davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21

can Judge from the tone of discussion in
and outside of the papers, the practical
common sense and experience of the
Church does not sustain. Two questions,
however, arise here:
1st Is this thing practicable l
can only indicate the line of argu-
ment by which its practicability can
be sustained, without celebrating.
What was done by John Wesley and
his followers can be done by us if we
have the same earnest spirit that made
Wesley power and his societies" a
power. 1t is being done in the Methodist
Church with material inferior to ours,
and so successfully that many of its most
valuable and efficient men have been
brought into the ministry under the pro-
cess of the SatrviUoJ of the fttest, or per-
haps l should say the advancement of
the fittest. 1t has been done in isolated
instances in the Presbyterian Church,
and might have been done much oftener
but for our excessive pride and squeam-
ishness about an educated ministry We
do not disparage the Importance of a
thoroughly educated ministry, but there
are other educational means beside the
study of Greek and Latin and Hebrew.
There are other places of intellectual
training besides the college and seminary,
where great many of those who enter
the ministry would be as thoroughly
equipped for their work as in the school.
Let those who have the time and oppor-
tunity then, pursue the most thorough
and extensive course of study, but make
no procrustean bed to which all must be
fitted. If any think that the exceptional
cases provided for in our Book meets all
the needs of the Church, the answer is
that no exception to the rule for licen-
sure is admitted unless it is accompanied
by formal explanation or apology, on
the Minutes of Presbytery, for doing so
naughty thing. See Form of Govern
ment, sec. ~, chap. 4. And that ex-
PLANTATION or apology stands as quasi
protest against his right to preach except
by suferance. 1t is not surprising that
few are willing to enter the ministry
dubbed as black sheep from the start.
But let the Presbyteries exercise their
authority to judge of qualification, and
license elders or others for a trial of their
gifts. Let them encourage this kind of
work wherever the gifts are seen, pre-
scribing course of study, and providing
places for work, and some compensation
for the work, that it may not embarrass
the worker; and if there is any spirit of
aggressiveness in the Church it will de-
velop itself, and if not, we can but " sit
still to die" Presbyteries can strengthen
the life and increase the aggressive
power Of the Church bv using their au-
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21

o.
INA. but a question arises. What do
the Scriptures and common sense and
common experience teach? Let us lock
at the facts. During the first century OF
the Christian Church it is doubtful
whether one preacher out of an hundred
understood word of Hebrew; whether
one out of ten knew both Greek and
Latin whether any of them were edlt-
Gated in our sense. But they were or
dalned by the apostles and sent out to
preach. The gospel was committed "to
faithful men" who were able to teach
others, and not necessarily to learned men.
| see no single case where it is at all pro
bable that the candidate was examined
on such branches of learning as we now
rigidly prescribe as necessary. If they
were instructed in the way of life had
faith and zeal, they were accepted. So
In our missionary work we are compelled
to take men recently converted from hea-
thenism, and only partially educated and
not at all versed in the languages, and
ordain them to preach. Why should the
Holy Ghost set apart men and crown
their work with power, who were ignor-
ant and unlearned men, because they
had been with Jesus, and not do as much
for men less ignorant now, who have also
been with Him, and drunk in Of his
Spirit ? Why should men Just converted
from heathenism be thought better quail
flied to preach the gospel than those who
have been trained from infancy in a
knowledge of the truth? If the neces-
sites of the heather world demand a re-
Taxation of the rule, so do the necessities
of the Christian world. If the approval
of God given to the work of one, proves
it good, so it does with the other. If one
who knows only the Scripture is compe-
tent to meet the old religious systems OF
the heather world, 80 is he to meet all
modern forms of error-because the
preaching of Christ crucifed, and not the
wisdom of man, is the power Of God for
salvation. If classical and scientific
training is necessary to a right under
standing and Interpretation Of the word
of God in America it is equally so in
China or India or Africa. But we must
not be understood as desiring to dispense
with any qualification that is attainable
We only plead for a more liberal inter.
probation Of the Book, or such modif-
cation of its wording as will not exclude
from our ministry such as God approves
in our own and other churches We only
ask that men shall be encouraged to work
to try their gifts in fields where work is
greatly needed, and that when any one
is found qualified to preach the gospel,
and efficient in his work, we shall neither
require a seven years course Of study,
most of which is foreign to his work, as
condition of admission to the full work
Of the ministry, nor brand him as an un-
qualified minister, at the very time we
license, by an apology for licensing him
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21

