The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-22
THE PRESBYTER|ANS TAKE DECIDED STAND Urge More Use of Bible in
 Christian Colleges CRITICISM ANSWERED Students Know More About Books on the Bible Than Bible Itsclf-200O
 Churches in United States
 Are Without Pastors
CRITICISM ANSWERED

Louisville, Ky. May 21.-Though the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America did not act on recommendation of one man who wanted the assembly to memori- alize the federal government to prohibit the manufacture, importation and distri- button of intoxicating beverages, it took very positive stand on the temperance question today The seeming disregard of law in the sale of liquor at army posts was deplored." Congressional legislation to prohibit interstate shipment of liquor into prohibition states was indorsed
 Still further use of the Bible in the curriculum of the Christian colleges of the country Is urged in the report of the col lege board, made today. Before aid is given Presbyterian colleges the board re- quires statements that the faculty is com posed of men Who shall exercise a strong Christian Influence.
 Handled Million Dollars
 The board in the past year has received and disbnrsed more than million and a half dollars. Criticism that college stu dents are ignorant of the Bible is an- | swered in the report of the board by the statement that this ignorance is mostly of the Bible as a book, though the stu- dents are proficient In studies of books on the Bible. More careful attention to the book itself is urged.
 The report of the nominating commit tee, which was approved and Is equiva- lent to election, named the following for places on the executive commissions: The Rev. DTS. William Foukes, Kansas City; Mark A. Matthews, Seattle; David G. Wylie. New York; Wallace Radcliffe, Washington, D. C., and Elders Charles D. Thompson, Minneapolis; Logan c. Murray, Louisville; Isaac Horr, St. Louis.
 Tonight the commissioners attended a popular meeting in the interest of home missions.
 2000 Churches Pastorless
 After the surprising declaration that there are 200O churches in the United States pastorless had been made in the general assembly of the Northern Pres byterian church today, resolutions were adopted urging that all Presbyterian commissioners Keep in touch with young men who might be candidates for the ministry
 Rev. Joseph w Cochran of Philadel- phia, discussing the living chances of a said:
 We hear advice to the effect that 8 man to be a minister must starve. l never knew that to be true literally. 1 will admit that the salaries are not princely, but 1t cannot be remedied eX- cept by this very assembly,
 Immediately Rev. Dr. Henry I. Beck CT of Dayton, Ohio, interrupted, say ing:
 Hundreds of gray-haired ministers are annually dismissed or cast aside. Men of brains, education and good rec ords are dismissed for no other reason than they are too old"
 To this pr. Becker attributed the gradual decline of successful candi- dates for the ministry.
 The young men need the advice and counsel of their elders, but now there are too few elders, he said.
 Adopt New Catechism
 Over the earnest objection of many commissioners, led by ex-Chancelor Henry MacCracken of the University of New York, the general assembly of the northern Presbyterian church today adopted the proposed intermediate cate chism providing that the committee be continued another year, receiving suggest
 
 assembly in Atlanta in 1913.
 The catechism intended for instruction of the young Is the product of four years of labor on the part of committee of F headed the past year by the Rev. David s. Schaff of Pittsburg. It consists of 73 questions and answers in the usual cate chetieal formula, couched in simple language as against 107 questions and an- swers in the other catechlsm.
 Tho aDproyinnate total of trayaIirpr ay- penses of this assembly as reported to date are $4S,000. practically the same amount as received for mission work among the negroes from all parts of the world during the fiscal year. The ne- groes' work under the missions board for freedmen received from all sources $255,- AIS. .16, and of which amount the negroes contributed $6S,11S.4l. The board employs 240 ministers and maintains 390 churches and missions; 131 day schools employing 420 teachers, while there are 15,O45 day pupils on the rolls.