The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-04-17
THE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER
-By WILLIAM T. ELLIS

London, April ll-Anybody who
knows Britains famous "Noncon-
formist conscience can predict the
course Of the country. Fortunately
tor the Investigations l am making,
the National Free Church Council
has been holding its 23rd annual
meeting here in London, where the
stranger may observe the men and
their deliberations at close range,
This body includes all the eyangel-
ical churches except the Established
Church of England
NonconformistS are famousiy re-
sponsiye to the spirit OF the times,
with a tendency to liberalism and
radicalism. Out Of them came the
Pilgrims and the Puritains, who so
powerfully shaped America S des-
tiny. This gathering is perhaps the
best of all places in which to feel
the religious pulse OF Great Britain.
1t did not need two glances at the
assembled council to reveal that
great changes have been wrought by
the war. The evidence was tangible
and obvious. Although the sessions
were held down town in the City
Temple, the house was scarcely hall
full for the opening session; and
there were empty seats in the gallery
even when the prime minister was
delivering his great war speech. ]
have often seen far larger congrega-
tions at annual conferences OF the
Methodist church in America. Few
women were present and almost no
Young men. The congregation was
almost exclusively composed of the
delegates, who had come from all
parts Of England and Wales. Occa-
sioually one saw a clergyman in
chaplain's uniform. 1t was a sober
company, with none OF the flavor OF
festival or pious junket which
sometimes peryades similar gather
ings in the states. A grim sense Of
the times and a resolution readiness
for any new word could be read on
the faces.
Looking Toward America.
This was not a hallelujah festival
There was an absence OF what might
be termed spiritual feryor and ex-
altation. There was no emotional
ism and stock phrases iell flat upon
the rare occasions when they were
heard. The mood Of the council
plainly tended toward the social and
even political aspects Of religion
during reconstruction. 1t seemed to
be in perfect keeping with the spirit
OF the occasion that the prime min
lister of the nation should be on the
platform, to give an account Of his
stewardship. Lloyd George by the
way, is the first Free Churchman
. to occupy the premiership. He was
introduced as "the husband Of the
president Of the Women's National
/ Free Church Council
The most amazing aspect Of the
councils deliberations, in the eyes
of an American, was the repeated
demonstrations over the place that
America has assumed in the moral,
religious and political leadership OF
the war. With the possible excep-
tion of the applause that followed
the prime minister's address, the
greatest demonstrations Of the ses-
sions were those evoked by the men
ton of the name of Woodrow vii
son, At least once this was in star
Ting contrast to the perfunctory
applause bestowed upon what would
naturally be looked upon as the
logical occasion Tor the greatest out
burst OF British loyalty. The dis.
elimination with which British as.
semblies bestow their favor added
weight to the significant differentia-
tiou.
This deep-flowing enthusiasm for
America may be found among all
classes, from the sober dons Of Ok.
ford university and members of par.
Lament, to private soldiers anc
housekeeping women. In a single
session of parliament, | heard the
members cheer half dozen differ
ent times the name and words anC
standpoint of the American presi
dent. All Britain seems to be il
leading strings to Americas frs
citizen. As Rev. F. B. MSer sale
to me, president Wilson is tn,
greatest asset Of ciyilizatin." TIL,
retiring president OF the Ere,
, Church Council, Rev. DR.. w. B. Sci
bic, said in his valedictory to tn
= cheers of his hearers, The man VIII,
: expresses the church's mind today i