What we need then, as a Church, seems
to me to be embraced in the following
things:
1st. To humble our pride (false) and
check our boastful spirit about our edu-
Gated ministry.
End. To learn wisdom from others as
to the qualification that God requires in
those whose work he approves.
3rd. To utilize the material we have,
and train it to the best possible advan-
tage for efficient work in every place and
among all classes.
4th. Above all, to give less attention
to the technicality of Church construction
and machinery, and great deal more to
the cultivation of spiritual life. So will
we be able both to lengthen our cords
and strengthen our stakes, and break
forth on the right hand and the left, and
inherit the Gentiles. D.CI.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21
He Leadeth Me.

In pastures green2 Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.
Out Of the sunshine warm and soft and bright,
Out of the sunshine into darkest night,
1 oft would faint with sorrow and alright
Only for this-I know He holds my hand,
So whether in green or desert land
/ trust. although l may not understand.
And by still waters No, not always so
Outlines the heavy tempests round me blow,
And Ger my soul the waves and pillows 60
But when the storms beat loudest, and cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispers to my soul, "Lo it is l."
Above the tempest wild hear Him say,
& Beyond this darkness lies the perfect day,
In every path of thine l lead the way"
So, whether on the hill tops high and fair
1 dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where
The shadows lie-what natter He is there
And more than this where'er the pathway lead
He gives to me no helpless, broken reed,
But His own hand, sufficient for my need
So where He leads me can safely go;
And in the blest hereafter shall know
Why, in his wisdom, He hath led me so.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21
For the Central Presbyterian.
Via Sacra.

In our Church the opinion seems to be
gaining strength that four years Of acad
emic training and four after years of sem
mary instruction, make the road to the
ministry too long for the requirements of
the case, the necessities of the Church.
and for the time and means at the dis.
posal of our candidates.
With less expenditure of time and
money, young men can enter the profess
sion Of law or the profession OF medicine.
Yet in each Of these, especially in the
latter, completeness Of preparation is in
dispensable to degree that it is not for
the ministry. The young lawyer or ply.
stefan may make mistakes which may be
fatal to the cause of his client or to the
life Of his patient respectively. The
young preacher is not equally exposed
to a ike peril. He may be weak, but he
will not be dangerous. He may not be
able to move men, but he is not likely to
mislead them. Again, the college c1rri-
culum with its language-studies, rhetoric,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21
For the Central Presbyterian
Lengthen the Cords and Strengthen
the Stakes.

In the discussions of the aggressiveness
of Presbyterianism that have occupied so
large a space in the religious papers of
late, there seems to be some tendency to
lose sight of the principal thing and to
run off on to side issues. The question,
whether an educated ministry is neces-
sary, seems TO me to be settled one in
our Church, and scarcely questioned in
any Church now. What kind of educa-
ton is necessary may give rise to diver
sity. Some will hold on to the theories
of our Book, and others would have it
modified. Butsnppose the standard were
lowered, or wider door opened for the
exceptional cases already provided for in
our constitution, will that meet the diff
Guilty? 1t strikes me that in this discus
sion we are only repeating in another
form, what we have unfortunately given
too great prominence to ever since our
separation from the North. We are only
i
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21
arinp and

