New-York tribune., 1905-02-11

differ in degree. at least, from those Of other COM
snunities. On the other hand. 1t is generally
agreed. once get in touch with the New-Yorker
and the difference ceases. Get his ear and the
same kind Of preaching the same spiritual minis
tration. the same religion, meet his demands as
fulflr mans needs the world over How shall
the Church get at him. There appears at once
his essential difference.
THE New-Yorker is too absorbed in other things
10 heed the call OF the Church." said the Rev. DR..
". F. Coburn, in charge Of Tent Penel. in Harlem.
Dr. Coburn has had wide experience evan
gelist IN every large city in the country. THE
New-York man and woman are not more wicked
than those Of other cities, some believe" he
went on. Nor are they more frivolous or indif
ferent, self-satsfed. many contend. They
are simply so absorbed in business. pleasure So
Eety. more intensely than in any other city IN
The country, that it IS very difcult TO their
attention to religious subjects" Comparing this
city with others, he said
After considerable experience in the large cities
of the country, have come 10 apply descriptive
term term to each Of them which fits the religious atti-
term Pe6rIa7: 'its t N7i p nave glFe@4 pine the
sstie5d ga a,fsH. "a 49, , orh Boston. foqnd
attitude of mental aloofness. Philadelphia is ire
oo an LEX &fxcseagly @ easy city to work in An
Is wide awake the best city IN the country for
revivals san Francisco is Indifferent" simply
doesn't care for religious teaching. New-Orleans is
,io5 ,especlaIy wicked as many would have US
10 think much along religious lines.
Yes. New Workers are absorbed. each with his
business and ri attend to nine Ts 20 cty yoIs IS
more cosmopolitan more heterogeneous than other
tlges Ihat IS one thing that tends to make men
hold 10 themselves. Then there Is more apartment
house ana hotel life here than anywhere else You
can't get at people in apartments. Then too IL pre-
vents any community feeling. You can't get people
70 know one another TO get together in neghbor
hoods.
II you are going 70 reach n New-Yorker YOU have
FOL 70 90 something striking, something to attract
MS attention, TO arouse him from his absorption
TIC best solution Of this is Institutional work,
20 take the place Of the Church but TO bridge over
me gap between the Church On the hand and
The absorbed populace the other. Once bring the
Two together and the problem is solved.
Dr. Henry II. Stebbins acting pastor of the West
End Church. speaks of the came difficulty in reach
ing persons in apartments. Il believe II is possible
70 reach them IN other ways, though" he said.
After trying in vain to get at them by calling we
have now tried sending letters TO them A letter
ran get In where cannot They have our
letter to show that we interested in them and
telling them where 10 come, If they need us Then
reason they need religious ministrations, they
come 10 Us. Onoe reach the people, and believe
the problem OF work here IS no different from
what II is IN any smaller city.
If 8 man has anything TO say he be heard
here as well anywhere else" said another
clergyman. In that respect New-York is like any
Of NEWCOMERS they a nttls more critical
than persons IN smaller cities"
The problem OF reaching young men here IS a
hard one, said the Rev DR.. Macarthur, Of Cal
vary Baptist Church. 1t IS especially hard TO get
them out to church Sunday evening Ny aim
y 10 devise a popular service on Sunday evening
In view. then. OF NETWORKS peculiar needs are
i1e present Efforts Of the Church along the right
lineE What are the greatest needs of the present
IN church work. IS the question to be consid-