New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-19

of Metlodism as means of the den0mlnatloha'
success, but here are the Baptsts increasing
obout "a ,apdly in numbers with the purest
type of congregational pOlity. The common
characteristic of the two bodies is their re-
vival meetings." enquiry meetings" etc. tle
methods by which they seek to compass the
conversion of the largest number OF persons 10
Christian feeling and living. All the history Vi
the subject goes to prove that increase OF
church membership is the fruit OF active
measures taken for that end. In THIS country
the most successful propaganda has Oeen 'ho
grevivaln and there IS no reason 10 oeHe'e
that its day is over-indeed, everything I'D INC
progress of the revivalist denominations points
rather TO the full noon than the evening
shadows. RI.
The looker-on at this Baptist gathering from
all parts Df the country of representative men,
is also struck with the wealth OF personal
mower. culture and wisdom which the denomi-
nation has developed. 1t is probable that Dap
fists themselves may have been startled at Illo
display of eoquence, sagacity ana appIleu cur
ture ON the extemporized platform OF this Ten
eral Meeting The bystanders must have been
oven more IMPRESSED by the absence of denom-
national peculiarities, and the small degree III
winch the meeting had theological or eccIesl-
ostical atmosphere. The speakers were Amer
lean gentlemen interested IN promoting nunlan
welfare, who had come together IN perfectly
voluntary way to exchange views ana reach IN
informal understanding upon matters not de-
fined in fine doctrines Of their Church. Here
cd tbero denominational methods came to the
front but mainly the talk ran to the philan-
tbronic educational and administrative ques-
tio,s which the progress and mental activity OF
the time have made conspicuous. III IheSe It,
spects il was an Episcopal congress over again
indeed. almost any other denomination OF CIrls-
tians would have talked on nearly the same
subiects and expressed the same views. None
of these BAPTIST gentlemen seemed to want any
instruction about stunning baptist
Cburch whether laymCn or ministers, their ed
ucation in Baptist theory and practice seemed
70 have been finished at home. The On-lOokcr
said to himself, After all there docs not seem
TO be much difference between these gentlemen
and those have seen at Methodist, Episcopal
PRESBYTERIAN and Congregational Blg-Ialks.'
WHAT'S most peculiar in our religious organlZa-
tons of the prevailing types is that their sail
emf differences resolve themselves mainly into
matters OF method rather than Of faith If one
did not know the doctriual pivots of difference
he might make a ten yeas journey through the
tribes of this American Israel without finding
them either in sermons or conventions. 1t Is
plain enough that devotion to successful
method is very honorable feeling and highly
worth culuvating, and that humanity is suhi-
GENTLY diverse to make it desirable that rel-
zion should have more than enc good method
of redeeming mankind. Let it not he under
stood that the Baptist gentlemen in the Brook
lyn meeting were hiding their special doc
trines respecting Baptism and the Lords Sup
per. They simply did not need to strengthen
each other on these points so tenaciously held
by all of thcm-and yet both doctrines appeared
there as the twin columns on which tue Church
of Roger Willams rests. And the observer
may leave this meeting, remarkng as he goes
out, that these Baptist gentlemen have solved
great problem. They combine the most re5o-
lutte conviction, the most stubborn belief IN
their own special doctrines, with the most ad-
mirable tolerance OF the faith of other Chris
tians And this combination of sturdy faith
with graceful tolerance makes it easy to Iccos
ME them as the Successors of Roger Williams