The president of this association did not want to confine me to a special subject, when I asked him this summer what particular line of thought, but he said, "Talk upon the National Ministerial Association."

      As yet this matter is all in embryo. In a way, we are trying to feel our way and to find out whether it is possible to arrange a great ministerial association, with national import and significance. Every great championship of the church, every great civilized movement, has been propagated largely by preachers. I would not give to them all the glory in this matter, but above them I would give it to their Lord and Master. Laymen have done many good things, I [282] know. I would not say anything against their splendid labors. But our preachers, it seems to me, need to be federated in bodies larger than the local, the county or even the State association. We need to be brought together in some compact, organized, workable body.

      This is a splendid anniversary. We as a people are celebrating our one hundred years of history--honoring the teachers and the preachers who have brought us up to this great hour of fruitage, of triumph and of eternal joy. And I believe that the future would work us all joy of heart, if it could be said that in the Centennial gathering of our people there was born a National Ministerial Association. There is certainly a great work for it to do.

      It would bring all our preachers into closer fellowship. We would feel that there was one organization, at least, of which we, as members, were all a part. Every preacher will feel as though he belonged to this great band of brothers. And we want to cultivate more and more the spirit of fellowship, and we want to enlarge its scope.

      It seems to me we need such a great national body to develop the spirit of fraternity, of good fellowship among preachers. And then, again, we need such an organization, because our preachers could carry on so many things in a simultaneous campaign together. Many of our cities have found that it was a good thing at a given time to come together and concentrate all their energies during a revival period. Why could not a national ministerial body, with a well-equipped office, direct these campaigns from ocean to ocean? And the same thing would be true toward correlating all of our ministers, toward advocating our ministerial enterprise, seeking to lay upon them as a great national brotherhood the questions of the world and interesting them to do their part. I believe there is a place wherein the National Ministerial Association might work jointly with our other organizations, and in some instances along new lines of advocacy and endeavor concerning these great things. And let us have in mind that the Disciples of Christ are plain and simple and honest and truthful, that they are not going to do anything revolutionary. God forbid the organization in any part of this proposed association, if it meant that it was to dominate the power of our brotherhood that has made such a tremendous stride and showing. God forbid that it should militate in any way against ministerial relief, or injure any of our missionary interests, or the great adult-class movement. But I believe there is a work for a united ministry, standing together as a great national confederation.

      And then, again, concerning the moral status of the preacher, the building up of the tone of the ministry. In this connection, I believe this association could do no better work than inaugurate something that might be called a supply feature, bringing the preacher that has no church and the church that has no preacher together. Such a matter might fitly and properly be referred to such an organization. Have we not abortive attempts now to answer that call? Have we not a group of men trying to get together to try to solve that problem? That is a good thing. But it seems to me much more advantageous work could be done by a great ministerial organization.

      Bro. Orcutt, Bro. Philputt, Bro. Winders and myself, not long ago, in a committee meeting in the city of Indianapolis, talked over the matter that was indicated in the report, of some way or other of connecting with this movement a saving fund for the preachers, or some insurance method; one that would be useful, and what the preacher would consider a good, protective measure. That could be worked out, as the report indicates. It would come within the provisions of this national body. These two things, it seems to me, could be worked in harmony together. With the Ministerial Relief so effectively and so thoroughly doing this great work, could not this organization help them to bring to the hearts and the consciences of the preachers themselves this great work?

      And then again, I believe that a united ministry would be a protective measure among our preachers. This view need not be considered effective; this view need not be considered a developed feature; but I believe that by a consecutive educational process, by continual advocacy of this matter, creating [283] a literature, all of our preachers would, in time, be willing to connect themselves with it, at least a large enough number of them to make it a great, nation-wide, representative body.

      What are some of the objections that might be made? First comes something like this. We have heard it already: "What do we need a National Ministerial Association to do? We belong to the local, we belong to the State, and that is enough. Articulate all these bodies in some way or other." Friends, I believe this afternoon that it would be infinitely easier and more expedient to go direct to the matter and have this well-organized, thoroughly equipped ministerial association that will affect our country from one end to the other. Some one says we have too many organizations now; that it will grow into a great ministerial trust, something like exists to-day among the Catholic priests.

      Judging from the report that was read this afternoon, I do not believe that the National Ministerial Association, in coming into existence, is very rapidly on the road to predatory wealth. I can not believe that we will become a very dangerous organization along any of these lines. It is far from the hearts of those who have thought about it and prayed over it to give it any autocratic power whatever. It is only, as we see it in the beginning, an opportunity to work out many of our problems. It is only a protective measure for the preachers. It is only to be used to the advancement of the kingdom of God and for the glory of the church. And God forbid that it should have any other motive, serve any other purpose, or be called into existence to accomplish any other work.

      And then another objection. Some think that if we have a national organization of this character, it will be detrimental, for many of the preachers are working with the Brotherhood, throwing their whole soul and influence into it. Let them continue to do it. God forbid that any brother preacher should fail to recognize that great work. But I believe, aside from that, there is a work that the preacher can do in this other organization. If we believe this afternoon that the preacher is to be a prophet and a teacher of the New Testament, then we ought to augment his force all we can, with wise and consistent organization. If we believe that the preacher is the herald of a better day, then could we not plan and formulate through a national body a great work? I believe that it could be done. I believe that it is feasible, and I do not believe that our people and our preachers are going to ultimately let this work die. I believe this afternoon that we are not going to send to neglect and to indifference the call to this movement. I believe it will grow of God and for his kingdom, and that eventually such a movement will find its place and its work and its continuous and organized service among our preachers. And no better time could mark its inception, at the beginning of larger things, carrying on what was done at New Orleans, enlarging the significance of this record, than at this great Centennial. It would be a glad thing for us to remember in the years to be. [284]

[CCR 282-284]