The Washington herald., 1907-07-29

'"The Need Of the Church for the Char
ity Worker" was the theme Of an elo-
quents sermon, delivered by Rev. John
Van schaick, jr.. pastor Of the Church Of
Our Father. Universalist. yesterday morn
ing. The reverend speaker explained that
the church needed the charity worker:
that the charity worker needed the
church. and that. therefore. the relation
between the two ought TO be very close.
He reviewed the history OF organized
charity movements abroad and in this
country. and particularly in this city. and
spoke Of the different phases through
which charity had to &C until It has now
become a science, which IS administered
in a practical and most satisfactory man.
ner.
The work of the Associated Charities
was brought to the knowledge Of the con-
gregation. and referring thereto the
speaker said. in part:
The Associated Charities through one
committee started the fight against tuber-
culosis. The result has been an educa-
tiona campaign Of great value. the
- SA&fAaAAsNAAk Va q AAFN P-AHf~~E <AAae-
an appropriation from Congress for the
erection Of tuberculosis hospital
Through another committee it has done
a great work in summer outings for poor
children and tired mothers. Last sum
mer $3.50 was raised and spent. This
summer, 1850. Still a third committee
attacked insanitary tenements, and a
fourth established Fairgrounds for Wash
ingtOn.
Much Good Accomplished.
IF time permitted, I should ike to tell
you about the laws on our statute books
that were not there when this educational
work of the Charities began. I would
like to tell you what We are doing with
the race problem. I would like TO tell
you about the splendid cooperation of
the President Of the United States.
have said enough, however, to suggest
that here IS a social movement of
tremendous interest and Importance.
What has taken place in Washington
has taken place in Chicago. Boston and
New York. To a greater or less extent,
it has taken place in other cities of the
country.
IN the spread of the movement tnou-
sands Of workers have been enlisted.
Some are volunteers. