New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-03
THE FREE CHURCH COUNCIL.
RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ooNGRE-
GATIoNAL MEETING IN LONDON.
London. July 2l.

One Of the most remarkable meetings in the
history Of Free Churches ever held came to
olose last evening. For eight days the Interim
,ional Congregational Council has been in session.
Conrrecationalism has two leading principles The
entire independence of the local church and the
informal fellowship of all the churches. In the
course OF the development of these principles since
Consregationalism started on its way at the hum
hs little town of Scrooby, about 300 years ago.
the first of those factors, independently, has kept
more 10 the front in England. and the second, fell
lovship has received more attention in America
To-day most of the Council have gone on an ex-
cursion to the birthplace of their pohty Scrooby,
taking in Elstow, Bedford. the home of John
Runyan and Bawtry, names that household
words in the romantic Of Free Churchlsm
among English-speaking people.
The first suggestion of an International Con-
crerational Council seems TO be due 10 the Rev
Or. Hannay, name honored wherever 1t is known
but most of all where he is known the best-here
in London. His recent death, deprivins the Coun-
oil Of his presence, where he would have been per-
haps the foremost figure, has brought out many
an afectionate word of remembrance In the de-
velopment of Congregationalsm these larger gath
erings, bringing together widely scattered repre-
sentatives of the body. seem TO many good Con-
gregationalists full of danger. Anything that
looks toward Presbyterisnism or Episcopacy seems
10 have great power 10 terrify. To many other
Congregationalists, however il is growing con-
viction that something must be done by which
stronger Organization can be obtained Exactly
what il is that can be done by way OF change
without sacrificing that which is essential In our
present polity is by means clear. We have
had our Moses in John Robinson, and many noble
men have carried on his work. We have been
led out of bondage 10 State Churchism In Old
In11 frAp
most Of the dangers that beset a close and au-
thoritative hierarchy of any kind; but when Will
the Joshua arise who by showing us how we can
best conserve our magnificent spiritual achieve
menus shall lead us into our promised land? That
there is some good in presbyterial organization
and episcopal oversight which Congregatlonalsm
lacks is the firm belief of many Of the strongest
Congregationalists This feeling has made itself
Enthusiastically known during these meetings. Good
will come of it, Anyhow, there seems to be IN
the national councils which have been held IN
America, and now in this 1nternatlonaJ Council,
the expression Of desire for completer organize
ton. Whether this can be achieved without fall
ing into the dangers from which we have escaped
is the not easy problem with which the wlsest OF
our members in the years that are to come will
occupy themselves
The Council has brought together 90 delegates
from America, 90 from the British Isles and 100
from all the Colonies. We have representatives
from Russia, Sweden, Austria Denmark, Australia
Tasmania, New-Zealand, South Africa, jamaica
India Japan, China, Samoa, Hawaii, Madagascar
and British Guiana. The Christian World has
called attention to the fact that Congregationssn
seems to have achieved its main development
among EngHsh-speal1ing peoples. This may be
due to the fact that Congregaionalsm seems strlk-
ngly TO represent the principles of liberty in eccle
siastical life which these same English-speaklng
people have wrought out and still working out
In political life.
Congregationalsm being constituted as it is, of
course such a Council that just held must be IN
its nature informal The meeting Will not be
characterized by the passing of votes designed to
determine creeds tbut which really never do de-
termine creeds, for the free spirit Of man cannot
be bound 1t would, however, be hasty con-
clusion that nothing has been done IL was no
small matter in the first place TO bring together
800 men from all the ends of the earth to sit In
friendly converse and discussion of common in
terests for ten successive days. The programme
has been a full one. The sessions have been three
hours each, mornings and afternoons, and two
hours in the evenings There has been enough
work TO do to try the strength of the strongest
Meetings have been held mostly in the new Weigh
House Chapel near Grosvenor Square, with even
ing meetings in the City Temple where DR. Joseph
Parker breaches ! will indicate what seem TO me
TO have been the leading features of the meeting
Dr. r w. Dale, of Birmingham president of
the Council, gave the opening address. Although
he has been so Ill as 70 be unable 20 occupy his
own pulpit for two months, and has suffered q re-
ourrence of his illness which took him away from
the later meetings Of the Council, the address was
a most notable utterance. He is well known by
his writings but / feel safe in saying that those
who heard this address will henceforward give to
DR. Dale the foremost position in the Congregation
alsm of the world. Said of the leading Con |
EDUCATIONAL ministers of london: He is about the
only man among US who can make pure intellect |
ualism burn" In intellectual altitude in spirit
ual insight, in profound Christian fervor rather
in a rare combination of all these elements, know
not where we shall look for his equal within our |
ranks in any part of the world Ills SUBJECT was
The Divine Life in Man.
Upon DR.. L. p. Goodwin, of Chicago, fell the |
responsibility and honor OF the Council sermon, |
preached in the City Temple Few things could |
have been sent over from America that could |
more astonish the great audience assembled TO |
hear it, Englshmen and Scotchmen unite In |
saving that nothing of the kind has been heard |
in these parts for at least half century The |
religious newspapers of London have expressed |
Themselves strongly The Christian Common |
wealth" SAYS: Dr. Go0dwin's sermon to the Coun- |
ell was one which for length, breadth and Depth |
might have been preached by an old PURITAN |
divine. II was from beginning TO end defence |
of the Puritanic faith, creed and spirit, and an |
exposition and defence of Calvinsm Those who |
differed from it most enjoyed it most. Perhaps |
they had-hever heard the like of it before. They |
thought doubtless that such conceptions OF Goa
and man were altogether impossible at the end
of the nineteenth century Indeed, DR. Goodwin
might have been seventeenth century divine, who
had somehow or other strayed into the City Tenn
pie and become preacher TO the international
Council" The British Weekly" spoke OF him
AS The Chicago Pessimist," and most sharply
called him 10 account for certain structures which