The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-25
CONGREGATIONALISM.
Interesting Exercises at the Chicago
Theological Seminary The
Alumni AssOcfatiOn---The
Graduates, Etc.
From the Chicago journal. y.

The sessions of the Alumni Association
of the Congregational Seminary began
last evening with lecture in Union Park
church, by Rev c. w Merrill. superin-
tendent of the Home Mission Society in
Nebraska. AfterThe opening by
Rev. S. F. Dickinson, of Cambridge, Ill.
Rev A r. THAN, of Galesburg, presi
dent of the association, INTRODUCED the
speaker of the evening, whose SUBJECT
was Ministerial Supply and Demand. >
He showed by statistics that the former
greatly exceeded the latter, and the pub
lished list of ministers was numerically
far in excess of the men actually in the
work. The speaker then considered the
causes of this condition Of things. The
first lay in the great extension and multi
plication of the work especially in the
west A second cause was the reduction
of salaries. When the slices were multi
piled they became thinner. Ministers
were only human, and while piety was
not in the market, ability was, and de
manded fitting compensation. But the
great underlying cause was the spiritual
Indifference and deafness of the churches.
The rank and file of the church did not
appreciate the grand object of its work.
There had not been a condition of things
the church. The education of youth was
defective. The education was Goddess.
and the children were brought up with
the idea that to make money was the
main object of life.
THIS MORNING
this first business meeting was held in
the lecture room of the seminary adioin-
ing the church, with Rev. A. r. Thain
of Galesburg. president of the Alumni
Institute, in the chair. Rev s. F. Dickin-
son was secretary. Rev DIR. Clark of
fered the opening prayer, after which the
business of the day was taken up. The
report of the secretary and treasurer was
and showed receipts for the
year SO IS; disbursements $S.75; balance
on hand, 90 cents A committee on
were appointed, with in
structions to report tomorrow morning,
when the annual election will be held.
The following gentlemen were admitted
10 the association: Rev. DR.. Robins, Mus
catine, Iowa, and Rev DR.. Noble, and
Rev. Mr.. Ensign, of Chicago, together
with the senior class of the seminary,
who will be graduated tomorrow even
ng. They are Messrs, Edwin /. Aver, |
Mich. Norbouru FL. Blackner,
Oak Park; Elmer Wells Butler, Griggs-
lille. Victor Fremont Clark. Poplar
Grove; Franklin Luther Fisk, Beloit, |
Mis-; Henry Samuel Harrison, Chicago; |
Gilbert Leroy Schulz, Manchester. Iowa; |
stowe Sawyer, Oconomowoc, Wis; Wal |
er Lorenzo Ferris, Oneida; and Frank |
in Finch Pearse, Hutchinson, Kan.
The attendance to-day was large, and |
Included members from all parts of the /
Vest. After business the following pro
,ramme was observed: From 10 to II a.
n, prayer and personal "reminiscences.
ed by Rev. J. c. Armstrong: II to IL a.
a., European travels, Rev. E. F. Viii
ams; 2 to 8 p. M, Sunday school lesson
or April 80, led by Prof. G.. B. Wilcox;
to d p. m, question drawer, F. A
Voble, ID. D.; 4 to p m, The Home,
he Church and the Dram shop, Rev. G.
!. Harrah.
TOMORROW
&c programme will be:
80 a. m. Business.
10-11 a. IN. Prayer and conference,
ID by Rev. w B. Willard
11-12 a. m. Relation of Science to
.eligious Belief Rev. s. F. Stratton.
2-3 p. m. What we Learn from Lay
reachers." Conversation led by Prof j.
. Hyde
"a p. m Revision of the Creed.
ev. George s. Chipperfield
IS p. m. Miscellaneous. II
In the evening the commencement
sra~n;cac IF 4ha oa1n;nor.- r,;ll ho held