Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-09
CHURCH PROGRESS NOTED
ADDRESSES AT BANQUET OF
PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE.
Ambassador Bryce the Guest Of Honor
and One Of tho
SpeakerR

The influence Of the Presbyterian Church
In the past, its growth to its present pro-
portions, and the plans for future develop
ment. more particularly in the District of
Columbia. were the principal topics dts
cussed in the speeches at the banquet OF
the Presbyterian Alliance, which was held
last evening in the Sunday school room of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
About 800 banQueters sat around the fes-
tive board.
Mr.. James Bryce, British ambassador,
was the guest Of the evening. In the course
Of his remarks he reviewed the history Of
the Presbyterian Church In Scotland, its
principles and progress. and in conclusion
pleaded for Christian brotherhood among
the churches of the various denominations.
At the head table, which was on q raised
platform. sat Ambassador Bryce, Rev.
George Bailey, who acted as master of
torney. ono Of the speakers. and Rev. Wal
lace Radcliffe, pastor Of the New York
Avenue Church. At the side OF the plat
form were seated the members Of the choir
OF the church In which the meeting was
held, and they gave selections during the
evening. Palms. flags and bunting were
used effectively in decorations and Anleri-
can and British flags were entwined over
the heads OF the guests at the head table.
The Addresses.
Following the repast, Rev. George Bailey
made an introductory address, speaking Of
the object of the meeting and of the al
lance. The members had gathered on this
occasion to remind each other Of the noble
ideals for which the alliance stands. he
said; to speak Of these ideals and to remind
one another of their immediate needs; to
realize the Importance of the PRESBYTERIAN
Church in the District of Columbia to en-
large It's members vision, to strengthen
their purpose. to set their ideals, to labor
and to spread abroad It's influence. This is
the time to labor for its future in the Dis
trict. Local residents, he said were striv-
Ing for a Greater Washington but the
Greater Washington could never be real
lied, he thought. without greater church.
Mr.. Bryce was then introduced, as a
Presbyterian. and opened by stating that
he enjoyed meeting SO many representa-
tveS of the faith.
Il was brought up in the Scottish Pres
byterian Church." he said, land therefore
| am much interested to see here in the
United States capital the same feeling that
existed In Scotland"
Referring to the history of the Presby-
terrain Church in Scotland he said that he
believed the Presbyterian Church had made
scotland what 1t Is today. many Of the
traits OF the Scots being traceable to thai
denomination. While the character Of those
people had somewhat shown itself before
the reformation. he declared that It
changed materially after that period. and
X
TIE successful efforts OF John Knox I'm
establishing proper schools for parish chill
aren were noted. and through these
schools, attended by both young and old
he pointed out, Scotland was greatly adj
vanced. AS a result, he stated there was q
revival OF religious fervor, participated in
by both men and women.
Presbyterian Tenets.
Two principles Of Presbyterian belief
were advanced as the cardinal ones NV Mr.
Brycs-drst. absolute identity OF church
snd nation: second. Independence Of tbs tn
divtonal souls. each soul to search ont ths
tTnh Ter itself BY the first he meant
hand in hand In progress toward hfrber
and better ideals
In discussing the individuals search far
truth he said the individual SHOULD b..
to priest, each answering for his own faith
and for himself" All this he pointed ont
tends to the development Of character
Coincident with political changes. he said
were tne changes IN the Scottish church
Even as the human mind changes, so, his
tory shows. has the Pres5y terlan Church
been changing. The Scots have dropped
their old prejudice against organs IN
church worship. He disiiked however the
comparative disuse Of psalms and the sub
stitutfon of hymns in their place.
He emphasized and urged Christian
brotherhood among the branches of the
oafne anu Oh UiHefeuE uSitoIh~ud1ioSfS- Io6-
ing I'D the good feeling Of charity between
the many Presbyterian churches. he stated
that at the present time tine ministers ex-
change puIpIts. thing not done In The
early days and has Q tendency to unite
it's various factions
I'VE should consider tho Presbyterian
Church the best he said. Yet. We should
be perfectly willing to shake hands with all
others OF Christian creea-CongregAtfonal-
lists. Methodists. etc. Upon my recent visit
to Ottawa Canada. learned that the Con-
ffQual Mefh06fRf and iap
churches were contemplating an alliance
This shows q proper Christ fellowship
I'VE should believe that the God who