Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-03
THE GREAT CHURCH COUNCILS.
DIR. Hoge Makes an Interesting Adj
dress on This Subject.

WI hts Hupitfhs
Rev. Or. Hoge who sails from New
York to-day for Glasgow. Scotland. where
he goes as a delegate from the
Southern Assembly to the Council of
the Reformed Churches OF the World.
had promised that on last Sunday
he would give some account Of
the council to which he was going. and a
very large congregation assembled at his
church at the morning service to hear
this discourse. lie selected as his text
for the occasion the first i've verses OF
the fifteenth chapter of the Acts Of the
Apostles. This text gives an account Of
the irst ccumenicsl council, which was
composed OF apostles and elders, and
was held at Jerusalem The necessity
for this conference. DR.. Hoge explains.
arose out or a great dssension touching
circumcision. Certain men came down
from Judea, teaching that unless tho
Gentles be circumcised after the manner
OF Moses they could not be sayed-that
is. they had 10 conform 10 the ceremonial
law Of the Jews, and in coming into the
Church they must come under the Jewish
yoke. Notwithstanding. they had Paul
and Peter. and Banabas, and others. It
was determined 10 send this great ques-
tion up 10 the college OF apostles and
elders. at Jerusalem. that # might receive
the best consideration; and Paul and
Barnabas and certain other Of them
went up TO jerusalem. and they were
received of the Church. and Of the
apostles and elders who came together
for 10 consider OF this matter. And Just
as might have been expected. Peter was
the first speaker. and he boldly insisted
that 10 the Gentiles the Gospel had been
preached. and that God had given them
tho Holy Ghost 10 purify their hearts by
faith and that through the grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ they would be saved.
without risidly conforming to these old
ceremonial laws Of the Jews. Then Paul
spoke well. as he always did, and also
Barnabas and others.
Then" said Or. Hoge, "the Apostle
James. the moderator Of this first coun-
ell Of the Church. who reminds one OF
noble senator after a full discussion was
had. answered the great question, and
this answer was taken back TO the
churches. SO we have good authority
for holding these councils Of the Church"
LATTER-DAY COUNCILS.
DR. Hoge gave n brief account I'm their
chronological order Of the more important
OF the general councils I'm the succeeding
centuries. Leading up to the councils OF
the Church Of the Presbyterian system.
he spoke at some length OF the first Pan
Presbyterian council held at Edinburgh
i'm 1873. when delegates assembled there
from all parts OF the earth, speaking
many languages.
He said that the largest Protestant
body in the world was the Presbyterian.
Not that they We're all called Presbyt--
rlans. but they all held TO the great doc
trines Of that Church. one branch of this
family WAS tho -. n Reformed Church.
lie said nc lad attended as a delegate
the council az Edinburgh, one of the
most remarkable cities of the world I'm
some respects. He then spoke of the
distinguished representatives OF that
grand assembly who had since finished
their work I'm the Church militant and
been translated 20 the Church triumphant.
WAS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC.
Now another great council. he said,
would assemble at Glasgow, and he would
sail on next Wednesday 10 be present at
its meetings He however felt no en-
thuslasm for the trip TO Europe but he
was inclined to be patriotic and. as some
others appointed to go. 10 represent the
Southern Church could not do So he de-
termined 10 go. He said he had not taken
any continued rest for four years. and
this would enable him TO get the benefit
OF the change. The services of some
OF the best ministers in the Church had
been. he said. secured for his church
during his absence which he would likely
extend 10 the latter part OF August, and
he could not ieave under more favorable
circumstances than now, as the church
was free from debt. and the noble bands
OF workers in the several societies We're
displaying zeal that made his heart re-
ioice. The youth Of this church was re-
ceiving a special training for usefulness
that would III them for noble work in
the future.
He closed this interesting discourse with
tender and affectionate messages 10 the
members of his congregation.
The afternoon was spent by DR.. Hoge
in visiting the sick OF his church. and he