Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-24
FILLED HIS CHURCH.
A Lively Theological Student Has
Given Cincinnati Points.
OLD WESLEY CHAPEL BOOMING.
He Uses Brass Bands, 0rehestras, Baths,
Schools and the Like.
HE DOES NOT 0BTRUDE RELIGION

| ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.1
CINCINNATI, April 23.-Rev. Charlel
Brown, the young and energetic pastor O
Wesley Chapel M. E Church, on Fiftt
street, this city, appears to have found I
way to fill the church-his church at least
and those preachers and editors who de-
voted so much time and space to the dis
cussion of "How to get people into the
church" might correspond with Mr.. Brown tt
advantage.
Wesley Chapel is one of the oldest and al
| one time was the most fashionable Methods,
Church in the city. But the hillward
movement of the population left it among a
class of prosperous wage-earners and close
to the borders of the tenement house dis.
tricts. In the course of years the church
membership fell away and the congrega-
tions became painfully small. It appeared
to be case of rapid consumption, when two
years ago Rev. Mr.. Brown, fresh from q
theological school at Boston, was placed in
charge.
Didn't Look Like . Preacher.
Mr.. Brown looks like q contented dry-
goods clerk. There Is nothing clerical in
his appearance, and 1t Is said the member
ship was for from pleased with him at first.
But he won't steadily and quietly to work.
By tie end Of the first year the congrega-
tion was at least contented and ready to
indorse the pastors plans. He first started
building and loan association. In this
city nearly every one of the hundreds Of
building associations meet in saloons. Mr..
Browns meets in. the church Office, and
young girls and boys may be sent to it in
safety. 1t was q success from the start.
Then he organized and drilled brass band
and orchestra for Sunday school and church.
All the members are boys under 16, and
they make delightful music.
Next he put in Kindergarten in one Of
the class rooms; this was followed by
regular business college where shorthand,
typewriting, telegraphy and bookkeeping
are taught These classes meet at night in
the church parlors and are taught by ex-
perts. All who are able pay 80 cents per
week; others are welcome for nothing; pu-
pills are drummed up from factory and shop,
workrooms and the streets. Next come
language classes where German, Latin,
Greek, French and Spanish are carefully
taught.
Religion Took Second Place.
In none of these classes was religion or
church work obtruded, but high moral at
mosphere was maintained and Q cordial,
though not insistent, invitation was e1-
tended to attend the church services.
Result: The big old church has a
large congregation of very earnest,
hustling young men and women
many Of whom until recently never thought
of attending q. church. A paper has been
established, its business manager is lady
and the paper clears money every issue. A
bath house with plain but neat fixtures and
coarse but clean towels for 5 cents, is under
consideration.
Mr. Brown breaches a practical religion,
ignoring theories and issues, warning his
congregation plainly but kindly that sin is
eternally and unchangeably losing game,
and that the Christ way is profitable, from
q business standpoint, as we'll as in the
spiritual sense.