The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-12
TOPICS OF DIVINES.
Interesting Meeting at Chicago of the
Evangelical Alliance.


called the general session of the Evangel-
ical Alliance to order to-day for the con-
sideration of the practical question. Chris
tan Union and Cooperation" DR.. Hyde,
president Of Bowdoin College, urged the
Importance of cooperation among different
Protestant denominations, and that the
rights of a given church in a particular
community be respected, its work encour-
aged, and that in the establishment of
churches in new localities the matter
should be determined by a conference be-
tween the different denominations In 9TH
er words, Christian cooperation In
church extension was essential to the ac-
complishments of the best results. The
distinguished college president even went
so far as to urge international arrange
rnent between churches for spreading the
works of the gospel, and that the territory
at home should be divided into State or
CARNATIONS The speaker said that va
riety of churches might be tolerated in
great centerS of population, but that nu-
merous organizations in country towns
was a profigate waste of spiritual energy.
and that Christian cooperation in church
extension is a comparative duty from ev-
cry point of view.
fist denomination. followed DR.. Hyde. and.
for his church, recognized the Importance
OF cooperation in Christian work.
The Rev. DR.. Clark, secretary of the
Home Missionary Society of the Congre-
gational Church, said that his denomina-
ton was inclined to be tolerant of every
form of evangelical Christianity, and was
eager to cooperate with other denomina-
tons in church extension and missionary
work.
The Rev Dr. J. Elmendorf of Holland,
for the Dutch Reformed Church, spoke of
the efforts which had been made to Sc
cure cooperation among the evangelical
churches in that country.
The Rev. DR.. ]. NJ. King, of New York,
and Bishop Fowler spoke in behalf OF the
rf<
that that powerful religious force was
ready and willing TO meet other denomi-
nations more than half way in the most
perfect union and cooperation IN all forms
of Christian work.
While in the discussion there was a tena-
cious clinging TO denominationalism among
the individual delegates to the congress, yet
there is almost a unanimity of sentiment
expressed that UNCONVENTIONAL lines should
be broken down in church extension, mis-
sionary and general evangelical work.
Three other departments of the alliance
held meetings, and the subject of open-air
services and tent work was discussed by
Prof. Graham Taylor, Of the University of
Chicago, the Rev. Howard Bliss and the
Rev. Nj. Mckinney. Kindergarten work and
the duty of churches to the molding Of child
life was the subject considered in another
department Of the congress presided over
by Mr.. E. w. Blatchford of Chicago.
Anthony Comstock, Of New York, pre-
sided over the department which considered
the subject of social purity for men. Women
were excluded from the deliberations OF the
a
ing and influential body of men assembled.
The double standard of virtue for mer and
women was characterized cowardly and
unjust. The corrupting influence of de-
grading literature was referred to one of
the most potent evils of the time. The meet
ing was addressed by Mr. Comstock. Mr..
Cross movement of the Y. NJ. c. A, of New
York., all of whom earnestly advocated a
higher standard Of purity for men.
One of the most important meetings of
the alliance was held in the Art Institute
tonight. A. ]. Arnold, of England sub
mitted a report of the work of the alliance
in England, referring particularly to the
work of the organization for the ameliora-
ton of the condition of the Russian Jews
and for the respect by the sublime Porte Of
certain provisions in the treaty Of Berlin,
guaranteeing religious liberty to subjects
of the Sultan. Probably no one is better
qualified to speak of the work of the al
lance in America than the Rev. Josiah
Strong, ID. D.. of New York, who, as gen.
eral secretary, has devoted his cultured
genius to the study of the social problems
and their needs in this country. He adj
dressed the congress on the Aims of the
Evangelical Alliance in the United States"
He said the church must adapt itself to
changed conditions; that its supreme aim is
to enable churches to see and accomplish
their social missions on account of the
change from a rural to an urban popula-
ton; that SO per cent. of the townships of
the United States lost population between
@ aP TO S the while extent oy ger
in population. He stated that church pro-
vision N the city was growing
less and less every year. and that too many
of the city churches were located away
from the downtown" deHsely populated
districts. One of the prime objects of the
church is to teach man his right relations
to his fellow-man; that il is quite as i'm
portant for the church to teach mans rela-
ton to man as mans relation to God, and
that unless the church gets closer to man
in his daily affairs, his temptations. hopes
and environments unless the church has
power to touch and elevate political, social
and commercial life, adopting ITS methods
TO the changed conditions of society," the
church loses it's opportunity of the age 70
win the multitude and mold the unfolding
civilization of the future. 1t was the su-
preme object of the alliance to point out
the golden opportunity of the church and
urge united, organized effort for the re-
demption of society.
Rev. Arthur L. Pierson, of Philadelphia,
spoke on the Social Mission OF the
Churches" The dignity of man and I'M
selfish. earnest, untiring effort for his re-
dernption was the keynote of his address
He said that every worker among the
masses VINO has been marked a winner
of souls has shown a sublime indifference
to money