New-York tribune., 1875-10-05
BAPTIST VIEWS OF EvANGELIsTIC WORK


OBJECTIONS OF THE REV. DRs. FULTON AND MAC
ARTHUR-REMARKs BY THE REV. MIR. GRAVES
AND TIE REV. DIR. ARNHTAGE.
The subject for discussion yesterday morn
ing at the Conference OF Baptist Pastors in the Oliver
Street Baptist Church. the Place of Evangellsts IN
the New Testament Economy" The meeting was wen
attended. The Rev. DR.. Parmley presided. The Rev.
Dr. Fulton thought the work of evangenzatlon
could not be done "in job" The Church
could get on without the help OF evangelsts.
He never needed evangelist to assist him He had
nothing TO say against Moody and Sankey but he did not
believe in them the great thing The real Work OF the
preaching the Gospel had got to come on the pastors
and they had TO do the work that placed on them
The Rev. Mr.. Macarthur thought that, as pastors they
ought TO believe that if God had called them to their
places He had called them to do all the work of their
Office If any man could get more work and money out
of the church than the pastor could that pastor ought
TO consider seriously whether he the right man for
his place.
The Rev. Mr. Graves who has labored for many years
as missionary in the West believed that special days
were apart for special harvest work. and that God
gave men convictions do this special work as we'll as
He gave pastors their convictions to do their work
prominent pastor in this city had told him that the Bap
ts Church had nothing like the strength that had 30
years ago. He felt like forgetting Moody and sankey
and doing the work himself. Who was to take
care the people when Moody and snnkcy were done
There enough zeal and ower in tins city to-day 10
intamo the city end 10 end. Moody and saney he
was given understand would not visit the city for two
or three months TO Here was q grand Oppof-
tunity and the power Of the churches should be organ
ized Mr. Gravcss remark about the falling away 0f the
Baptist body in this city created stir in the assembly
Dr. Miller said that he did not wish such statement TO
90 forth to the world uncontradicted He denied that
there decadence OF the Baptist Chuich mere
Another member also denied the truth OF the statement
The Rev. Dr. Arnitagc, whose address had gwen rise
the whole discussion said that he thought the state
mcnt should be corrected Ii was not true ne sad tat
the Bapsts OF the City OF New York and the Vlciny
were retrograding. twenty-five years ago there were III
this city about 5000 communicates TINS year there were
between 900 and 900 Then there were - churches
in New-IOrk; to-day there werc with missionary
churches, a. The number OF men in the ministry today
was about three times that OF 20 Years ngo Within
circle 30 40 miles from the City Hall there were
from 40 to so strong, selfSustaning churches exist
ing to-day which not In existence 20 years ago
DR. Armitage then turned to the immediate subject OF
the discussion, and said that, though there were I'M
doubtedy difficulties attending the s0ors OF evanRelislS
much depended on the management by the pastors Whe
the evangests AT work. Pastors undoubtedly
could be assisted in their legitimate work He would
have an evangelist year to aid him. IL needful. Evan
gests had frequently worked with him. and with very
good results. He had found that those who were con
yerted tie abOrs CVangClsts about as good rs
those converted in the ordinary way. An important
point however, consider who were TO be recOg
nized rs eVangests, and how At present an evangelist
seemed to go the Office and work Of God OH his own
election. This address closed the discussion