National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-16
THE M1YrsrERrAL association
Closing Session ut tho Christian Church-hn
Explanation of Their Belief

a ~ II
Closing Session ut the Christian Church-hI
Explanation of Their Belief
The closing sessions of the Eastern Christian
Ministerial Association were held yesterday
in Vcnnont-avemue Christian church, com
mencing Mt 10 o'clock. Rev. H. s. Lobingioi
read rsalm, and Rev. j. l.. Tyler led In
prayer. Rev. II. ID. Clark of Baltimore, then
read u paper on the pull pit and modern skcpti.
cism, setting forth tho importance Of the pull.
pit in the plan of salvation. II is TO day the
exponent of the supernatural Slicpticism is
aggressive, strikes tho foundation of religion,
aud is the common foe of all creeds; but Chris
tianity has nothing TO fear. Tho pulpit is
prepared to protect itself against all attacks.
The best reiutation Of skepticsm is skcpticism
itself
After this paper was read. Rev. G. w. ITnr.
vcy, of MorrislIna, y. Y, presented an essay
on "rhe Bible at Home" showing the i'm
portance of the Bible TO the Christian system,
thought that Bible study in homes has Ia.
mentally decreased, aud asked how can We
remedy, answering First, by the preachers
insisting on its Importance; second, by incrcas-
ing piety in the home; third. by encouraging,
young converts to read their Bibles. After the
paper was read, 1t was discussed by Rovs
Mossrs. Wilmer, Lowry (colored), Tyler aud
Blackwell, who at the close offered series OF
lthOlullOUS WIN ItHtlN 10 lue lhuWNsfluI
School conducted by Mr. Lowry at Huntsville,
Ala.
On motion of Rev. F. d. Power they were
adopted.
A resolution was offered by Rev II. s. Lob.
ingicr, of Philadelphia, appointing commi ttccs
on time and place Of next sitting of this coa-
vcntion.
On motion of Rev. Mr.. Power, the conven.
tiou adjourned until O'clock.
fTbn uceonintin,, pnnvangI Mt tho n
Rev. L. 4. Williams, of Brooklyn, asked divine
blessing after which Rev II. S. Lobingor, OF
Philadelphia, read paper on "Thc Literary
Culture of the Ministry" lie thought the
statement that tho influence of the ministry
is waning, owing to the power of the press
hardly true, at least the Influence of n cult.
yHted ministry. The power OF au unculturcd
and illitcrstc ministry is waning and ought
to. Ministers as 4 class, however, have been
best educated Of any body of men, and have
welded greater influence than any other
class OF persons on society. But in order
that thoy shall continue TO do so they must
exhibit the survival Of the fittcst aud be equal
to the demands Of the age. lienc5 every field
of literary culture should he utilized by them.
The address was listened b with marked
attention and after heing read wGs discussed
by Revs, Williams, OF Richmond, Tyler, Cuts
aud Power
On motion of ]. f. Tyler Mr., Power was
authorized 10 give the moral sense of this
convention Hs iNyoring as soon as possible
the erection OF Il suitable house Of worship
on tho present church site In this city,
On motion of c, s, Blackwell, of Norfolk,
vote of thanks was tcudcrcd to the sisters
and brethren of the church in this city for
tho very hOspitab!c aud delightful manner
in which the convention has been entertained
during its stay. After announcements for
the evening tho convention adjourned to
p. III.
Rcasscmbllng at the appointed hour the
meeting was opened with singing, Rev. J.
O. Cults, of Philadelphia, road tho niuotcenth
Psalm and offered prayer. Tho president of
the convention, Rev. j. 4. Dearborn, of Rich
mond, Va, was then presented by Mr.. Power,
rector of tho church, and read u paper on tho
mission of his church rs a religious people,
during which he stated that the religious
movements in which they are engaged as
sumed distinct existence In aim, form aud
practice workings about fifty years ago; that
in its complete form it was u growth--uot
thing born in Il day that as Luther did not
SEQ the results OF his first position against the
Roman Church, but was carried forward from
step TO step by the logical necessities Of his
position and tho current of events, so with
those who were the prime, original movers in
this caus1; that as tho Lutheran movement
found lis ncpient cause in the deep dissNtis-
ltCloll ltIt III European NilhplC countries on
account of tho errors abuses aud Corruptions
OF the Church of Rome, SO this movement
sprung from the heart sickness, caused
in American society by tho divisions
strfcg and dsglGcos Of Professionalism
that as Lnthor's first voice was against
Roman Catholicism aud In bahUlf OF the
exclusive authority Of the word Of God,
50 their first voice was against ProteStlntism
.s it is, aud a reasscrtion Of the al.suillciency
Of F.
ing and practice IN all things taught by
Christ and his uposllcs; that Luthors move.
lncnt was rebellion against the religious
domination of the ChmCh over human con.
science aud li(l, aud this was n rebellion
against tho tyranny Of the human creed sys.
tom OF Professionalism. Tho chief original
movers in this enterprise were Thomas Camp
bell, Alexander Campbell, his son, and Walter
that by virtue Of his fitness rs a
leader, Alexander Campbell took the lead.
The Campbolls were PrcsbytCrians originally,
because convinced by scriptura examination
that their iuhlut.sprnklug baptism was not
New Testament baptism, aud were Immersed.
This took them out of the Presbyterian Church,
lnd they united with the Blplists, but in seek.
ing to effect reform there, they were bitterly
opposed aud driven 10 an independent aud
new movement. Tho chief aims Of the
new moYemeut--lst the restora ton Of "thc
faith once delivered to the slin ts'-primi.
tive, apostolic Christianity, as laid down in
the New Testament in doctrine, practice and
polity; I'd, the union Of all the true friends Of
Christ; 81, the more rapid conversion OF tho
world 10 Christ, The very interesting address
was closed with strong and hopeful words of
TO his brethren TO be true iirm
aud diligcnt 60 the high mission to which
Providence had called them.
Tho present numerical strength Of the de-
nomination In the United States iS between