The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1890-04-19 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCHES  MINISTERS AND POLITICS. A meeting of ministers and delegates representing the West Midland General Baptist churches was held at Salem Chapel, Longford, on Tuesday. A devotional service, conducted by the Rev J Spanswick, the pastor of the chapel, opened the proceedings, and the conference business was then taken. The Rev F J Aust (Cradley Heath) occupied the presidential chair, and there were also present the Revs A Hampden Lee (Walsall), secretary of the Union ; J D Alford, E W Cantrill (Birmingham), T Lewis (Netherton), J Salisbury, M.A. (Hinckley). J Parkinson (Nuneaton), G Barran (Walsall), J Godfrey (Barlestone), A T Prout (Coventry), and delegates from several churches. Financially, affairs were reported to be in a satisfactory position, and the president followed with his address, after which the reports from the various churches were read, and were generally Satisfactory) At the afternoon sitting of the conference, the Rev. J. D. Alford, of Birmingham, read a paper upon "The relation of the Church to the labour question." The rev, gentleman admitted he held rather a strange position. With his right hand he held up the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but with his left he held up the banner of a thorough going Radical Government in the affairs of this world. He proceeded to lay down three primary points— that man was made in the image of God; secondly, made to rule and not to be ruled; and thirdly, made to be free, holding intimate converse with his Father in Heaven, and living in helping, serving relationship with his brothers on earth. A comprehensive review of matters leading up to the present crisis between capital and labour, employers and labourers, land owners or land holders and land renters, showed that there was a tendency to look down upon men with one talent, especially if that talent was a strong muscular frame. He declared that the Gospel was revolutionary in its purpose, and that the present showed a great tendency to alter the conditions of life and labour as the result of Christian teaching. The message of the churches to the rich, strong, and powerful, was that they were members of the human family, and that others were as necessary to its body as they were. To the workers the same truth must be taught with the perfecting of character for the benefit of all. As in time of Christ the message would be heard by the common people gladly, but to the land grabber and the money grabber it would be provocative even of murder.—The Rev. G. Barran, of Walsall, opened the discussion, and criticised the tone of the paper as rather one-sided. As churches, he thought their duty was to announce and stand by the general principles of their common Christianity —(applause)—especially that of justice and fair dealing between man and man.—Mr. 'Bull, of Walsall, spoke strongly in favour of working *en being taught to raise themselves. The Rev. E. W. Cantrill, of Birmingham, thought at least that if ministers preached, laymen ought to practise. One thing they could do, and that was to discountenance any of those who were grinding down their work. people (hear, hear).—The Rev. A. Hampden Lee, of Walsall, believed that the experience of the churches was that wealth had a hardening influence. Directly a man had £5 he became more Conservative (applause and laughter). He thought the Church should speak out strongly upon such questions as mining royalties and ground rents. Social problems should also engage their attention, and he urged that the ladies especially should practically give effect to the present movement for the shortening of the hours of shop assistants by refusing to buy at late hours. He moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Alford for his paper.—Rev. A. T. Prout, of Coventry, seconded, and suggested that ministers should meet working men face to face, and discuss matters in which they were interested, and so become fully acquainted with the questions affecting them (applause). The vote was heartily carried and the Rev. J. D. Alford took the opportunity of replying upon the discussion.—The Rev. J. Hampden Lee reported, as messenger to the churches, that he could congratulate the Rev. A. T. Prout upon the signs of the good work being carried on at Gosford-street chapel, Coventry. Thanks were given to the Longford friends for their kindness during the holding of the present conference. A public meeting was held in the evening.