The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-07
RELIGION OF THE FUTURE
The Outlook for the Century From
Various Points OF View.
An Interesting Discussion mt the
Church of Oar Fathcr-Addrcsses
Wines. and the Rev. V. 6. Pierce
Spread of BrotherIy Love Predicted

Predictions of what developments the
twentieth century will bring forth in the
modern religious world were INDUCED in
last night at the Church of Our Father
The discussion was announced as non
sectarian enc. Each speaker had been
urged to speak frankly on the future Of
the worlds religion as he saw it outlined
at the opening Of the new century. Each
seemed confident and eXpectant that the
new age would see the spirit of narrow
mindedness and bigotry consigned to OBJ
livion and each prognosticated the spread
of a spirit Of brotherly love among all
mankind.
Three speakers made brief addresses.
Rabbi Stern discussed twentieth century
religion from the Judaic standpoint. DR..
Frederick Wines regarded it from the
viewpoint of the evangelical Protestant.
and the Rev. L. G. Pierce spoke on the
subject as a liberal Protestant
In the opening address. which was de-
livered by Rabbi Stern, the speaker made
reference to the persecution to which the
people of his faith had been subjected for
centuries. and the prejudice with which
they were still regarded on account OF
their belief, by their fellow-men. He pre-
dicted that the close Of the century now
opening would witness the almost total
disappearance of this feeling which in his
opinion was bound to vanish as broad
mindedness and generous liberation
gained the ascendancy.
DR.. Frederick Wines delivered a
thoughtful address, during which he said
that the religious world was now on the
eve of a great awakening, similar in ma
ture to a number of great awakenings
that have occurred in the history of revo-
luton. The were the advent Of Noses
the prophet; the coming of Jesus Christ
ard the preachings of john Wesley and
Whitfield in the eighteenth century He
said that all these great changes had been
the outcome of natural causes and were
the remedies for serious evils that exist
ed at the various times they occurred.
In concluding his discourse Dr. Wines
pointed out that the great evil OF the pres
ent day was the fact that the age was one
of money getting and greed. and that
much of the worlds suffering was caused
by z plethora Of selishness and self-seek-
ing. He declared that the threatening
bubble Of pride must be burst by the spir-
il Of unseliishness and love. He predicted
that these desirable qualities would be
triumphant in the new age.
The views Of the Rev. U. G. Pierce, Of
Ithaca. n. Y, on the subject of twentieth
century religion were delivered in an IN
teresting manner. He said that he thought
that the future would be much the same
as today and hat there would be no real
change in religion. He referred to the
past, saying that religion had in the
centuries gone by undergone no radical
changes. but had rather only altered its
style and fashion, as, for instance, gar
ment is changed in pattern from year
to year. He held that there had been no
real changes, but that what appeared
to be changes were only alterations,
caused by changed conditions. and that
the present form of religion was the
outcome of natural evolution. He cited /
number of circumstances that made /
the religion of today apparently much /
different from the religion of one hun
dred or more years ago and predicted 1
that similar circumstances would in all /
proba bility arise in the next enc hundred /
years.
The services last night were the first /
Of a series OF especial interest 10 Uni /
yersalists which will be held each even /
ing in the Church of Our Father. The !
series will conclude Thursday evening
with the installation into the ministry
Of John Van Schaick, who has served the /
final year of his licentiate in the capacity /
Of pastor of the Church of Our Father. /
The meetings will ali begin at 100 Fol- /
lowing is the programme arranged: Mon
day, Rev Henry r. Rose, of Newark, on /
"A Great Day for Universalists; Tues
day, Edwin c. Sweetser. D. D., Of Phila- |
delphia, on zone Flock. One Shepherd" |
John Coleman Adams. d. D., !
OF Brooklyn. on The Safest Faith"
Thursday, installation of John Van |
Schaick, jr. Sermon by Charles H Ea-
ton. ID. D., of New York.