Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-13
News by Telegraph
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. < GLADSTONE AHEAD YET. A Better Feeling For
 His Cabinet.
 FIGHTING INTHE NORTHWEST Riel's Stronghold Storm
 ed By The Troops. THE PLAGUE AT PLYMOUTH. Proceedings Of The Con-
 gress Of Churches.
THE PLAGUE AT PLYMOUTH.

Proceedings Of The Con- gress Of Churches. GLADSTONE COMING OUT AHEAD. The Conservatives Better Disposed Towards His Cabinet General Elections to Take Place in Fo- vember.
 LONDON, May 12-The predominant feel ing among the Conservative leaders since the defeat of Lord Hamilton's motion of eensure last evening is plainly in favor of suspen- sion of indiscriminate attacks upon the gov ernment until the publication of the papers relating to the recent negotiations with Rus sia. Lord Granvi1les announcement that as part of the agreement between himself and the Russian representatives in London, Eng land insists that all future diplomatic com munications between the Ameer and foreign powers shall be made through the Indian government, is regarded with deep sat isfaction and has greatly increased public respect for the Gladstone Cabinet. It is re- garded as bold move for British pro- tectorate over Afghanistan and at the same time it is recognized as certain sooner or later if insisted upon to lead to war with Russia. This indication of frmness on Mr. Gladstone's part, together with a disinclina- tion to leopard the important do- mestic reforms being carried out by the gov ernment, decrease the probabilities that the government will be needlessly harassed for the present. The Conservatives now seem inclined to remain quiescent until it is seen how Russia meets Lord Granville's claim to exclusive influence in Afghanistan, or rather with what degree of frmness MT. G1QdSfnna vU1l1 onatt T1Tnf oct fr1,hf oh io believed Russia will certainly make against such an assumption.
 MT. Gladstone scored another victory in the House of Commons tonight in the de- feat by vote of 290 to 25S of Sir Massey Lopez's amendment to the Irish registration bill, namely that the cost of registering vo- ters under the bill be charged to the imperial treasury instead of being met by local taxa tion.
 Mr. Gladstone definitely announced to- night that the general elections will take place in November
 MT. Gladstone's announcement of the abandonment of the Soudan campaign causes something like consternation among the English residents. There is much complaint among the commercially interested class. A general desertion of the country by Europeans is predicted. The military, how ever, are pleased by the cessation of an in- glorious campaigns.
 
 government will give medal to every sol dier serving in the present campaign as 8 memento of service with the Australian con- tingent. This action greatly pleases the British troops. Sickness among the men causes great suffering. The ships are full of disabled men and new hospitals are being erected.
 THE SECULAR PRESS IN RELIGION An Interesting Discussion At Last
 Nights Session Of The Congress Of
 Churches.
 HARTFORD, May 12.-The Congress of Churches was called to order at 10:15 this morning by Governor Harrison. The Rev. Dr. Burton opened the discussion on the function of worship in promoting the growth of the church. He said that, while preach ing is much admired by many, worship is more efficient, sfecting the same result. Worship naturally gathers up those truths that are most essential If worship under took to saturate us with those truths on which Christians have never been able to agree, the result would be to draw us out of the communion of saints. Worship does it's good work when it confines us to the Catholic truths, and it also makes sermons scriptural rather than philosophical or rational.
 An immense assem blaze attended to-night's session. The topic of the evening was ':The attitude of the secular press in America toward religion" The opening paper by Rev. Washington Gladden. was close, care full review of the attitude of the press gen. orally and criticising it sharply at times. He provoked laugh by his opening sentence that the attitude of the average American editor toward religion is one of calm su- periority. He has no more doubt what should be said about the views of great di- vines than what he should say about those of Schurz or Governor St. John, and in short he has no more respect for ecclesiastical than political celebrities. Thirty years ago the secular press left rslig- ious matters to the religious press, but in the broader scope of modern journalism it has seen that the doings of the great religious world are worthy of record. Their enter prise has reached out to cabling Spurgeon's sermons from London to America and to telegraphing the entire revised New Testa- ment from New York to Chicago. The pro- ceedings of the congress spread before hundreds of thousands through the secular press and it will do grand work in aid of the objects of the congress
 
 ist of Boston, presented the next paper, which was calm, logical discussion of the influence of the secular press whose wide circulation among all classes makes 1t of immense value in the dissemination of igious matters Its editors discuss religious topics more fairly as . rule than very many religious journals which wrapped up in denominational partisanship, and to the secular press the American people must look more and more for fair discussion of those views which tend to Christian unity.
 Rev. James M. Pullman, of Lynn, Mass, said that he had requested the views of the editors of two leading New England news papers on the attitude of the press to hgion. The replies were substantially that such religious news is collected as the read CTS demand It is governed by commercial policy to print what is most interesting. The editorial policy is directed by considera- tions of whatever will advance the social welfare The policy is that of the widest toleration toward all sects and editors dis cern disposition to get rid of non-essentials in the church and to reach Christian unity.
 United States Senator Hawley made bril- liant address, portraying the very great value of the secular press to religion and the increasing space which the daily and weekly press alike allots to subjects of that charac ter The secular press avoids creeds; it has no creed; it is tolerant of all creeds; it is fair to all and it IS ever on the side of every great movement looking to the advancement of the social welfare. Without always dis cussing the subject from religious stand point it is ever swift to denounce wrong and is very often in this respect in advance of public sentiment.
 Short speeches were made by James Free man Clarke of Boston, Rev. Dr. Langdon of Pennsylvania2 and others.
 The session tomorrow will include ad- dresses by Rev. James Freeman Clarke and President Porter, sof Yale.
 Scores i'm the Skating Match.
 NEW YORK, May 12.-The six day roller skating race was marked by more numer- ous attendance to-day than upon any day since the contest began. When Snowden had covered 450 miles he was presented with check for $25O by the Raymond Skate company. At o'clock W. Boyst made