Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-04-20
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Rev. DIR. Horton of London Delivers
A Stirring Address Before the Con-
sregatfonaI Club-The Contest Re
tween the Anglfcaus and the Nom
Conformists-The Episcopal Church
the Only Bar to Church Unity in
England.
A meeting of the Congregational club
was held at the College street Congre-
gational church last evening, and was
largely attended. An elegant supper was
served in the church parlors from $50 to
1:30, after which a short business meeting
followed in the church auditorium. Pro-
fessor Fisher first vice president of the club
theu introduced Rev. DR.. Robert F. Horton of
London Eogland, with few brief remarks. DR..
Horton spoke 'The Religious Outlook in
England, /" as follows:
Now the religious life In our country Il deter
mined by a condition of things you know nothing
about, namely the antagonism fostered by the
established church. But would not have you
think that to-day the established church is OF
the great Importance that it once was.
Think can aptIy illustrate by story the con-
dition of things In a certain En- giish town there
were two clergymen, one Comfornist and the
other NON Comformist. Each happened to be
named Smith and as might be expected the let
ters and parcels for each other became mixed
up. At last the Episcopal clergyman sent a let
ter to the other saying: "Sir IL you had not as
sumed a title to which you had no right these
mistake! would not occur" Soon after sus-
picious locking bundle came to tho non-Con-
f TO ba honss Which whsn opeaed turned out
the incumbents Of The establish nenf The
Smith with with the note: "If you had not
sumed q function for which you had no capacity,
these mistakes would not occur"
The contest goes back to the question: What
did Christ mean his church to bef The catholic
element q do not mean the Roman Catholic, but
the Anglican eement) takes this view OF the
datermined by ordained Minister'S and by the
administering of the sacraments and baptism.
church, Notwithstanding their spiritual qualfica-
tons, are Christians, and that all others are out
siders. The None onformists, including the Con-
gregationalists, Presbyterians and Others, say
It is not particular organization, but certain
spiritual society produced by Christs own spirit
know and love him Christian, we should say,
is one who, having come under the divine opera
ton of the holy spirit is living under the laws of
obedience to heaven.
The Anglican church depends on its history
It is true that the church Of the second century
was Episcopal. But the church Of the first CEN
ond century was modsled on the imperial gov
ernments of the big cities Of ancient time, aud
Bfbl s.'er any rules laid down 0' Christ in the
The view you take OF the church determines
Anglican church takes the Jewish rather than
the Christian view. II is medieval and Roman
rather than primitive
understand that when DR.. Briggs was here he
said that he thought that In Epbcopacy could be
found the element Of unity. In England It is the
only bar to unity. Every church In England
would be united we're it not for ths Episcopal
church We all hunger for unity, but the estab-
lishment clinss to that which is narrow and epts-
copal rather than bread and scrfptural Meu
hold to this creed not because they believe IL, but
because they are told TO. II is a common thing
for an sgnostic and misbeliever to be seen or
shipping in the Episcopal churches beside the
most avowed devotees. 1t has become a com
promise and q convenience where people can
copal church the working man OF England
would be religious to day. Any one can see
that the system la wide the poles asunder
from that Of Christ and the Apostles. IL you
adopt Episcopal Ideas in America he sure you
do not take the old principals Of the Stewart gov
ernmenI-principles which Cromwell and the In
dependents rejected two centuries ago In poll.
Conformist CHURCHES and thus we are strong for
tn st English life that has become SO dear to
do not wonder that you have q wrong idea of
the Non Conformists If you judge from the itbs OF
Matthew Arrold and the scorn Of Charles Dickeas-
But GU should not accept Of wrong ideas IL
| is In the Non-Copforrnist churches that
the great forces lie, which develop liberty and
truth In the English people. Thus, jus: as ]
love England, cannot say smooth things of the
Anglican church The Congregationalists, the
Presbyterians, the Quakers, aud now the saliva
ton army, have been the organizations which in
rapid succession have been the purifying and
liberating fore Ia English life. And 1 pray &c
God that that tendency which will make England
| the England OF Elizabeth may cease, and that we
i may have more healthy and pure religion