The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-28
FEARS OF DR.. JOHN HALL
VIEWS OF A NOTED DIVINE ON
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
He Thinks They Attempt Too Many
than Their Value to the Church.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK, Nov. 26.-Many thinking
men and women in the churches are begin
ming to wonder whether there is any real
advantage accruing from the vast number
or organizations formed during the past dec
-ade. 1t is admitted that these societies are
able to gather rallies, and that rallies in
spire enthusiasm, but enthusiasm is worth
little if be not put to practical employment.
And it is the testimony of not few clergy
that no more is accomplished in their
churches with these societies than was ac-
complished previously without them. The
Rev. DR.. John Hall, pastor of the Fifth
avenue Presbyterian Church, New York,
conservative man always, is one who looks
for results in church work. Asked his opin-
ion of the many organizations that have
recently found place within churches, and
of the effect upon these churches to date,
DR.. Hall said:
sIt is far from my wish to pass judg-
ment on the work accomplished by others.
Certainly / would not belittle the intention
of anybody. The churches need all the help
from all sources they can possibly COM
mand; but, to be quite frank about it,
have not seen and l do not see, either in
Il
nominations about us, the good result from
these organized efforts that their expense
in time and money would lead us to ex-
pect. cannot help wondering why the
church itself cannot command the attention
of these people, without the necessity OF
something new. would not make invidious
distinctions, but it has occurred to me why
it may not happen that somebody, ten or
twenty years hence may go into Christian
Endeavor societies and organize religious
bands, chapters or the like. Why should
somebody not do SO as well as come into
the church and organize bands to do church
work? And thus we might go on multiply
ing church machinery infinitely.
81 may be old-fashioned-indeed, l think
/ am-but 1 try to be candid. I try also
to give everything time to prove its prac-
teal worth. 1 mean no organization in par
ticular when l. say that, upon fair trial
of now about ten years of actual work,
exclusive of preparation, results are not
what many were led to expect. Spiritual
work is growing in the churches, but it
grew before these organizations were ef-
fected. Money is contributed to missions,
but money was contributed before there
were all these societies. Some contributions
are credited to these societies, but if they
were not they would be credited to plain
church members. The total slowly increases,
but it has always done so. And the in
crease has been no more marked since we
had leagues, unions and the rest than be-
fore we had them. / like the enthusiasm
of these societies. 1t is very responsive, but
we want more than response. We want
results We have results, but we have no
greater results than we had when we did
not have societies. And the societies cost
vast sums of money and great numbers of
days and nights. 1 am not prepared to say
at this time but have sometimes Won
dered whether this money and this time
put into the church itself might not pro-
duce more and greater results?
There is another point about our church
organizations. 1 refer to none in particular
when 1 say that they attempt too many
divergent things. One aim persstently fol-
lowed is the best plan both in the worlds
business and in Gods business. / observe
that many societies take up many objects
each This is mistake and If not corrected
may lead to disaster. Simplicity and direct
ness are qualities which church societies.
particularly of young people, win do well
to cultivate But / am not visiting harsh
criticism on any societies. / welcome effort
of all kinds AS one who has seen many
| years of service, know that effort re-
quires diretcion-kindly direction. And,
| speaking frankly, / seriously question
whether the multiplication of machinery in
| church work will be found either an in
centive to or substitute for actual hard
work, for Christ begun. continued and
| ended as a plain church member"
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