New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-27
THE CHTRCH AND WORKINGHEN.

The Methodist ministers 81 hlcdgO HS'n'h
| TO an address the other day by Miss Jane
Addams of Hull House. the well-known
| social settlement Of that city. In their
! invitation to her they requested her to
say plainly what. in her opinion. are some
Of the defects in the working machinery of
the churches and she did 50. There are two
things. she declared. which contribute To Ih'
/ lack OF success of the Protestant 'hurcne>
among the masses. The first is that they have
moi hal the wisdom 10 adapt their methods 10
the special needs Of the city. with som" nola
bic exceptions. they retain the system that mas
been successful in suburban md rural com
muntics In the country town the church X
n sort of social centre. lis stated services ana
social gatherings. therefore. appeal powerfully
Ia many people who do not care greatly Tor re-
ligion in the abstract. But in the critics
different state 90 affairs exists. me churrn
mus. compete with theatres. music halls. beDe-
fiji societies. fratelaitiss and social organZi
tion> Of every kind. And it simply cannot d"
80 ST il restricts itself to The usual Sunday ser
vices and the weekly prayer meeting 10 gain
the masses of people who are profoundly IN
different 30 its spiritual message il must make
Some prov sion for their social cravings. not
only by giving more tone and color to the regu
lar services bur by giving to them such social
recreation as they find in the theatre and dance
hall.
II is a mistak" Miss adams says. to de
nounce the theatres as wholly bad She has
found the cheap peoples theatres of the Nine
teenth Ward. where Hull House is situated.
immoral rather than immoral. They rely for
their effects on such melodramatc incidents
as the blowing ny Of a steamboat or rald OF
painted Indians II is all very rrid and I'M
possible. hut il is moi nearly 80 deleterious AZ
a fashionable play which has for its motive
some unclean story Of domestic life. 81 would
not" she declares. make the church theatre,
but YOU have got 10 teach morals and ethics
"along more attractive lines. | believe if Christ
came to the earth 10 work again and He found
"a church steeplc the written sermon or
1.-THE music and singing needed changing He
would not hesitate to change il, If by so do
ling he could reach men. The saloons are
doubtless an evil and I'm not a friend of
them: yet they do supply a great deal OF nm
"mpedod justified goodfeowship. The young
men and women who work in our rhurches
$50 often make their friendship unnatural and
give il professional air. TIE people detect
this readily and resent it,
The second reason. in her opinion. why the
Church often fails to reach the people is thai
il does not sufficiently try to understand fhe
point of view Of the workineman. who feels
himself TO be the under dog in the battle OF
life The pressing problem with millions or
workngmen is not how they shall save their
souls so that they may play on harpS III
heaven. but how 10 make their present rondi-
tjon a little less smartng how 10 get lttle
more physical and mental comfort out of life.
II would be- :, revelation to many optimistic
preachers if they could attend few meetings
of labor unions or some gatherings Of Anar-
chists and Socialists. and hear just what these
men have 10 say II will not do to dismiss the
grievances of such men as absurd. lhey are
human beings and from the point OF view OF
thc Church they have souls TO be saved IL
may he that they ought 10 90 10 the stated
services Of the Church; and doubtless. if they
did. they would learn much that would help
them. But they will not do that and many
of them look on the Church as the tool or cap
italism" Under these circumstances II BE-
hoovcs the Church TO 60 to them and In pa
tent and sympathetic spirit show them how
truly tho religion Of tho Carpenters Son desires
TO improve their condition.
II is interesting to know that the Methodist
ministers received these somewhat radical sug-
oestions in. good part 4 few. criticised Miss
Addams's position. and made plea for the
nreaching Of ''the old-fashiOncd Gospel in the
old.foshioned way" But the Rev. Dr. Cady
onncared to carry the majority with him when
he said
believe all Miss Adams said Of us is true
and more know the Church is not reaching
the masses Only last week stood watching
crowd Of men building a sewer near my church.
T wanted TO reach them and say something to
them. but couldn't. II seemed as II great
wall was built between myself ana the men IN
tho ditch We as a Church are not reaching
the people There is more brotherhood IN the
saloon and the theatre and the mutual benent
society and mean to try to have pro'herhoou
spirit in my church.