Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-04
NEW CHURCH CONFERENCE
Two Important Subjects Considered at the
Session Today.
Vacancies in the Several Boards FILL
ton Boards Report.

The session of the Swedenborgian, or New
Church, conference this morning was taken
up with the consideration of two Of the
most important subjects that come before
the annual meeting of this body. One was
the matter of New Church education and
the other the report of the New Church
board of publication. Both were referred to
the conference, after action by the council
of ministers, which was in session last
week.
After the preliminary routine business of
the conference this morning elections
were held to fill vacancies in the several
boards, resulting as follows:
Board of managers of the Theological
school-Rev. John Goddard, Cincinnati,
Ohio; Rev. S. 8. Seward, New York; Geo.
w: Simpkins, St Louis, Mo-; Rev. John
Whitehead, Uurbana, Ohio.
Editorial board of managers-Revs. J. Z.
Ager, Brooklyn, NY; L. P. Mercer, Chi
cago, ILL.,; Frank Sewall, Washington, DC;
James Reed, Boston, Mass; John Goddard,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Trustees of the building fund-Julien
Shoemaker, Philadelphia. Pa; VIM. Nc
George, jr, Philadelphia. Pa.
New Church Education.
The question of New Church education
came up on the consideration of the rec
concentrations contained in a paper read
before the council of ministers by Rev. John
Whitehead. In 1t the claims of education
alorg the lines of this denomination were
set forth at length and all New Church peo-
pie were urged to take a more earnest in
tereSt in the subject. The University of
Urbana, as a center of New Church educa-
ton, was pressed upon their notice and the
recommendation was made that the con-
ference take steps to enlarge it's field of use
fulneSs.
The matter was discussed by number of
the delegates to the conference. among
them Rev. Mr.. Dole. Rev. Mr.. Whitehead
and Rev. Frank Sewall. In order that it
might receive fuller consideration it was
finally laid upon the table, to be taken up
tomorrow after the calling of the roll at
the morning session.
The remainder Of the morning was taken
up with the report of the board of publica-
tion- This had to do especially with the
publishing of the Messenger, the weekly
organ of the New Church people, and it was
finally decided that the council of ministers
should be authorized to appropriate the
necessary funds to keep the paper out of
debt.
This afternoon at 2 o'clock there was an
other business session. at the conclusion of
which the report of the board of missions
was received.
National Church Dedicated.
The handsome new edifice at the south
east corner of 10th and Corcoran streets
was yesterday dedicated as the National
Church of the Swedenborgians.
The dedication services were of the most
Impressive description, and the church was
testefully decorated with flowers and pot
ted plants.
The usual service was read, and Rev. Dr.
Worcester. president of the general COLI
ference of the New Church in America,
made brief Introductory address, telling
of the history of the building of the church
Rev. James Reed of Boston preached an
elo quent dedication sermon, taking his text
from Revelations. xxi:22, And l saw no
temple therein, for the Lord Almighty and
the Lamb are the temple of it,
Last Nights Service.
Rev Frank Sewall, pastor of the National
Church. conducted the service last evening
and Rev. Lewis P. Mercer Of Chicago
preached the sermon. The exercises were
continuation of the dedicatory services
earlier in the day. Rev. Mr.. Hoeck of New
tonville, Mass, read the first lesson, and
Rev. H. c. Hay of Providence The second
lesson. Rev: Mr.. MERGERS sermon was on
The Gospel of the Second Advent"
Referring to the fftieth anniversary of
the Washington Society and the dedication
of the National Church." Mr.. Mercer said,
1T seemed appropriate to attempt to explain
the real import of the gospel which the
New Church has to proclaim The New
Church stands for new revelation of di-
vine truth, and life according to 1t. This
both the revelation and the possibility of
a life in accordance with it, is the second
advent of the Lord. The only way in which
He who is always and everywhere present
can be said to come Is by manifestation or
revelation of Himself and by new influx of
life and power to men. His second coming
Is not in person. as His first coming into
the world, but it is, nevertheless, a real
and personal coming in the manifestation
to men of His mind and meaning in all the
sacred scriptures. and in all the works of
creation and redemption, and the imparta-
ton of power to understand and live ac-
cording to His divine will and WISDOM
Chapel Dedicated.
The chapel for the first African Society
Of the New Jerusalem, at the corner of
10th and streets, was dedicated in the
evening. The Rev. Dr. Worcester made the
OBLIGATORY address, and was assisted in the
service by Rev. Jabez Toncle CT tine ad-
visory committee, and Rev. Peter c.. Louis,
pastor of the society. Brief 'emarks were
made by Rev. William l.. Worcester of
Philadelphia, and Rev. A. F. Frost of Cam
bridge.