The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
former Unitarlans are now lnding religious
comfort in the Episcopal Church.

former Unitarlans are now 1nding religious
comfort In the Episcopal Church.
The Unlversalist Congregationalists also
are to hold their National Convention this
month, and it will meet at Boston. They,
likewise, are few In number as O distinct
denomination and have ceased altogether to
attract the attention which was formerly
drawn to them by the bitter assault OF
orthodoxy; it is now withdrawn because the
doctrine OF hell against which they fought
has been practically set aside by Protestant
orthodoxy itself, or at least is no longer
preached, the very word itself being now
tabooed in such pulpits.
The Pan Presbyterian Alliance, which
closed on Friday its seventh General Con-
vention at Washington, Is representative OF
all the Churches OF the world which follow
the Presbyterian system or polity OF Church
government, about ninety in number,
though in all essential and vital respects
their doctrine Is uniform. The mere form
Of organization, however, they do not now
seem to hold in high Importance, and since
DR.. BRrdos and his higher criticism" came
In, and criticism OF the Westminster Confess
sion began, they are very much at sea
as to doctrine. Like the Unitarians,
they have lost many OF their old adher-
ents of the Episcopal Church. In the
cities more especially. and most OF all in
New York. Here in this city the vigorous
material and spiritual prosperity which
once distinguished their churches seems to
have declined greatly. and the secession OF
several of their notable ministers to the
Episcopal Church has been an unfortunate
outcome OF their loosening religious con-
viction. One went over because he
rejected the Westminster Confessions view
Of the Bible, and another because he
rebeled against the General Assemblys
rule forbidding ministers to assist in get
ting liquor licenses; but neither OF these,
and none, 50 far as we can recall, were con-
strained to leave because Of conversion to
Episcopal doctrine specifically. The Pres
byteran Church has done 80 much for this
country as an educating and elevating
force morally and intellectually. to say
nothing OF its religious influence, that the
weakening Of its stern conviction is really
a loss to American society. 1t has been a
Church OF strong men and well-discplined
its austerity Of life has been valuable.
In this month also the Church Congress
Of the Episcopallans will be held at st. Paul,
in Minnesota This is purely body
for voluntary discussions without ecclesi-
astical authority, as is indicated by the cir
cumstance that in the programme Of debate
the question, Does National Expansion
Involve Imperialism occupies a leading
place Such a question, OF course, is
religious only in the largest sense, and
the views expressed upon it will be
only individual expressions OF opinion.
Another subject OF debate will be the Sunday
question, and, as the Rev. DR.. RAINsFoRD
OF New York is one OF the appointed
speakers on it, some rather eccentric
views may be expected, for he is well
known as an advocate and practitioner of
golf playing on Sunday, though he draws
the line at such Sunday recreations as
dancing and other social entertainments-a
distinction whose moral Justification is not
easily discoverable by logical mind. Other
subjects to be discussed at this Church
Congress will be The Bearing Of the News
paper on Intellectual and Moral Life" lis
Nature Christian" and til ritualistic con-
troversv IN the Church Of England