The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-05-02
PEOPLES CHURCH FORMED
OYER 25O SIGN PAPER OF MEM
 BERsHIP LAST NIGHT.

Prcject-Its Success Undoubted-A Statement of The Purposes for Which the Church Is Bounded.
 At Bushnell hall on Ferry street last evening was inaugurated the founda- ton of a church which, it was remark
 ed by several of the members, for sim pie sincerity and honesty Of purpose
 should grow into one of the greatest of the city. The occasion was the forma-
 tion of the Peoples churchof New Ha- ven. @ <. "''e One of the prime workers in the pro- ject is Rev. Alexander r. Irvine, late
 pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church of this city. The people who
 made up the meeting last night had
 gathered from all parts of hescity, at- tracted by the principles enunciated concerning the project. The purpose of the new organization was outlined in a brief and informal talk by Mr. Irvine, in substance as fol- lows: It is desired to procure parish house at some point near the lower green, where all the activities will be centered. It will take considerable time to properly establish the church
 and get things moving in tip-top shape. Until a church can be procured services will be held in the Hyperion theater.
 MT. Irvine will institute an innovation in church work by preaching during the summer near the big workshops, using as temporary quarters the adjacent va-
 cant lots. Clubs and classes will be formed immediately.
 Mir Irvine's idea of a new church is that it shall be a great church of the people, regardless of creed or dogma. Questioned on the matter, he answered: This church will not be built upon the sins of the rich; it will not be built upon the deficiencies of other churches.
 If this church does not draw men to- gether, lift life and be help--a. help that Is a real help to the community, in gathering together those who are at
 present entirely outside the pale of the
 church-then this church has no right to exist and ought not to succeed" The statement of the purpose for
 lows:
 We hold the objects and aims of the
 Christian church, and the Peoples
 church as a branch thereof, to be the
 upbuilding and growth of character; the getting and doing of good; the fur therance of knowledge and practice of divine law and duty, and works of char
 ity and goodwill toward men. I've avow in our religious duty to
 seek truth and encourage the search
 thereof by others, from all sources
 whence it may be found, allowing and
 fostering perfect liberty of thought and
 conscience for each, with responsibility
 only to the Judge of all.
 I've acknowledge our obligation to
 walk in amity and peace with our
 brethren, to promote the welfare of this
 church by support of it's instrumentali-
 ties for good, by acquiescence in it's councils, by attendance on its services,
 and above all, by consecration of our
 selves to a spiritual life, and striving in all ways to live as follows of the
 Master and children of God"
 The statement which was signed by
 the members was simple in the extreme
 and read as follows:
 we, the undersigned, do hereby form ourselves into a self-governing comnnu-
 nity for the worship of God and the service of man.
 The announcement was made that
 Rev. MT. Ferguson, of Boston, would speak tomorrow.
 Over 250 people signed the little card at last nights meeting. The enthusiasm
 was very high and it was thought that the new church. will grow very fast as
 soon as people realize the nature of its aims.
 At the conclusion of the meeting the
 company adjourned to the supper room
 below, where most appetizing and
 substantial repast was enjoyed by all present.