Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-08
THE LAY INSTITUTE
Started by Mr.. Moody, Not to Make
Ministers but to Increase the
NUMBER OF PREPARED WORKERS.
What is Taught as to the Second Coming Of
Christ by the Scriptures.
NEWSY NOTES OF CHRISTIAN WORK

Apropos Of the discussions that are taking
place in ministerial circles, as to allowing
students and others to take short cuts"
into the ministry on the one side and the
necessity of thorough preparation SO that
they may be able to give a reason for the
faith that is in them, on the other, the in
auguration of the institute started by Mr..
Moody in Chicago will demand attention.
1t is true, as the Rev. DR.. Mcpherson re-
Gently said, that sit is impossible for pas
tor to attend from two to seven funerals a
week, visit the sick and meet the demands
of the pulpit. What is wanted is man
who has good education. common sense,
and has been well trained in an institution
like this of Mr.. Moody's."
As the Inauguration of this new line of
preparation for lay work can be made such
a power for good, it is well to learn Mr..
Moody's own ideas of its scope. He says:
''The purpose of this institute, besides Chris
tiauizing young men and furnishing place
for them to spend their evenings, is
thoroughly to drill class of students in
missionary work. We have accommoda-
tions here for 100 young men who desire
in, furnish them apartments and meals,
and give them a frst-class education.
Any worthy young man, no matter now poor
he is who is willing to work and learn, VIII
find chance here. We will teach these young
men all Things pertaining to evangelical WORK:
and when they have become proficient We will
send them about the city reclaiminE souls, and
shall also expect them to teach, when they
have the time, in the institute"
Another aim OF this society '1s to find men
who will go into the saloons and reclaim lost
souls. If we would catch fish, we must go
where the fish are If we can't get men to 60
into these places of vice, then Christianity is
failure. We want men who have the gift to
open Bible and interest crowd in 1t. We
do not want men who aspire to the pulpit; we
want men who will fill the gap between lay
men and the ministers. We have not time to
wait till man goes through a college. | am
not saying anything against those who nave
studied and learned Hebrew and Greek. They
are all right in their place, but we want men
who can teach the gospel without knowing
these languages. When the war broke out, we
were in need of volunteers. The war has
again. and we have not got them. But we are
going to get them. To all young men who
would like to enlist in Christs army OF
workers say. come to III"
of the great need of their assistance in this
sublime work, Mr.. Moody said: Here is the
place tor them to test their ability. We want
young women who will 60 out into the homes
church in Chicago ought 60 have from one to
eight missionaries. Each one should have
district of her own. This district should have
at least 100 families, and each of these families
should be visited at least once month. If
they are found to be sick or in want, their con-
ditlon ought to be reported to the church and
the church should help them. The children
should be got into the: sabbath school. Then
some member of the family should be made
member Of the church-Of course only after
conversion-and through this one other mem
hnre enf fho fa 10 afrlnf 6o had md
in time the whole family be Christianized."
This institute if wisely conducted cannot fail
Of being power of good. With such aids the
power of the church will be multiplied. And
If such lay workers are needed for the people
of Chicago are these twin cities better than
they? We trow not, for we read "unless these
repent they shall all likewise perish" There
are thousands who might be reached il proper
efforts were put forth IN their behalf, and the
power of the church would thus be multiplied
greatly.