Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-15
DIR. H0GE'S ADDRESS.
HE TELLS or THE CATHEDRAL IN
GLASGOW, FAMED IN ROMANCE.
ORIGIN PsN.pRESDYYERIlN COUNCIL.
The Distinguished Divine Makes an
Interesting Talk Before the Min
tsterfai Union-wonderful Growth
of the City of Glasgow.

city. held every Monday morning. there
is another. composed Of ministers OF all
the Protestant denominations. which con-
venes once q month. one OF the exercises
at the convocations Of the latter is an
address by some member, chosen for the
purpose at a previous meeting. At the
october session DIT. Hoge was chosen
as the next speaker. and requested 20
give the association an account OF his
recent visit to Great Britain. especially
IN reference 10 the Pan-Presbyterian
Council, held In the city Of Glasgow in
July.
The association met in the parlor OF the
Young Mems Christian Association last
Monday, Rev. Dr. Gravatt. OF Holy Trim
fly church, presiding. DIR. Hoge com
menced BY saying that no feared a mis-
take had been made In selecting him to
speak upon such a subject, which. though
interesting 10 the people Of his own
church. might not be so appropriate to an
audience composed OF representative Of
ell the denominations in the city. lie
had made no formal arrangement OF what
he was about to say. SO that it could
hardly be called an address. but in an
entirely informal manner he would speak
Of some things which he hoped would not
be inappropriate TO the theme, which
was not one of his own election.
ORIGIN OF THE COUNCIL
The most natural introduction. he ie-
marked, would be TO say something with
regard to the organization Of the Council
of the Reformed Chprcbes-sometime
called an-Presbyterian-snd the purpo-
ses for which it was formed. The origi-
nal suggestion OF such an association IS
said TO have originated with Archbishop
Cranmer, who. in 1862. addressed an in
ritatlon TO John Calvin, Of Geneva, to
attend a conference In London for pro-
noting more unity of action among the
Reformed churches. II this be true. il
IS somewhat remarkable that the germ
OF the Presbyterian Alliance should have
been traced back &c an Episcopal pre-
late John Calvin replied that one Of
the sad things OF the time was the want
OF unity among the churches of the he
formed faith, and that. so far as he was
concerned, 'he would be willing 10 cross
ten seas 10 accomplish such an object"
In l56l Beza urged the necessity OF such
q council; but in those stormy times. when
the world was full Of the commotion Of
civil and ecclesiast teal strife, and all the
nations sgitated with the fire and fury
OF battle It would have been impossible
70 have held such a council, made up OF
representative men from all parts OF Eu-
rope.
About eighteen years ago distinct plan
for the organization OF such a council
OF the Presbyterian churches of the
world was arranged and carried into ef-
feet. The first meeting was held in Edin-
burgh, in 1877. DR.. Hogs was a member
Of that council, and said that In looking
over list Of the delegates he discovered
that of ali the representatives. Of the
southern Presbyterian churches IN attend
snce. only three, besides himself, now
survived.
PURPOSES OF THE ALLIANCE.
The purposes Of such an alliance NAV
be briefly stated. continued DR.. Hoge. II
Is composed OF Gii the churches in Chris
tendon holding the Presbyterian system
OF doctrine and government. 1t is sim
ply an advisory, and not legislative,
body. One object In view is to form a
confederation demonstrating the substan-
tlal unity OF these churches, and TO give
the members who compose it some idea
OF The number Of such churches through
out the world. Papers on special sub
Jects are prepared and read, and ad-
dresses delivered on the topics arranged
for discussion by a committee appointed
for that purpose. The design IS TO give
support to weak and struggling churches
in countries where religious freedom is
unknown and where much opposition is
experienced from established national
churches; to distribute mission work on
the foreign field so as to prevent one mis-
sionary enterprise from interfering with
another; to devise the best means OF sup
plying the religious wants Of the great
cities OF the world. and the destitute por-
tions Of every home field; TO secure ade-
quate religious instruction of the young
10 protect the sanctity Of the Sabbath
20 secure the cooperation Of all IN the
effort TO suppress intemperance and
other great prevailing vices Of the age,
and where any body Of Christians is sui
fering from intolerant eXactions or per-
seoutions 10 combine the influence OF all
the rest for their protection and relief
and finally for bringing the scattered
members OF these churches in closer fell
lowship and communion with each other
by personal association, prayer, and fra
ternal intercourse.
These Pan-Presbyterian councils are
convened once in three years. There
have been six meetings OF the body, the
Glasgow during the month Of July.
THE CITY OF GLASGOW.
It may be well Just here to say some
thing Of the city itself in which this coun-
ell was held. In an official publication il
Is stated that the origin and growth OF
the city Of Glasgow is closely connected
with tho ecclesiastical history of Scot
land. In the year OF our Lord 420 Saint
Ninian, OF Galloway, built church ans
consecrated a piece OF ground for Chris
tian burial, and established a mission
where the Cathedral Of Glasgow now
stands In the year $50 Saint MungC
built another church there and establish
ed a monastery. Amid all the changes
Of thirteen hundred subsequent years th'
same spot has been the site Of a place o.
worship. The coat-of-arms Of the city
of GLASGOW Is derived from this ancient
source At the root Of tree on one o.
whose branches a dove is perlled, is {
Latin inscription. which became the. mot
20 OF che city. In our tongue II reads
'Iet Glasgow flourish by the preaching
OF the Gospel These religious insutu
lions formed the Nucleus around which
the city grew. and the ground upon whicl
the stately Cathedral was planted Tit
crypt 70 the building was completed II
1877, and on that foundation the success
slye parts Of the imposing structure wer'
reared by successive builders until 1908
when Il was completed I'm its presen
form. II Is the best specimen OF pre-
Reformation architecture 20 be found II
Scotland IL has been my good fortune &
visit number of the most celebrated
cathedrals OF the world. but few i'm
pressed me more than that Of Glasgow
not so much because OF It's grace o