The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-09
British Ambassador Speaks
in Presbyterian Church.
FIRST PUBLIC TALK HERE
Occasion Is the. Twentieth Annual
Meeting of the Alliance in New
Tells OF Changes and Customs in
the Religious Service.

United States. the Right Hon. James
Bryce. made his initial appearance before
a Washington audience last evening when
he made an address before nearly 800 peo-
pie at the twentieth annual meeting of the
Presbyterian Alliance IN the New York
Avenue Church.
During the dinner, the Ambassador oe-
cupied a table on the lecture hall plat
form, surrounded by Rev. Wallace Rad
cliffe, D. D., IL. D.. Charles Lyman,
Walter c. Clephane, J. D. McChesney.
Rev. George Bailey. and F. E. Edgington.
AS Mr.. Bryce entered the hall. he was
greeted with cheers that lasted several
minutes, every one present standing. AS
Rev. DR.. Radcliffe said grace. the Am
bassador arose with the others and stood
with his head bowed reverently until the
service was ended.
tie was introduced by Rev. George
Bailey, who spoke Of the great work and
wonderful accomplishments Of the Eng
lishman. 1.-THE Ambassadors ways and his
greatness remind US Of Gladstone" Rev.
Mr.. Bailey said.
IN beginning, AIr. Bryce said he has
been connected with the Presbyterian
Church in Scotland for twenty-One years.
and on this account was naturally more
familiar with the work there than in
either America or Holland. ''Presby-
terianism." he said. has done a great
deal toward making Scotland the great
country that II is to-day
Terms Knox Great RefOrmer.
He made reference to John Knox and
said he was one Of ScotIand's great re-
formers. In fact" he said. Knox was
the greatest reformer Europes has ever
known. The people Of Scotland give much
credit to Knox for the work he did In the
development of the country. He was
largely responsible for the establishing
of parish schools and other institutions in
all parts Of the country.
Absolute identity Of the church with
the nation was one Of the great Presby-
erian ideas of Scotland" he said THE
faith was stimulating TO the minds of the
people. and everybody was admitted, men
and women alike"
The Ambassador said that 1t had often
been remarked that there was a mix-up
with courage and strenuousness during
the early Scottish reform, and that at the
same time there was much harshness and
bitterness.
John Knox himself was no saint" he
said; but a soft saint in those days
would not have done at all Since the
days of Knox. the history Of the church
has been that. Of Scotland"
The Ambassadors address was not with
out its points Of humor, and several times
he paused in his speech to tell an amusing
incident or an anecdote. All Of his stories.
however. related TO the church.
one referred 10 a member Of a church
who, by duty. was compelled to hear a
great many university sermons. The
member was asked some time later if he
had been able to learn enough from what
he had heard TO preach a sermon. well.
no." he replied, but I'm a Christian
stilI."
Service and Customs Change.
Mr.. Bryce said the church service and
the customs are changing gradually. and
have been since the seventeenth century.
He recalled the time when Instrumental
music was objected 10 in his church
And another change in the service Of
the church, and one which. am sorry 10
learn, has taken place, is the disuse of
Psalms"
Mr.. Bryce took occasion 10 compliment
the Presbyterians Of America on the way
in which they handle the election Of their
officers, and in which the church affairs
are conducted generally.
your system is purely an American
idea" he said. THE great work of the
church has helped to make America the
self-governing nation that she is to-day.
Church One of Strongest.
THE Presbyterian Church is one Of the
most prosperous and the most advancing
religious bodies in this country" he said
Changes must come here. as they have
come in Scotland. These changes some
times are very important"
In speaking Of tho proposed movement
to unite the Congregational, the United
Brethren. and the Methodist churches,
Mr.. Bryce said that this was evidence of
the fact that Christian charity is growing
all over the country.
The Ambassador was followed by Walter
c. Clephane. who paid the English rep
resentative several compliments Mr.
Clephane also gave a brief history of the
Presbyterian Church and referred TO the
great and distinguished men who have
attended In this city
Several musical selections and solos
were given al intervals by members of