The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-23
RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS.
DIR. MALE DENoUAC X THEM AT
AIR. SkVAGE'S INSTALLATION.

AIR. SkVAGE's INHALATION.
Ho 6ays That the Suppression OF Truth
Is Practisrd by All Churches but the
Observation-Disclosures OF KIng Jamen'p
Bible 20 the Revised Edition n Proof.
The installation OF the Rev. Minot J. Savage,
formerly of Boston. as minister Of the Church
OF the Messiah, last night, served as an occasion
for Edward Everett Hale, who preached tho
sermon, TO deliver an invectivo against the "re-
liRious corporations" as well as to Rlorify the
Unitarian faith. The church, which is at
Thirty fourth street and Park avenue, was well
filled.
DR.. Hale began by saying that he had chosen
for his subject Tho cooperation OF the people
with tho ministers in the inevitable conflict
with tho great religious corporations that must
come within the next half century," He spoke
In part as follows:
THE installation of a minister Is really a re-
conservation OF q church. Just now people
realize that II Is n time for religious and moral
teaching. There comes q time In the life OF n
republic whom men really recognize that all de-
ponds upon truth.
I'm the canvass of the last three months every
speaker on both sides appealed with an eternal
cry for truth. 1t was sometimes the agonizing
cry: My Godl How can l convince you that
everything depends upon truth and honor2' A
few friends have told me In the past that
churches were obsolete and that the Ten Com
mandments no longer had application.
b In the last six months they have
changed wonderfully. and now they talk about
the necessity Of the churches teaching tine
s sho oplnlo ons Of 5he B SIsSSols; and and 1 sheS qS%so
was in those communities whero the
ers Of thought on both sides expected to win the
victory; They realize that the republic stands
Justice. and morality, and that these things are
taught by the ministers and the Sunday schools;
anew for the WORK. With the Central position
Of this city. tho success or failure of this effort
will be felt Throughout the whole land, and 1t is
your duty to seo that 1t IL a success.
church was e,tsa5iished ' in this sci city y.' Then It was
the city was controlled chishy by the Reformed
and Presbyterian Churches, and UIitarianism
But tho Unitarian faith had become inevitable
from the change and revolution in the thought
OF the people, and from that day all religious
growth has been along our lines of liberty and
ours is the church of the Holy Spirit. Our
the promises OF the past have been fulfilled. In
three out Of every four pulpits In this city to-day
doctrines are preached that eighty years ago
would have been considered almost heresy. Our
S God.s is tho gospel OF the imminent presence of
The great religious corporations know that
enemies of religion to-day; II our work as Uni.
had easy access to the eager thousands that are
waiting for It. our task would be easy. But that
pharisees. and professionals seek to pull back
the eager ones.
"a Presbyterian preacher says from the pull
Dit what he believed. Then the synods and the
prosbyteries and the councils go over his words,
consider them: and make him take them back.
Chrst!'
revision of the King James, Bible made fftson
years ago by the greatest scholars and divines
OF the age, Admitted on all sides to be moro
accurate than the older version, II was not TO
".WhyisitT" he asked. THE Bible Society
CURED them to print the Bible in common use.
How can + be IN Gf &c use II it has not a
suppression, of truth; 1t illustrates best that
idolstry with which they worship the past and
,sias S, TO 10 iSoh al The risinE sun: IN
the Presbyterian and Mormon churches 1t Is
the same. What other corporation would in
sy Iix Com Company ANY or the the" New YORK central emf rTu al.
low It's directors to build locomotives of the
"The danger from this is that the people will
turn back on such things and on their profes.
religion and then religion ITSELF. Don't think
am hard on tho preachers. for l have said how
Grandly they would preach the gospel 4 they
when they see IN their prayer book what
they know their CLERGY do not believe?
VIII they agree with the theory OF one creed for
tho clergy and one for the laity when they know
that half the elders do not believe the Westmin-
ster Catechism and half the laymen refuse to
believe the thirty-nine articles OF faith =? You
cannot have two standards In a church. Truth
10 truth.
THANK God. the American people are pro-
fonndly religious and are growing more no
daily. This century has trained men religiously
as never before. and people have learned not to
pray by proxy. Let ministers and people unite
and refuse TO obey the dictates OF these corpora
tions OF priests.
The people are with us in this struggle
against religious corporations. | am not think
ing OF any one OF these. whether it he the Nor
mon Church OF yesterday. the Roman Church
OF the dark ages. or its miserable little Pro-
testant offqhoots."
After the sermon the formal service Of install
lation took place. The Rev. ROBBERY Collyer de-
livered the prayer. OF installation. the Right
Hand OF Fellowship" was given by the Rev.
Merle ST. c. Wright, the charge to tho minis
tiers by the Rev. DR., f. c. Bodies. the address to
the people by the Rev. John w. Chadwick. the
closing prayer by the Rev. Edward Hale, and
the bencdiction by Mr.. Savage.