The Washington times., 1901-10-14
WORKING FOR CHURCH UNITY.
Results of the Labors of the New
York Federation.

NEW YORK, Oct. I3.-From a modest
beginning over five years ago, the Fed
Grafton Of Churches and Christian Or
ganizations in this city has now become
an Incorporated body concerned with the
civic and religious life of the entire me
tropolis. Up to the beginning of the pres
ent year the history of the federation in
cluded canvass and an analysis of the
sociological and religious conditions of
10000 of the population of Greater New
York. Four-fifths of this work was done
in Manhattan, and the remainder in
Brooklyn. The results of this investiga-
tion are beyond the power of figures to
tabulate, for by means of 1t. the fedora
tion has been able to turn over to church
care more than 10000 unchurched families.
Some more definite conception OF the re-
suits achieved may be gathered from the
following facts: In doing this work the
federation has enlisted the active CO.
operation of over twenty different rei-
gious societies, AS. result of the dis
tribution OF the family information ac-
quired, it has assisted in the location OF
six new churches, of four different faiths,
in needy neighborhoods, and adapted to
local nationalities. AS further result,
1t has helped to bring about the estab-
| lishment of three philanthropic institu-
tions, an industrial settlement, work for
crippled children and a kindergarten for
colored children. 1t is the plan OF the
federation TO make fits canvass of per-
manent value by inducing the churches
in district canyassed to unite in fed
Grafton auxiliary, which viii repeat from
time to time its house to house vista
tion. and thus keep the information first
obtained up to the pace OF the shifting
population. In this way it creates neigh.
hf,~ -ftytNf he. Of
each district. Six of these auXilarieS
have been formed. and their work has re-
suited this far in the obtaining OF Clinton
Park for the congested region around
West Fifty-second Street and the North
River; the carrying on of summer play
ground for the children at Ninety-ninth
Street and Amsterdam Avenue
Prominent clergymeH and iaymen re-
quested that a similar work should be
undertaken in the interest of the religious
and sociological welfare of the vast popu-
lation on the upper East Side.
To this proposition the federation has
been directing its efforts throughout the
last summer. and is now perhaps one
third the way through with the under
about 10000 people. When all the work
laid out has been completed-and the
project proposes to cover the whole region
north 10 lleth Street, life conditions of
about 450, 600 people will be in hand for
analysis Induction and suggestion.
The religious information gathered In
these canyasseS, that is to say, that which
Immediately concerns the church life of
the people, Is. of course, of the first i'm
portance Accordingly. this is distributed
TO its proper destinations as soon as tho
returns can be handled Something like
2 900 families or between 1000 and 200
| individuals, reporting themselves without
church attachment, have been referred to
the churches most likely to be affiliated
with them.
These statements refer to the Protest
ant churches only. OF the Catholic
Church A much less percentage is found
| unattached. OF the Hebrews without
| synagogue connection the percentage is
very much larger.
The usual varieties of faith appear here
| as elsewhere, as in the city. There are
| TO be found the Plymouth Brethren, the
| Disciples MOravians. members of the
! Salvation Army, Primitive Baptists,
| Greek Catholics, adherents Of Faith Cure.
members of the Society Of Friends, Of the
Society of Ethical Culture, two families
| OF Spiritualists. one of Swedenborgians,
| and. despite the popular impression Of the
rapid spread of Christian Science, but
| two families, or one person to 5000 Of
| the population, specifying themselves OF
this cult The usual German Socialist
appears on every block or so, and the
agnostic as frequently.