The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-14
BUSINESS
METHODS IN
CHURCHES
Greatly Nssdsd In Their Work
as Rev. Mr.. Root
Pointed Out.

rev. T.. Il. ROOT, ueld secretary OF the
Rhode Island Federation of churches.
preached at the morning service yester-
day in the Benefcent Congregational
church. In spite OF the severe storm the
devoted hts discourse to a plea for bust
ness methods In the work of the
churches. and among other things he
said:
About the date Of the calling OF field
secretary by the Rhode Island Fedora
tion OF churches. the same step was
taken In three other states. The Rhode
Island Federation was organized as the
result of an address by DR.. j. Winthrop
Hegeman Feb. IL, 1900. It's governing
body is a state council of 80 members,
representing eight denominations, six
interdenominationa societies. and two
colleges. The council elects an executive
board and the field secretary. It's pur-
pose is to federate the independent
churches in practical cooperation as the
nation federates the states. II has In
view seven important lines OF work I
make plea this morning for one only
the cooperative parish system.
In our text Jesus says: THE sons OF
this world are for their own generation
wiser than the sons of light" That is,
we can learn from their methods OF
business. The modern business man
sees clearly the end TO be taught to win
customers. He recognizes that condi-
tions have changed, as society has grown
vaster and more complex, and that he
must change his methods
So he no longer waits for customers
but seeks them by printed or personal
solicitation. He cooperates or con-
solidates with his competitors to avoid
the waste of rivalry. While its work is
on far higher plane, the church must
have as clear conception OF its end-to
win men. 1t must recognize tnat condi-
tons are changed. Once in New Eng
land the whole community was In the
meeting house. as the one social and In
tellectuai center.
Today the varied interests OF modern
life distract and an increasing pro-
portion of the population live outside Of
the influences OF the churches.t Yet we
follow the old methods. preach and wait
for people 10 come. We must initiate
business and seek men by wise, lavish
and persistent use of printed and per-
sonal invitation. Do you say People
do not want to hear our invitation" Do
they want to hear the insurance agent?
Yet he persists! How much more reason
have we for insistencel But In this work |
the churches must act not as competitors
but I'm combination. Like business men |
they must avoid the waste of rivalry. |
They have also stronger reason. that |
Is glaringly inconsistent with |
the unselfishness which they teach, and |
can only hinder their work.
The cooperative parish system, not an |
experiment, but abundantly tested in |
England and New York city. is a plan |
to attain these ends. Each church will |
have a definite district, not 10 exclude |
other churches from II. but TO help all |
find their constituency In It. II will |
make a canvass OF IL by use OF cards |
prepared for the purpose, reporting all |
prefering them to sister churches. and |
up by tactful invitation al |
found indifferent. II will watch for |
and similarly report and invite
new corners II will note and suppress
evil agencies and establish wholesome |
ones where possible.
The plan meets a hearty response in |
Providence. especially on the part Of our
business men. over 40 churches
have committed themselves TO the plan.
and the city will soon be covered by CO.
operative parishes ready for work. Half
a dozen churches are already at work
Immediate results are not anticipated.
But persistent work In this line for years
will change the religious atmosphere of
our city