New-York tribune., 1889-10-20
TIE AMERICAN BOARD.

THE AMERICAN BOARD.
Religious t0leraton has achieved a cOnspc-
uous triumph in the meetings of the American
Board but so mastery has been the leadership
under which n compromise has been effected
that even conservatives are rccOncied to the
issue of the conflict. No greater victory was
ever won by the personal ascendancy of single
intellect in a theological controversy than that
which crowned the statesmanlke course of DR..
StOrrs in Thursdays session For three days
the conservative majority had stubborny re-
sisted the fierce onset of the liberal minority.
Suddenly the atmosphere cleared and every
disputant, even with hot words still on his
lips, felt in his heart that a crisis had come
with menace not only for the successful con-
tinuanCe Of mission work abroad but also for
the maintenance of Congregational polity at
home. DR. Storrs, with unerring instinct and
cOnsummate tact, interpreted what was in
every ones thoughts and gave the signal for
reconciliation The investigation which the
minority had demanded was upon his Sug
gestiOn unanimously conceded, but was re-
stricted to the methods of administration pur
sued at the missionary rooms in Boston. This
inquiry. while narrower in scope than that COM
prehenSive investigation of theological ques-
tions and matters of opinion for which the
minority had been clamoring, was one that
opened way for cancellation on both sides.
The Committee of Nine mainly recruited from
tho leaders of the minority, were virtually
armed with power to investigate the admin
istfation Of the Home Office. and to ascertain
whether candidates for mission work are sub
jected to unduly rigorous dogmatic tests and
whether churches are impeded and crippled
in their missionary zeal. An inquiry conducted
on these lines meets every reasonable demand
of critics of the existing administration AT
the same time arbitrary changes in the mem
bership of the Board nStgated by factionaI
resentment and personal animOsity have been
avoided. A wise conservatism has prevailed
in the continuance of the old management and
revolutionary tendencies menacing the diSrup-
ton of a powerful religious communion have
been successfully counteracted.
Since the outbreak of controversy over be-
lief in probation after death a systematic eff
fort has been made to stifIe discussion and to
ignore widening lines Of cleavage in dogmatic
faith within the Congregational Church. Lead
ers on both sides, Swayed by loyalty to the
communion and by genuine zeal for missions,
have dreaded the effects of a free and out
spoken debate in the American Board. The
final issue Of last weeks session proves that
an open discussion was the very thing needed
in order to clear the air. Disputants on both
sides have returned to their homes with an in
eXpresSible feeling of relief that the worst is
over and that reaction from factional feudS
has already set in. Disputed questions OF
theological tests and administrative policy have
not been settled, but there is revival Of fra
ternal confidence with a restored sense of So
cmty in the future of CongregatiOnaliSm and
Of missions ControyersialStS, having blurtcd
out the suspicious and fears that have been
vexing their hearts for many months, are in
Spired with feelings Of respect and regard for
their opponents. Free speech which Is as
sacred heritage from the Puritans as tenacity
Of religious convictions, has done It's perfect
work Factions have been drawn closer to-
gether and a way has been opened for a salts
factory adjustment by cOnciliatOry processes OF
all matters which have been exciting disturb
ance and unrest in the churches. Congrega-
tionaSm is stronger to-day than it was when
The sessions opened. Faith in the renewal of
missionary evangelizatiOn on larger scale and
with oId-time Christian zeal has been greatly
invgorated.
DR.. Storrs's services in accomplishing these
results have been pre-eminent. His personal
authority was force held in reserve until the
excitement of debate had spent its fury and
the necessity for conclation was generally
discerned Then he interviewed as a peace
maker with irresistible power and gentle
courtesy. and outlined broad plane of action
on which all members Of the Board could heart
ily and hopefully unite. To his statesmanlike
qualities as presiding officer was added the
fervor Of matchleSs eloquence. His addresses
on missions, particularly his Incompatible ora
ton that followed the crisis of the debate pos
sessed those tonic qualities that were needed to
heal dSSensions and to stimulate zeal for the
cause Of Christian evangeizaton. His elo-
ouence tended to invigoIate with purer faith
a body Of dSputantS to whom controversy had
already become stale and improbable. His
presence from first to last was a benediction
upon a memorable council of Congregationalism.