The San Francisco call., 1904-04-19
Opinion Is Divided as to
Eminent Mans Orthodoxy,
but All Pay Him Tribute
YOUNG MEN FOR CLERGY
Divines of the Christian
Church to Urge Youths to
Take Up Study for Pulpit

the Pacific Theological Seminary were
the subject Of discussion by the mem
bers of the Congregational Ministers
/ Association. which met in the Young
Mems Christian Association building
yesterday morning. Rev. William
+ RAIDER presided and the attendance was
large.
Opinion was divided as to the ortho-
doxy Of DR.. Abbott, some going so far
as to say that his views on the divinity
( Of Christ and the Bible are inharmo-
nious with Congregational belief. While
disagreeing with certain views of the
4 eminent divine and teacher, those that
oppose his modern Interpretation paid
high tribute 10 the doctors beautiful
spirit and courage as an interpreter -
as well as TO the general helpfulness OF
/ his lectures.
Rev. Mr.. RAIDER held that what they
were discussing was not the individual
only but a theological movement and
a religious tendency Of which he con-
4 sidered DR.. Abbott was the most emf
nent exponent in the United States
! The reverend gentleman reminded his
F brother ministers that some years ago
the Presbyterian Occident questioned
his views on the Bible and il was DR..
f Lyman Abbott who came TO his rescue
in the Outlook when every minister in
; the West remained silent.
Rev. Mr.. RAIDER said also that DR..
Abbott had been the defender of every
minister that wished the freedom of
his religious conviction. Indeed, said
( the reverend gentleman, DIR. Abbott is
a defender Of the faith" What he
meant by the authority of the ministry
was really the testimony Of truth in
his own consciousness
4 Dr. Abbott had been accused of be-
ing Of Unitarian tendencies in his con-
ception Of Christ. and in meeting that
/ assertion the Rev. Mr.. RAIDER said it
was a metaphysical rather than a the
illogical question. He held that DR.. Alb
bott believed in the divinity of Christ.
but did not attempt 10 explain it meta
physically. His Christ, said the Rev.
Mr.. RAIDER, is a natural and helpful
reality.
The Theological Seminary then re-
ceived the Rev. Mr.. RAIDERS congratu-
lations for bringing the eminent
teacher TO the coast, which caused
him to feel more than ever that the
Congregational world is a theological
unit DR.. w. c. Pond. DR.. s. H. Will
ley, DR.. Joseph Rowen and DR.. Frear
joined in the discussion that followed
Pietro Sbrocco, missionary OF the
Cross, appeared before the Presbyte-
rian ministers meeting yesterday and
gave an account of his work among
the Italians.
He stated in reply to a question by
the Rev. Mr.. Bevier that there are 35,-
600 Italians in San Francisco, though
in some quarters they are estimated
as reaching as high as 10000.
DR.. Francis NJ Larkin, pastor of
Grace Methodist Episcopal Church,
discussed the system of the Methodist
church government in view of the
coming session Of the General Confer
ence in Los Angeles. The argument
. taken was that the episcopacy. with
an Office limited to eight years, a pre-
siding eldership. limited to six years
out Of twelve, and an unlimited pas
torate would tend to a greater eff
cheney Of the church.
A meeting Of the Baptist Ministers
Association was held yesterday after
noon, when a paper on The Bible as
a Record of Religious Experience"
was read by Professor Day, D. D.. of
San Anselmo. The Baptist ministers
viii meet next Monday at Napa.
r. Waggoner met the Christian
church ministers at their weekly
meeting yesterday afternoon, when a
strong discussion took place on the ne
cessity of encouraging young men to
look toward the ministry instead of
the professions and trades.
Members were unanimous in their
decision to begin to influence the most
suitable young men for the ministry.
Two young men on the previous night
voluntarily gave their names to Mr..
Waggoner as applicants for the min
istry.
DR.. W. NJ. White, president Of the
association, reported that he and a
committee composed of T. D. Butler
and A. c. NIcKeever visited the Berke-
ley Bible Seminary last week. where
they found It's studying in two Bible
classes. Intense earnestness was OBJ
served in the students.
Ballington BOotn VIII SPEAK DeIore
the San Francisco Evangelical Union,
which will hold its monthly meeting at
the Y. NJ c. A. building Monday after
noon, April 25.
DR.. II. /. Bridgman. president Of
Hamlin University. and a prominent
member of the General Conference.
which will open at Los Angeles may
4. attended the Methodist ministers
meeting yesterday and received cor
dial welcome.
Bishop Hamilton is expected TO ar
rive in the city this morning from
Kansas. where he has been conducting
the spring conferences of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church Bishop Hamil-
ton will be practically the leader of
the great missionary conference which
begins here April %.