St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-11-10

individual church's life. Combination is
undoubtedly the key word to the marvel
Gus commercial and industrial develop
inent OF our day. Competition has been
FOUND to mean waste; to eliminate every
possible needless machine, method and
and oftice-to throw away all impedi-
menta is the most strenuous demand
everywhere, except in Professionalism. A
young graduate from Harvard felt him
sell called to the ministry, he studied
three years at Andover, and then receiv-
ed call to church in a Western city
OF 5OuO. In a year he returned He
laconically gave his reason, "27 denomi-
nations, and Presbyterian college, |
haven't time for that sort of competi-
ton" This can be duplicated in thous-
ands OF towns in America. Can we
expect young men OF fire even though
they be men of vision to invest their
lives in one-third or one-ninth or one
twentyseventh of an enterprise?
Sectarianism has a deteriorating inhu-
ence upon the churches and makes their
leadership less desirable. 1t is doubtless
responsible for the petty view the rank
and file hold of the church's mission
Reginald Campbell declares that two
thirds of the church's strength is expend-
ed in social activity. Take away our
social features and how little would be
left. DR.. Aked is reported to have said
that the chief trouble in minister's life
in New York was pink teas. Young men
are saying human life is too large and
its possibilities too transcendently great
to expend third of their strength on the
social activity demanded by many church.
es. comfortable building. musical
treat, an interesting short talk, few
platitudes dispensed to the children, four
parish suppers year. and church duties
have been fulfilled for rs per cent of our
membership; meanwhile 90 per cent of
the working men of America are outside
the church andi about every community
there is circumference of poverty and
loneliness untouched by christian infu-
ences. All this may be the fault of the
ministry. The point is that for many
young men this represents the condition
of the church and its leadership is not
attractive to them. They feel that the
man is swamped by his Office and becomes
at length a negative influence rather
than positive force.
Over against this is the influence of the
church's teaching. We have maintained
that the scope of christian service is as
large as human need, and many young
men are taking us at our word, and
dedicating their lives to the ministry of
public service. 1t is to be feared that
churches are not very influential voice
in the life of our cities, and that the
scope of the modern church is restricted.
Forceful men conclude that they can
serve the cause of righteousness as a
lawyer far better than a minister and
many are making good their word.
Philanthropic agencies. social settle
ments, the Y. NJ. I. A.. and kindred work,
the new emphasis that our democracy
is putting upon the individual in the
professions and in the trades. are all in
huences broadening the conception of the
ministry, making it not the sacred call
ing but only one of many sacred PROBES
sions, and drawing men away from what
was considered the greatest calling in life.
Finally realize that such a paper as
this. were it to close here might well
keep any man out of the pulpit For
perhaps the greatest cause of the decline
of the ministry is the ministry itself.
Too often we belittle our calling and
magnify our difficulties The Importance,
the vitality of the profession depends
upon the man. Men of small trivial
ideals have a trivial petty ministry.
Men of great heart and great purpose
will make their pulpit throne of power,
their coming to the home will be as the
coming of great peace, their presence
in the community is as Saviour of lite
unto life.