Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-10-18

of some seven hours duration, ana after
Secretary CLARK had openly declared that he
would send the rejected candidates, a resolu-
ton was introduced taking up the suggestion
which early in the forenoon had been advo-
Gated by the representative of the minority,
DR.. Vose, in his dissent from the report of
the committee upon home work, and recon-
mending that the prudential committee con-
slider the ezpediency of referring doubtful
theological cases to ecclesiastical councils.
At this moment President Hopkins, after
reading most admirable letter urging that
course from the president of Yale college,
threw the whole weight of his commanding
influence in its favor, and although
Or. Withrow reminded the board
that if they passed this resolution they might
as we'll reseind their previous motion, the
resolution was quickly adopted and without
any pronounced opposition. That was
the action of the board at Des Moines. That
was the one thing done which will remain.
That was the beginning of right settlement
which will also prove eventually peaceful
settlement of the whole trouble, which Presi-
dent Hopkins declared had arisen because
the prudential committee had sought to be
also theological committee. The resolution
indeed was not mandatory in form. Does
the board need to command its executive
officers?The resolution allows in the times aud
methods of its application large discretion
to the prudential comm ttee, but il carries
WlCn II anu 1n1C GI0 fIpub
ciple, and possibility of com prehensive Chi ;s-
tian work, which ell ''beral minded men have
sought from the beginning of this contro-
versy to secure. 1t may take time and
patience to ca ry out this prime principle OF
Congregational polity in the administrat ion
of the missionary board; but from the posi-
ton taken at the close of that eventful day
1 venture to predict the Congregational
churches of this cou1 try viii never allow the
board to recede; and PRECEDENT Hopkins in
his ever young old age has won the grateful
remembrance OF all in the
ministry and in missionary service,
who will work in liberty in order that
timely, weighty and decisive influence
thrown grandly in at another critical juno
ture in the history of religious liberty in the
world.
do not say that the controversy has been
settled it is far from it. l do not say that
the question as to particular men Las been
at once by this action decided, for it has not
been. But say with profound gratitude
that a way out Of the difficult les and sad per-
plexities has been opened which, with wis
dom and patience on the part of all, may be
followed to a peaceful and happy termina
ton. The principle once saifly recommend
Ell, the application oe it is only question
of time. And we can afford to wait.
rather than to see churches rent, friendships
severed, and schism started ON it's mission of
i'll will and confusion. We can aft rd to
wait and even to keep waiting good men who
are eager to pcea,'h the gospel TIC "a lost world.
We can afford to wait until the manac cement
O. our missionary board can nave time TO re-
view the whole matter. And is they do nc
care to assure the responsibility OF sending
man like NJ. Hume back TO preach the
gospel to India they can. honorably choose
the way of reconciliation provided by the
action of the board. And let Congresa-
tional council assume whatever responsible
ity bef.,re God there may be in so simple a de-
cision.
We can afford to wait in loyalty to cause
which we love and in filial RESI- ect for great
society in whose missionary honor we rejoice
III til the policy OF its management following
the leading of be spirit in the history of our
age shall be as comprehensive as the faith and
the hope, and the charity of the Christian
world.
make, you will notice, at this time,
no suggestion as to The course which it may be-
come necessary for the Giends and support
els of the rejected missionary candidates to
p sue in the months to come, at future
meetings of the American Board. We re-
serve 10 ourselves the liberty of deciding
what in any tuture cDntingency may lie the
means or methods best adapted to further the
simple Christian ems which we trust we
have il view.
But at present 1 see no reason why our con
tributions and work for missions may not
follow their accustomed course, and it is due
the gentlemen who entrusted with the
management of the load for another year
that we should give them in all hopel illness
another probation in this matter, and pray
that they may see their way clear in the sim
plicity of the gospel to send Mr.. Hume speed ;iv
back to his work, and to commission in mis-
sionary service young men WHO agree with
the Board itself in not being ready 10 assert
4 II
cases of the present life FOR those who have
had no opportunity TO develop character and
to be confirmed in holiness or i'll sin under
the influence of the Holy Spirit whose work
it is to take up the things OF Christ and to
show them unto u.s.
Two or three remarks upon this matter
you will permit me to add as I seek now to put
it, tor the present, out of our way. We have
reason for muchChristian hope in the fact that
through the discipline and trial of these very
controversies which we deplore a large,
growing and powerful body of young minis
ters all over oar land are being trained and
becoming united in high Christian aims and
in large enthusiasm for the work of the min
istry. I speak what I know aud testify
what have seen, when [ say that one indi-
rect, yet beneficial result of such meeting
and trial of faith as we have jrst passed
through IS t. make acquainted with one
another, to develop, and to consolidate, as
a working power in the land, b .dy
of educated and devoted men whose
influence ten, twenty yeas rom now Il
be profoundly felt in the missionary history
and tliumphs Of American Christianity. |
know something of the spirit and the temper
of those men-men who have faith enough
in Gods revelations OF himself in Christ to
he eager to bring their beliefs out into all
possible light; men who read and think and
trust; men who, whatever faults may mar
their work, are not going to p owe theolcgi-
cal defaulte $, but the freet ON OF tLeir
faith will stand fast; who are 2ioJ ambitious
o? the horors o. leadership, out who ave will
ing & need be to suffer FOR their convictions:
men whose Spirit and courage were exeEl,i-
tied by that president o. western college
upon our far home missionary frontier WHO
when warned by an eastern man who holds
one OF the larger money bags oG the church
that his position might hurt his institution
replied: 81 nave taken my position
from II inciple and, [ hold chat shove my
own interest and the interest also Of my in
IF now that western college
resident should ccme to you with my en-
icrSement on his paper as the man who in
a.. hour of trial did not know what institu-
t1onal cowardice was I hope you will honor
his draft.
The Lord often has sent to his church de-
bates and even bitter controversies when
men would have had peace There are al
-eady signs of the times which indicate as
Jesuit of this passing storm, the coming of
a. other and brighter day for the churches
our order. 1t is no little thing for Chris
;ia:l men to disc over their agreements beyond
their differences It ausurs well for the fu-
ture that these arguments are seen more and
more clearly to lie along the line of the
great afirmations of the gospel of
hrist and those differences, too, lie upon
The lower plane of ou:' opinions and
doubts. We may now venture to
that the eyes of the Christian world
will be turned to the large provilential OPP
now opening everywhere for the
gospel of Christ. This temporary contro-
Versy may prove Gods chosen way OF con-
vncing his church that we must carry our
whole missionary work up to still higher
plane of Christian endeavor and illunine
al our efforts in the Saviour's name with the
Durest and most heavenly motives, and seek
with one mind and one heart to give Christi
lnity to the heather world. ''What Japan
needs" said an intelligent japanese student
TO me. is not you new English
theology, but your Christianity. In order that
we may give our Christianity,
and nothing less than that,
We shall need missionai: es who have
been trained in no narrow way; who have
received the largest and latest and fullest |
4ducatiOD which a CCsmoDOitan Christian |