Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-01-19
upon broad LINES.
Rev. Dr.. Swope Makes Some Sound
Suggestions
Regarding the Carrying on Of Re-
ligious Work Upon a Wider
Scale Than is Generally Prac-
tice-An Outline Of His Ideas.

tice-An Outline Of His Ideas.
Rev. DR.. Swope, of St. Matthews P.
e. church, in a recent interview with
the Register, gave expression to some
views upon church work in Wheeling,
and especially as to the modern Parish
work of churches, which are of decided
interest to the public, touching as they
do upon topics which are ever forcing
themselves upon the attention of the
public, and especially those who are
interested in such matters here in this
city.
1t is quite evident that DR.. Swope
has given these matters a great deal OF
study and thought, and that he IS a
great believer in the proposition that
these times not all of the good 10 hu-
manity is accomplished, at least indi-
rectly, by sermons from the pulpit and
purely religious work among a congre-
CATION, but that much good is done by
effort among the public Of a community
in general.
"The idea over ten years ago in
/ the matter of the church work in this
country was" said Dr. Swope, that
when a church was erected, furnished
and a pastor selected that all which
could be provided for in connection
with the work of The church had b1en
accomplished and the one thought
prevailed that the work Of that organ
ization should be along direct and in
direct religious lines, and no other
events or features should be added. It
is not so to-day; the leading churches
| and religious denominations in the
country very wisely in my judgment,
look about them and carry on different
lines OF work in connection with the
church, which partalIes more of bust
ness engagements apparently, and un-
dertake 10 educate, in certain branches
Of knowledge and instruct the young,
Of both sexes, more Or less completely
in business, domestic and useful classes
| of learning and vocations. They also
provide amusementS, more or less eX-
| tensive reading-rooms and places for
social and literary gatherings. These
might Be called, are not restricted TO
the members Of the congregation OF
the particular church. but are intended
to be open to all, and aside from the
lines of work which I have sugge sted.
much is accomplished upon business
principles for the cause of charity.
among those who are out o.
employment and those who need
attention and assistance in sick
ness. In cur own denOmina-
ton, possibly the leading churches
who carry on this work upon quite eX
tensive and systematic lines in this
country are st. James =. E. Church, at
Chicago Holy Trinity p. e. Church,
Philadelphia. and St Bartholomew
Church, New York City. But others
might be mentioned, some in op-
GRAFTON under the charge Of different
religious denominations"
"Haye you given this subject much
late thought as the scene seems to pre-
sent itself in Wheeling, and are you
willing to give some expression of
your views in connection herewith
"Yes. have considered the matter
good deal. When my present residence
was constituted, it was planned with
the idea in view that at some future
time the same might be used and add
ed to rs proper place for looking after
this line of work to some extent in
! Wheeling. A fund has been started in
! connection with st. Paul's Church, at
Elm Grove, to which Dr. Greer, of NV
York. contributed recently $3.50 with the
viz Of Io+
as possible some facilities for this
kind of parish work A great many cit
liens of Wheeling are moving out of the
heat of the city and building residences
and homes in the suburbs of the city
and as q result the field is becoming
larger each year for the work in the
city proper The public reading room
! of Wheeling, as | stated recently in
/ sermon, is not adequate for the present
needs Of the city in this respect, simply
because the money for its support is
small and raised alone by taxation and
is all expended in the purchase Of books
and pawn INT Of other necessary eX-
| penses. and the facilities OF the reading
room are not as demanded. The i. NJ.
c. A. Association in the city try TO ac-
compiish and do to a certain extent
good deal of work in these lines, but in
my judgment they work upon too mar
row lines and therefore cannot be said
to represent in their labors a general
and thorough outside church work in
this city. There is a great demand for
this. kind of work and organization in
Wheeling and it is growing. The
young must have amusements and
proper diversions or they will surely
form bad habits, and other classes and
conditions of people in the city are in
Just as much need Of the assistance of
such organizations. All that is needed
| in Wheeling is the raising by some way
of the necessary funds 10 start the work
and I believe afterwards the expense
to the church or public direct would be
very small and that the revenues de-
| rived would nearly pay the current ex-
penses of the work and undertaking
and hope the day will soon come when
such q line of work viii be successfully