The evening times., 1896-05-05
CRITICISED NEW CHURCH
Rev. A. f. Frost Says Afehitec-
ture Is Of the Dark Ages.
VALUE OF THE SCHOOLS
The Swedenborgians Held n Lengthy
Discussion of the CuesttOn-Dr.
whitehead's Paper on Education
Referred to Select Committee.
Last Day of the Convention.

The last day of the swedenborglan con-
vention opened in business session this
morning.
At a preliminary meeting of the council
of ministers the Illinois association pre-
sented report regarding women delegates,
which said the doctrines of the church teach
and experience has proven that it is con-
trary to divine order for the feminine mind
to be exercised in those functions which
belong peculiarly to the masculine mind.
but that, nevertheless, in the present i'm
perfect state of the church. ii may be use
full in some instances; and on this ground
not on the ground of its being orderly-it
ma in such cases be permitted"
AT 10 O'Clock the convention proper
opened with President Worcester in the
chair.
The discussion on New Church educa-
tion, which was cut off yesterday morning
by the order OF the day, was resumed this
morning. The paper Of Rev. John White
head was the real subject Of debate. 1t
contained a recommendation by the council
of ministers to the convention that the latter
take steps to realize the benefits Of New
Church education.
A motion was made that the recommen-
dation be adopted. Mr.. James Reed of Bos-
ton in speaking on the subject. said he was
not prepared to advise the members of his
society to send children away from their
homes to either OF the New Church schools.
The fundamental principles of the New
Church was the influence of home upon the
minds of the young.
There is another phase, he said, land
that is the rcla ton of New Church people
to the state and the public school,"
PRAISED PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mr. F. A. benson of Boston praised the
public school, and said the training found
in the common schools was an essential,
and that New Church people could not
properly ignore the public school by the
establishment of competing sectarian
schools.
Il would not send a child of mine to
the Waitham school, because l believe 1
would be failing in my duty to my child.
l want TO watch the training OF my chill
dren, and do not believe in deciding in
favor OF any one school,
Mr.. Reed moved that the whole question
be referred back to the council OF ministers
for further report.
Mr.. Goddard said: I'VE do owe a duty
to the State. but does that duty include
an obligation to send our children to the
public schools. / hold that when we hon
cstly pay our taxes for the support of the
public schools, we have done our duty.
We may educate our children at home. but
l hold that home influence is not sufficient
in all homes, and it is proper that those
who have not this influence should have
place where their children should have
thorough New ChCrch training"
Mr.Goddard eulogized Urbana University,
but said he had not sent his children there.
because they had sufficient home training.
Mr.. Whitehead objected to Mr.. Reed S
motion and further detailed the plans of
New Church education.
Mr.. Seward moved as substitute to Mr.
Reeds motion that the question be re-
ferred to committee of twelve consisting
of six laymen and six of the clergy. Mr..
Ager thought the matter should go to
the council of ministers.
Mr.. Dewson deplored the fact that laymen
appeared apathetic on questions of such
importance. Mr.. Reed motion was lost and
that of Mr.. Seward prevailed.
THE REPORT READ.
New Church edifice was read by William
McGeorge. 1t told Of the efforts to es-
tablish the national New Church building
and the financial difficulties encountered.
1t showed that to build the church at
Corcoran and Sixteenth streets S93, 464.54
hadbeen rcceived dforthatpurpose, butatthe
present time there is Il deficitof S12, 422.21,
with $500 of outstanding uncoliected
subscriptions. OF the amount contributed
credit was given the Washington Society
for the contri button of over half the
amount received.
Mr.. Dale moved acceptance of the report
and Mr.. Roeder moved a substitute which.
the former accepted The motion thanked
thecommittee and committed the convention
TO the intention Of lquidating the indebt-
edness as soon as possible.
Other ministers alluded to both the
church architecture and lturglcal order,
but thought all criticism should be dis
missed. The concluding spea kers were
Revs s. s. Seward, NJ. McGeorge, DR..
White of Cambridge, and DR.. Mann. The
resolution of Mr.. Roeder was adopted.
Rev. A. F. Frost assailed the committee
and its action in running the church in debt.