The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-06
FEDERATION OF CHURCHES
RET. W. #. DICKERMAN'S INTER-
ESIING SERMON LAST NIGHT.

He Tells of the Work of the Organiza
ton aud Its Many Objects-The Dir
ference of the Preaching In the Pres
ent Day from That of Fifty Years Az,
AT the Church of the Messiah las
evening Rev. Mr.. Dckerman spoke or
the "Object of Church Federation
Rev. Mr. Dickerman gave brief his
tory of the work the local organiza tior
| known as the Federation of Churches
and Christian Workers in New Haven
and said that the society was accom-
| plishing great work.
| The organization was formed in
March last and its object is to promote
mutual acquaintance and friendship
among churches and denominations, and
to obtain as far as possible the con-
sensus of clerical opinion upon all ques-
lions of general interest to the church
es.
Mr.. Dickerman said that not only the
richest churches in the city, but also
the poorest were represented in the fed
GRAFTON and that all were banded to-
gether as one,
Mr.. Dickerman then gave an ac-
count of the work done by the fedora
ton and afterward Of the difference be-
tween the preaching of to-day and that
of former years and of the different
ideas of the people of now and then.
He said the people We're unanimous in
the opinion that the doctrine preached
in times gone by was one of certainty
and that the church was regarded as a
lifesaving station, an ark of safety to
which men went and took refuge. He
said the people wanted to be on til e
safe side and that the only way then
to save their souls as to go to
church. The preacher said in great
many cases the people We're frightened
into going to church as they considered
it matter of insurance for saving the
soul.
He was also at that time considered
good Investment to be church mer1-
Der in good standing.
Now Mr.. Dickerman said, lit has
changed completely around until it
seems necessary for the church to save
themselves. 1t seems that the churches
are in peril and not souls. The church
es of to-day are at a standstill. The
interest is lapsing and it is necessary
on the part of church federation to
inforce and inspect the premises, so to
speak, and find what the difficulty is.
Now we are taking the churches in
hand and trying to find out what can
be done to save them.
Mr. Dickerman said the churches are
paying thousands of dollars for the
music and many other ex-
penses and that the support given them
is anything but encouraging.
He said there are over 10000 people in
New Haven who never attend church
and that it was to see these ten thous-
and people that the Federation of
Churches and Christian Workers was
formed
! There are people sent around to the
non-church goers in the city no matter
Of what denomination they are ana at
each place no little time is spent
The delegates from the federation
first ascertains the denomination of his
host and then beseeches him to be true
to the faith he claims as his own.
1t isn't the object of the church fed
Grafton to induce people to become
Christians, but to induce them to at
tend the church of their faith whether
Jewish, Protestant or whatever the |
may be- Another object |
Of the church federation is to encour-
age and regulate attendance at Sunday |
schools. This Is a matter that is be- |
coming greatly neglected and the work |
If the federation is already felt to good |
advantage.
Rev. Mr.. Dickerman said work of |
he federation that was progressing !
'apidly was that of scrutinizlng and |
advising upon new claimants and gem
,ral benevolence and that of consider
ng new and additional methods pro-
,osed for bringing men to the church.
he said there We're sorts of schemes
ried and that It was an excellent plan
o look into the methods used not only
~ some preachers of the gospel but by
ocieties and organizations which have
Ind which might come before the peo-
lie.