The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-28
CONGRESS OF DISCIPLES
PROMINENT MEN OF THE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH ARE HERE.
Central Christian Church Fitted Up
Like n HOtel-AbIe Discussions
The Night Session.

The second annual congress of the Dis
ciples of Christ opened three days ses-
sion In the spacious auditorium of Central
Christian Church yesterday afternoon,
with an attendance that was gratifyingly
large. Delegates to the congress are here
from all parts of the United States, war
like Kentucky even having its representa-
tives. The number OF visitors who had reg
istered their names with Howard Gale last
evening was close TO enc hundred. As rap
idly each person affixes his name to the
secretary's list Mr.. Gale assigns him to a
family with whom he may expect TO find
lodging and at least one meal day-break-
fast-during his stay in the city. To pro-
vide for delegates whose stopping places
are far removed from the place of meet
ing, some of the ladies of Central Chris
tian Church have fitted up the Sunday
school rooms as dining hall and are pre-
pared to serve three regular meals every
day to as many as may require them. The
tables possess most attractive and home
like appearance and the larder looks as If
it contained ample food for twice the num-
Der of delegates that are in attendance.
The congress holds three sessions each
day, morning, afternoon and night, and
each one of these is presided over by diff
ferent officer. Rev. Il. T. Sweeney, of CO.
lumbus, was in the chair yesterday after
noon and caused wave of good feeling to
pervade the proceedings at the very outset
by his felicitous and humorous address of
welcome. After prayer by Rev. Jabez Hall
and congregational singing, led by Mr.. w.
NJ. e. Hackleman, with Mrs. Philputt. the
pastors wife, at the pipe organ, Mr.. Swee-
ney arose TO inaugurate the work of the
congress and introduce the first speaker.
In the course of his remarks he said: Il
would appreciate the honor done me in Sc
lecting me as chairman of this meeting,
even If it were done as a sly attempt to
keep me from talking-whch l suspect was
the real motive. i shall, therefore, take up
as little of your time as possible
AN ANECDOTE.
Considerable merriment was provoked by
Mr.. Sweeneys humorous description of
boiling geyser in Yellowstone Park, in
which he said:
Some prospectors once came across
spring of water in Yellowstone Park that
was boiling and sizzling and frying and
smoking and disputing. and for lack of
better name they called it Congress- the
idea being suggested, doubtless, by our
own national House of Representatives
However, we do not propose to hold that
kind of congress, but we do propose to
hold a congress at which peace and har-
| mony shall prevail. AT the same time, we
want to learn all we can by comparing
views with each other and discussing our
ideas with perfect freedom"
The first address of the afternoon was
by Prof. Hiram Van Kirk, a lecturer in the
divinity house of the Christian Church.
which is affiliated with the Chicago Uni
versity. Professor Van Kirk talked in a
very learned yet interesting manner on the
subject of 1.-The History of the Doctrine of
Sacred Scripture He outlined very clear
ly the point of divergence between the
Catholic and Protestant churches, declar-
ing that the former pursued the path of
| tradition to it's logical terminus-Papal in
failibility-and the latter the better route
of scriptural authority and justification by
| faith. However. the professor said, the
ProteStantS have also erred in that they
adhered too firmly to the idea of verbal
| inspiration. In concluding his paper the
speaker said:
Il believe that the greatest need of our
| times is a master mind-some Augustine or
| Calvin or Campbell-that can state real
adequate doctrine of sacred Scripture that
will preserve the religious core of the old
| Bible yet clothe Ii in a shell fitted to meet
the needs of the life and culture of the
| times.
PROFESSOR PECKHAMS PAPER
Professor Van Kirk was followed by
| Prof. G. A.. Peckham, of Hiram College,
| Hiram. o., who handled in a mastery man
| ner the topic of The History of the Inter-
| probation of Sacred Scripture" Professor
| Peckham's paper bristled with subtle wit,
] none of which could be discerned from the
| speakers countenance, which never for an
audience. however, was quick to catch the
| flashes of humor and frequently the pro-
| fessor had TO pause TO allow the merriment
| to subside. His discussion of the subject
was couched in learned style that was at
| times too heavy for ordinary minds to fol-
| low readily, being replete with words from
| foreign languages and phrases peculiar to
| weighty treatises on doctrinal theology.
| The closing words of Professor Peckham's
| address were greeted with hearty applause.
He said:
"A people may follow the Bible to-day
and practice slavery, but tomorrow IL
teaches them the fatherhood of God and
the brotherhood OF man and slavery comes
| to an end. They may see nothing wrong
| in polygemy at first, for the Bible tolerates
| III, but more careful study of the book re-
veals the fact that in an ideal home there
| is but one wife. The guide of all scriptural
| Interpretation is Jesus Christ. He is set
| forth as the ideal character that every
| Christian must strive to reach
Professor Peckham's paper was discussed
| by number of delegates. led by DR.. Luz
| cas-, former pastor of Central Christian
| Church, who declared heartily in favor of
| close study of the words of the four evan
| gelists given in the New Testament and
| of Peter and Paul He said he himself
| could learn a vast deal more from Mat
| thew, Mark, Luke, John, James and Paul
than he can from the wise men of the pres
ent day. Others who participated in the
discussion were Messrs Moffett and
Briney.
The church has been tastefully decorated
for the sessions of the congress The ros-
trum is set off by profusion of palms and
Towering plants in pots and the national
| flag Is very much In evidence or the walls
and at the base of the pulpit in the front of
the auditorium.