The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-10
THAT STREET CAR PROJECT.
"Wouter Van Twiller" in the Wilkes
Barre Record.

"Wouter Van Twlller" in the Wilkes
Barre Record.
You all remember the Christian En-
deavor convention which was held re-
Gently in the city of Scranton, and how
Hospitality the visiting delegates were en-
tertained by the local Endeavorers. An
echo Of that convention was heard in
some of the Scranton churches Sunday.
1t appears that when the Scranton union
cast up accounts at the close Of the con-
ventiOn it found itself in debt about 500.
Various plans were proposed to pay off
this debt, but the one that found most
favor among the young people was that
a trolley day be set apart, the young la
dies acting as conductors on all the cirs
and taking the fares, which the traction
company agreed to donate. The young la,
dies in their anxiety to help the union
readily agreed to the proposition and it
was expected that a nice sum would be
realized But the pastors entered most
emphatic protest. one of the pastors,
Rev. DIR. Dixon, went so far as to advise
his congregation to withhold their patron
age if the proposed plan were carried
out. He said it would be wrong to eX-
pose the young women to possible insult
by putting them in charge of the cars;
that it would in a measure .unseX them
and that the sum needed could be easily
raised by an assessment of from to 10
cents ahong the 5000 members of the
union in the city. This is the position
taken by nearly every pastor in the city.
o
OF course, there may be those who will
feel that the pastors are a little severe,
but it is certain that they have taken the
proper course. There is little doubt that
the scheme, which has been tried in other
cities, would be a financial success. But
there are old-fashioned Christians who
believe that it is better TO be in debt
than to send their daughters out on such
a mission. A street car is a promiscuous
sort of place even under ordinary circum-
stances. But If it became known that
young ladies would collect the fares on
any one day, the cars would be filled with
a curious, perhaps a ribald thTong, and
the young ladies would doubtless discover
before the day was done that they had
paid too high a price for their success.
o
confess that / like old-fashioned
Christianity better than the fin de steele
brand, and am pleased to see that the
Scranton pastors stand up for 1t. Old
fashioned Christianity does not barter
any of its principles for worldly gain. 1t
does not recognize many of the modern
methods by which well-meaning but mis-
taken people seek to advance the material
interests OF their churches. 1t sets its
face against any and all schemes by
which the moral influence of it's teachings
may be weakened. 1t holds fast to the
great truth that the conscientious teach
ers of Gods gospel should be decently
supported, and temples for divine wor-
ship erected and maintained by the volun-
tary contributions of the people. Old
fashioned Christians would prefer con-
tinuous poverty to affiuence acquired by
methods not in touch with its teachings
Therefore venture TO say that the Scrdn-
ton pastors are entitled TO credit for
their disapproval of the well-meant but
ill-considered plans of the. young people
Of their churches. The society Of Chris
tian Endeavor is one of the strongest
as well as one of the best of the many
church organizations, II has done splen-
did work among the young people and has
earned the highest respect of all who
sympathize with earnest Christian work
1t is a powerful auxiliary to the various
churches TO which the organization Is
allied. It's influence for good can hardly
be overestmated. 1t should do nothing
to weaken that influence no matter how
worthy the motives which actuate its
members.