New-York tribune., 1890-03-29
WHATA PASTOR SEES AND HEARS
ITEMS OF PERSONAL INTEREST TO PEOPLE
OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS

Considerable comment has been caused and not
few letters have been written In regard to the prac-
cal illustration of Christian unity at the Lenox
Lyseum last Monday evening. Some Of the writer's
think that the audience werc unduly excited when
they applaudcd the proposed exchange of pulpts
between DIR. Macarthur and DR.. Taylor, and some Of
them give incidents in their own experience and OBJ
servatlon where clcrgymen, representing the two DO
nominations Baptist and CONGREGATIONAL exchange
frequently. Their inference Is, therefore, that these
brethren were only following what has been the
custom in other places for long time. Granted; but
the singular feature Of this exchange, and that when
produced the applause and makes 1t matter OF inter-
est is that these two ccrgymen have been neighbors
for nearly twenty years, and yet they have never
shown the brothcrly feeling which each has always
felt toward the other. DR.. Taylor has frequently
preached in other pulplts but he said that he had
never yet preached in Baptist pulpit Dr.
Macarthur has often preached In other pulpts
have in mind installation sermon which he
preached couple Of years ago in Presbyterian
chapel on the East Side. but he has never preached
for DR.. Taylor. This Is the point which has seem
ngly lost sight Of by Of the correspondents
Mr. Moody preaching in Holy Trinity Church Is one
thing Mr.. Moody holding cvangclistlc services IN
Grace Church, in Broadway, is a different mat
ter Lyman Abbott may speak In st. Georges
Church without exciting comment, but IL Dr. Morgan
Dix should exchange pulpts with Dr. John Hall that
this is done, there will be occasion for another
outburst OF applause from those who happen to hear
tho words spoken, as well as from all who are
privileged to hear that this advanced step toward
Christian unity has been taken. When that is done
the Millennium nay not have dawncd. but Its ap
proach will seem to be near to hand.
The resignation of the Rev. DR.. william G. T. shedd.
which was announced in The Tribune recently was
n great surprise to his many friends. 1t had been
known for some time that he was not In his usual
health but, as an elder in this city said when he heard
of the resignation and the reasons given for IL:
man who could write such article as appeared in
The Ncw-York Observer couple Of weeks ago, on
The Sovereignty of Cod one of the finest articles on
that subject which tile present discussion the pro
posed revision of the Confession of Faith has produced
is far from being in delicate health.' For forty-fve
years with brief ntcrmissOn, DR.. Shedd has been
professor serving in the University of Vermont, In
the Auburn Seminary in the Andover Seminary, and
for twenty seven years in Union seminary. He was
also for time pastor of the Brick Church in this city,
which he has attended during his, connection with
the Union Seminary. While standing alone among his
colleagues in defence of the Westminster Standards as
they are to-day, the gentle spirit with which he has
maintained his part of the discussion has won him
MANY friends in addition to the thousands whom he
had among those who have sat under his teaching In
various institutions, and have been charmed by the
brillancy of his scholarship less than by the ire
sistble logic with which he has defended the BblS
and the system OF doctrine which he believes 1t con-
tains No one can hear Dr. Shedd speak or read II
page from one OF his books without admring tho
chIldlkc faith of the eminent theologlan.