The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-12
The Congress on Christian Work in
8 - Latin America
~ @. B. wTNroN.

sionary candidates. and other inter-
ested students.
Discussions Spirited.
The discussions were all spirited.
but the reports which held closest at
tention were those on Survey, on
Message and on. Cooperation. lin
der the first there was a natural eff
fort to review and map out the en-
tire territory and its needs. Repre-
sentatves from all sections were eager
to speak, lest some interest dear to
them should be overlooked. The mat
ter of the gospel message and the
mode Of presenting 1t developed more
divergence of view than any other
subject taken UP. This was not be-
cause OF any serious difference OF
opinion m to what Is fundamental In
the gospel, but rather due to ques
tions of manner and emphasis The
storm center, If such phrase might
be permitted when there was only a
very gentle breeze Of debate, was as
to how to deal with the Roman Cath
Ollie church. AS might have been ex-
pected, there were two tendencies.
Leaders from the United States, who
are used to looking at things in~ a
large way and who would like to en-
courage the leaders OF that church
to live up to the professions OF good
will and hberality which they 30 free
iy make, wished all reference to be
kind and conciliatory. This did not
meet the views Of the men from the
field. OF the native workers especial
iy. They have seen the Mother
Church" in quite "a different light.
and feel that professions Of benevo-
that quarter All had their SAY" In
the tolerant, kindly atmosphere of the
congress, and their words will go TO
record in its proceedings. to be weigh
ed at what they are worth.
Cooperation was sort Of watch
word. The reports on Education.
Literature and Occupation ali urged
the Importance of 1t. suggesting con-
crete and definite applications of the
principle. Some of the speakers on
the topic itself were led into the
rahter vain extreme of denouncing
all decentralization and urging uni-
verpal corporate union. How men
can fancy such things possible is
passing strange. II there were no de-
nominational lines language and rad
teal diversities would soon produce
them. To denounce them as sinful
and contrary to the spirit of our
Lords high priestly prayer. is to miss
the whole point The unity Of be-
levers Is one OF spirit. not necessarily
or primarily OF form. An army must
be divided into infantry. cavalry and
artillery units. and these subdivided
into lesser units still. We need not
offend against the spirit If unity he
cause we work In different camps.
should be looked upon
as working devices. and shifted, d.
vided, united. exterminated or Great
ed az the exigencies of tho case de-
mand. ~
In attendance on the congress from
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
south. were asthe szfoll 10 wins s~4.s Bisf n ,
W. r. Lambush. Mr.. John r. Pepper,
president of the Board Of Missions:
Revs. Ed r. Cook. G, p. Wlnton, Y. q.
Onderdonk. Il. r.. Clemsnta .. A. Eeo-
lett and II. C. Tucker; Miss I1ead,
Mrs. Macdonald, Miss Bennett, Mrs.
Chappeu, Miss Case. Miss Mutt. A1tsa
Fox. Miss Markey. Mrs. Carter. Mrs.
Rollins. Mrs. Pepper, Mrs. Wiuton.
Mrs. Ketchum. Mrs. Taylor. Mr.. and
Mrs. Kittleman. and Mr.. and Mira
Turner.