The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-06-07

ana crime seeks naturally THAT part VI
a town where the poorest houses are,
and the most saloons, and the greatest |
darkness, both physical and moral.
IF there is part Of this town which |
needs lifting up and cleaning and heal.
ing and inspiring by the presence OF
the church Of Christ, II Is right there
where there Is no church. The people
'On B street and for six or eight blocks
each side know the gospel. They have
large numbers Of books and papers and
much Christian literature. They have
been taught the Bible truths: they are
familiar with them. OF what value Is
II, then, to continue to support on this
short street, so near together. seven
churches, Of rs many different denomi-
nations, which have for their members
the respectable. moral people Of the
town? l do not mean to say that the
well to do, respectable people do not
need the influence Of the church and
the preaching Of the gospel. But they
can get these privileges without such a
fearful waste of material and power.
II we had only three or four churches
on this street they would be enough.
We are wasting our Christianity with
the present arrangement We are Civ
ing the rich and the educated and well
to do people seven times as much
church as we are giving the poor the
ignorant and the struggling workers
in the tenement district. There is no
question. there can be no question, that
all this is wrong. 1t is opposed to ev-
cry principle that Christ advocated.
And in the face of these plain facts,
which no one can dispute, there is n
duty before these churches on this
street which cannot he evadcd without
denying the very purpose of church.
1t is that duty which am now going
to urge upon this Calvary church.
at has been said by some Of the
ministers and members of the churches
that we might combine in an effort and
build n large and commOdious mission
in the tenement district. But that. to
my mind. would not settle the problem
at all as it should be settled. 1t is an
easy and lazy hing for church mem
bcrs to put their hands in their pock-
cts and say to Il few other church
sion If you will run it after it is up.
We will attend our church up town
here while the mission is worked for
the poor people down there That IS not
what will meet the needs of the situa-
tion. What that part OF Milton needs
Ia the church of Christ in its mem
bers-the whole church on the largest
possible scale What | am now going
to propose, therefore, is something
| which | believe Christ would advocate,
| If not in the exact manner | shall eX-
plain, at least in the same spirit"
Philip paused n moment and looked
over the congregation earnestly. The
expectation of the people was reused
almost to the point Of a sensation as he
| went on: --a----,
II have consulted competent authori-
ties, and they say that our church
building here could be moved from its
| present foundation without serious
damage to the structure. A part of II
| would have to be torn down to assist
| the moving. but it could easily be re.
| placed. The expense would not be
more than we could readily meet. We
are out of debt, and the property is
free from incumbrance. What pro
pose, therefore, is n very simple thing
that we move our church editice
down into the heart of the tenemen,
district, where we can buy a suitable
lot for comparatively small sum. and
at once begin the work of Christian
church in the very neighborhOod where
such work is most needed.
| There are certain objections to this
plan. l think they can be met by the
exercise of the Christ spirit Of sacrifice
and love. A great many members will
not be able to go that distance to at
tend service any more than the people
there at present can well come up here
But there are six churches left on i
street. What is to hinder any Chris
tian member of Calvary church from
| WOTklup anu lcllOWSHlplHS WIFI tuOS'
churches If he cannot put in his service
in the tenement district? None of these
churches is crowded. They will wei
come the advent of more members
But the main strength of the plar
which l propose lies in the fact that il
it be done it will be n live illustration
of the cagerness of the church to reacl
and save men. The very sight of oul
church moving down OF from this
street to the lower part of the towI
will be an object lesson to the people
aud the church will at once begin t
mean something TO them. Once estab
lshcd there. we can work from ii as ;
center. The distance ought to be NJ
discouragcment to any healthy person
There is not n young woman in thi
church who is in the habit Of dancin:
who does not make twice as man.
steps during an evening dancing part.
as would be necessary to take her to tn
tenement district and back again. Sure
ly any Christian church member Is a
willing to endure fatigue and sacrific
and to give as much time to help max
| ,,,nn nd 1yn,nnr, haitian 9 bn 10 n M u