Morning journal and courier., 1885-10-23
THE CHURCH CONGRESS

in WOrship''-Eloquent and Polished d Addresses An Episode-Free Trade and Tariff Advocates Shake Hands The Amends HonorabIe-The Even ing SessiOn-Free Churches Ably Dis cussed-Immense Audfences-Close O1 the Congress This Afternood-A Word as to the Present Congress and the Success of the lnstitution.
 ! The interest in the Church Congress seem \ ed unabated yesterday morning and last evening when the Carll's Opera House agair
 contained large audiences. Many people Jeff
 their homes as early as six o'clock last even ing in order to ensure being early enough te 1 get good seat. At the morning session there was a perfect rush to obtain seats and | the side aisles were filled with chairs to ac
 comodate the people as far as possible. The ladies seemed to predominate in number
 both at the morning and evening sessions
 and evinced the deepest interest in the pro- ceedings "The Congress has been a suc-
 cess," remarked a prominent doctor of alvin | ity at the New Haven House yesterday. "We
 are more than satisfied with the result and | the interest manifested by the public at | large as we'll as by Episcopalians A friend tells me that fully one third if not one half of the audiences at the | meetings are Christians outside of our de nomination. But outside of the local inter est we are satisfied that ths congress exercises I a wide and permanent beneficial influence in our own honored and historic church It brings to the front some of our best thinkers
 and leaders divested of their canonicals and
 meeting together animated and aetuated by 8 unity of purpose-the upbuilding of the church of Christ and the interchange of opin- ions and views upon some, at least, of the most interesting and vital questions of the day, theological and secular. The result is quickening to the church and infuses new spirit into our work I have heard doubted the wisdom of bringing so-called pelit- ical question before the congress for discus sion but that it is live subject was amply evinced by the spirited talking done on the subject It is, nevertheless, great ques- tion and one which appears to be affect deeply the interest of millions of the human race. This is a question nod unwor- thy of our cognizance. It is safe to say from what I hear that the tariff subject was we'll aired, considering the time allotted to it's
 
 Haven of both parties.''
 The Morning Topic,
 ESTHETICISM IN WORSHIP WELL DISCUSSED
 THE TARIFF DEBATE-DR. COURTNEY AND
 EDITOR cLARK-AN INTERESTING EPISODE.
 "Estheticism in Worship was the topic of the morning session of the congress. The Lords prayer was offered by Bishop Will Hams, and there was singing led by the Rev. MT. Martin, of New York.
 Preliminary to the discussion, the Bishop said that the courtesy of the floor had been extended to Rev. Dr. Courtney, to say few words. Dr. Courtney was the English divine who had taken pointed exception to criti- cisms of England by c. H. Clark, of Phila- delphia, in the tariff paper of the night be- fore. Dr. Courtney had substantially charg- ed MT. Clark with bearing false witness against his neighbor, feeling that the honor of his country had been wrongly impugned. Dr. Courtney frankly admitted that he had transgressed the limits of fair debate and handsomely expressed his regret for the occurrence, and concluding said: 1T hope you and he will accept my disclaimer of any reflection upon the character of the individ- ual referred to-" This manly speech was accepted with hearty outburst of enthusi- astic applause. Then Mir. Clark also in graceful words expressed his regret that any thing he had said had wounded the gentle mans feelings or had in any way tended to mar the pleasantness of the congress, and concluding said he was very sorry that he should have given efGpse. MT. Clark was also warmly applauded, and thus over the little passage at arms of the night before the waves of oblivion are closed. Dr. Courtney is the pastor of St. Pau1's church. Boston, and an English gentleman by birth and education, who early espoused tie doc urine of free trade and Is an earnest believer in it. He is very popular and courteous gentleman. This happy episode of the morn ing was gracefully brought about, it is said, through the undertaking of the bishop.
 The polished and eloquent Rev. w. A. Snively, S. T. D., of Brooklyn, N. Y., whose voice has not infrequently been heard in Trinity church in this city, opened the dis cpssion on the mornings topic. Af- ter defining RstheticIsm as aI term used to express the science of beauty in nature, literature, and as includ- ing etymologically Impressions received through the senses, he added that hence we may define it's relation to worship as includ- ing the extent to which the element of beau ty and good taste, CT ornament, may be cul- tivated and observed in public worship. The purport of the paper was that the use of the beautiful had a true and fitting place i'll Christian worship, and was worthy of culti- vation and encouragement. Its abuse was done to be condemned. It should never be the final end or aim, but only an incidental factor in divine worship. It must be en- shrined as goddess. It should always be used as handmaiden.
 : Rev. Dr. Percy Browne, of..Boston, follow ed with a fine address. He said that the highest use of spiritual exercises is that it restores the soul to it's fundamental simpIci- ty and spirituality. The ehurch's external and interior beauty is well. Tke deep spirit of the church is the great paramount influence to be considered, Upon our church rests the responsibility of developing ritual which will be nobler and grander than party; & ritual which will be artistic because true, and catholic because universal.
 Joseph Packard, jr., Esq, of Baltimore, spoke in an amusing and interesting vein. He said the church of God should be as beau tiful as it's faezpbers can make it. It is diff cult to formulate the uses of the beautiful in the worship of God. In the death grapple the soul or LAdh: noC IAe clotuee, su1hes out. No congregation has right to spend large amounts iR beautifying the church when it starves it's ministsrg or neglects it's poor One word in conclusion. For some Christians things of taste are as those they were not. The lack of faithful service can not be made up for by the requirements of taste. The fairest flower that grows upon the lawn will be hurtful weeds if planted amid the growing grain.
 The. Rev. George R. Van de Water of Brooklyn, and Rev. Charles w. Ward, of N. J., followed. They were the appointed speakers and the interest of the tributions. Prof. Weir of Yale Art school, and Rev. Arthur o. A. Waii, Gf Boston were the voluntary speakers. Both gentlemen were heard with much pleasure Adjourned until 7:30
 The Evening Session.