The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-24

meet the advances OF tho Roman Church.
In Utah they are wanted to check the prog
ress OF MormOnism and elsewhere In the
far West Presbyterian ministers and mis-
sionaries are scarce.
Still the young men Of the denomination
are slow to enter the ministry, great as are
the opportunities for evangeizing work,
and though the Church is so ready to main
tain and educate theological students. The
Rev. DIR. ROBINSON sharply criticiscs the
leading churches for sending out of the
country for pastors, instead Of taking the
graduates OF the home theological scminn-
rics. But when Dr. PHRANER says there
are so many more churches than ministers,
is that not an explanation Of the lmporta-
ton OF pastors from abroads And, more
over 50 long rs tho faith IS preached, what
matters it whether the preachers are native
or foreign? The question surely ought not
to be whether the Presbytcrians Of the
United States should seek TO gain all the
aid they can get at home or from abroad, but
whether the Scotch and Irish Prcsbyterians
can afford to lend W. their most eloquent
ministers. Suppose tho leading churches
do send across the water for pastors, are
there not plenty Of other churches which
Just us much need the preaching Of tho
Gospel as they, and which, If they cannot
be made leading IN point of wealth and
fashion, can have the better distinction of
being built up in true religion? Besides,
why do the great churches prefer imported
pastors? Because they are moro acccpta-
BILE preachers than the graduates Of the
home theological seminarics il is safe TO
assume.
Who shall say there are not hundreds and
thousands Of Presbyterian youth entirely
competent for the task Of preaching the
Gospel II they felt inclined TO undertake it
and were trained for its performance
There Is no lack Of Presbyterian doctors and
lawyers of preGmincnt abilities in all our
great communities, and the number OF Pres
byterian merchants who acquire great
wealth and hold leading places in trade and
finance Is always great. Yet their churches
send abroad for preachers to cater 10 them
spiritually. DR.. PIEANER thinks young
men OF wealth should be induced TO study
for the ministry. We infer from this, and
in fact We know, that most Of the theological
students are poor, aud that many of them
must be supported az well as educated. A
rich young man is no more likely TO make n
good preacher than Il poor one, of course; ;
but in Church which contains so large a
proportion OF wealthy families as the Pres
byterian, il Is remarkable To find how raro it
Is for young man Of luxurious rearing TO
study for the ministry Such youth prefer
callings in which they can make more
money, and their fathers agree with them in
the preference.
Does not this indicate that zeal for the
faith has become very cool in the Presby-
terrain Church II It was warm and vivid,
would we not witness q crowd OF young men.
rich and poor alike, pressing forward in
self-sacricing endeavors to proclaim the
evangelical doctrines? The trouble, we are
inclined to think is that though the OBJ
servances OF the Church may be conven-
tionally regarded, OF honest and hearty
belief In its doctrines there is comparatively
little among the younger men. They do not
aspire TO preach n faith which they only
nominally hold. And what Is to become Of
Presbyterianism with such Indifference and
practical iniideli;y prevailing in the ranks
of its youth II the fire OF u church dies
out, then the whole body must become cold.