The Jersey City news., 1899-12-13
PAS STORS ABSENT.
Cosmos Arranged a Meeting
for Their Benefit and
They All Stayed
Away.
MODERN THEOLOGICAL VIEWS
Mr.. A. ]. Corcoran's Warm
Argument for He'll Frank
o. Coles Chance Of
Heaven.
MODERN THEOLOGICAL VIEWS.

Cosmos Club members last night had a
hearty laugh at the expense of their cler-
ical members Hitherto the club has met
on Monday night, and the reverend gem
tlemen complained because they couldn't
attend on that night. having church
meetings to preside over.
"Al right" exclaimed Mr.. J. A. Walk
er, .let us change the night to Tuesday
and select topic suited to the ministers"
The night was changed and the topic
set was, "The Recent Sharp Changes in
Modern Theological Views"
Notwithstanding this, when the mem
bers turned up last night, In! the Hotel
Washington, to hear the clergymen ex-
pound theological views and convert the
wicked brethren of Cosmos, there wasn't
blessed one present.
Guess they're afraid of US" said one
member, with a penchant for agnosticism-
..They'ye missed fine chance of con-
yerting you, Frank Cole" said Mr.. ].
A. Walker.
you're another retorted that gentle
man.
Suppose they don't like talking shop
| put in Major Pangborn. and jokes and
pleasantrias few around the table thick
and fast.
Now, since the parsons are not here to
convert u.s. let US try and convert our
selves" said President NJ. Murray, who
stated the case thus:-The apparent
marked tendency toward liberalism, the
alleged disappearance Of belief in hell, the
indications OF growing belief In the errancy
| OF the Bible, the increasing vague lines OF
| theological dogma, and the influence of
r .-f.-~ yq<ax.r1 fof1
| Mr.. Frank o. Cole opened the debate
and being in his element revelled up to the
neck in free thought. His speech was a
| jumble Of bright and witty sayings
\ Mr. Andrew ]. Coreoran supplied
plenty of fun in his treatment of sHell."
| Up to the time, he said, of his speech the
| debate had been like jug handle-ali on
| one side He came out fatfooted. he said,
amid much laughter for hell. Mr.. Cor
| coran showed such vast knowledge
about his burning topic that If ever he
| is unfortunate enough to be compelled to
visit the abode OF Satan he'll feel
| thoroughly at home.
| .sThere has BEEN" he said, mo proof
| offered here that there is no hell and If
| there wasn't any it would be hell Of a
bad thing for some people know.
| daughter You for instance Mr.. Cole.
| (Renewed merriment.) Don't you remem-
| Der Frank what Father Hennessy said to
YOU when you asked him whether you
would go to Heaven or Hell?'
ssWhat did he say?' asked Mr. Cole.
.sWeu YOU know replied Mr.. Corcoran
with mock gravity, Father Hennessy
always liked to encourage people, even II
| their case was desperate and he told You
that possibly you might go to heaven
| (Roars of laughter,
/ Ex-Judge Thomas F. Noonan followed
| in a learned speech on church history
and dogma and giving his audience the
| impression that the lawyer should stop
practising and preach.
| Mr.. C. r. Heike smashed every theo-
logical image in sight and declared that
| science was the only thing capable OF
| exact demonstration.
Mr.. John A. Walker sharply defined the
| differences between the old theology from
the new and argued that the community
| was better generally in moral tone under
the old severe and unbending views than
TODAY when liberalism is rampant Mr.
Walker in an able speech, concluded that
old fashioned theological views were the
best for the public good.
Prof. A. B. Poland formerly OF this city,
demurred to Mr.. Walkers conclusions. He
| thought the present liberal, broad ex-
pansive theology was infinitely preferable
Messrs. T. X. Pangborn, Prof. w.
Thompson, C. Holt. e. Sanborn. ]. A.
Dear, w. Brown and A J. corcoran con-
tinued the discussion, Major Pangborn
closing the debate. The club will meet in
January to hear a paper from Prof r.
ton,s hirthday the club will celebrate and
ask the ladies to be with them.