The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-18
RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLIES.
FOUR DEEOMINATIONAL PARLiA-
MESTs SOON 10 MEET.
Presbyterlans, Methodists, Episc opaleons
and Unitarisns to Deliberate--The work
That Lies Before Them.


OF the Reformed Episcopal church. the
Methodist General Council, and the rep
resentative conference Of the American
Unitarian Association. The members OF
these great religious bodies are now
deciding upon the membership Of the
coming assemblages. which. for the first
time in many years, VIII represent a
practically simultaneous coming together
Of divided nocks in the same general.
spirit.
The Presbyterian General Assembly,
which is being chosen now. although its
sessions do not open until some weeks
have elapsed, and the converting place
Of which is Saratoga Springs. seems TO be
attracting more attention than any OF
the others IL nay be necessary TO ex-
plain here that the question Of revision Of
the confession Of faith still forms the
dividing issue. for the case Of Professor
Briggs Is now looked upon as back
number, he being himself in the position
Of a suspended minister ever since the
formal action which proclaimed that he
held "errCIecus teachings, views, and
doctrines" which strike at the vitais
Of religion" III the matter Of revision
it seems likely that the Philadelphia con-
tingent OF commissioners, seconded by
such eminent churchmen as Dr. Charles
A. Dickey, Rev. w. II. Roberts, and
particularly Rev. Henry G. McCook, will
endeavor 10 secure action somewhat
similar 10 that Of the last gathering Of
the denomination, when practically moth
ing was done in the way Of that drastic
revision which the radicals had been
striving for. The Philadelphians seem 70
wish more activity IN the way Of spread
ing the faith than in revising H. The
change. as seems indicated by the choice
OF commissioners so far reported, DR..
Robert +. Farris, OF ST. Louis. is con-
sidered a high authority on the ecclesi-
astical aspect Of overtures. but he is
declared 10 be neutral on the majority
Of them, where he is not opposed. The
southern men will be very strong in the
Assembly. which is why 1t Is believed
that the foreign missions will take pre-
cedence Of the postponed question OF re-
vision. Or. S. II. Chester, with DR.. j. y.
Craig, Of Atlanta. Or. j. X. Hazen, OF
Richmond, and Or. Il. NJ. Richardson. OF
Richmond, will have more influence indi-
vidualy with the commissioners than
any other southern quartette, probably,
and as they have given their attention
more 10 educational and miss Ion matters
than to revision, IL Is inferred that the
hundred and more commissioners VIII not
he disposed to act radically on the confess
sion of faith. The session is expected TO
be prolonged to an unusual length.
During the deliberations Of the Presby-
teriars, there will assemble at Chicago
the general council Of the Reformed Epis-
copal church. a denomination which has
attained phenomenal proportions numeri-
caily since the converting Of the first
corrcil, fourteen years ago. Bishop VIII
liam r. Nicholson, Of the Philadelphia
and New York synods, will be the dom-
nant personality, and the representatives,
Of the denomination will consider prir-
cipaly the subject Of church extension.
The trustees OF the theological seminaries
will be able to present an unusually IA
vorable report this year, and Bishop
Charles Edward Cheney. Of Chicago, is
understood 20 have a plan for an extern
sion Of mission work throughout the
country The trouble with reformed Epis-
copalians has been a lack of funds here
tOfore but in view Of the rapid advance
in numbers, that embarrassment has been
to a great extent removed. The Philadel-
phia seminary has grown to national
eminence since the choice Of the Rev
John Mcdowell Leavitt as dean, and the
men who have won eminence in its facul-
" include Prof Max Muller. who is no
philosopher Rev. J. Howard Smith and
Rev. II. S. Hoffman. Philadelphia is the
place which will make the best showing
at Chicago perhaps, but the South with
Bishops Z. +. Stevens, Of South Carolina,
and James A. Latane, Of Maryland, will
have a considerable representation.
Efforts will be made TO collate the
history Of the movement, for even to-
day there is much misunderstanding as
to the significance Of Reformed Episce-
palianism, and the nature and purport Of
its ceremonies and creed. Church disci-
pline and the coordinate jurisdiction Of
the bishops will be considered. and there
is a movement looking TO the increase
Of the church buildings in all metropolitan
centers. The gathering viii be unusual
among American religious assemblies. In
view Of its Canadian representation. Since
the appointment Of Bishop Thomas W.
Campbell, of Toronto, the dominion
church has thrived until its communi-
cants now include Canadians of wealth
and influence. and the bishop predicts the
most impressive assemblage in the history
of the movement when the delegates as
sembe at Chicago. The next few weeks
will be given over to preparations for
the council.
That powerful denomination. the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. South, will con-
Vene in general conference at Memphis,
Tenn, in May, the same month selected
by the three other religious bodies above
noted. The Methodist church. South, IS
a name apt to mislead all who are not
Methodist, for it's work is as important
in Methodism as is that Of any other as
semblage of the denomination. OF course
its representation will be exclusively
Southern. such churchmen as Bishop
John G. Keener, or New Orleans, Bishop
o. +. Fitzgerald, Of Nashville. Bishop r.
r. Hendrix, OF Kansas City, Bishop AL
pheus w. Wilson, of Baltimore, Bishop r.
K. Hargrove, Of Nashville, and Bishop
Duncan, of South Carolina being the
ones who will be in authority.
The matters requiring most considera-
ton, In the opinion Of the delegates al
ready chosen, will be church extension.
mission work in undeveloped fields. and
the more liberal endowment OF homes.
This is in itself a sufficient indication
OF how free from internal dissensions
the church is, and of the steady progress
ii has made in its territory. There is a
project for effective work in the interest
of seamen along the gulf States. and the
condition Of the seminares will be i'm
proved financially. also. as the resources
OF the churches have greatly increased
during the twelve months last past. In
deed. the Methodist church, South, Is a
religious phenomenon in this respect and
that revival all over the country which
some have ascrbed TO the hard times
has not been without its good influence on |
this denomination. But Bishop ]. S. Key.
OF sherman, Texas, has expressed some !
misgiVings as 10 the permanence OF any |
: ma "a ftrf.