Evening journal., 1899-10-03
COUNCIL CRITICISED.
Westminster's Editor Thought
the Program Antiquated.
INVITATIONS FROM LIVERPOOL

SESSIONS OF THE PAN-PREsBY-
TERRAIN ALLIANCE IN WASH
INGTON YESTERDAY.
Washington, Oct. AT the fourth
morning session of the Pan-Presbyter-
ian Council, now meeting in the New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the
Synod of Brazil was admitted to the
roster Of the alliance after some de-
bate. The synod is represented by two
delegates, Rev. Moderator Kyle and
Rev. DR.. Chamberlain, who come to the
council without official invitation. The
letter Of the law was finally laid aside,
and the synod was accepted as having
good intention and being the youngest
child of the council. in the words of
Rev. Dr. James l. Good. Of Reading,
Pa.
The business committee reported the
decision as to the time of the next
council was in favor Of 1904. In an
swer to questions raised as to the
reason for making a five instead of a
four year interval between holdings,
the chairman of the committee. Rev.
DR.. Robert p Kerr, of Richmond, Va,
said that the Council was put at a
disadvantage when convened in year
of presidential election. as many lay
members at such times found it impos-
sible to attend, and public interest was
POLITICALLY inclined. Moreover, other
great gatherings meet every five years,
that there may be time for questions of
the day to ripen.
i CRITICISM OF THE PROGRAM.
/ Rev. ]. A. Macdonald. of Toronto,
editor of the Westminster, here rose,
and dropped a much enjoyed bomb OF
crisp. keen criticism on the sober, set
tiled, theological ways and means Of
the council. He attacked the quality
of the program, and said that II the
lcouncil could not deal with modern
Questions five years was too short an
interval between the meetings. The
] greater part of the audience was in
, Thorough sympathy with the speaker
as was evidenced by much applause.
These stale, fiat and unproftabl
Questions" he declared with which
this council has seemed to be concern
|, ed, have been discussed at every coun
Icil, and long ago lost every particle O
Interest for thoughtful and intelligent
men. Give us a program of living sub
= jects, and draw upon the strongest oi
our men. and the effect will be great
} Our best men will not attend the cOun
ellis and give of their best work if onl,
I flthemes of antiouated interest are tt
t be discussed.
: "The reflex influence Of this counci
on Presbyterianism in Washington viii
S not repay the hospitality Of our hosts
e Members of the Council who preache'
5 Sunday may have discharged some o
= our debt, but so far nothing has beel
contributed by our meetings. If tn
D Council in 1904 would deal frankly witt
t the pressing problem in Biblical study
e church life and work, and missionar
S effort no American presidential elec
y ton would take the wind out of it
S sails, but if we must face another lea
a and barren program 1910 would be
n better date"
Y The business committee recommend
s ed that an active correspondence b
v maintained between the alliance an
d the churches in Australia, with th
Il formation of an Australian sub-sectio
Il in view. It was further recommends
q that the general secretary and othC
members of the alliance PERSONAL
e visit the Australian churches.
|. INVITATIONS FROM LIVERPOOL
e Rev. Drs. Witham Hutton and Wi
e liam Watson, of Birkinhead, Liverpoo
l. extended warm welcomes to the cour
II lcil to assemble next time in Liverpoo
It There are 100000 people in Liverpoo
s 1t has great religious and comme
A, cial influence over the world. 1t
If next door to New York. 1t is centr
ie in location and easily reached by
Te powerful press. said DR.. Hutton, WI
N spoke in the highest terms of Washing
Is tons welcome to the councils del
gates, welcome which fairly e
Id ceeded itself, and which Liverpo
xt could no more than equal Most pc
~ ons, said DR.. Watson, associate Live
pool with corn, cotton and shippin
er whereas one of its most important col
lis modities is Presbyterianism. III
Liverpool Council would ring no o
Theological bells. The program wou
f. be attractive and winsome witho
doubt. Rev. DR.. ]. Marshall Lar
he president of the council, said that Re-
a Mr.. Macdonald would find no want
Is sapience in Liverpool, which was
fl nous for its showers and humidity.
lie. Mathews remarked that there are thu
d.