New-York tribune., 1902-05-17
E" go AFTER THE PEOPLE, y
DR. SHAW SAYS HE HAS PERMISSION
TO PREACH FROM THE STEPS
OF HIS CHURCH.


The afternoon session of the General AS
sembly was devoted mainly to the report of the
special committee on evangelistie work. which
read by its chairman. John H. Converse.
1t described in detail the work of the commit
tee during the last year in sending out evan
gelists and sending appeals to ministers
throughout the country TO encourage and pro-
MOTE evangelistic work in the churches Among
the recommendations in the report were the
following. in brief:
The appointment by the moderator of the General
Assembly of a committee of eight ministers and
eight elders to stimulate the churches to evan
The fixing Of decision days in the churches and
the use OF special services to aid in the conversion
Instruction in evangelistic methods at the theo-
logical seminaries and in the preparation OF dis
tinGtly evangelistic sermons.
The recognition by the Assembly of the and
value of accredited evangelists-
A strong speech in favor of the report was
made by the Rev. Dr. John Balcom Shaw. He
said that Mr.. Converse had contributed $4,000
for the expenses of the committee last year. and
had announced similar contribution for this
year. The report should receive the most
thoughtful attention of the assembly. he de-
clared, and there should be a revival OF per-
sonal work for the saving of souls The session
of his own church, he said, had voted at It's
last meeting to authorize him to preach from
the steps of the church to the moving multi
tude
Il wish the Church was doing much as the
saloon and the gambling den to-day 70 make the
wOrkingmen welcome" he said. IF the people
will not go to the churches, let go after the
people. We need more personal work for the
saving of souls. That is the need Of the hour"
The Rev. Dr. Wilton Merle Smith made a
plea for more personal work by ministers. II
tell you. brother Ministers he said. I'VE not
doing the personal work that ought to do to
win souls. We are very much more concerned
with writing and preaching eloquent sermons.
Often ministers too delicate. We hesitate
before We speak TO the trustee who sits in the
centre aisle"
The Rev. William H. Tower, from South
Framingham, Mass. made strong plea for an
increase of evangelistic work among the chill
dren. He said the Sabbath school had not sue
ceeded in doing the work it should have done.
1t had not added to the number in the pews on
Sunday. The Sunday school held the children
while they were of tender age. but afterward
they drifted away from the Church altogether.
Dr. Tower moved an amendment. recommend
ing Jhat ministers be called upon TO devote
part of every Sunday morning service to the
conversion of children and young people.
The report was adopted by rising vote, and
/ the commissioners remained standing while a
prayer was offered
At the close Of the session the commissioners
, and many visitors went TO the Presbyterian
Building, Fifth-ave. and Twentieth-st to- at
special train on the SiXth-ave. elevated line.
which had been placed at the disposal OF the
General Assembly.
In the large assembly hall on the first floor OF
the building there were few short speeches by
members of the Board of Home and Foreign
Missions and singing by a quartet. Then the
commissioners and their friends were invited To
inspect the rooms of the board and partake Of
, a light luncheon.