The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-30
PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER'S.
Discussion of General Booths SaIvatie
Army Scheme.

Discussion of General Booths Salvation
Army Scheme.
The Presbyterian Ministerial Union met
in Calvary Church yesterday morning, the
President. Rev. j. @. Adams, presiding.
Rev. E. G. Mathena, DID,, was elected
President for the ensuing term.
Rev. T. c. Easton, on behalf of a commit :
tee appointed to secure some other place
of meeting and which has had the mat
ter under consideration for several
months, reported, recommending that the
offer Of Rev. DR.. Nesbit, proprietor and
editor Of the Oceident, placing the rooms of
that paper, in the History Building. on Mar
ket street, at the disposal of the union, be ac-
cepted and that the meetings In the future
be held at that place.. The recommendation
was adopted. -
Rev. John Morrison. the newly arrived
pastor of the Centennial Church of East
Oakland. and Rev. Donald Ross OF Spokane
Falls, were presented aud were introduced
as visitors. Rev. w. A. Sample, DID,, the
Moderator of the PIesby terry, was also pres
ent for the first time since his recent return
from the East, where he had been making
~ extended visit
Rev. Dr. MatheDa introduced the renewed
discussion of General Booths book, I'm
Darkest England" He spoke chiefly with
reference to the deplorable condition of
things socially and spiritually in this coun-
try, and of the adaptability of General
Booths plan for correcting it. He acknowl-
edged that the work of the churches is lag
eing and that the masses of the people ara
not interested in religion. Even children
who used to attend Sunday-school, now go to
the park or the Cliff House on the Sa bbath,
while thousands OF adults of both sexes are
ara roaming about everywhere. He thought
the churches should be more aggressive and
should go out among the people, endeavor-
ing to reach them through whatever agencies
offered the best means of doing so.
Rev. DIR. Sample thought. the regular
army, referring to the church. is sufficient
in its organization and equipment for all the
work there is to be doue.
Kew. Mr.. Woodwork agreed in the main
with the former speaker, but if regular
army is often aided by various auxiliaries,
so he thought the work of the church might
be very much helped by such agencies as
the Salvation. ARMY. The principal OBJ
stacles in the way of carrying out General
Booths scheme he believed to be the un-
willingness Of business men and capitalists
to trust one with such limited financial ex-
periencs as he with the handling OF the five
million dollars required for it. and the re-
it is INTENDED, to its operation. The drunk
ard, the thief and the prostitute ca mot be
reformed until they wish to reform, which
only small percentage of them do.
l. rev. j. D.. CampDel Thought the book
is doing much good already, by the discus
sion which. it had aroused in the secular
papers.
Rev. DR.. Easton deprecated disparage-
nent of the churches and their work, but
he was ready to aid and encourage the Sal
Walton Army in its efforts for tbs rescue of
the fallen everywhere.
Rev. j. NJ. Alexander thought that much
could be done in this direction by a proper
system of UNCONVENTIONAL co-operation.
Chaplain Blake asking for results, said tt at
when he looked for these in the permanent
converts made by the Salvation Army, he is
disappointed.
Rev. DIR. Stewart, whilo standing firm for
the church, was still obliged to confess that
the bulk of society is not reached, and that
something not yet shown to be successful
needs to be done.
Rev. j. G. Smith believed that If the rich
could be reached and drawn into the church
there would not be much difficulty in the
way OF reaching the poor.
fev. Mr.. Adams. in defending General
Booth and his book, said that part of the
Generals plans were practically worked Out
during the labor troubles in Sydney; when
many problems were referred to the Saliva.
tion Army, by which the solution of them
was reached.
Owing to special meeting of the Presby-
terry next Monday, the union ado urned unit
the Monday following, when it will meet in
tho Occident office, to listen to an address
on home and foreign missionary work, by
Rev. DR.. Wilson Phraner Of New York.