, false and altogether
mischevous. He reflected severely on these
churches that yielded SO much to what is called
science, but which is such different thing in
different mems hands as to be utterly
unreliable. He was followed by Rev.
Allen s. Woodall, by a bold and
earnest adde's aimed at those who by the aid
of science seek to discredit the Bible. At the
evening session papers were read on the novel,
its influences upon modern life, by Rev. VIM.
r. Huntington, of Worcester, Mass, Rev. r.
A. Holland. st. Louis, and Rev. Samuel Os-
good, of New York. That Of the latter in his
absence was read by the secretary. All the pa
pers took very liberal grounds.
The eleventh annual meeting of the Freed
mans Aid society Of the Methodist Episcopal
church was held here to-day, Bishop Wiley
presiding. The secretary's report says the
work of the society is more successful than
ever before. The different schools and col
leges are in a fourishing condition, nearly
5000 students in attendance. The receipts dur
ing the year were $4,000; expenditures $751;
600. The debt of the society has been reduced
$s, 900. During the eleven years of its exist.
ence the society has disbursed over 500, 600
Bishop Wiley was reelected President Rev
DR.. Rust corresponding secretary, and DR.. Luke
Hitchcock, treasurer.