New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
TWO METHODS or CHURCH WORN

n &c renorted that the Fourth Avenue Pres
victorian Church NAV reverse the common ten
dcncy Of the Protestant denominations 10 go
untovn and remove from It's present location.
q, Fourth-aye snd Twenty second-st.. to the
Fast Side somewhere below Fourteenth-st.
Such a step would bring TO the church some IN
,.res,Iny nrobloms OF religious work. and com
pel IL 10 choose between two radically different
mothods OF meeting the drift Of old families
into new regions. leaving the church nj Dis
lance from It's earlier supporters.
The Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church was
once in the centre Of fashionable life and had
a large congregation Of wealthy and well-fo-do
neope II was conservative In its work. and
while not lacking IN missionary zeal. 80 far as
contributing for religious labors among those
dwelling In the poorer sections OF the city went.
I, did not attempt to become popular" by any
OF the means which have been so successfully
emploved by others 10 bring the masses into the
churches OF the wealthy instead OF keeping the
hlg churches for the pew holders and building
chapcls for other people. With the movement
~ population the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian
church has lost a large part of its income. but
II has not departed far from the old methods
which all used 10 follow and some still defend
against what they call 'souphouse Christian
nv" Now. when expenditures have come reg
ulorly IN exceed income. II Is suggested that the
present property can be- disposed OF for $500
600 that for S2O0VO0 n suitable church can he
provided on less expensive site a little fur
Their downtown on n side street. and S'o"W"
can he invested for the support of the nsitu-
lion.
After such n movement had taken place two
kinds Of church could be- carried on. The
S3U.OOO would yield an income which would
serve 10 maintain church OF the same old
fashioned kind and there are Christian teach
ers who would like to see The operation of I'm"
e-honorcd method OF preaching two sermons
on sunday and holding one or two praycr-mcet-
lngs week among people who have not hiher-
To been subjected 10 that system OF evangelical
ton as much rs might be- desired. because their
neighborhoods could not support such churches.
Believers In TINT system regard II as giving
more irne religion than the more popular ono
OF varied club activities. but they have been
unable 10 make the masses support II. ana nave
had 10 rely on n congregation OF firm believers
10 uphold the church In mn unpromlsng neigh
borhoOd while n did It's slow work OF interest
ing others An endowed church ought 10 give
ample opportunity for testing the question.
With ST. Georges near by showing IN" nNcrnn-
tive system In highly successful operation. those
who disbclleve In the new theory would have
n chance 20 place II I'm sharp contrast as TO re-
suits with the simple preaching which they re-
gard as the best way 10 spread Christianity. II
circumstances Will permit It's continuance until
attention IL secured to the message for It's own
sake without any Of what they regard as adj
ventllous aids used to attract people to other
churches In the hope o, doing spiritual good
while holding them by social and material in
tcrests.
That is one possibility open to the Fourth
Avenue Presbyterian Church. Or II may aban-
don the old methods with the old site. and
among the people of the Fast side use an en-
dowmcnt 10 carry on Il varied social ana char
liable enterprise with religion "A its moving
spirit II il moves II will b. interesting to note
its choice.