The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20
FOR CHURCHES
ENORMOUS SUM SPENT EACH YEAR
IN ERECTING EDIFICEs.
Retrenchment This Season
innovation i'm Observation-Disclosures
May Return to Boston.
to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 20 the indianapolis Journal.
NEW YORK. April 1S.-Indications are
that there will be less money put into new
churches than usual this summer and au-
tumn. In ordinary seasons from $685. 900
70 SS.000.00o a year goes into new churches
in the whole United States. That is excIu-
sive Of repairs and general maintenance,
and it is also exclusive # money put into
hospitals and other institutions under con-
troll Of the churches. Reports from all
parts Of the country are to the effect that
emphasis is being laid upon missionary
causes and efforts everywhere making to
increase offerings for the same. Through
the Central West many new structures are
projected, and throughout the South there
are some notable enrichments. but in the
East and on the Pacific coast there will be
comparatively little doing. However, where
building Is TO be done the tendency is to-
ward far greater expenditure per church.
Elaboration o. architecture Is everywhere
apparent The demands for a more aes-
thetic form OF worship affect the church
building. Where fifteen years ago a SO. 900
church would have bsen regarded as good
enough, $4,000 is deemed none too much to-
day; Additional buildings. apart from mere
auditorium. are Afforded, and. in most cases
they must be better buildings. Brick is
taking the place OF wood. Contractors and
furnishers say, however, that. aside from
the sections Indicated, and aside also from
a few large orders, building this season will
be dull.
The adoption in quick succession by so
many churches of vestments for their
chOristers has LED ministers to ask whether
they must likewise adopt vestments. These
vested chOristers are appearing in Pres
b%yterian, Baptist and Methodist churches I'm
most large cities West as well as East.
Such an innovation would have produced a
sensation twenty years ago. Coming now.
IL Is reI1shed and copied as fast and as far
as condl9ons permit a year since efforts
were made to find a new style vestment so
that Lutheran. Baptist and Methodist
choristers might not look precisely like
Roman Catholic and Episcopal choristers.
but the attempt has been abandoned and
new chOirs this spring. whether In one de-
nomination or another. are taking to the
familiar black cassock and the white cot
IA without protest. The alarm which the
ministers are now showing comes from the
demand on the part Of their congregations
that they themselves vest. The frock-
coated preacher presents an anomaly.
Hence the demand and the alarm. In most
cases the Geneva gown is being taken as a
compromise, but it is not in keeping with
the dress of the choristers. Ministers who
are contemplating vestments for their
chOirS are being warned by those who have
already adopted them that they must them
selves adopt the veStments. The demand
for greater dignity in public worship is gen.
eral.
Talk OF moderatorship Of the forthcoming
Presbyterian General Assembly comes down
TO the fact that some man eminent in home
missions will probably be chosen, since the
assembly will this year celebrate the cen
tenniaI Of Presbyterian home mission effort.
The Rev. d. Henry Van Dyke, OF Prince
ton. mas been put forward by western in
terests, and the Rev. Dr.. John Dixon. the
assistant secretary Of the board of home
missions. He Ia regarded as satisfactory
20 all elements. but is classed as a con
sentative. The board OF home missions
makes an appeal TO Presbyterian churches
throughout the country to join with the
general assembly in observing Sunday, May
is, as the centennial anniversary of home
missions The board says to these churches,
IN its appeal. that the supreme import
anCe OF evangeliZing our own country, the
splendid history OF home missions IN found
Ing and nour1shing more than 5000 of ex-
listing Presbyterian churches, and the
mighty inspiration which such united cele-
bratiOn will bring forth, summon the people
TO gratitude, prayer and conservation. 1t |
is suggested that historic sermons be given
on the day named, and the board Of home
missions has just issued a historic sketch
70 serve as material"
In spite OF denials. nobody need be sur
prised if the Rev. DR.. George c.. Lorimer
return to the pastorate OF fremont Temple.
Boston. odd turns come up, even in church
matters. The temple people have searched
everywhere for a new pastor, coming upon
the task just when most prominent men
had recently been placed. Among the new
men the right one does not seem to appear.
Naturally. DR.. LOrimer has been again
thought of. although it is known that the
temple Ommitte has not as vet ap-
preached him or the subjct. A big factor in
the case is the position taken by Mr.. John
D. Rockefeller. 1t is known that DR.. Lori
mer went 10 New York with the ambition
to have there a great preaching auditorium,
which might or might not include head
quarters for Baptist interests, similar to
fremont Temple. Boston. A combination
was entered into by which the auditorium,
then building. Baptist extension in upper
New York and several other plans were
unitedly TO be carried out, the sum involv-
Ing 100000 for so much as a beginning.
When Mr.. Rockefeller was seen about get
ting under the lions share of this burden he
fatty declined. With his declinatiOn the
bottom fell out. IL is said, and when he
saw il go the Rev. DR.. Lorimer lost heart.
Asked whether he would go back TO Boston
he declined to talk, merely saying, That
depends Whether asked to return TO the
Hub or not. II Is certain that for the mo-
ment he is disappointed about ambitious
New York plans. The cause of Mr.. Rookie
feilers defamation has not been ascertained-
He has of late heen giving largely TO educa-
tiOnal causes. but il Is known that he has
not iessened his gifts to strictly Baptist
causes. He has given this year 100000 to
the Baptist Missionary Union, $4,000 TO
the Baptist Home Mission Society. S55.O00
TO Brown University. and 100000 10 Newton
Theological Seminary. Speaking generally.
be = slowly increasing his gifts to Baptist
OBJECTS, while At the same time keeping
pace with Mr.. Carnegie in general charity,
apart from the ~latter's special library
benevOlenCe. He follows a pretty well de-
fined plan in his giving. so that his refusal
10 help the Baptist headquarters scheme in
New York is held TO be based upon well
thought out reasons.
A Woman on the Meter Question.