New-York tribune., 1905-11-25

.,I+e accononlsbed and has brought almost
universal congratulation. tempered by some
kindly criticism, TO those who pro3eeteo ~ "N
successfully carried it through
It seems to be the universal opinion lla'
conference in many ways accomplished great
good along the lines which IL "as pi''e
The cooperation Of the denominations repre-
sented along lines of universal Christian worh-
# IS thought has been strengthened Many aiso
believe that there has been spiritual INSPIRE"
tion for many of the delegates in the satherihs'
which will be shown in Increased acuNieS i
church work throughout the country not oiii'
tn Individual churches. but In cooperative WIN
in revivals and other purely spiritual acllNillo'
The chief criticism OF the conference ana ile
decisions is in regard TO the exclusion from fiei
her.h,n Of certain Christian bodies on the ground
that they are not evangelical" 1t is urged that'
while such exclusion would have been expected
IN q gathering which expected TO have any
,nauence on creedaI forms or theological
tenets it was mistake to exclude from prac-
teal cooperation in general Christian work. any
professed followers Of Christ who might wish
to join that work.
DR. GREER'S OPINION.
Dr. Greer, Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese OF
New-York, believes that the greatest advance
made through the conference is that it is a step
toward urifying Christian influence In practical
affairs He said yesterday:
The strength Of the movement seems to me 10
be that it win enable the churches TO present en- "a q
more solid front for practical reforms II Is an AZ
experiment in the right direction, and there Is
some hope and promise that 1t may uItlnnatSIS th
lead TO a stronger union. The influence Oh tne
central body. which can say I'VE speak with
the voice of 100000 Christians. shoulo pe
very powerful when brought to bear on the
moral issues of the day such as that of divorce
and marriage the liquor problem, graft In IN
politics and business. and similar supJectst tnS
movement is in a way, similar to that started
some years ago by the Episcopal Church, Wnen
leaders from all denominations gathered 10 give
expression to the opinion OF the church aS
whole on just such questions.
Rut in that movement were Included Unlla-
rians and Universalists and members o. oIiiei Ie,
churches who are left out or the recenI plIIt' a.
and it seems to that this narroWness OF tte
conference has been q serious mistake. II I tiLe
federation is to be for practical purposes & oLlLy;
I for one should be glad to have II proau
enough to include all who can thenlsGlveo eGNu
Christians from Roman Catholics to QuakerS;
of course though disappointed in TINS, snali
do all in my POWER to cooperate with the Inose-
rnent as IT is On the whole, / consider 1t a oe-
cided step forward
DIR. MACARTHUR ENTHUSIASTIC.
the Rev. DR. Robert s. Macarthur. pastor OF
tba calvary Baptist Church, in speaking OF tho
conference, said:
The Inter-Church Conference marks an era IN
the history of American Protestantlsnl. ~ ~
conference ever held on this continent was So +ta
different denominations ITO,
The Conference shows that the desire for union
among the Protestant churches Is very sIois'
indeed such union already exists, and the con-
ference will greatly add to its strength
Three or four notes were constantly anu editi
estly sung at the conference one was ~ 10y di.S
to tbe Ribie as the rule Of faith and practice IN
religion Probably there never was a conie,
ence in which such honor was done TO the bluIe
as Gods fullest revelation No sentiments et mese
more heartily applauded than those winch most
honored the Bible as literature and as reVela-
ton The higher criticism has done It's WoIh,
and many of its results ere heartily recelpeo, a
the church is now ready to move forward holu-
ing TO the Bible with modified Interpretation, as
its great authority for duty and doctrine
Another note was that of earnest eVangehstic
faith The appeal for evangelism was sounoeo
ont with utmost earnestness 1t aWoke an I'M
mediate and enthusiastic response. NO note IN
the conference was more often struck anu Hone
made such melodious music
" ms resnect the conference marks an era in
the history of American revivals Out OF IT,
without much doubt. will come the Inspiration
which will lead TO revivals in many parts OF the
country. Already the echoes OF the conferences
are heard in a number of cities. great wave
of spiritual revival is already moving over lhe
country; the conference felt its influence ana at
the same time swelled its volume.
Another note that Of aggressive work
outside of church buildings, and to some degree
outside Of church methods. Preaching IN haIlS
and theatres was heartily commended Pastors
whose Sunday night congregations are o1nsad
were stimulated to leave their churches closed
and to go to the crowded parts Of the city and
there TO preach. It is known to me that al
ready that suggestion is working.
The utmost faith in the Gospel as the power or
God to save was expressed. No desire was ut
tered for organic union, but cooperation IN
practical work was commended The confer
ence lifted up its voice against dishonesty IN
politics and in business l believe the confer
ence was the morning of new and great day IN
Professionalism.
The great bIunder of the conference, in my
Judgment was the shutting out of the Uni
tarians and Universalists. That act was very
earnestly opposed by many Of the best members,
and will be opposed by them in their own pulp1ts
when they return to their homes. If the basis
of the conference were creedal instead of prac-
ticai there would be some ground for the ex-
clusion It was almost objectionable blum
der The day VIII come when those responsible
for II will repent in dust and ashes, and when
the Inter-Church Conference viii be worthy OF
its name ard will welcome all willing to CO.
operate for the good Of men and the glory Of
God
DR.. John Bancroft Devins, Editor of THE
New-York Observer" said:
The first result of the recent conference is
a better acquaintance among the leading men
in the Protestant churches. The thirty denom-
nations represented sent picked men. Bishops,
college presidents, editors, judges, pastors and
iaynen met in earnest discussion, spoke their
minds freely and found themselves in general
accord. Not that all the delegates agreed Win
every view presented by their colleagues, but
there was a general agreement. Nor could one
tell by matter manner in prayer or praise
10 which denomination a speaker belonged.
except by referring to the programme.
These new friendships and new views OF truth
will produce a willingness on the part OF the
denominations, large and small, TO unite upon
moral and social questions.
f,o-operation in city and country work, relig-
ions and social viii he effective hereafter.
II will be easier TO consolidate churches where
TypFwRIrISG