The Washington herald., 1913-10-26
UNITARIAN

branch OF the Alliance OF UHitarian and
Other Liberal Christian Women has been
announced =
The events on the program are; oc'
tober "a. "a Mans View OF Religion.
Mr.. Benjamin: October 81. tea at this
church. 4 TO p. m.; November a. Way
OF Taking Hold. DIR. John Van Schaick.
Jr.; November y, who Is My Neigh
borT' Miss BerklIn; December L. 9
musical program. Mrs Berley; January
.. ~-Dux Femina Factii' Mrs. Metcalf;
January 3. "A child's Story" Miss M.
s. Perry; January 20. tea at the church;
February ls Mothers day; February 2,
symposium. Prayer Its Practice and
Power" leader. Mrs HiiIebrand; March
Is. Twentieth Century Ideals and the
Child Miss NJ. B. Baker; March q. an
nual meeting, symposium. The Ideal Al
Nance Member" April 10, Living and
Doing Mrs. Ernest BicknelI. Miss Grit
fin, Mrs. Simon and Mrs. Van Schaick;
April "a, "a Sunny Life" Mrs L A.
Bauer: May .. subject TO be announced:
May q. garden party. and June s. re
port OF American Unitarian Association,
Meetings are held In the Sunday school
room Of the church.
The general conference Of Unitarian
United States and Canada, In Buffalo
last week is reported to haee been large
and successful. One notable circum-
stance that contributed TO this success
was the hospitable attitude OF churches
Of other denominations in Buffalo. About
i,0o0 people attended, and other churches
were opened for departmental msetiugs.
and the evening sessions hadsto be held
In some OF the largest auditoriuDs in the
q ~ faf 4. nh, h.
was held in the First Presbyterian
Church. A strong fraternaI feeling was
Immediately established, for the minister
Of the church. the Rev. A. v. Raymond.
addressed the conference felicitously and
welcomed Il without regard TO any the
illogical difference. He said: DO not
ask us to believe your theology; we finc
II hard enough 20 believe our own" Then
he spoke of. those things which make
for greater unity. saying that what
unftes the denominations is OF God and
what divides comes from = another
source" He assured the conference that
In his own ministry he efdeayored 20
suppress those things which would make
div ision between his people and them.
and urged the conference similarly to
suppress the sources OF division. Theol-
ogies, he said. are of no use In them
selves, but are only for the purpose OF
creeds. but OF loves, will bring the king
dom of God.
The conference was notable for its
frank facing of the problems of modern
life. There was no tendency to evade the
serious questions which have arisen In
these new times; no effort to find reason
for contentment In a past which is grad
ually crumbllng and which cannot De
retained. The new problems of social
G,n
courage, but were frankly welcomed.
This task Of bringing religion face to
face with social service was dealt with
In a variety of ways-Snd always illumi-
by idealists as well as by
trained social workers. The outcome
showed that religion can still be religion
and become socially efficient; that faith
can be spiritual, even mystical. and give
the strength which comes from conscious
same time faith can make faithful In
the concrete task of righting human
wrongs. answering the cry-of distress.
and carrying the burdens OF human So
ciety.
Since the churches are definitely taking !,
up this great new task OF social recon-
struction it is evident that new kind
Of training for the ministry is necessary.
u
ngton. a commission was appointed 10
consider this very important matter.
This commission. headed by DR.. Francis
;. Peabody, OF Harvard University, pre-
,ented careful report which strongly
urges a radical change from the old
standards OF divinity school training. 1t
,ays; When We turn to the relation Of
he ministry to social questions and So
.ial service We enter the most debatable
ngr,.a.
expansion OF religious responsibility ere
tied by the socializstion Of conscience Is
he most exhilarating aspect OF the mod
I'm minister's life. In every community |
he minister is expected to direct and ex-
,ress this new responsibility. The social |
zing of religion is the problem Of the |
century" |
But this report wisely emphasizes the |
needs Of deep spiritual faith. 1t says: |
What a chance is offered by the oondi- |
ions of-the Nnodern world for a thorough |
v trained and spiritually minded minis |
eri The dissatisfaction OF the age with !
is material achievements. the cry of the |
world for a revival OF hdealism, the new |
Ippeal OF the social conscience, the pei
,nnial thirst of the soul for the iivingy
sod, the increasing recognition OF the /
simplicity of Christian discipleship-aH
hese make a challenge which youth Is
luick to hear"
This commission has studied its prob
EN-, not only in the United States, but /
n England, and its findings may mean /
he beginning of a new epoch in theologi-
al education. 1t finds new growth IN l
he number ana quality of men coming |
nto the ministry for this new age.
The conference was much more than a
sociological convention. In every way.
.firmative, optimistic. courageous. and
obstructive. it had some time in its busy |
ession for the things of the spiritual life. |
There was keen interest in the scholarly /
'aper by the Rev. Howard N. Brown,
soston, on "A Reasonable Faith" Itwas
profound consideration Of spiritual faith
n the light of modern scientific knowi-
dge and modern religious experience.
He made a strong plea for theAunity Of
uman personality In religion instead OF
to say where intellect leaves
q and emotion begins. The whole being 1
5 moved by reason and swayed by emo
lon. In hfe's progress men need clear
eason in keeping their direction as the
ailor needs to check up his dead reckon
ng'' by the clear observation of the sun
tself when the, sun becomes clear after
eing obscuredSby clouds. The founda-
lon of religion Is experience; then 1t Is
uilt into definite form by reason. After
hat 1t must be tested by being lived. If
does not stand the tesc of life IL must
rumble.
DR.. Charles w. Eliot, president Of this
difference. made an important addition /
. the discussion by speaking OF the use
I imagination by the man OF sciences1
len observe, he said. but they advance