The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-20
CHURCH NEEDS
MORE PASTORS
Report at the Presbyterian
Assembly Calls Attention
to Falling Off in Supply
WORK OF REvIVALISTS
Efforts for the Past Year
Conferred III Denver and
the Pacific Coast Cities

WINONA LAKE, Ind, May lS.-The
reading Of reports. appointment of clerks
and committees and discussion of evan
gelistic work by speakers. several of
whom mentioned incidentally the pro-
posed union with the Cumberland Presby-
terrain body, engaged the attention Of the
delegates TO the General Assembly Of the
Presbyterian church to-day. This after
noon several speakers discussed the work
OF the evangelical committee, which dur
ing the past year cey4tered its efforts in
Denver and cities along the Pacific Coast.
DR.. J. Wilbur Chapman said a great
tidal wave of religious fervor is about
10 sweep the United States. DR.. Coyle
spoke Of the revivals in Denver, and Dr.
Baker told Of the results in Oakland. Cal.
The assembly voted to adopt the report
Of the committee and will fix a special
day OF prayer.
The Woman's Board of Home Missions
began its annual meeting to-day. Re-
Ceipts for the year amounted TO S675. 600
A message from the general assembly of
the Colored Cumberland Assembly, in
session at Huntsville, Ala, stated that a
committee Of seven had been appointed to
confer with a similar committee from the
assembly in session here, looking to the
union OF the two branches About fifty
thousand colored people compose the
Cumberland branch.
LACK OF MINISTER'S.
A falling of Of nearly SS per cent in
the supply Of suitable educated ministers
was reported by the Board Of Education
Theological seminaries in the church at
large in the synod of Illinois which, in
1886, had 95l students, during the year
1898 had only CD. a smaller number than
any year since 1886.
The board believes that there are some
indications of an awakening Of the church
10 a sense Of peril in the present situa-
tton. This appears. the report says. from
the appointment of ministers TO prepare
papers on the subject and the applica-
tions made TO the board for accurate in
formation; and further from the way in
which the matter has been presented TO
the synods-
The board suggests that the proper
way 10 bring about a change for the
better is 10 disabuse in the minds of
young men the notion of an over
crowded ministry Every effort should
be put forth the report says, to bring
about q revival Of family instruction
and "a mily worship. A sense OF the re-
spOnsibility resting upon the church
for the giving of the gospel TO all man
kind through the agency of the ministry
should be diligently taught, so that
heads OF families, and pastors of
churches, under a sense of this re-
sponsibility, may begin to pray with
sincere desire and earnestness for a
great enlargement Of this agency.
Young men should be educated under
influences favorable TO piety and not
calculated to shake their trust in the
pIenary Inspiration and authority of
the holy Scriptures
QUESTION OF DIVORCE.
The committee on marriage and di-
urged that the rule that min
listers refuse to perform marriage cere-
monies between divorced people unless
the causes for the divorce are script
,,ral be continued
The committee on Sabbath observ-
ance urged that all forms of sports
and railroad excursions be abolished
on the Sabbath and that Presbyterians
refuse to subscribe for Sunday news
papers. The committee on Christian
work among seamen asked that more
chaplains be secured for the navy
FORT WORTH. Tex, May 1e.-Dr. ].
E. Plunkett OF Augusta, Ga, the newly
elected moderator. was in the chair
when the second days session of the
General Assembly Of the Southern
Presbyterian Church was called to or
der.
1t is understood that consideration
Of the question of church federation
viii begin tomorrow. This question
appears to be paramount and many
members OF the assembly believe it
viii carry. Just before adjournment
the report OF the committee on fedora
ton OF the Reformed and Presbyterian
churches was read. 1t recommended
the appointment Of q committee 10 con-
fer with similar committees from other
churches as TO what is best to do in
the premises.