Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-20
PRESBYTERIAN WORK
The Best Method of Continuing ClerI-
cal and Lay Effort Discussed.
FREE INTERCHANGE OF OPINION.
Strength of the Body and What it Wants to
Effect HereabOuts.
VARIOUS VIEWS vARIousLY VENTED

The Presbyterian Union met last night in
the dining room of the chapel of the First
Presbyterian Church, on Wood street, where
banquet had been provided, and discussed
ways and means for the dissemination of
Presbyterianism, topics having been fur
nished some of the union by Rev. E. r.
Donehoo. In addition to clergymen, large
portion of the business public of the two cities
was represented by the laymen present, and it
was a very good-humored crowd.
Mr.. Robert Pitcairn opened the postprandial
exercises very briefly and showed Dr. PurVes
out with the request that he explain the OBJ
jects Of the association. The speaker was
humorous at the opening and then began to
urge the Importance of enthusiasm. This
Presbyterian Union is formed on two convic-
tions. First, If Presbyterianism is worth any
good to push, and all merchants viii agree to
the proposition. We do not wish to push
Presbyterianism in a sectarian sense, but with
the work prosecuted by other churches. Fonr-
nfths OF Presbyterianism is Christian and
the other fifth-hlstorical spirit Presbyte-
rianism does not believe in depending on
prayer alone, but in skimming along toward
the goal praying as you 60: IniS m 1T union is Is
evangelical work. There is great missionary
work needed in these two cities. There are the
Western Theological Seminary and Publica-
tion house which we should support. The
clergymen and the laymen should meet and
consult upon many things which the Presby-
terry cannot handle.
MIR. George A. Kelly was next called on to
tell the best means OF making the un on sue
cess. Mr.. Kelly had thought d tacklipg sew
eral things among them agnost1c1sm, revision OF
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION
and speak-easies, and he could not make up his
mind as to what he had best do. One PROPOSE
tion had been made to throw overheard the
md fall fv,fo f7oa oOfE poto
successor. but when Mr.. Kelly had weighed his
auditors he thoughtthe question might be leftto
them. He then discussed success In many Of
its aspects. The first requisite is honest hard
work. and the work increases in all lines as the
world grows older. The second is self-reliance.
The man who is ever running about and asking
his neighbors what he shall do, Is not only
q nuisance, but generally failure. The
great duty laid on all Is to assist their fellows
and those who accumulate large fortunes, and
nothing else can be called successful. To
promote happiness should be the chief end Of
existence.
President Pitcairn now called Dr. Fisher to
preside. and he got of his speech pleasantly
but Mr. Kennedy refused to speak.
Judge Hall, of Bradford, said he was raised a
Presbyterian, and was still sort OF hickory
one He WAS was so@ewaaT .Ifan.bad IN the M Of
thing he learned at Sunday school, He
said he had always known that God was a |
Presbyterian, but he did not know before that |
Jesus Christ was Jew. Judge Hall thought
the United States Government was the product |
of Scotch-Irish Presbytcrianism. He had told |
Simon Cameron that he, the speaker, believed |
that the perpetuity Of the Government de- |
pended on the perpetuation of the Scotch-lrish |
Presbyterian notions and Cameron agreed
with him. Judge Hall held that the Scotch |
Irish PresDyterians Who wrote the Mechlen- |
berg declarations of independence furnished |
Thomas Jefferson his model.
Thomas LaEear, ESQ.,, was called on, but he |
said it wasn't fair to call on layman TO talk |
without preparation as preachers always go |
prepared. He was proud, however, to be a /
Presbyterian, and glad to know that it was |
in Pittsburg.
Rev. DR.. William p. Shrom made few re- |
marks and called on DR.. William B. |
Negley, who said the laymen need help and do |
not get IL from the pulpit. He told how much |
trouble he and Others had TO get a preacher to
Ill pulpit, worry that was kept up until
He WOULD MAKE IT MORE PLEASANT.
Mr.. ]. h. Baldwin, thought Presbyterianism
lad need to cultivate the social side of hu-
nanity moro than it has been done in the past.
Get rid of some Of that spirit that put down bear
lating, not because it hurt the bear, but be-
,ause il gave pleasure to the spectators.
Brother Baldwin wanted the women also to be
.iven moreaprominence in the work.
DIR. M B. Riddle told story of DR.. Francis
derr0n advising MIN not 70 ny h1gher than he
vas able TO roost The speaker thought the
,reatest drawback TO Presbyterlanism in Pitts
Durg was that it was too much inclined to
oost. What God and the whole country expect
ID Pittsburg to do was to wake up and let the
world know what it was and what it contained.
)r. Riddle had been so troubled with the slow
less of Pittsburg in some respects that he
Fas almost astonished to know that he had
een born on time. 1t made him sorry to see SO
much power and goodness lying fallow. He
rged that theological students be set at mis-
ionary work in these cities.
DR.. W. j. Holland called attention to the fact
hat there were 1880 communicates in Alle-
heny county in 50 churches, representing a
opulation of $1,000 Presbyterians-straight
'resbyterians-to say nothing Of other varieties
eparated by wall so thin that it is scarcely
angible Presbyterians here were not awake
0 theirpower. There are populations Of thou
ands in these cities that are not being con-
ended for. Presbyterianism should gather
hem In. A single Presbyterian preacher in
his city breaches to millions of dollars
nd yet Brother Robinson. Secretary of the
'resbytery must occasionally report it in
ebt. Dr. Holland wanted some of this wealth
xtracted and set to work.
President Pitcairn resumed the chair at 1870 |
clock, and reminded the audience that If the
sters got down on this Presbyterian Union 1t
ould not succeed, and to keep them in good
umor, he would hurry an adjournment, SO he
sked them to sing the doxology and the bene-
iction was pronounced by DR.. W. Il. Robin
IN.