RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1138, 27 May 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

DEARTH OF MINISTERS. AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. Speaking at Sydney recently regarding the dearth of candidates for the Presbyterian ministry in Australia, Principal Harper. D.D., of St. Andrew's College, after pointing out that, tlio number of students in the two Theological Halls of Melbourne and Sydney, has been greater during the past three, years than ever before, said iliat the Cliuvch bad always needed more men than it had got. V'J'he sons of the botter-oif classes," said the reverend gentleman, "do not cntev the ministry in anything like the proportions expected. The Hie of the well-to-do is not a good preparation for a life of comparative poverty and obscurity,' such as ministers of the Gospel must lead.- The result is that, even in Christian homes of that class, the ministerial life is not held in honour, .15 'the noblest ollice upon earth' ought to he. The hindrance in the case of the less wealthy class is of a different kind, andean bo more-easily met. It is simply this: That in many cases parents are not able to pay for the education of their sons in good secondary schools. But the great cause for the plea for more men is the continued extension of our work."

Rev. Robert Steel, M.A., speaking at the Presbyterian General Assembly, which recently met at Sydney, said it was regrettable, that whilo the State educational authorities made the way free to the door of ,the University for students, directly they entered it they had to pay heavily for tuition and books. Men were barred from entering the ministry for financial reasons. He had known men to nearly weep their hearts out when they found they had insufficient for their educational and general needs. The Rev. Alex. M'Clinehic (Culeairn) said he did not believe in too much support for the man desirous of entering the ministry. Ho had his troubles when he began his theological training in the Old Country, but he did not whine over the- difficulties that confronted him.

DEATH OF THE REV. C. KELLY. CAREER OF POPULAR MINISTER. The death is recorded of the Rev. Charles. Kelly, who passed away at Wandsworth, England, on April 6, aged seventy-seven. Born of Wesleyan parents, at Salford, Mr. Kelly resolved very early to become a ministiri. He records that, when a mere hoy, he would enter the pulpit of the Saiford Wcsleyan Chapel, and, with a pinafore for a surplice, would preach tc a congregation composed of the chapel-keeper and his wife. He was trained at Didsbury College, and on the completion of his course was appointed assistant to the President of the Conference. Later ho served as Army Chaplain at Aldcrshot, Chatham, Shcerncss, and Chelsea. In 1870 ho took circuit Work at Wandsworth, and associated with his preaching duties that of visiting chaplai.i to the old Southwark Prison.

llr. Kelly was secretary of the. Conncxional Sunday School Union for 14 years, and lias also been twice president of the Wcsleyan Conference, president of the National Free Church Council, vice-president of the Bible Society, vicepresident of the Sunday School Union, and chairman of tho Wandsworth Reformatory for Boys. As a prison visitor he was indefatigable, and was allowed a master key at Soutlnvark, enabling him to open any cell door. The Duke of Cambridge, when Com-mandcr-in-Chiof, gave Mr. Kelly permission to visit a hospital, but the General in command forbad? him. Mr. Kelly replied: "I am a representative of a Church of a million Methodists. You gave orders through a non-eommission-od officer, and I refuse to receive them. Read that letter, sir," handing over his written authority.

The General read tho letter, and said: "You aro right, Mr. Kelly. I apologise."

Referring to the death of the Rev. C. H. Kelly, (he "British Weekly" states: He distinguished himself as the friend of the soldier; ho showed himself a business man of no mean sagacity in his conduct of the AYesleyan Book Room; his int<?'""st in Sunday school work was varm and unfailing, while as a preacher he. was exceedingly popular, on account of his genial, breezy manner, fervent evangelicalism, and a peculiarly racy and interesting style. Ilis book of Memories is altogether delightful, and gives a true impression of a delightful man.