Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-27
THE OBJECT METHOD,
Rev. Ford's Objective Method OF Preach
ing gets him into the New York
and Chicago Papers.

The Chicago Tribune steals an arti-
Gle relating TO Rev. ii. III. Ford, of this
city. from the Detroit Tribune and get,
! credit for the same when copied by the
| New York Tribune, as shown below.
Whatever may be said IN criticism Of
Rev. Ford's methods it is certain that
| he is reaching the masses, and thar toe
| without compromising either dignity,
good morals and or religious sanctity
| Men are but children of larger
growth; As shown by the flct that the
object method is as successful with
adult humanity as in the schools.
The church must be brought TO the masses.
| That is the need of the hour. IL Is what
clergymen who haven't force of character,
intellect aud spirituality sufficient 10 draw
| tire masses to the church are much concerned
about. Various plans have been adopted III
pursuit of this object, but one of the most
promising and suggestive schemes yet adoD-
ted we learn of through dispatch to Tho
Chicago Tribnne' from st. Louis. Mich. Il
IL the invention of Rev. III. n. Ford, the
Methodist pastor of that city. Ii has the
merit Of originality. at the same time that il
is i'll spirit true to old traditions, aud at
tempts TO overcome a defect in modern Pro
itEIanI uetnOus. III the hluule Ages every
trade had its patron saint familiar with IT.
peculiar temptations, and prepared with in
innate sympathy to plead the Gaze of its CO..
lowers before the throne of heaven. But
when the reformers did away with SAM
they left the barber, shoember, soldier aud
hangman each to take his religion like ever'
other man. They assumed that people went
to church for the serious purpose OF bene-
fitting their souls, and did not particularly
care to take their shops with them. But this,
the Michigan pastor has discovered, was q
mistake. Men are so devoted to their earth
~ callinGs that they take no interest in spir-
ritual things unless they are expressed In the
lingo OF their trades, accordingly the Re-.
Mr.. Ford has arranged to conduct his sell
vices with a view 10 their needs,
A few DAYS ago he preached sermon 10
BARRIERS. He knew that no barber could be
happy unless surrounded by the instruments
Of his daily work. So ne decorated the wall.
of his auditorium with all kinds of tonsorial
articles. RazOrs, scissors, brtiiantine, bay
rum, cups, towels, straps. soaps and mirrors
were there to give a home like appearance to
the place, and that he himself might be w
thorough sympathy with his hearers the pas
tor had BARRIERS chair placed on tne plat
form, in which he sat and gathered in-plra
ton during the service. The dispatch does
not give the text of the sermon nor the sub
stance thereof, but only says that it was 're-
from the ton-orial exhibition" Probably
the Rev. Mr.. Ford told the BARRIERS that ~
would be a close shave for them to get tG
heaven: that they would have to shampoo
themselves well and make their souls white
As shaving lather. or the well-stropped raz r
of Judgment would cut them off like three
days beard Perhaps he told them they'd
get their heads singed till their hair curled If
they did not obey the shop rules of the trade
and render unto each customer the bay rum
belonging To his kit. At any rate Mr.. Ford
adapted his teaching to his audience and the
cause of religion in st. Louis, Mich, and the
revenues of the Methodist church therein are
presumably benefited.
This plan is capable Of considerable devel-
opment. Rev. Mr.. Ford has already preach
ed to flremen from the vantage ground Of
coil of hose pipe. to veterans in the midst Of
guns. to the blacksmiths in the presence Of
anvils, on W hich to hamme out soiritual
truths. Bnt the possibilities of the plan are
endless. The world is thirsiinC for religious
consolation adapted to its needs not wander
ing off into unseen spheres Rich man, poor
man. beggerman, thief. doctor. lawyer, mer-
chant. chief, are all subjects for the activ
ties of the Rev. Mr. Ford aud may be made
to contribute to his notoriety