The San Francisco call., 1903-12-11
CHURCH MUSIC
IS DEFENDED
Rev. T. Walz Maintains That
the Power of Song Brings
People Nearer to Almighty
REV. W. RAIDERS WARNING
SAYS Church Must Rely on Re-
IigiOus AttractiveneSS and
Must Not Become Theatrical


the San Francisco Association Of Con-
gregational Churches and Ministers as
sembled yesterday at Bethlehem
Church, Twenty-fourth and Vermont
streets, the object being to elect certain
officers and hear discussions from the
clergy and. reports from all the churches
Of the Congregational denomination Of
the city.
The Rev. Huber Burr was chosen
moderator and the business of the
meeting began.
After the meeting Of membership
committees the Rev. William RAIDER
discussed Going 10 Church" in a man
ner that was admitted to be strong and
well considered.
Among the reasons. he said, why the
people go TO church might be men,
toned the historic influence of the
church itself People, said Mr.. RAIDER,
went 10 church because of personal
need. He said also that the change in
belief which eliminated fear from the
ology had something 20 do with church
attendance. He considered that the
new thought" had alienated many
and that nearly one-half Of every COM
munity was influenced by Oriental
ideas. which he claimed controlled
church attendance.
The Rev. Mr.. RAIDER protested that
the church should never lose herself
as the church: she must not, he said
become a theater nor a club, but must
stand out with all her own attractive
personality.
MUST go AFTER PEOPLE"
The Rev. Joseph Rowen followed the
Rev. Mr. RAIDER, and gave it as his
opinion that they had TO go after the
people"
The Rev. DR.. Pond as an example
showed the results Of reaching those
who gathered in small number at the
mining camps for worship and with
influence Of preaching how the congre-
cations grew and the gospel was
spread.
Music and song in the church found
a powerful supporter in the Rev. Mr.
r l. Walz Of the Fourth Congrega-
tional Church. He believed. he said in
the blessed power Of music to uplift
and bring people nearer to God.
The Rev. Mr.. Wall supported the
musical part in the service of the
church but the Rev. Mr.. RAIDER main
tained the ground that. while it was
well TO put themselves in an inviting
attitude. there should be no resort TO
conspicuous attraction to the church.
The Rev. DR.. W. c. Day read a paper
on The Proposed Union Of Three De
ton was the spirit of the age. DR..
Day considered that even where
marked differences occur it was a fact
that without any fOrelock toward this
adjustment the churches We're drift
ing toward each other
The Rey James K. Harrison, the
Rev. J. c. MeseTve. D. D., the Rev. II.
A. Luckenbock the Rev. Mr.. Earl and
other clergymen took lively part in
the discussion. the trend OF feeling be-
ing strongly toward the proposed union
Of the church.
FAVOR CHURCH UNION.
on the motion Of the Rev Dr. Pond
ii was unanimously resolved as fol-
lows: That this association observes
with deep interest the movement to-
ward a union Of the three denomina-
tions that have suddenly discovered
that they have almost everything in
common. the United Brethren, the
Methodist PrOtestsnts and the Congre-
Rationalists. and we viii heartily re-
joice in the accomplishment of this
union in any way which involves no
infringement Of the liberties Of the
churches"
The following were then elected to
serve on committees:
Home missionary committee, one
member for three years-The Rev. DR..
i. c. Meserve Membership committee
of five members, for one year-Rev. DR..
Meserve (chsirman), Rev. J. ROwell,
Rev. T. J. Earl, Deacon w. w. Chase
and Deacon D. Gilbert Dexter.
GATHER AT FESTAL BOARD.
After the election recess was taken
and the delegates and many of the con-
gregation, more than 100 in all, accept
ed the hospitality Of the ladies Of Beth
lehem Church and sat down to a re-
past in the Sunday-school room. The
ladies who prepared the dinner and
waited on the guests were: Mrs. G..
Christie. Mrs. II. Tubb, Mrs. Neil Wal
ters, Mrs. r. Davis. Mrs. Siebert, Mrs.
A Kromrey. Mrs. p. F. Peterson, Mrs.
". r. Walker, Mrs. c. Anderson, Mrs.
Fiddes. Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Jameson,
Mrs. Mary Burbank Mrs. W. p. An
dersOn, Mrs. J. A. Hollars, Miss Flor
ence Anderson, Miss Anna Peterson
and Miss Florence Stewart
The topics discussed later in the
evening were Secret Prayer by the
Rev. James X. Harrison, and "Conse-
Grafton" by the Rev. Carl Sinclair.
The Rev. DR.. George c. Adams of the
First Congregational Church Joined
in the discussion. Before adjournment
IL was decided 10 hold the next meet
ing Of the association at Park Congre-
EatiOnal Church