The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-07
YOUNG PRESBYTER|ANS,
Third Convention of the San
Francisco Association
Is Held.
A Course of Theological Extension
Lectures to Be Given In
This City.

The third convention of the Young
Peoples Association of the Presbvtery of
San Francisco was held last night at the
First Presbyterian Church, Van Ness ave-
nue. and Clay street. About 100 members
of the association from the local Presby-
terrain churches were present and partici-
pated in the proceedings. Rev. Herbert
N. Bevier, the president, occupied the
chair.
The session opened with singing of the
hymn, 1.-THE Earth is the Lords" Rev.
G.. D. B. Stewart led the meeting in prayer.
Rev. E. G. Mathena, DID,, gave scrip
ture reading, after which William Balnaves
sang.
Miss Georgia McLennan read paper on
'How May We Develop the Spiritual Side
of Our Work." She said that prayer more
than anything else can develop the spiritual
side OF human nature.
Rev. John Hemphill, DID,, delivered a
lecture on 1.-The Bible" He prefaced his
remarks with a comment on spirituality.
''The trouble with the church in San Fran
cisco to-day is the the lack of spirituality, !"
he said. 1.-THE Gospel is well preached in
San Francisco. but we are told that there
are very unsatisfactory results. The con-
versions last year were mlserably small
We want to get back to the upper room
and get down upon our knees and pray.
Theological extension lectures are all very
we'll in their way, but back OF that should
be spiritual power"
He stated that his subject was more
strictly 1.-THE Bible and Modern Thought
or the Higher Criticism" In the course of
a profound review of the theme he said
that higher criticism says the Bible comes
from God through the church, and that
gives Scripture authority. There are
three great sources of authority-the Bible,
the church and reason. What source is
infallible? There must be one infallible
source of authority-of truth. Conscience
calls out for one; and nothing is left but
the Bible. Higher criticism can never
measure the degree of inspiration of Scrip
ture. All Scripture is inspired of God.
The higher criticism will never find favor
in the Presbyterian church. Christ says:
"Search the Scriptures" not criticize them.
The higher criticism is destroying faith in
the Bible-that the Bible is corrupted.
The chairman announced that series of
theological extension lectures would be
given during the winter season to the
association, the intention being chiefly to
present theology and its practical applica-
ton to problems of the day.
Rev. J. c. Smith; Rev. r. Mackenzie,
ID; Rev. Il. G. Minton, ID; Rev. John
Hemphlll, DID,; and professors of the
San Francisco Theological Seminary at
San Anselmo have promised to address
the meetings, and the following subjects
will be discussed: ''Old Testament
Literature. or the Language and Litera-
ture of Gods Ancient People,; New
Testament Literature, or the Language
and Literature OF Christ and His
Apostles" Church Polity, or the System
of Government of the Presbyterian
Church.; presbyterian Theology, or Sys-
tematized Faith of the Church; "Presby-
terianism and Modern Thought; "Pres-
byterianism and Modern Life