The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-09

recent union effected between the Pres
byterian churches and missions In
South Africa. and the movement for
federation among the churches OF Aus
tralla-
s. II has enabled the Presbyterian
and Reformed churches Of the world, as
true children Of the Reformation, 20
make themselves distinctly felt az q
great power IN the life and progress OF
the Church Universal. Next 70 the
Lutheran church. the churches Of the
Alliance represent the largest body Of
Protestant6 IN the world. They repre-
sent, further. the great principles
which are intimately connected With
the proEre1g Of civil and religions lib
erty. Further, they are q true ecu-
menical or Catholic branch Of the
Church Universal. their ministers ana
members being found IN all important
countries. They constitute the Presby-
terrain or Reformed communion, and
cover worldwide territory.
Through the Alliance and its churches
cooperating with other followers Of
Christ, may the petitions soon be an-
sWered, "Thy Kingdom Come: Thy win
be done In earth, as It Is in Heaven"
The one point 10 be noticed, and this
Is Of the chlefest Importance. 10 that
notwithstanding all difficulties and adj
verse changes, the aggregates show
increase all along the line. We have
more ministers, more congregations
more elders, more church members,
more children under Sabbath school In
stractiOn than ever before, with much
larger sums Of money contributed for
home and foreign Christian work.
There has thus been no going back, nor
even any mere standing still by our
churches. The command to 80 forward
has been ringing IN their ears, and as
they have tried to be faithful In their
obedience to their Lord, He has been
faithful IN multiplying their number
and In blessing their basket and their
store.
Again, wish to emphasize the fact
that the council met in no controversial
spirit. We came together In the spirit
Of brotherhood, Of mutual sympathy,
and mutual respect. There were two
or three disconnected, critical, fault
finding men present. who were dissat-
lshed with the programme Of subjects.
and whose Misrepresentation were
sent out by the associated press all
over the country; but the splendid pa
pers and addresses on the interesting
topics which had been assigned to able
and scholarly men, soon dispelied the
illusions Of the fault-hnders and grum-
blers. We also held out the right hand
Of fellowship, even to those who do not
belong to the church to which we are
attached. In the same spirit which
brought from all ends Of the earth our
friends, we offered sympathy, cordial
ity and cooperation to all evangelical
churches, under whatever name they
may go, who are willing to sympathlZe
with, and to cooperate in the object
which we all have in view. ] think this
council-the gathering together Of rep
resentatives from the Presbyterian
churches Of the world-was well-timed
in the present juncture Of religious
opinion and belief. There are those who
some apprehension and forebodinE, up
on the state Of mind and opinion
throughout the world. 1t is no doubt
an age OF very bold inquiry, and bold
challenge Of many truths which have
hitherto been generally accepted. It Is
an age when many old, forgotten dog
mas are revived, and many received
truths are decrled or derided; and II
may be thought that Presbyterianism
is somewhat in the shade. in its more
homely garb, beside the more horid the
cries that are growing around US. and
are continually meeting US In the
world. I do not think so. have no ap.
prehension Of the tendencies of the
present age. It seems to me that, as
far as one can attempt to read the
prognostics Of the future, they are not
In the least discouraglng but quite the
reverse. It, no doubt, Is an age Of In
quiry and bold speculation, but 1t is
out OF such bold speculatlons, out of the
contest Of opinion that. in the end all
ramparts which defend the truth are
made. 1t ID as ordinary a tendency Of
human opinion as the cycle Of the sea-
sons-to enjoy the fruits OF past labor
and forget the steps by which they were
gained.
think nothing could be more whole
some for the presen. condition Of pub
lie thought than to recall 1t to those
strong, manly, healthy opinions of the
great heroes Of the Acknowledgement
with prodiglous learning. without ped
antry, Of simplicity without vulgarity
and whose spirit, even when least &c
knowledged and regarded, is stIll In
truth the main element of vitality In ali
the Protestant churches. Men may
sneer at II as Purltan-and they often
do so, without appreciating what the
term implies: but they forget TINT
about and around them, at their
hearths and In their homes, in their
daily life, In their ordinary affairs, In
the literature Of the day, and In their
political Institutions, that Puritan spirit
still keeps guard-more Quiescent than
II was before, because a large portion
OF Its work has been done, but not less
vigorous, not less resolute. not less
rendY to do. 70 endure. II need be to