Evening journal., 1922-06-29
PRESBYTERIAN
Church GAINS
Increase of $4,000 in Mem
bership Last Year, Re-
ports Show
STONY BROOK HEARS
OF OTHER PROGRESS
he Evening Journal.

Specia, &c The Evening Journal
STONY BROOK. LONG ISLAND.
n. Y. June 29.-Dr. Lewis Seymour
Nudge of Philadelphia, stated clerk
of the Presbyterian Church in the
L. S. A., addressed the delegates at
| the Presbyterian New Era Confer
ence tonight on Achievement and
| Prospects of the Presbyterian
Church" He spoke of the church
from the standpoints OF spirituality,
education. finances and organization.
He emphasized five ideals in re-
ligious work: Accuracy. punctual-
! |ity. thoroughness. sympathy 10y
atty. DIR. Nudge said:
"The Presbyterian Church today
may be viewed from several stand
points. and It is gratifying TO be able
TO say. without reservation, that the
outlook in every direction is favor
able.
q. The Spiritual.-Definite in
formation as to the spiritual condi-
ton of the church IS available. The
returns from the annual survey re-
ceived in the Office Of the General
Assembly, warrant us in emphasiz-
ing:
"(a) The optimism OF the church.
The reports received from Presby-
terles are scarcely without excep-
tion. optimistic in tone. There is no
lack of a recognition Of conditions
as they are. There is no tendency TO
ignore difficulties and problems.
But there is a confidence that by
cheerful faithful persistence, all diff
ficulties can be removed and all
problems can be solved.
"Cb) Unity: One cannot but be
impressed as he reads the Presby-
terial reports with the sense Of unity
which pervades the church. With
rare exceptions the Presbyteries are
performing the task to which they
have addressed themselves with most
commendable breadth Of vision.
Spiritual nearsightedness is steadily
on the decrease among us today. A
spiritual foresightedness which re-
lates the local problem TO the Pres
byterial and the Presbyterial to the
national and the international, is
constantly on the increase.
NEN mummy AAfA = - fAAfHf "a
gratifying atmosphere Of humility
about all the reports. The churches
everywhere are ready 10 accept the
blame for whatever OF inertia and
Indifference is found among them
and are equally ready TO give God the
glory for the achievements made and
the victories won There is no evil
dence Of any undue confidence in
the flesh or of any wilful disregard
Of the place and power Of the Holy
Spirit.
"A further evidence is furnished /
by the reports which come to us
through the permanent committee
on evangelism. This committee is
more than warranted in its satisfac- /
tion with the last years work. over /
$4,000 members were added to the |
church on confession of faith, and /
over 1000 were restored to the /
rolls. A considerably smaller num-
her than in recent years were placed |
upon the suspended roll. While the
evangelistic committee would not, OF
course. take to itself credit for all OF
these favorable signs. yet, It is but .
right that the praise due others
should be shared by It.
"2. The Education-The Presby-
terian Church has always prided IT.
self properly on maintaining high
educational standards. Except in
these are lowered by unwise Presby-
terles in admitting men without due
educational qualities TO the ministry.
our educational standards are being
raised rather than lowered.
"(a) The report of the special
committee on theological seminaries
brings TO us gratifying news as 10
the healthy condition of these i'm
porant institutions.
"Cb) Through the report of the
General Board Of Education. we
learn that s6,OOO,OOO in all, were
during the last year added to the re-
sources of the institutions with
which the board co-operates.
"a very effective work is being
conducted in 45 university centers.
The student department, in addition
% providing generous aid 10 an in
,reasing number of promising candi-
iates i'm various fields. is doing a
noble work in the enlistment of
,oung men and young women in
lefinite Christian service. emphasiz-
ng particularly the need for min &