=.
4.enb, there must be heat to generate
steam before steam can be used to give
motion and power to any machinery.
however perfect. 1t matters little how
perfect our system may be, if the Spirit is
wanting to give it life | wish to give
my opinion also briefly on this question
of aggressiveness, and shall try to look
the facts squarely in the face Our Min
utes report in round numbers 100 min
listers, 5000 elders, and 1000 deacons,
as our official working force At a low
estimate, one-half of the ordained elders
and deacons of our Church are equal, in
their ability to preach the gospel, to the
local preachers or exhorters of the Meth
odist Church, or to similar class in
other Churches. With comparatively
little training and experience, they would
be better preachers than the class men
toned, if they had as much zeal. Five
thousand local preachers and licensed .ex-
horters might in single year be raised
up from our ranks, capable of doing eff
cient service in the work Of Christ. Out
of these 5000 many, certainly one-ffth,
might be brought, after a few years of
trial and experience and study, into the
full work of the gospel ministry, not by
any modification of our present educa-
tional plans but by developing in prac-
teal work the character and qualifca-
tons of the men, Many would show by
their piety, their zeal, and their accepta-
blllty to the Church that they were Just
such cases as come under the exceptional
rule OF our Book, and could be licensed
and ordained for full work. The others
could, and would be stimulated to no ore
earnest work if our Church courts would
only take direct action looking to this
end, instead Of passing resolutions Of
vague and uncertain import. Under this
system the Increase of our ministry might
be not only more rapid, but more natural
and healthful, and on the whole, better
adapted to the great work of the Church
than any ministry can be which is sub
lected only to one rigidly enforced sys-
tenn Of training At present, every can.
didate for the ministry must almost of
necessity assume that he is called of God
before all the facts by which that call is
to be determined can be known. And
as an almost universal rule he is received
to the ministry whether qualified or not
by natural gifts. Our system subjects
every candidate, with rare exceptions.
to precisely the same course of training
1t takes no manner Of account Of the d.
versities Of character and habit in the
men 1t violates every principle estab
lished in nature, in which each species Of
living thing, vegetable or animal, re-
quires a different treatment for it's high
est development. We put strait jacket
on every young man that aspires to
preach the gospel, which the word Of God
does not require, and which, 50 far as ]
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21

| SuulSJ Will OOJSCJ 10 GulS az q lair inter
probation of the text.
Now I'D. w. S." will confess that a
preacher who possesses a knowledge OF
Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and all the
sciences required by our Form of Govern
ment, added to the piety and zeal of a
less learned one who is not acquainted
with these bran, hes, is more fit to teach
than the latter.
The Scriptures everyW here set before
us the highest standard as the object OF
our pursuit; and when we have ascer-
tanned from Scripture, or by good and
necessary deductions therefrom, and by
the light of experience, what is the high
est measure Of excellence in any depart
ment of Christian duty, to that we are
bound to press forward. By thus APP
plying the principles of Scripture we de-
eide many questions with as much con-
fidence in our decision as if it was sus-
tanned by "Thus saith the Lord" and
to this course we are shut up by the
Lord himself
In the reception of members into the
Church there is great diversity noticed
in the experience and the Christian graces
of applicants and their subsequent lives
exhibit that one difereth from another
Do we, for this reason, lower our stan
dard? Do we say, it is impossible to
bring all the members of the Church up
to the full stature of Christians it ope-
rates "as determent" it keeps people
out of the Church? Do we not rather
preach the standard necessarily as that
toward which all should continually
labor? and do we not, often in drawing
the picture of that which constitutes a
Christian, apply the general scope, rather
than the precise words of Scripture to the
consciences of our hearers2 for the very
reason that it is impossible to find rule
for all the various circumstances that
may arise in the lives Of believers? And
when we may defer to supposed sincerity
and promise of usefulness in the hidden
exercises of some weak candidate, from
whom we can barely extract the faintest
expressions of sound repentance and in.
telligent faith, we do not in receiving
this, as an extraordinary case, ridicule
our standard as cast iron system-we
dare not.
I'D. w. S. goes "for amending our
constitution go far as to require of a can
didate for licensure and ordination moth
ing more, absolutely, than a good Eng
lish education, (such as can be obtained
at good academy or nigh school) and a
competent knowledge Of theology, Church
government and history, and the sacra-
ments, together with such parts of trial
as are now prescribed" Now if one
should say, there is nothing in the Bible
to warrant these qualifications as a con-
dition Of preaching the gospel" how
would I'D. w. S." reply to him? Sup.
pose he should sweep down upon Cd. W
ISIS talk about Peter, and Paul, and
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-21
For the Central Presbyterian.
Ministerial Education.

