The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-22


society work.
Secondly, this appeal is made to TIE pastors of
churches which closest to colleges, to urge the
Christian students to unite with their churches and
become active working members.
This may seem policy to many, but that there
Is a demand for something of the kind is shown by
the numerous crilcisms from both Sides criticism of
the college Young Mems Christian Associations and
criticism of the churches. An illustration or two may
show that there is need of some change of policy
AT il small gathering last SUMNER chiefly of pas
tors, at which more tnan dozen different denom
nations were represented, there was unanimous
assent TO the proposition that if young man who
was good worker in the church. the Sabbath school
and the young peoples society, to college, when
he returned at the end of four years was
almost certain to hold aoof from all further church
work and had apparently become wholly dis-accus-
TONED TO 1T. The affirmed TO be true i'm the
case OF the young women. Certainly college students
see very little OF church work personally beyond
attendance upon college prayers f compulsory and
perhaps one service Sunday. If true this is a
most serious matter, for in other respects college
graduates generally leaders of thought in their
communities and they ought be leaders in work of
the church. Again, active church work is the best
antedote against the sceptcism which must come
with increasing education and which ought to be onv
transitory.
True the college student has his Christian AS
ISOLATION, with its Bible study and mission classes
but good as these are and as they ought to he
encouraged this is not the line of work that is ttno
the student for church activity and thew only helm
the church indirectly.
1t Is, however, unjust to blame the Associations
Tor what they are not doing when they are irving to
do the work that the churches are leaving udone
now much interest are any of churches taking i'm
the students OF colleges? Let me cite a sinole
Instance extreme indeed, but that ought to give
the churches i'll college towns food for reflection In
certain college, year before last, there was season
OF great religious interest and many professions Of
q of A.
to the pastor of the neighborng Southern Presbv
terrain Church These students were from Preby-
terrain homes and had expressed their purpose TO
unite win the church. Absolutely no notice was
taken by the pastor of the word sent him One
young man OF his own volition presented himself
before the session and asked them to receive him but
Wh'I became OF the other sixteen? But is this case
so extreme? How many of the officers and members
OF our churches in college towns do take an active
interest III the students, and how many college stu
dents are led to feel that even though thew NAV he
lar away from home, yet they have pastor close at
mana \. NJ q. a. college secretary is a grand
Soou thihS ana wish there in every COLLEGE
DuI after all a college secretary is not pastor
Tlcture The young man, brought UP i'm a christian
nome and interested in the work of his church and
Sabbath school, away from home perbaps for tho
hrst time' lie desires to be good to do good and
hopes TO make much of himself. lie is at the most
ihPresslonabe time OF life and in the midst of tenn
taton. Not but that college life is free from temta
ton than the life found almost anywhere else but he
has here no family home to shield him and no church
nome TO restrain him, and what wonder if he drifts
away. Is there not here field for the churches of
our college towns, and ought not the home church
ana the college church to cooperate save the boyY
"Pecihcaly' on behalf of the pastor and the stu
dent committee of the Lexington Church NAV T NOT
ASK the pastor OF young of the PRESBYTERIAN
church who expect to attend Washington and Lee
University the coming session, to especially cooper
ate along this line, and also to communicates with the
rev. L. b. Southall, pastor of the Lexington Church.
washington and Lee University Lexington Va