The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-16
DIR. ALDEN

pated that he should be needed Tor this
duty for he came prepared in print for DIR
Smyth. He characterized this as the crit
cal hour OF Congregational history. he
called attention to some standards" THAT
this world is the only divinely appointed
reriod of Probation that neglecting this
opportunity the day Of grace ceases, and
then the righteous judgment of God pro
ceeds according to the deeds done In the
body. Such was the teaching Of Andover
from 1908 to 1881. This Is generally under.
stood to be the doctrinal position OF the
evangelical world. During the past four
years another view has been taught at An
dover and many are beginning to accept the
new doctrine. At this point DR.. Alden COM
mended DR.. Smyth's gentle and genuine
spirit; but stoutly protested against, and
touchingly wept, over his new view. 1t is
only due to him to say that his sentimental
appeal is supported by the logic Of the ortho-
dox position.
DR. LYMAN ABBOTT
took the floor and surprised and amazed the
Alden party By the keenness and vigor of
his structures on their exclusive method. He
does not propose that the matter of deter
mining q persons evangelicism shall be left
to Boston, or to any one man. however hon
orable or venerable he may be. He pointed
out an important distinction between the
differences and the agreements of the par
ties to the controversy. and urged that the
differences are immaterial to the work of
Missions, while the agreements alone are
vital, For myself" said DR.. Abbott I do
not know whether or not there is to be fu-
ture probation for those who, perhaps be-
cause of our fractional strifes fail to learn Of
Christ's salvation"
REV. DIR. W. II. WARD
has no sympathy with the future probation
theory but favors settling all disagreements
in matters Of opinion on the side OF liberty.
He pointed out wherein evangelical opinion
has changed with the passing generations.
The damnation OF the infants OF unbelievers
was named as case in point. On this doc
trine there has occurred an entire revolution
Of thought.
PROF. GEO. N. BoARDMAN, D. D..
has no disposition to interfere with freedom
of thought. but would suggest that the
American Board has right to keep out of
its service men who are too free in the use
of their thoughts. 1t is altogether evident
that the doctrine of second probation has
proven to be more than mere plaything in
the hands of the American Board.
DIR. NEWMAN sMYTH
manifested frankness and moral courage
which one is seldom privileged to witness.
A little excited in manner at first he coon
was fully himself. and dealt herculean blows
on the heads Of his opponents. He distinctly
informed the Board that if the policy Of ex-
clusion on grounds of doctrinal differences
is adopted. that it must not expect any mis-
sionary candidates from Yale College for
some years to come. He closed in these sig
nificant terms: "Sfrs, you cannot put us out;
we are here to stayl The Congregational
church is our inheritance, and pass any res
olutions you may. take any action you
please, we are here and here we will remain /;
and we shall press this matter again and
again until by reason Of our importantly we
shall finally have our requests granted" To
this writer Dr.Smyth remarked: You heard
what we said; did we not stand to our
guns2"
DR. e. P. GOODWIN
charged DR.. Ward, OF the Independent as
advocating fellowship with the Universal
lists. DIR. Ward denied the charge. The
scene of controversy was interesting. DR..
Goodwin then quoted DR.. Davis, OF Japan, as
relating how he has kept students under his
charge a month after they had graduated
In order to rid them Of the pernicious ideas
which they had imbibed from reading the
Christian Union and the Neto York Indepen-
denH
DIR. N @. CLARK,
the Senior Foreign Secretary, said that If
the Board means to exclude Hume and other
men of sanity spirit with desire to cave
souls, then he must object. Altogether,
speaking on the basis Of prudence. In the
light Of what the American Board Is organ
lied to accomplish. Secretary Clark made
the impression on more than one mind that
he is the most sensible man who took apart
in the controversy. His benevolent heart
ached at the spectacle OF men quarreling
over differences of doctrinal opinion. thus
imperiling the effectiveness Of the Board in
carrying the Gospel to the heather.
CONSTANT FACTORS
In the Missionary Problem was the title of a
paper read on Wednesday afternoon. by
Rev. DR.. Judson Smith. Junior Foreign
Secretary. The following is a brief abstract:
All human plans and institutions are sub
ject to the law OF change. Every age is
somewhat unique In the character of its life
and thought. New occasions teach new
duties.' God and truth alone remain I'M
changed. In the matter of Foreign missions.
what is the present condition as compared
with the past? What are the constant
factors in the problem? Paul on Mars Hill
boldly uttered the truth as it is in Jesus
Christ" That is the one true remedy for the
desperate spiritual condition in which he
found the Athenians. Just so the people OF
China, of India, of Africa, despite their
varied social and political conditions. all
need the tonic OF faith In the Lord Jesus
Christ to redeem them from spiritual death
They all are living In moral ruin and aliena
ton from the life and truth of God" and are
thus Exposed to endless VICE." Those
teeming millions need many things In the
way Of better family and social life. but
more than all else. they need to have Chris
brought to them to redeem them. Not steam
and electricity. but Chrlst's great salvation
is their most immediate need. In all these
heather lands the one common aspect o
moral ruin and exposure to everlasting
death stirs human compassion and awaken
human love. With new spiritual life II
Christ, new heavens and new earth will
righteousness dwelling in Thorn, will be thu
inheritance OF these peoples. This Is thu
basis, and this the work which has prevailed
from the beginning of the Boards existence
This is the one constant factor which re
mains to-day. The eternal issues involves
in ignorance OF Christ outmeasure al
earthly computations, and give an infinit