New Britain herald., 1925-09-19
THE CONFERENCE
 AT STOCKHOLM
Second of a Series Of Letters
 From Rev. I. A. Greene

The second of a series of three
 letters written by Rev. Theodore
 Ainsworth Greene. while in attend
 ance as assistant secretary of the
 American section at the international conference of life and work recently
 held In Stockholm, is given below.
 The days go swiftly by, and al
 ready the universal Christian con-
 ference on life and work is on its
 way to becoming landmark in the
 history of the church. In the midst Of the strenuous days, which are the lot of delegates and secretariat alike, let me pause to send the Heralds S readers few brief impressions Of the first days program.
 "The conference opened on We'd nesday. August 19, with great service in the Storkyrkan or royal church behind the palace followed
 by formal reception by King Gus taf given to all the delegates in the throne room of the palace. Every possible attribute of dignity and state was accorded the occasion. Accompanied by princes of the royal house, national leaders, cheNaIiers of ancient orders like the Seraphims, supported by grenadiers and hal berdiers, the king hailed the con- ference as a great historic event. He boldly challenged its comparison with the council of Nicca, defining it's purpose in speech, which may well become princely classic. He made 1t plain that this conference will endeayor to make clear what Christianity ought Co and can do, faced with the burning questions of our time. which demand the joint and conscious efforts of all the best forces to reach a happy solution.'
 This kingly reception was some- thing more than simply formal gathering. Sweden, as one soon realizes here. still stands great European champion of Protestant ism. Religion enters largely into the life of the people. The spirit of Gustave Adolphus and of the re- former Olavus Petri still remains strong, yirile. and serene. Sweden avoWs her hope that her church may prove the Eccleia Conciliatrix among the church of the world. Her lea ders have held out the hand of friendship to the Catholic and Greek church alike. And visitors to Stock holm are bound 10 admit that Sweden shows in her national life worthy fruits of her faith The san ity of this great northern people, their progressive social policy, their cheerful, unfevered, rounded life and the riches of their literature impress us all. Stockholm with its physical and moral cleanliness it's absence of slums, It's beautiful homes, its pros porous workers and it's abolition of acute poverty can fittingly claim to he a worthy Christian city.
 4NptHlHSt WHICH DNtuell dS q llt- tiOn or Stockholm as a city can do for the progress of this great Coun- ell of the churches, is lacking in the that have been made. From the first day to the last, all official delegates are the guests of the city and the government. Lead ing citizens from the royal family downWards have opened their homes to the strangers within the gates. i The Swedish newspapers are devot- ing pages daily to the news of the The various broadcast ing stations are distributing the con ference proceedings and service all over Europe.
 Whatever this conference may do, 1 or may fail to do. this much is sure: It has already succeeded in bring | ng together for the first time in | sixteen hundred years the worlds | evangelical churches in a common | not to discuss matters of | aith and order. doctrine and pol Cy, but upon the moro imoortant 1 matters of life and work. Six hun fred delegates from thirty-ono diff ercnt nations are already hero, in- 'luding representatives from the churches of Austria, Britain, France, | iermany Belgium, Bulgaria China, Denmark, Spain Esthonia, Finland. | Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy. .atvia, Lithuania. Norway. Palcs- inc, Poland, Holland. Portugal, foumania. Serbia, Switzerland, 'zcchoslovallia, Sweden. Turkey and Imerica-a truly International cos nopolitan Christian gathering of the lans.
 Easily the most distinguished fig