New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-21
RRTyGIVG THE CHURCH TO THE MASSES

The Church must be brought to the masses
That is the need of the hour 1t is what clergy
men who haven't force OF character, lntehect
and spirituality sufficient to draw the masses
TO the Church much concerned about. Nari-
Gus plans have been adopted in pursuit OF this
object but one OF the most promising and sug-
gestive schemes vet adopted we learn OF through
a dispatch to The Chicago Tribune from d.
I.ou,s Mich. II is the invention Of the Rev.
NJ H. Ford. the Methodist pastor OF that to"h'
It has the merit OF great originality. at the same
time that It is in spirit true to old traditions
and attempts to overcome defect In modern
protestant methods In the Middle Ages every
trade had its patron sai.t, familiar with its
necuIiar foundations and prepared with init
mate sympathy to plead the case Of its follow
orc before the Throne of Heaven. Bur when the
reformers did away with saints they left the
Ia rher and the shoemaker and the soldier and
the hangman each to take his religion like
every other man. They assumed that people
went to church for the serious purpose or bene-
filing their souls and did not particularly care
TO take their shops with them. But this. the
Michigan pastor has discovered. was mistake.
Men are so devoted to their earthly callings that
they take no interest in spiritual things unless
they are expressed in the lingo Of their trades
Accordingly the Rev Mr. Ford has arranged to
conduct his services with view t. their needs
few days ago he preached a sermon to bar
bers. He knew that no barber could be happy
unless surrounded by the instruments of his
daily work SO he decorated the walls Of his
auditorium with all kind of tons ial articles.
Razors scissors. brillantre. bay rum, cups.
towels straps soap. and mirrors were there to
give a homelike appearance to the place, and
that he himself might be in thorough sympathy
with his hearers the pastor had a BARRIERS chair
placed on the platform. in which he sat and
gathered inspiration during the service. The
dispa tch does not givr the text Of the sermon
nor the substance thereof, but only says that
It was "replete with BARRIERS terms and lessons
drawn from the tonsori1l exhibition Probably
the Rev. Mr.. Ford told the BARRIERS that 1t
would be close shave for them to get 10
Heaven that they would have to shampoo them
selves we'll and make their souls white as shaw
ing lather. or the well-stropped razor of judg
ment would cut them Oft like a three-days
beard Perhaps ne told them they'd get their
heads singed till their hair curled II they did
not obey the shop rules OF the trade
and render unto each customer the bay rum be-
longing to his kit At any rate. Mr.. Ford
adapted his teaching II 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 develop
ment The Rev. Mr.. Ford has already preached
to firemen from the vantage ground OF coil OF
hose pipe. 10 veterans in the midst of guns, to
backsmiths In the presence Of anvils, which
to hammer out Spiritual truths But he should
go on Laundrymen have souls and sh )uld be
preached to with the church walls gracefully
draped with soiled tablecloths with rosettes OF
collars and cuffs They might bring a washtub
for the clergyman to sit in. turn II upside
down for him to stand on, or even have a prac-
teal lesson from him In shirt washing accord
ing to the highest morality. Then there are the
garbage collectors who should have pointed out
to them the religious significance OF their swill-
pals. and the milkm los; In darkness as to
the hidden meaning Of a pump-handle. More
over the Church is for sinners as well
for the righteous. The thimbe- rigger
should be taught the esoteric truths hid
den like pea under his walnut shells
The burglar should receive instructions as to
the kind OF Jimmy necessary to break open the
Pearly Gates The train robter should learn
how to hold up the Celestial Express But the
possibilities OF the plan endless The world
Is thrsting for religious consolation adapted to
It's needs not wandering off into unseen spheres
Rich man. poor man, beggarman. thief doctor,
lawyer. merchant. chief. are all subjects for the