New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-05


living in garrets and easements
At the second cOnvOcatOn, which took up the
whole Of August 1851 the principal speaker was the
well know Dr. Andrew BOnar of Glasgow. AZ that
ume before the days OF Stone Hall, the principal
meetings held every afternoon In the village
Unitarian Congregational Church. whose modest spire
pierces the unobtrsvey in the hollow below the
hotel. The daily sermon was followed by two ad-
dresses morning and evening services accompanied
with short addresses, were held in East Hall Many
special meetings were conducted other places during
the day, In tents or In the open air. Included IN
these several wOmens meetings. and meetings
for discussing practical methods and experience In re
ngious work The second cOnvocaton thus assuming
less of purely devotional character 500 900 people
visited the grounds. Dr.. Eonar was assisted by Dr.
George +. Rnecost, DR.. Gordon james IL. Brooks, Of
st. Louis; f. p. Goodwin, Of Chicago; Mr.. Needham
and Major white. Mr. Sankey, then as now was
assisted in the choral work by George c. Stebbins.
Owing to Mr. Moodys absence abroad the third con
vocation was not held until 1885. j. f. X. Studd OF
London, was notable among those who attended, as
were William Noble, OF London. and John b. Cough,
the temperance advocates. From Mortified Mr. Studd
visited colleges all over the United States on an
evangeliring mission. Mr.. Cough then In feeble
health and delivered here Of the best addresses OF
his life leaving with his hearers in the words of the
Official historian. indelibe impression of power and
patos. At the fourth Conference the star speakers
the Rev. Marcus Rainsford Of London. and DR..
came Professor Henry DrummOnd Of scotland, the
author OF that wonderful little book, "The Greatest
Thing the World Professor W. H. Green, OF Prince
TOM Josiah Strong and Francis Murphy and his son,
the Temperance speakers.
The whole object Of the Mortified educational and
devotional work may be tersely described character
building. Where less broad-mnded reformers con-
tent TO make education the end in itself. Mr.. Moody
clearly regards all mental and physical training as
vaueless which does not directly make for character.
Proof that bis plans well adjusted pay be found
in the honorable record Of every student who has left
the place; and the uniform and unaffected cvinty OF
the young men and women students who are not
above turning from their classbooks work here In
the summer walters and clerks enforces the truth
Of the apothegm that good manners are, after all,
only practical application Of Christianity. The
helpful influence Of the schools and the summer con-
ferences is of course reciprocal and the conferences
Just described significantly recorded having
passed an previous ones in freshness and range Of
thought, and in the deep impression conveyed that
doctrines Of little worth except they make char
acter and that they fall Of their end If they fail In
this. These points fifty emphasized by DR.. Cor
don in his opening address. lie snd, in substance:
christian Bretlren-In the absence of our hon
ored leader Mr. Moody. who originated the Mortified
Conference. and who for so many years has guided
aud inspired the sessions. 1t falls to my lot TO preside
ut this session OF the convention. In the name OF
our greatest leader Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd
Of the whole hock OF God. welcome you TO
this Christian Convocaton. You cOme from many
States and nations. but you one fellowcitlzens
with the saints and OF the household Of God. May
YOU enjoy ria spiritual blessing and get new
uplift and inspiration in your attendance
On these meetings What is the Mortified
Conference as to It's character and aims This
question is often put to me; and, having been
participant In It's meetings almost every year from
the beginning, / am perhaps in position to
this question in intelligent manner. 1t Is
summer SCHOOL, am asked. Yes, school, and more
than a school for come TO seek the instruction
and the illumination Of the Holy Spirit, Of whom it
is promised that lie shall lead you into all thrth
Snch instruction is the most urgent demand OF our
times
"The great canon OF Interpretation, that spiritual
,alnes are spiritually dscerned cannot b. too strongly
insisted on. One cannot Interpret Scripture by mere
intellect, any than mathematician can III
terpret the oraoro, The Creation by his muplica-
ton table shopkeeper can comprehend Paradise
Lost, with his yardstck. only the Spirit that in
.ursd the Word OF God can give the key to that
ud and 20 always in these conferences, much prayer
and seeking OF the gracious influences OF the spirit has
bem urged. Is the Mortified Conference set for the
defence Of some special school Of theology am con
SANITY asked. No, believe with Augustine, that
the heart Is the best theologsn Therefore We recog
n!ze the need OF much heart culture and spiritual
communion. Hence these convocations have always
beer devotional rather than ddactic Their aim has
been b. promote conservation rather than controversy
IN Q word, these meeting designed for the spiritual
health and quckening OF all Christians Therefore
do enter upon this with much prayer that IL
may prove time OF true refreshing TO our souls"
Dr. Gordon then proceeded TO show the relation Of
doctrine 10 spiritual life from words Of script
ure: "Take heed to thyseH and 10 the doctrine The
best for Chrfsiian 10 take OF his doctrine.
Tie speaker insisted. IS FOR him take care :. him
self. There is what may call a kind 81 canned.
fruit theology. doctrines Theoretically In creed
and confession, 10 keep them from spelling They
be kept orthodox In this way, but they cannot be
kept fresh. The only way to extract from docIfne
the flavor OF real life is to eat it directly from
vine every day. The tree OF bie. told. bears
twelve manner OF fruit and yields It's fruit ovry
uanth. infinitely various and Infinitely prolific. II