The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-08

NO BARGAIN SALES
Baptist Pastors Object to the
Candidate System in
Vogue.
IS DEGRADING AND DISHONEST
Ministers Should Have the
Right to Apply for Churches
as for Positions.

ton is IN convention at the Summit Ave-
nue. Baptist Church. This is the sixty
sixth meeting. Yesterday afternoons ses-
sion opened with a discourse by the Rev.
James Bristow Of Deckertown. He took
for his subject, The Holy Spirit in Re-
lation to the Trinity This he treated
in a most interesting hammer.
The women's hour followed. Mrs. J..
Heinrichs of the Telegu Mission, Vinu-
kondga, India, and Miss Maryette J..
Reside of the Indian Territory, spoke Of
the Christian work being accomplished in
those places.
The Enrolment Committee reported
that two hundred and twenty-nine dele
gates had been enrolled. The Board of
Managers submitted a most interesting
report. The report gives a numbe of
suggestions and recommendations to the
convention. They are
Il. In calling councils of ordination
the churches should heed the Apostolic
injunction, lay hands suddenly on no
man. but first to look tor the traits of
Gods minister as defined in First Tim
othy, n then being assured of the Di-
vine imprint, call a council of good and
wise brethren. h shall deliberate over
this matter, even as they pray, without
wrath and doubling
"2. We further desire to see more COM
mon honesty and candor in the settle
ment of pastor inc in the severance of
the pastoral relation. and a speedy end
of this unscriptural and un-Christian
method of candidating, which degrades
both church and ministry to the level of
the bargain counter, and in heartless
competition, resulting often in m:sfits,
short pastorates and disappointments.
We commend the custom of ministers
making direct application to churches in
need of pastors, giving references by
letter or in person. The church should
also make an investigation as to the
moral worth, ability and fitness, before
extending invitation to preach.
1.-THE princes of trade and finance and
manufacture rest millions in money in
this method. Leaders in education and
the professions follow the method. And
why should not ministers seeking a
change of pastorate be permitted TO be
strong and quit themselves like men? We
have the most sacred trust ever com
mitted to man, the custody of Gods
word. Why should we wait IN some
pulpit committee for our portfolio to
preach when already we are the am
b~assadors of Jesus Christ? Let the
church ponder these things and in good
faith cooperate with the ministry in the
wise and manly methods of the New Tes-
lament.
"3. This year of grace brings added re-
~sDonsibility in the spread of the Gospel.
With new domains of unevangelized
peoples under the American flag and the
rapid growth our State and country, pas
tors and churches shout give more large
ly and systematically for the work OF
missions.
q. We cannot too strongly urge upon
the c. E. and B. Y. P. U. and all other
young peoples societies to adopt the
schedule of benevolences as approved by
the local church instead of giving in as
swer to appeals which come from sources
outside of our denomination. We further
give it as our Judgment that our young
peoples organizations do their best work
when they support faithfully the meetings
and plans of their pastors and churches.
SO. On entering upon the year to come
let us join the Christian Prayer Union for
the power of the Spirit on our churches
and on the mission fields of the world.
1--WE recommend that the association ap-
point some one learned in the Scripture
TO prepare a circular letter to tbs
churches on some vital points of tine
faith and practice, these same to be a
part of the report of the Board of Man
ayers for the next year.
Following this came the report of the
State Board of Missions and talks by the
various pastors. who told of the mission
work done by the association. The ladies
of the church prepared luncheon for the
pastors when the afternoon session adj
journed at six o'clock.
Brother Dominick, an italian mission
airy. who has been doing missionary
work for the past four years. in record.
ing his experiences, said that during his
many years of labor. he had found the
Italians with whom he had come in con-
tact very ignorant and also superstiti-
Gus. He said they like images and wor-
ship them. They have saints for every
little purpose of life. While in Paterson
he said, he tried to induce Italians tc
attend his mission, but they were afraid
to go for fear of being accommodated
He finally got five to attend. He con-
cluded by saying that it was not the
fault of the Italians, but the Pope, who
should see that they are properly edu-
Gated. He had with him seven italian
boys who sang in their own language
and in English.
h Holy Spirit in Relation to Mis-.
sions." was the topic used by the Rev
N. c.. Richmond of Hoboken. when tbs
evening session began at eight o'clock
Mr.. ]. N. Leserder sang Some Time
Well Know in a most pleasing man
ner, and the choir of the church closro
the session with an appropriate pro-
Morris of Newton. Mass. was to have
spoken on The Regeneration of Afri-
ca but he failed to respond.