a Reply to ID. w. S." and Others
1t is refreshing to see that I'D. w. S.
is able to write nearly two columns and
half for the Central Presbyterian with
his usual vigor, and with so much elo-
quence. His friends, who have missed
him in the councils of the Church and in
all the active scenes of ministerial labor
for so long time, rejoice in such an evil
dence of returning health. Differing from
him widely, 1 am yet so pleased to see
again his plume in the field that l can
not cherish even the mildest resentments
of a controversialist. Although it is not
the white plume of him who contended
so earnestly for the true path, but rather
the red plume of the revolutionist.
The cause demands reply. I'D. w.
S." is contributing the weight of his in
huence to certai heretical notions that
have suddenly begun to appear in the
Presbyterian Church. His honesty and
sincerity, as wei his ability, make him
more dangerous. We desire not to see
him led away, and leading others away,
with this error; and are therefore con-
strained, with becoming difidence, and
with little confidence, except that which
the consciousness of being on the right
side inspires, to offer ust two arguments
against his views. These touch his main
points; and if they are founded on Scrip
ture and fact, may tend to modify some
what the effect of his piece, and lead him
to reconsider his premises.
l. He asks for a warrant from the
Bible for certain qualifications as con
dition of preaching the gospel 1t is
found in l Timothy iii 2, "a bishop
then must be -. apt to teach" Mac.
Knight renders it &c fit TO teach, by hav-
KNOWLEDGE of the linps he
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-09-19
Cause for Alarm,

when the Southern DEVELOPMENT
Company laid out the 'towusite Of
hawthorne, the managers mads every
preparation for the convenience md
comfort.of the inhabitants, which thew
deemed would ever be necessary. 1t
Is human to err however and the sontb.
ern Development company will some
day have reason to regret the location
OF The town. Houses are going up in
all directions and at the present rate OF
increase, but few years will elapso
before the City extends beyond the
plain Then will come complaints
from the citizens. with 30 much
country to choose from, why was not
u larger place selected| will la III.
question. When people are Obliged
70 build on the side of Mount Grant.
and parents are obliged to watch their
children to keep them from rolling
down into the Lake, tie Southern
Development Company will learn what
1t Is to neglect the future comfort of n
coniidinng people, There win be cause
Tor complaint although no one will
ci'im that the Company Intentionally
overlooked anything, it win DO charged
that locating the town within such
contracted limits was an inexousable
oversl glt, With the mineral laden
mountains casting shadow over their
work, they shopld have foreseen The
wonderful growth Of the yet unborn
Town aud have provided for It more
roomy quarters.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-09-19

Tho graders at the Reduction works
were paid of on Saturday and nearly
all the silver In town was gathered up
to make change. In consequence Of
the disbursement the town has been
pretty thickly populated with industri.
Gus drinkers.
There is an expert Chinese burglar
at Carson called "Cat." He commit
ted robbery the other day, and his
countrymen, not being able to convict
hin, in the Justice Court, threaten to
make corpse Of him unless he dis.
gorgss the $3.50 stolen. .
County Assessor Kinds is violent
advocate of water He is interested
in the Mason Valley water squabble.
On Sunday evening he CAME to Haw.
thorne and on being asked for some
news said the Valley was 30 deuced
dry that no items could be raised,
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-09-19

