Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-10-18
unu larsa1n,u, anmu, Saturday 0urr Is. 1902

displace what many regard, and per-
haps term. the bigotry OF the past. Ii
is boldly said that all religions are
parts of a great historic evolution to-
ward the final ideal. Christianity may
be the last and best product OF this
growth, thus far but it will in turn
give way to something better. or at
least drop off excrescences and de-
veiop new accretions and additonS, I'M
Til some parts become like the super
tluous relics of former and disused
members and new or improved organs
take their place
There has been a serious decline in
the practical supremacy of Christian
ity. For example, the loss of same
tons of reward and penalty. Mediae-
Val notions of hell, as q literal lake of
burning birthstone. have given place to
u loose and vague conception which
has swung to the other extreme. and If
it does not Danish hell altogether, robs
it of all its terrors. Practical Uni
Eersalism is the plain drift of our day.
Note also that the supreme Divine
authority is pondingly weakened.
Another result. among many, is that
the prevailing power of prayer is
loosely held by the majority of nominal
disciples. Anything that weakens the
infallible authority of the Bible weak
ems the assurance based upon those
promises. which, especially, center
about prayer.
There has been decline in the
sense of individual responsibility. Part
of this is due to the very complete
ness of organization which should be a
help. not 81 hindrance, to personal
work. Societies and boards and COM
mittees are not meant as proxies, but
as channels.
rs there not also a decline in the
hope of the real success of the work
of missions? No one can dispute that
here and there marvellous results have
been wrought in individuals and even
communities. But, like the five loaves
and two fishes, what are these among
SO many? Men are appalled, at the
greatness of the field. They see fif-
teen hundred millions of men scattered
over the five continents and the isles
of the sea, and one-half OF them at
least untouched by the Gospel. The
London Times scoffingly said that If
the church would have more workmen
offer and more money furnished it
would be necessary to show more pro-
gress in the work, and many half
hearted Christians have echoed the
taunt."
Have We Too Many Ministers?
The following tables may interest
some who are asking the question,
Arc fhar S-fr TN,
answer to this question DR.. Asher An
derson, secretary of the national coun-
ell. has prepared and sent to us the
tables, which are suggestive:
TABLE 1.
Students from seminaries ......... .104
Entered foreign mission service. 10
Deceased (aNerage) ............97
Ret1reu...... 1888. ....lO
New churches (neD.. .. .. ....43
Sc
Difference. .. ;. -. :. ........ $50
This table makes it appear that fifty
six more ministers ought to have been
graduated simply to make good the de-
felt in the home field
TABLE II.
No. OF names in ministers list. :. 6, 1858
Missionaries, and in foreign
lands. .... 21O
Secretaries and supts... 80. 95
Pastors emeriti ;. >. =. 49,. 25
Professors, presidents. teach
erS.. $500. 81. .. 129
Out of active service ...... n
Deceased named in list. 800. 139
Tfpknown 81
Available 80. :. >. .. 80. >. ..5,51O
lolllefence.. 243
This table suggests that there are
243 more churches than ministers. Were
these churches thrown out, the num-
Der of churches and ministers would be
equal. The difference might be in
creased in favor of ministers did we
know how many in the list were sup
plying churches of other denomina-
tions.
TABLE III.
Ministers without charge
Ueported) 80. .. .. .. .. =. 1874
Professors, etc 129
Pastors emerltt $50. .. ... 25
Secretaries and supts.. ~. .. 95
Retired 80. =. ~
Number without charge.... -. LASS
Number of vacant churches. 1,O45
Difference 500. 443
Here is indicated an excess of 443
ministers. Let us ask, however. about
vacant churches generally. In addi-
ton to the above 1,045, 2O7 are taken
care of by licentiates, and 1872 are sup
piled by ministers of other denomina-
tions. Here, then. are 1.444 churches
looking for and getting supplies as. best
they can. If, now, the LASS ministers
without charge We're able to supply all
these churches, and it were made pos
sible for them so to do, there would be
only "A ministers out of the pulpit. AL