The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-14
FOR EPISCOpALIANS ONLY
CONGRESS ADMITS NO OUT
SIDERS TO ITS DISCUSSIONS.
Efforts Toward the "Open Pulpit Voted
Down After Argument--Yesterday'
Sessions Devoted to oriental Thought
q Christianity q Psschotherapy.

Down After AfEument- festefuhy .
Sessions Devoted to oriental Thought
/ and Christianity and rsSchotherapy'
BosToN. May 1s,-The two sessions
Of the Episcopal Church congress were
well attended to-day. No representa-
tive OF q determination other than Episco-
palian has spoken at any OF the gather
inks for the reason that the general COM
mittee Of the congress voted yesterday
after q warm debate not to invite any
outsiders to take part.
The Rev. Leighton Parks Of New York
came on to Boston especially TO advocate
O more pan-denominaional position Tor
the congress. The attempt to give priv
fleges to outsiders is generally under
stood to be another effort toward the
so-called open pulpit, which under canon
10 has been a matter Of discussion Tor
some time. The persistency with which
the point was pressed yesterday is be-
lieved to be a part OF the campaign h
Is quietly being waged by an element
within the Episcopal Church toward a
broader and more liberal policy.
AT the morning session to-day the
subject was The Possible Contribution
of Oriental Thought to Present Day
Christianity" and the speakers we're
the Rev. Philip NJ. Rhinelander, professor
of the history OF religions In the Epis-
eonal Theologica! School ct Cambridge,
Or. A. v. Williams Jacks on. professor
of Sanscrit in Columbia University,
the Rev. c. George Currie of London
and the Rev. Arthur s. Lloyd, d. D.,
general secretary Of the missionary
society In New York.
That many Of the doctrinal beliefs of
Christianity have their parallel In Oriental
PHILOSOPHERS and are not borrowed from
the ancient cults was the consensus
Of the speakers. On the question
Of direct contribution from n to
the other there was doubt, although the
weight OF evidence seemed to be that
such may have been possible but not
probable. 1t was agreed that there
was much in common between the ancient
beliefs and that which was founded by
Christ, and to reassure anxious minds
M of the speakers reminded his hearers
that there is one common divine hf Q
running through all mankind which
stands c~onspicuously as the central figure
In all codes OF religion.
Prof. jackson said there are many
illusions in the Old Testament and in the
A~pocryphato things which are closely
allied to the writings Of the heather seers.
1T seems to me-" observed Prof. Jack
son, TO be possible that ths Persian
conception of evil may have had some
elect on the Christian idea Of Satan.
When we turn to the New Testament
there is much in Revelation that suggests
Zoroaster, and I often read 1t in the Aryan
mood. Among the Buddhist writer's there
are some striking contrasts and analogies
to the Christian ideas
This evening the topic was "Psycho-
therapy as an Aid to Pastoral Work
Papers were read by the Rev. Lyman P.
Powell, who introduced the Emmanuel
movement in Northampton, and by DR..
Board OF Health. The speakers were the
Rev. Samuel 8. Marquis OF Detroit, and the
Rev. Charles l.. Slattery Of Springfield.
The latter said he did not believe in
psythotherapy as an aid 10 pastoral
work, but be admired the men who had
the courage to try the experiemnt.
allowing the. ministry. to invade the
urovince OF the physician said he. is
Hat since Christ healed mems bodies, it
must be right for His ministers to include
physical healing in their duty. especially
dnoe His early apostles did 30. But the
officers Of the Church quickly became
overburdened and were compelled to
sAare with others some Of their duties.
NO ono set Of men can contrive all the
Benevolent work which Christ started
Ia the world There 10 positive danger
IN this movement lest these who hitherto
have proclaimed the prominence of the
spirit, seem to withdraw from their on
teution and admit that bodies after all
are the main things in life
We are trying to make great souls.
We ought not to risk the value and issue
Of this distinctive work. which it is ours
to do. by allowin ing men to be confused
about our estimate of it. A further
danger turks in the movement in that II
tends to make religion soft. l almost
dare to predict that within ten years
doctors and nurses who are not plainly
religious people will be discredited, what
over their technical skill"
DR.. Darlington in his paper. while
admitting the value of mental suggestion
and Of prayer and a cheering presence
thought they should be exercised over
the patient by one thoroughly versed il
medicine. or at least made secondary t.
medical treatment.