New-York tribune., 1885-10-25
TILE CHTRCH CONGRESS.

The Church Congress is an American adapta-
tion of an English idea. The first gathering OF
this kind in the United States occurred on the
eve of an exciting convention of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, in which decisive action was
to be taken on contested questions OF pollcy.
Prejudice was momentarily excited against 1t
since suspicion was aroused in some quarters
that the leaders of the Congress were bent upon
unduly influencing the action of the conven-
tion. Some excellent divincs denounced it in
advance as n species of ecclesiastical caucus
designed to shape the action of the permanent
governing body. These apprchonsions were
sDeedlly dspelled The first Church Congress
proved to be an educational rather than an &C.
clesiastical agency. Its chief function was TO
promote interchange Of thought among clergy
and laity on the religious and ethical questions
Of the lay. It's liberal tendencies and Practl-
cal utility were apparent from the outset ana
each successive session has strengthened this
favorable impression. The Church Congress Is
now recognized as an open theatre where rep
resentatiyc men of all schools of thought meet
in debate and exert a powerful influence upon
the religious ideas of the time.
One great effect of these annual meetings. IS
TO make men broad-mindcd. ControVcrted
questions are discussed from opposite points
of view and with incisve force; and the
strongest uartisan or the most confirmed
hobby rider is startled to find out how good
case can be made ont for the other side
Wider knowledge Imparts ilcxibllity to opinion
and induces habits of Christian charity. Rep
rcsentativcs of extreme sections finding that
they can discuss even burning questions with
ont endangerng anybody's peace OF mlnd'
like and respect one another the
more after frank and free inter-
change OF ideas. The horizon is enlarged as
narrowncss of thought disappears. Differences
Of opinion ard practice that were considered lr-
rovocabc in the clerical study, present points
for adjustment aEI compromise on the larger
plane of the Church Congress. Men become
more tolerant a they learn how much there is
TO be said in opposition to their own ideas
They agree to differ about non essentials, and
are steadily drawn together by their sympathy
for fundamental truths.
The sessions of the Church Congress during the
last week have illustrated both the broadening
and gravita.ing effects Of which we have been
speaking. So liberal and so temperate discus
sion on rituasm would have beer impossible
when the first Congress was held. Churchmen,
Influenced largely b. the tender of the
time, but still t. great degree by the annual
debates, nave learned to be generous and fair
minded, tolerant and consdcrate, in dealing
with Il subject that was once invariably ap-
preached with bgotry and heat. On the other
hand, the debates on Church Unity and Free
Church indicated that gradual concentration
of opinion on common grounds which
is promoted by these annual assemblies. One
of the most wholesome tendencies in the
Protestant Episcopal Church is the rapid
growth of the free church movement Tho
statistics produced at Ncw-llavon show that
the day is not far distant when rented pews will
be the exception, and the liquidation Of parish
expenses by voluntary offerings the rule in that
conservative religious communion Strong
protests are still offered against free church III
the Congress, but current opinion as expressed
there is gravitating toward that result.