Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-30
THE CHURCH CONGRESS.
Some Remark able Features Of the Great
Meeting Of EpiscOpalians.

A telegram to the New York Sun from New
Haven, October 81, says: Perhaps New Haven
in all her history never entertained a more re-
markabe or suggestive assemblage than the
church congress which adjourned on the even
ing of Friday, the 23d, after a session lasting
four days, holding two conferences each day.
1t is generally understood that this is purely
voluntary association within the Episcopal
church, with neither diocesan nor general rec
ignition, without authority in that 1t can liter
ally settle nothing outside the routine of its
own procedure. and that its sole function lies
form, where every school of thought and prac-
tice within the Episcopal church may have
picit utterance without intimidation or dread
OF disciplinary measures.
This congress meets yearly. tits closely mod
eled on q similar association in the English
Church, which has for many years attracted to-
ward its discussions the critical interest of jour-
nalism. secular as well as ecclesiastical. At
the outset the Bishops were disposed to give it
the cold shoulder. Now they may be found at
every session, presiding ex-officio, reading pa
pers on allotted topics or sharing in the more
niar gronn nf eseeeav scholarly broad charch
men like the late DIR. John Cotton Smith, and
Washburn, of Calvary Church, and DR.. Wildes
DIR. HARDWOOD and Bishop Clark. of Rhode Island,
it speedily became quite impersOnal and achro-
matte in its theOlOgic direction and drew into
its maintenance the strongest and foremost rep
resentatives of every clearly outlined move
ment within the Episcopal Church.
Such a shaking together OF combustible and
would have blown the Church to atoms yet
last week more than 20, 600 auditors, it is esti-
mated, viewed this Happy Family" without
experiencing tremOr of apprehension or scent
ing the ghost of Il scandal in the atmosphere.
In short, the rhetorics Odiuns Theotogicum
men OF the EXTREMIST convictions listened to
attacks upon their darling theories without a
flutter of disturbed temper or q twinge of
animosity.
The city seemed to have adopted the congress
in a lavish hospitality that oyerran all bounds
person of her venerable president, who sat at
the right OF Bishop Williams, the presiding
officer, was represented at almost every con,
ference. PrOfS. Sumner and Weir appeared
among the volunteer speakers, while college
officers and students were sprinkled plentifully
throughout the great audience. The persistent.
unfiinchihg attention OF those great audiences
was something magnetic and phenomenal in its
intensity.
Perhaps the presence of Archdeacon Farrar
and the reading OF his important papers on
Tuesday and Wednesday-the first, on 1.-THE
second, On the Grounds Of Church Unity
may have had something to do in stimulating
popular interest. Each Conference was given
up to the discussion of q single topic, and the
topics, together with writers and speakers, were
assigned months ago, SO that there was little
loose writing and little irrelevant tax. Indeed,
restrain even the spontaneous after speeches,
for the most part, within desirable limits Not
exhibition of the slightest irrtability, or call
for executive intervention.
Inc range OF topics was Dotn fearless ana al.
mirable. On Tuesday evening the subject was
and on wednesday, Grounds Of Christian
Tariff Question" For Thursday, the topic was
'.AesthetL>1sm of Worship" in the morning
and in the evening, "free Churches" For
morning, and for the evening, "Place and
Methods of Bible Study in the Christian Life"
There were but three disappointments during
the entire congress, and the work presented was
for the most part the best work the best men.
and laymen in the discussion, advocates OF an
almost tridentine medRvalism, high sacramen-
tarians, low sacramentarians, almost nO-sacra-
mentarians EXTREMIST PrOtestants, who frater.
nize with other bodies OF Christiaps, advocates
advocates Of Christian socialism, believers in
the inspiration OF the Scriptures and Others de-
nying It in express terms r,tualisas ana anti
lOgians and ratiOnalists OF the most pronounced
type; and yet, withal, sensible undertOne Of
moral with inner mar 81 p pnS
substantial oneness OF the body beyond cavil
or doubt.
We are to have no more Of the .Altitudinarian,"
"Latitudinarian," and Decentralization" classi-
dcations among Episcopa !ians. It is TO be gem
lie mainly in means and methods. Henceforth
the point of departure and the ultimate purpose
are Identical with all schools. The mere scio-
The future rivalries will lie In the line OF high
purposes and hard, wise work. Ugliness IS no
longer likely to pass as = synonyme I0r sanGsi-
clesiastical pretension must justify itself by
heavy crops and shrewd husbandry or go tOthe
wall. This much and more was gatnered rom
careful study Of the tenth annual churcn con-
gress.
FRzNcH AND PoRrUaUEsE 1sTEREsEs
ordered to proceed At once to Guinea 70 protect
French interests in that country. The dispute