The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-16
THE FOREIGN FIELD.


lines of evangelical missionary effort Espe-
cially hopeful is the situation in the Turkish
Empire. Missionaries and native preachers
have preached the Gospel In nine hundred
different cities. towns, and villages In the
world. thus showing the magnitude Of the
Mission effort. 3.4s1 members have been
added to the various churches. and 39,s77
pupils have been in instructed In the various
mission schools during the year. The total
expenditure in accomplishing this work has
been s658.2s5.71.
REV. DIR. ]. L, WITHRow,
OF Boston. preached the annual sermon on
Tuesday evening to an audience Of over
$500 people. 1t was mastery effort by
one of the ablest Congregational Doctors.
DR.. Withrow stands squarely on the no.
future-probation platform; and from hif
premises his logic is invincible.
DR. F. A. NOBLE,
Of Chicago. during the warm debate alread
reported, offered q resolution intended to
put the question of future probation In a
light where no one can mistake the attitude
toward it Of the representative body Of Con-
gregationalism: Resolued, That this Board
distinctly and emphatically disavow its
belief in what is called the doctrine offuture
probation"
DIR. JOHN E. TODD,
of New Haven, said: This is not an eccle-
classical body in any sense of the term. but
we certainly have the right to have whom
ever we please to do our work. and to say
what their qualifications must be. We have
the same right as a bank or any other cor
porate body to employ whoever we want"
DR. Todd ia aound on this noinf
DIR. MARK HOPKINS.
the President OF the Board, said that while
the conditions were more favorable, the
Prudential Committee and the Board acting
in the capacity of Theological Court worked
we'll, but now when the conditions are
changed 1t does not work SO well. He
recommended that something be done that
will leave the Board simply prudential
body. 1t may be said that If every one Of
these grave old men had the necessary
mental endowment to appreciate the fact
that conditions have changed" the har-
mony Of feeling and concert Of action 1t
would promote. would greatly augment the
Boards influence for good.
This venerable and remarkable man Is as
clear-minded to-day in seeing the logic OF an
idea as he was forty years ago. He analysed
ship OF the Board so clearly and forcibly that
no man could fail to see the wise prudence
of his position.
At this point the vote was taken on the
resolution offered by President 8. @. Bart
lett land already given In this report. and
1t was adopted by about two-third voice.
This shows the relative strength OF the
Andover and Alden parties. 1t is only just to
say that some voted negatively as a matter
Of prudence. who do not accept the second
probation doctrine.
In the election Of officers for the ensuing
year. one important and significant action
was taken; The Rev. DIR. Egbert G. Smyth
was not reelected as a member OF the Psu-
Dental Committee.
PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
On Thursday evening DIR. Hopkins de-
livered the annual address to the council.
1t was a mastery effort. Gladstonian In
intellectual dominance. and the great age Of
the man.
CLOSING SESSION.
On Friday morning was held the closing
session of what has certainly been an impor-
tant and interesting event in the history of
the Congregational church. And while at
times feeling ran high and the inquisitorial
spirit showed little bit of its former power
full self. 1t Is the truth to say that all In all
better spirit prevailed than was popularity
anticipated Many we're disposed to make
concessions for the sake Of peace and united
action in the line Of missionary enterprise.
This was Christian.
THE DocTRINAL OUTLOOK.
The action ofthe American Board through
out its meeting at Des Moines was and the
sympathy of a considerable majority Of its
members is, clearly in harmony with the
accepted standards Of evangelical faith. At
the same time the upward and forward
tendency of every institution and individual
that possesses Christian vitality was as
clearly manifest. More and more we are
possessed by the conviction that Christianity
is organic. Considering all the things which
transpired. or were hindered from transpir-
ing at Des Moines the new theology party
and freedom of personal opinion gained q
helpful victory over the Alden standard Of
doctrinal exclusion. federation for honest
opinion !" Hume should be sent back imme-
diately;"- 4 don't believe in the old party war
on the Andover people;" mo man should be
disbarred from preaching the Gospel on any
mere matters Of opinion" Il want to see the
men who advocate a second probation
treated with every kindness;" these are per-
tinent utterances by representative Congre-
gationalists.