Joshua Moss, of Garfield WAS In town
on Thursday.
Frank Whipple of Bodie, passed
through Hawthorne on Saturday night
on his way to Sacramento. ="
Mrs. T. ]. Brodigsn returned from
her visit to Bodie last Fridsy.
Henry T. Thicker formerly of Gold
Hill, was in town last week.
Frank Wildes is settled and doing
well, at Eureka California. He writes
that he is well pleased with his new
home. Ia
Olus Hill and his bride passed
through Hawthorne Friday evening
on their way to Bodie. ,
Mike Frett of Silver City has been
In town for few days looking out a
site for brewery.
i. P. H. MeGrew the iron work man of
the Courthouse contract left FOR San
Francisco on Sunday.
Theodore Gruss of Coryville, started
for Plumas County on Monday night.
He expects to be away about a month.
Bill Vance, who was for long time
the only citizen Of Johntpwn in Lyon
County came to town on Sunday and
left for the hills yesterday.
Nick Baule, who has been In Tuol.
umne county for several weeks, re.
turned to this section last Friday. and is
again running his stage line.
Superintendent Mckenzie was in
town on Saturday but was SO busy
rushing around attending to the settle.
ment OF accounts ETC., that no one
could get word Of news from him.
The mine, mill, wood contracts, water
and roads keep him so thorou ghly
occupied that he has no time to tell
what he is doing. He simply allows
the work to show for itself.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-09-19

For some time local papers have
been putting on airs because some
member OF their community has had
experience with what they imagined
WIS a robust catfish. Their fish
stories may be true, hpt even if so,
tie fish were but debilitafed specI,n ems
Of their race as compared with one
which George. CenstocE, Yep. for a
long time. He captured 1t In se,p.
and after ia exciting struggle was
able to get 1t home. Fierce d. set.
ting hen and courageous M u yellow
jacket IL was al~ays ready apd willing
TO quarrel with anything. A tank
was provided for it, and when anybody
had badger or bulldog which prided
Itself on being equal to any emer.
gency, the catfish was on hand To
knock oig lhc capccit, IS sooa rs
a dog was admitted to the room In
which the glass tank stood, the fsh
would flop out of the water aad, sciz.
ing MIN 10y The throat with his sharp
teeth, would hold ON like a wise while
it vicil,osnaly belaborcd its victims body
with its tail, The violence and rapid.
Ivy Of the blows soon knocked the
breath out Of any animal which It
tackled, and when its opponent ceased
its struggles, either through faintins or
dying, the victorious fish would leap
into the waller again and flap It's fins
and squirt water from its mouth az
though it was trying to crow like a
game cock. Comstock says he never
was so sorry in liisiife as when he
lot u big toln-cat in to fight tho fish
and, although tie result was The same
~ ~ in all previous encounters, some of
the cats fur got into its gills and
choked it to death.
Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1883-09-19
Mason VALLEY Water rrcuhi,s

On Friday, September 7th there was
a meeting of the ranchcrs OF Mason
Valley, at Pizcp Switch. They met to
hear the report OF ,heCommittee which
mad been sent out TO look after the
situation at the head waters Of Walker
River. When they returned they
brought with them Tom Hickey, the
gentleman who has diverted their water
The meeting WIS quiet, bu. the Val.
ley ranchers, While making no loud
threats are determined to assept their
rights. No definite action wns ,aRen
owing to the'absencc of john B. Gal.
higher, who has large interests In con.
neclloh with them. 1t has been since
!earIied that Mr., Gallaghar has ex.
pressed IN Intention OF taking II de.
cided stand on the side Of tho Valley
men. Nr. hickey appeared 10 be
defiant, but it is the general impression
that he will take second : thought
ana not stand the expense Of a sui
which will inevitably IL Brought If
he continues to take the water from
the river, =