Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-24
OLD CHURCH CUSTOMS
To be Observed in Services During
the ScOtch-Irish Congress.
De. JOHN HALL TO BE PRESENT.
A Few "reminiscences Of Early Religious
Work in Pittsburg.
GLELEINGS FROM CHURCH FIELDS

The old-fashioned Presbyterian service to
be held at Exposition Hall in connection
with the Scotch-Irish Congress, Sunday
evening, June s, promises to be one of the
great events of the season. DR.. John Hall,
Of New York, is announced to conduct the
service and preach. 1t is entirely safe TO
say that the hall will be entirely too small
for the multitudes who will want to be pres
ent and witness scene similar to that
which the Scotch Irish pioneers were ac-
customed TO century ago, when through
this region they gathered in barns and tents
TO worship God after the methods Of their
ancestors in Antrim, Derry and Down. 1t
Is understood that the psalms of David are to
be used, and to be lined out by one of the two
precentors or clerks, as they used to be called.
Many of the early churches of this city and
modern innovations of a half century ago
when the songs of the sanctuary began to be
sung without lining out. 1t is on record that
some Of the old-time religious stalwarts of this
bailiwick shook the dust of their feet and left
the church when more than two lines Of
psalm were sung without being first read by
one Of the church clerks.
In Connection with DR.. John Halls prom
inence al the Scotch-Irish Convention 1t is a
fact of some interest that he was the lion here
in 1855 when the union of the Old and New
School Presbyterian Churches was ccnsum-
mated at the Third Presbyterian Church, on
Sixth avenue His grand speech on that MEM
orable occasion will be remembered by all who
were privileged to hear 1t as one Of the great
events of their lives. His fervid Irish oratory,
after the pattern of Patrick Henry pictured
the beauty of Christians dwelling together in
unity in way that left abiding impressions, at
least on one Of his delighted hearers.
WHAT is CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM?
The following is from a recent editorial in
toll ofNn1rf hricf
Socialism has at length taken shape in the be-
ginning of parish of Christian Socialists-if
this is not too large a name for thunder the
auspices of the Episcopal Church in Boston,
the clergyman in charge of it being the Rev.
W. d. p. Bliss, who some four years ago left
the Congregational for the Episcopal Church,
in the conviction that he might find in the lat
ter a larger freedom for carrying on the work
of Christian Socialism and a better encourage
ment Of it than seemed to him to be possible
elsewhere. He began with an afternoon serv-
ice April l9, in brunswick Hall, al fremont
street. using the Episcopal eVen-song and eK.
planning IN MS sermon what he hoped might be
accomplished in The Church OF the Car
penter.' His congregation was large, and
deep interest was manifested in the work. 1t
was representative company. The Rev. J. II.
Ward assisted in tile service; Mr.. Robert Treat
Paine. President of the Associated Charities in
Boston, acted as one of the wardens, and Mr..
George F. Mcneil, the well-known Socialist,
also served in that capacity. Mr.. w. ID. How
ellis was an attentive member Of the congrega-
tion. and the interest was deep and vital that
a large number of the men and women present
gave IN their names as persons desiring to join
the Brotherhood of the Carpenter, which was
organized for the work of advancing social
Christianity during the week.
The spirit shown at this initial service may
mean much or little as it is tested by sub
sequent meetings, but tie movement seems to
have already found the right sort of supporters
among active, thoughtful and earnest people,
and may be regarded a sign of the times, and
as possibly the first of large number ot ana
logOus gatherings in different places, in which,
without separation from present religious or
Ganizations people may reach freedom in
worship and work which they do not now ordi-
narily nnd in regularly organized parishes"
EARLY METHoDISM.
The Pittsburg Christian Advocate of this
week furnishes very interesting supplement-
with a history of Pittsburg Methodism by
Editor c. W. Smith, ID. D., and "reminiscences
from Rev. DR.. William Cox on the early strug-
giles of the circuit riders through Western
Pennsylvania and Ohio. Editor Smith ac-
knowledges that the region of which Pittsburg
is the center has been hard field for Method
ism to plant itself. as it was first occupied by
the sturdy Calvlnistic element who, when
they once get grip, are very slow to let go.
The United Pres6yterians have at present in
Egypt % organized churches, with member
ship of 1900; IL native pastors who have grown
up under the care Of the mission, and are in
thorough and enlightened sympathy with its
work: l9 theological students who have taken
the course Of the Training College, and will
soon get out 10 swell the force of workers; 100
schools under the oversight of the mission or
the native church, with 1000 scholars under
the direct influence of the open Bible.
According TO figures collected by the Rev. j.
B. Hamilton, of Brooklyn, n. " during the
period from 1888 to 1872, deficiencies in the sala-
ries of Methodist ministers in IS Conferences
amounted to S5,45O0U0. 1t should be remem-
bered that these deficiencies occurred for the
most part on salaries of ministers who could
least afford to bear the loss.
In recent letter from Egypt to the Chicago
Interior, DR.. George p. Hays says: "At the
risk OF -Cusing some Indignation advise con-
tributors to the Barakat fund to inquire par
pcularly how the funds are invested, and to |
whose management they will go after Layah |
BaTakat is dead. More and more grow to the |
conviction thar independent mission work and |
irresponsible enterprises have no security for |
permanency, and funds would be better in |
vested il put into the hands of the general |
boards and the permanent work OF the |
Church"