The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-20
UNION IS FEATURE
OF PRESENT-0AY
CHURCH WORK
REV. ,. y. HUGEr.
"We're Turning To Aggressive and
Constructive Work Rather Than
Spending Time Magnifying Our
Differences" Says Pastor.
Splendid Evidence of This Is Coop
Grafton in Big Evangelistic Cam
paign Starting Next Week.

Among the ministers leading in the
simultaneous evangelistic campaign,
which opens Feb. 26. probably none
Is more In sympathy with the move
ment than the Rev. J. Percival Hugst.
OF the First Congregational church.
DR.. Huget Is comparative new
conner to Detroit, but he has really
wrought wonders In creating a new
spirit and enthusiasm along all lines
in this splendid and influential con-
gregation.
Mr.. Huget is q virile preacher. thor
oughly constructive, more evangelis-
tic than philosophical, and yet thor
oughly acquainted with the best
thought OF his day. lie is an ardent
supporter of missionary enterprises
end IL leading his church along ag-
gressive lines In all-world endeavors.
A more unselfish man has never
: been In any Detroit pulpit. He gave
himself unreservedly to any and all
interests that promise the upbuilding
Of the social, ethical and spiritual lite
OF the city.
Asked for an expression with refer
ence to the most marked characters
tic OF presentday church work, Mr..
Huget replied that, to put IL In a
single phrase. that characteristic OF
the newer lines of Christian WORK
might be called coming into the con.
structive era"
by this" he went on to say, Il
mean that we are emerging from a
period of question and controversy,
and are entering upon one of the great
periods of united and sympathetic
work. During the past two or three
decades there have been sharp differ
ences of opinion along theological and
critical lines To some, there seemed
TO be q destructive movement which
threatened the permanence OF the
power OF the church. But, as whole,
the Christian church Is stronger than
ever in It's faith. Scholarly investiga-
ton has established the great central
truth. IL some things which our faith
ers held dear have been taken away
OF modified, the great assurances OF
the faith have only been made strong
er. Upon these permanent and abid-
ing things the church is building to-
day.
"Thls does not mean" he said.
that there are not still differences
OF opinion. There are such differ
ences, and doubtless always will be.
Men do not see things alike. Ii Is
not necessary that they should. 1t
would probably be unfortunate IL they
did. And while there are differences
Of opinion, there are also differences
OF method, differences of emphasis,
differences of the avenue OF approach
, 70 Christian experience. But these
differences are an element of strength
rather than an element of weakness.
They make possible a variety OF APP
proach and appeal which enables me
messenger of the church to reach all
classes OF men.
And while these differences con-
tinue, there are two points upon which
there Is almost universal agreement.
One of these Is the fact that the great
basic conceptions OF the Christian
faith are held by all churches. We
are recognizing the truth in varied
statements. Still more important, In
these varied statements there almost
always appear the great essentials OF
Christian faith. This being the case,
minor matters are of no great con-
Germ, and do not operate to cause MIS-
, understandings or division.
THE second marked fact in the life
OF the modern church is genuine re-
spect for the opinions OF those who
may somewhat differ from us. We no
longer fight the man or the institu-
ton whose manner OF stating things
is not exactly the same as ours. We
join together In work for the Same
great ends.
This reminds me of thing | once