New-York tribune., 1908-05-23

u every American denomination the problem OF
the supply men the ministry IS paramount
one. Leaders 81 su bodies deplortEs the fact
that the annssl increase n the number of minis
tiers does not begin TO keep pace with the annual
increase In the number Of churches. and the qnes
ton being seriously asked whether the emphasis
should longer De placed, it has been in the past
a special education for the man who desires 10
serve his fellows II the Christian ministry
Presbyterian authority has just called attention 10
the fact tlsst in choosing his Disciples the Founder
o< Christianity used the fisherman as well as the
rabbi and. while he admits that the Church needs
the scholar. he SAYS the first need is for the man
In many denominations the possible work Of lay
men being studied. to how far the shortage
Of ordained ministers may be replaced by lay
workers There is thought that the layman
may supplant the ordained man In administering
The sac-snents OF the Church but il is being said
BY leaders that the lay1an is able TO conduct ser
vices and 10 be. many respects. the pastor OF
small congregations. although his weekdays
are sTeut in business and ne has only evenings and
Sundays devote 10 the business OF the Church
The Protestant Episcopal Church has long had
lay readers These are laymen, licensed by the
Bishop of the diocese in which they work, who are
permitted by the laws OF the Church TO read the
services from the Book OF Common Prayer, and
also 10 read approved sermons to their congrega-
lions Comparatively large part Of the extension
work Of the Episcopal Church has been the result
of the work OF such laynen, and in many in
fields for Church extension. gathering people to-
gethe- in missions and serving their spiritual
leaders until sufficient strength has been developed
TO warrant the calling Of clergyman TO carry the
work forward
similar system il is being realized. is within
reach Of other denominations. The Presbyterian
Church. North, has always had more churches than
ministers but suddenly, a result Of the reunion
OF The Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the
parent body. it finds itself with about thousand
churches for which it has ministers Leaders
in the Denomination realize that men rather than
clergyInen are needed Many Of the vacant
churches are small affairs. and some of them give
no promise Of being anything else. The Pres
bs1erian Book OF Common Worship accepted two
or three years ago. is held 10 be just complete
an order Of service as the Episcopal Book Of Com
mon Prayer. and in minor points the two
asking Why may layrnen regularly conduct
services in places where ordained may not be
secUred?"
The Reformed Church in America. smaller body
similar in doctrine and practice to the Presbyte-
rian, has q liturgy which revised few years
ago. This also like the Episcopal prayerbook,
furnishes all the needed material for stated
ship, and with its forms and printed prayers
layTnan may satisfactorily perform the public d
ties OF clergyman, in the administration OF
the sacTaments Of baptism and communion This
denomination also is in need OF ministers.
The Methodist Church has long had local preach
ers." many OF whom have not received ordination
bUt who are nevertheless licensed by the confer
ences TO preach