The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-05-20
REMUNERATION OF
MINISTER'S IS so
INADEQUATE THAT
CAUSE SUFFERS
HIGH COST OF LIVING AND
OTHER RESULTS OF WORLD
WAR KEEPING YOUNG MEN
FROM SERVICE IN PULPITS.
(By the Associated Press)

st. Louis, Mo. May 20.--The great
war played havoc with religious voca-
tions, and there is a great need for
ministers, according to the report of
the executive committee on christian
education and ministerial relief, to be
presented to the general assembly of
States (southern), here. The report de-
clares ministers are deplorably under
paid.
Touching on Christian education, the
report asserts that purely secular edu-
cation is impossible, adding that reli-
gion alone has the real solution for
the deep mysteries and perplexing
problems of life"
THE great World War" says the
report, has affected very seriously the
ministerial forces Of the church
Hundreds of our candidates for the
ministry and o; the boys who were
seriously thinking of this work left
their studies and rushed to arms. Many
OF them gave up their lives for their
country. At least 81 candidates who
returned, from q Presbyteries, have
abandoned their intention to enter the
ministry.
The unprecedented increase in the
cost Of living almost overwhelmed our
self-denying ministers who were la
boring on wholly insufficient salaries.
Many of them were compelled to con-
tract debts. and to deny themselves the
things absolutely needed for the com.
fort of their families and for their
! own efficiency.
only Al candidates for the ministry
will be graduated from all Of our theo-
| logical seminaries in May. This will
leave So in the second year and 49 in
the first year class of the seminaries.
Only 23 candidates will graduate from
the college in June. This IS not
very bright prospect for seminary
graduates for the next two years.
Ten Presbyteries-with 295 church
es. and 27.ll0 communicants-repor
no candidate, for the ministry"
Explaining the method being used
to foster vocations. the report adds:
I'VE now have on file in the office a
card index OF several thousand of the
youth of the church. We are advising
with these about their education and
the fields both at home and abroad.
The foreign mission committee mem
bers found themselves in need OF doc
tors in the foreign fields. From oui
files we were able to furnish the
names of l3O Presbyterians who have
medicine In view as their life work
Some OF these are already dominated
by the missionary impulse--others are
showing great interest In the needy
fields of the church.
"The church cannot turn over 70 any
outside agency the training OF its owr
leadership. IL alone has the real solu
ton for the deep mysteries and per
picking problems of life. Only twice
in the history of the work has n rea
monopoly on education been achieved
The church first secured all of edu
cation in It's hands and Its selfishnes'
and arrogance brought on the "Darl
Ages" where the masses were held II
ignorance and superstition. The Prus
sion State gained this control and al
the classes and masses were trained
for n materiallstlc and miltaristi'
state, and the great world war fol
lowed"
The committee asks approval Of tn
following appropriations to carry oil
the work this year: Education for th'
ministry and mission service TO
both men and women) 100000; min
isterial relief. sl50.OO0; promotion o
work in schools and colleges of tn
church. $4,000; and student loan fund
sl25,000.
The report adds that "at least 81,
1895 should be added to the cndow
ment fund for ministerial relief"