The San Francisco call., 1905-04-04
QUESTION SOUL
WINNERS PLANS
Method of Some Evangelists
Who Labored in Oakland
Meets With Disapproval

Discussion as to the beneficial results
Of the late evangelist meetings held in
Oakland under the guidance of Dr.
Wilbur Chapman took place before the
congregational Ministers Union yester-
day morning.
There was divided opinion over the
methods adopted by some of the evan
gelists to gather in souls, not a few
taking issue with the plan of conquer
ing backsliders and others whose Chris
tianity was doubtful.
That the results were not commen-
suate with the effort put forth was
plainly the opinion of some of the di-
vines.
There were those who defended the
means used, and in this way the matter
became interesting. There were experts
on evangelism on both sides of the ar
gument
Dr. c. r. Brown, pastor of the First
Congregational Church, Oakland, in
troduced the subject, and while he ad-
mitted that the religious and the con-
secrated turned out to aid in the work,
they were the people benefited The
hundreds that rose in the big audiences
indicated that very large majority
were already professed Christians.
He was fain to admit that there was
now more desire on the part of Chris
tian people to go out and work, and
that the experience they had fitted
them the better to labor in the good
cause.
He told of the methods peculiar to
some, not all. of the evangelists which
had come under criticism 1t had been
concluded in certain quarters that some
of the evangelists had tendency to-
ward professionalism" they appeared
Even some of the most ardent believers
in evangelical effort were unfavora bly,
impressed.
One speaker declared that If the
noted local pastors, DR.. E. r. Ollie, DR..
G.. r. Brown and DR.. e. E. Baker. had
conducted the services more people
would have been reached and con-
verted.
TOO MUCH PRESSURE.
DR.. R. C. Brooks held that the
churches had been brought into strong
er fellowship and the spirituality of the
people had increased, yet he, too, spoke
of the method of too much urging
and pressure" which had induced
criticism.
The method adopted by one of the
evangelists was especially condemned.
The speaker complained that the
gentleman in question would ask all
the young people to stand. When all
were on their feet he asked all those
ready to profess Christianity to sit
down. They would do so.
Then he would request those who
had signed cards to take their seats
and those who had expressed a desire
in any way to become Christians to
be seated.
The method. it was held, was con-
sidered sort of trap and humiliat-
ing position in which to place the au-
dience.
The Rev. H. r. Burgess of the Sec
ond Congregational Church, West
Oakland, thought the meetings had
resulted in good to the mechanics of
his neighborhood.
1t is safe to say that in consequence
of the divided opinion as to methods
there will be some changes in the per-
sonnel of the evangelist party expected
in San Francisco next November when
the revivals are looked for.
A FATHERLY JUDGE.
The Juvenile Court was the subject
Of an exhaustive story by DIR. e. r.
Willis in the presence of the Methodist
preachers meeting yesterday.
The doctor had attended Judge Mu-
rasky's inquiries into youthful short
comings, and had been deeply inn
pressed with the 'fatherly'' way the
Judge treated the erring children
brought into his presence. DIR. Willis
gave some alarming accounts of the
degradation that thrives in the hearts
of some of the most gentle, sweet
faced" boys.
DIR. Francis Larkin attributed much