New-York tribune., 1890-04-20
NOT AN "ELSMERE CHURCH,
AIRS. HUMPHK WARDS NEW SoClAh AMI
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

RELIGIOUS ORtfANlZAlloN
.xoccAs As1oxL CORRESPONDENT CT ihh i',''
phoS ~ London, April ?
Tho author Of" Robert Esmere" prooaoiS ha'
~ ;dea when se composed that famous "o'''
~ irving to wric the gospel OF ne" "''P'"1
finn Certainlyshe had no desire 'o po'o 10 ~
orcauizer of a lew departure IN rehEio"' r
losophy or as th founder OF nc" S'0'
on earnest and romising effort is being mace ~
.iye practical AM energetic form 10 'ne P'
.nnrcssed in Robert Elsmere' """ ''
tumphry Ward herself is the most CONSPICUOUS
factor in promoting it. Associated "i'n "'' a.,
nany ladies' andgcntemen well known III so,i',
and religious enerprises, among theih '"e i."''
of Carlisle the )owager Countess FRANCES nus
coll DIR lanes Drummond, president ol M'h-
chester New Ollcec, Oxford; MISS rI"hoV'
Power Cobbe. tr venerable Rev. James M"r"-
roou tho Rev. sopford A. Brooke DIR. William
Flake Odcers. aM others The plan 10 pe pui-
sucd or rather Yhch has been adopted ana Is
now heinr executed is explained by Mrs Huinphry
Ward herself as follows:
We propose she says, TO eS'anilsh IN Lon
don what NAV II called University Han, some
what on the Inns of Toynhcc Hall, which was
founded at the East End few years ago IN
memory of Mr. Arnold Toynbce, with. however,
some marked differences. The object of tri-
versity Hall viii he not only to promote the
study of social lroblems but to draw together
those who are Interested in certain new c0ncep-
tons of religion and Christianity. 1t will pro-
vide such with working centre where these
conceptions may practically applied 10 human
life instead of NtEcring away under the in
fuencc either OF controversy or of disusc Closely
connected with tbs aim will he the endcavor to
promote the scientific study of religion. and cs-
pecially TO make new outlet for that higher
criticism of the bible of which so little is as yet
popularity known in England" There viii be
continuous teaching at the Hall on such subjects
as Old and New Testament criticism and the
history of Christianity and other religions
There will also be maintained Sunday school for
children of all cltsses. Doth rich and poor There
can be little douls. Mrs. Ward thinTs that many
people deeply dissat isiicd with the whole
state of popular religious teaching in England.
Either il is purel, dosmatic and rdlcss of the
developments of modern research and criticism, or
else colorlcsS and relfunctory, the Nsult Of
compromise which satisfies no one and inspires no
one. The belief of the founders of University
Hall is that simpler Christianity can he effect
lively taught. that viii both touch tho heart and
direct the will, and To do this is the object of
their efforts.
The Hall will at the outset contain rooms for
about fifteen residents. Persons who have alieauy
passed through some recognized training in the
philosophical and critical study of religious uues-
tons will lie asked to assist in the lccturng and
class-tcaching on these subjects, which will be
carried on at the Hall OF elsewhere. Those who
have 10 slch special training, hut who feel a
genuine interest in and sympathy with the OBJ
iccts of the organization. Will be invited To take
up such studies and avail themselves of the OPP
pcrtrnticS il that direction afforded by the Hall
The Hall viii contain number of rooms which
can be used for leCtrins, for social purposes and
fer recreation.
The scheme, says Mrs. Ward. has so far
orospcrct remarkably, although il has been before
tie pubic only few weeks. There las necn sub
scrl'cd positively the sum Of $3.50 wear for
thre years. besides about s.. 900 for starting eX-
pcDcs. Numerous applications .or residence at
thu Hall have already come in, and as soon as a
Wrden has been selected and appointed a pro-
v,ional beginning of the work Will he made.
he formal opening OF the IIall.o however, and
te starting Of the lecture system whole, can
pt probably take place before October next Our
'ork is rapidly opening before us, and II is car
trong wish to provide at University Hall the best
eachng whether English or foreign. that is 70
got in matters of Biblical criticism and religious
philosophy Such teaching however. cannot al
gays I've self-supportng. and we shall need
special teaching fund if it is TO be Kept at a
high level. Ultimately. if this part OF our work
is 10 be pat on permanent basis. capital sum
of from $4,000 TO $4,000 will be required
But we should be able. of course TO make very
good beginning with much less than this II is
hope that both moral support and financial
assistance VIII come TO US from America as well
as from England. ard it is especially in connection
with our lecturing fund that | look for such aid
All the friends of ar cnlarging truth. in Whatever
part of the world, at one in this matter and
have common interest. Work of this kind
started in England may well have an echo in
America, and the difficulties connected with il
anywhere are so grcai that II needs certain cos
mOp0lllan enOrt, Il Sinship of minds which is
independent of provincial national boundaries
10 meet them successfully. American. German
fscnch and Dutch scholars. as well as English.
will all be welcome in our lecture rooms and
Will find friends amoIg us. Perhaps" adds Mrs
Ward, referring doubtless to the enormous pOpi-
larity III her novel IL America. " ! have special
reasons for feeling sue that in America there is
much sympathy with the iew reformation and
much desire 10 help il IN It's way.
The spirit in which tie Hat is to I've worked
will be as positive AM as little controversial as
possible The experiment is being undertaken by
ttOsc 10 NHrn lclirlOi, dS IntN understand IL, Is
all-important, and TIN teaching which is
emerging fiom the ole one is not one of vague
less ard despair. but If increasing certainty and
hope" The Hail vii work in sympathy with
Manchester Ncw COLLEGE. Oxford, ana with Essen
Hall But the ncw society will represent "A school
OF thought rather thM any particular religious
sect now existing. A building has already been
secured for the Hall which is in many ways
eXcellently well suited To its purposes The old
University Hall IN GorCbn Square has been divided
into two parts. The south wing and library have
been purchased for rie Use of DR.. Williams
library. large and valuable collection Of books
relating especially 10 theological subjects The
north wing and annex have been taken by the
provisional committee, before described for the
purposes OF this society
>, Among the contributors 10 the funds of the
nan are The Earl Of Carlisle the Hon. Mrs Vernon
iiarcourt, the Hon Mr. l.. Stanley, Miss Frances
fower Cobbc SIR kowand Wilson. the Rev. DIR.
;Mar,ineau tie Rev. Spford Brooke aud the Rev
W VI. Ainsworth Th' amounts subscribed vary
IN IN SIZE from ten shilings To $500 each and
tue Hst OF subscribers is long and
s,eadly increasing ore. When the Hall is
sHited the payments of the residents will of
course contribute toward current eNneusee 4,