The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-10-20

A new organization has been formed
by the Savannah clergy and the first
meeting was held in the parlors of the
Hotel De Soto yesterday. Rev. w. A.
Nisbet presided over the meeting and
Rev. George Solomons of the Temple
Mickva Israel was chosen as secretary.
The selection of a name for the organi-
cation, which is formed for the purpose
of discussing topics of religious and
civic interest, was left to the Savannah
Ministerial Union.
The meeting was called to order at
noon by Rev. w. A. Nisbet, with the
following ministers present: Revs. ].
John d. Jordan. Robert Van Deventer,
Alexander Henry, l. p. Mendes, NJ. j.
Epting, and George Solomons. The
meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. ]. A. Smith, after which, at the
request of the chair, DR.. Jordan ex-
planned the object of calling the meet
ing together.
DR.. Jordan stated that the project of
forming the organization had been dis
cussed at a recent meeting OF the
Ministerial Association. The members
of that body realized that difference OF
belief combined with certain restric-
tions, prohibited many Savannah cler-
gymen from becoming members of the
Ministerial Association. The fact that
all had much in common was also
recognized and also that all were work
ing toward the same end. In view of
this it was decided to form an associa-
ton, separate and distinct from the
Ministerial Association. for the purpose
of discussing matters of common inter
est and pertaining to the common
work.
The election of a secretary was then
called for and Rabbi George Solomons
of the Temple Mickva Israel was u IAN
imously chosen. Rev. Mr.. McCorkle
then moved that the association s lect
a name and that, in order to facilitate
the work, a committee be appointed to
consider the question and report. At
the suggestion of Rabbi l. P. Mendes
this matter was referred to the Minis
terial Association. The matter will be
considered at the next meeting of that
body. The name of Amity Club was
suggested by some present at the meet
ing yesterday.
DR. ]. Y. Fair, pastor of the Inde-
pendent Presbyterian Church. then de-
livered an interesting paper on Christ
as a Teacher" The substance of the
paper was as follows:
The first thought that would strike
one in considering Jesus as a preacher
is the wonderful attractiveness and
effectiveness He must have possessed.
In view of the great audiences who
were drawn to hear Him and the in
fiuence He exerted over Them Jesus
must have been a great orator, in fact,
the greatest the world has produced.
His style was wonderfully direct strik-
ing and simple. At time when ora
tors and philosophers thought it an
essential part of their work to show
the profundity of their thought. call
ing to their aid the embellishments of
metaphysical and mystical knowledge.
the speeches of Jesus were like a re-
freshing oasis in a barren desert. Ris-
ing often to the sublimest limits of
human thought and sometimes even
beyond this, He is still always SIM
pie, direct. practical.
Another very important element in
the style of Jesus as a preacher is
the marvellous faculty He shows of
f1ttingly illustrating His thought. The
sources of these illustrations We're the
Old Testament, nature and the HUI
man heart He never found it neces-
sary to refer to art. literature or sci
ence. because while he was thoroughly
conversant with their teachings and
appreciative of their value the people
He addressed were not so. and He
wished always to adapt His preach
ing to the understanding of His au-
ditors. The pictures He drew We're
painted from life their outlines drawn
In this the preaching of Jesus is