The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-30
THE EcUMENIcAL CONFERENCE.
Rev. DIR. Newman breaches of Its
Spiritual Importance.


Spiritual Importance.
Rev. Or. Stephen NJ Newman, pastor
OF the First Congregational Church,
preached yesterday on the Ecumenical
/ Conference now being held in New York,
| describing the general character OF the
meeting, the work being done, and tie
broad spiritual significance attached to it.
/ He paid particular attention to the st
phase Of the theme and expressed the be-
lief that the conference indicates the cen
tinual and partially hidden working Of the
spirit Of Christ, and forecasts closer uni
ty Of work and purpose among the chu. che5
OF the Christian faith.
Dr. Newman said that the conference
stands the foremost among phenomena Of
the kingdom Of Christ at the present me.
Let me give you" said the minister,
"a more definite idea Of it. because the
more definite the view OF this great gath
ering by any disciple, the deeper, l tn NIX,
will be the sense Of relationship betWten
the disciple and the worldwide worker.
First let US make a discrimination so that
We can see just where vast meeting j
this is to be placed. We all lie We.
though we sometimes forget that God Ey
his spirit, is <orking in the world steadily
and powerfully FOR the redemption OF man
We believe that his working is vast be-
yOnd our comprehension. It is beneath
all surfaces. II is by the side OF every
family hearth. 1t is in the groups Of all
households. 1t is in all portions Of tie
wcTld where iniquity abounds. Christ nsvor
surrenders the field. He never vac2tes
any hard place. he has been in all Climes,
striving with the ccnscicnces Ct men. / e
has been everywhere, encOmpassing all
movements The man WHO is engrossed in
commerce, or politics. is not OUTSIDE OF his
efforts. This sublime, this comprehen i've
effort Of God, IS the spiritual life Of the
race and the soil from which all hrp
grow and out Of which all things pfoL-
Using must come. The holding OF this
church service is The result OF that life
Tire sending Of JUdson and Mills across
the ocean Is the result OF that life. TIE
thought OF William Carey tie p one IT mis-
sionaTy Of modern times, TO save the worl1
is the result Of that life. These tlinls
are the products which We can see. Trey
are single products which appear, ard We
say that they are gCCd Ne must rot
forget however, that hack o. these visible
products lie miiliCEs Of unseen EtEiyiurs
and Inspirations which are likewise tie
result Of that life and are never b.ou mt
to sight in tLis world.
Through the century just closing there
have been coming 10 view WCn-e-fI
phenomena, the result CT The presence Il
that life Of God in the souls Of men, dong
its work CT sacrifice Tor the weary and
the heavy laden"
Dr.. Newman called attention TO the im-
portauce CT the conference. II had re-
-eiyed dignity and standing in the o7in-
cn Of the people by the presence of Pies
dent Mckinley. General Harrison. ard
Governor Roosevelt. The EN- neut de Cget S
from foreign countries we're more
July impressed with its significance WREN
hey were welcomed by the President Il
he United States. a former President ard
he Governor OF the State in whist tie
conference was held. 1t is significant. a d
{ Is important Or. Newman decla cd. rep
'eseEtiug as it does nearly all the Carts
ian sects Of the world. II has rot been
IN oratorical meeting. Or. Newman sail.
lie had not heard one address in Viii h
he sentimental side Ct the delegates had
zen appealedto They were the e for w-rI,
nd it was generally Understood that thew
new their duty and would Co fl without
leing urged TO rsc0gri.i.n Of it b. tie ,
Use Of cNhortations. All the meetin
we're carefully and systematically planned
treat care was taken in selecting tie
uhjects ard in assign ng hem to scelk-
rs. The general aim vas to gain a,
much information en- mis-. icnary work IS
'sSlb4's create spirit OF coop RAJ ION o
rom ali quarters. and find cut the rcsu
I the mission work carried en- in tie
asst.
DR.. Newman said that il hal been ,
rought out at the conference that Chi
ian work in the East has prcgrs sse-d 10 i
most satisfactory degree. In China and
rdia Christian schools are largely attend
d and are becoming more and more pcD-
lar and Christian teachers are in gleat 7
1m9nl G.