New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-05
SUNDAY SCHOOL DEFENDED
BROOKLYN PREACHERS ANSWER THE
REV. DR. PELHAM WILLIAMS
DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE GREENHOUSE REC
TORS REMARKS SOME OF HIS POINTS
NOT WHOLLY CONDEMNED.

DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE GREENHOUSE REC
TORS REMARKs-soME OF HIS POINTS
NOT WHOLLY CONDEMNED
That the attack on the Sunday system by
the Rev. DR.. Pelham Williams. the Episcopaan
clergyman of Greenbush. Mass. at the recent meet
Ing OF the Church Club in Brooklyn has stirred up
the church world is evidenced by the fact that a
number Of Brooklyn ministers In their sermons last
evening devoted their attention to the radical utter
ances Of DR.. Williams. II ntimated by some
that the Sunday-school "annihilator" unbal-
anced. and that words from such men should not
carry much weight with the public Others were
inclined 10 think that OF DR.. WDlliamss crti-
cisms just.
The Rev. Dr. Lindsay Parker. rector of St Peters
Episcopal Church. Safest. near Bond-st.. who Is
noted for the fearessness Of his uterances stripped
the logic of the Greenbush minister down to mere
prejudice. He said in part:
do not feel that it is necessary for TO defend
the Sunday schools. but do think that an act
Of apology for our Greenbush friend for really l
do not see how I can defend him, except on such
grounds as. not being expert in medical turis-
prudence. do not feel could undertake. Only an
unbalanced mind would be able TO hold the radical
views about Sunday school that have been eN-
pressed There seem to be certain class Of people,
% SIn tbs ne G ma and the m
conflicts with 1t In distorted shape; ] sometimes
Is more pronounced than that accomplished by
others. The men who talk about priestly response
which
them to conform with the prerogatives Of the
priest
The Rev Andrew Fleming successor 10 the
Rev. ]. B. Mes in the Episcopal Church OF the
Epiphany. Tompkins-ave. and Electromagnetic. took
for the subject of the evening sermon The
Church and the Sunday school" He resented the
structures Of Or. Williams the sundayschool.
but admitted that II had its defects and faults.
Among other things he said
heard that celebrated speech of Dr. williams.
and know that the speaker is able and eloquent.
Everything in the world from a system OF the
ology and the scheme OF the universe down TO the
me thing in Gods world need fear nor he afraid Of
criticism The truest Christians realize this and
improvement follows criticism.
The ruhrics IN the prayerbook direct that min
listers shall catechze children and see that they
are instructed In the Lords Prayer, the Creed and
the Commandments, and this shows OF ITSELF ade ads,
do not share in the belief Of the speaker have
in any sunday-schoo that ever was or is or ever
VIII be- but ! am against general ncompeteney,
although 1 believe that the volunteer work OF the
The Rev. Frederick Campbell; the new pastor Of
and Cllnton-st said he did not wholly condemn
Or. Williams. and thought IT better 70 look over
that could he learned from them. 'In fact" he
said. II believe We have to thank him. for some OF
the things he has mentioned true, and ne
points out weaknesses which we must examine and
Sunday -schools ought to be like Bible schools
Instead OF that they have been turned into SEES
sion OF lesson papers pamphlets and guides such
an extent that In many schools the Bible has been
almost driven 1t is becoming that the Bible
a complete book is unknown in many OF these
schools"
He admitted that DR.. Williams right as 10
the incompetency OF some teachers. The practice
OF the teachers" he said lis TO prepare them
selves from lesson papers and then hear the class
recite from lesson papers, instead OF going there
with their Bibles. The ordinary Sunday-schoo
teacher is selected because he has an average
amount OF piety and little zeal Many parents
object TO having their children taught by teachers
who are unprepared and untitled for the work
As 70 Dr. Williams's argument that the sunday
school hampered church-gong, he said that II that
true II the fault OF the parents Take
away the principles OF going from the sun
day-school children. and where are you going 70
get your future church members he asked. II
one had 10 choose whether child should go 10
Sunday school or to church, should say by all
means choose the church"
AS "Brooklyn's answer TO Green bush MT camp amp.
bell read some statistics. showing that there were
14 Sunday-schools and 1892 teachers and pupils in
Brooklyn. Does this man." he asked want US 10
close these 1& schools and take away the beautiful
scene which see every anniversary day.