The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-27

pastor OF the Union Congregational
church Previous to DR.. Nuttings ad-
dress, Rev A. Il. Cristy, superintendent
OF the Anti-Salon league. presented a com
muncation from the Watch and Ward
society OF this city, asking the coopcra-
ton of the Methodist body in regard TO
a protest against certain performances at
the Westminster theatre. 1t is desired
that formal protest in this respect be
presented TO the Providence police COM
mission.
Rev. NJ. J. Talbot, Rev J. o. Randall
and Rev. Ambice Field were appointed
a committee to act In accordance with
Mr.. Cristy's recommendation.
At the close OF the formal business. Dr.
Nutting presented his paper on the topic.
The Near Future OF the Congregational
Pulpit
Or. Nutting stated. In opening his pa
per. that, in a decade. the number OF
Congrega tlonal theological students has
decreased 40 per cent. while the number
of law students has doubled.
These figures. he said. ARE sensation
al and indicate profound charge in the
attitude OF cultivated young men. The
bold fact is that we are not raising
enough ministers for home consumption
and II the present tendency were TO con-
tinue for 20 years more one should not
produce enough for seed, yet we are the
traditions. the wealth, the equipment OF
4 universities and we have the young men.
What is the cause of this condition
| that confronts US?
| Some have. strangely enough. attribu-
| ted the cause TO the greater demands now
| being made for men In the mercantile
| and scientific professions"
After giving number of alleged rea-
| sons why the congregational and minis
4 ters Of other denominations are decreas
ing he said.
"Then why does the preacher vanish or
| diminish TO a thin gray liner
Because the young man loses In col
l lege or never had the sense OF weighty
| message.
Science now says no miracle; then nc
| resurrection many college men strike
this snag. Nothing but an essay remains
then for a sermon.
THE vital principle sale season why
the young men OF the day 90 not Drihs
ne n message Is because they have meme
They have none because they oome Oh
| of families that have none. because the,
| reflect their age they have none be
cause education Is defective In siv'ns
them none. Education Is defective eecads'
| of Ike decay OF faith; because OF natus
! aiistic tendencies.
"Tbe .,inring OF ministerial ranks Il
| only an effect not cause condition o
| society including educated men work
| against Intensity OF religious conviction
| and IL Is not in seminaries alone that W.
| are to find the reasons. lt Is In the COZ
| leges that turn men out so that thcy az
not wish 10 attend the seminaries, " y
In Tic homes. the papers, the books, u
tho air--lack OF intense conviction Una
| Great truths are true: lack OF nope
carry conviction by preaching
do you for a moment imagine Una. az !
| thousands OF young. educated men WI,
| hu,ring with RELIGIOUS convictions Whlei
! ! thcv Knew how TO utter that they woul'
| willingly be silent? Are they slleht W
| ,,oittirs or athletics? \ cultivated MAJ
I | 81 sense a. silent when he has nothing y
? saw. and the cultivated man OF our laI li
arc generally silent on matters OF rels
ION because they have lost, or nSNyy y
b1d tho deem conviction that the fpi
| Ghost could dwell I'm them and when resi-
, | dent I'm them could sway mems minds y
righteousness and powerfully better III
world. ...-.s.-- ,,,,-,srt,Dc
The regular meeting Of the Baptist min
teters was held at the Y. NJ G. a. TN
= ,,.oTrtr~ with Rev. r. G. Gleason %
| siff~,- items Of interest were presente
, hy pty l. L. Henson. -. u. a. a. Zen
ueff and T. A. liaincr.
d rho regular order of the day was
, PRAYER meeting led hy pr. Henson. afte
which Rev. \. ". CrisiN nres,,n,,,sa ". y.
ster theatre that he had presented 20 IN
e Nctbodist body Like the Methodist
. Tho Rautst body concurred with NJ
Crtsty's recommendation and appointe
j. tbe following n committee 90 act in az
u rordance herewith: Rev. l.. T.. Hensoi
rev A. \ Bennett, Rev. J. a. Hain"r.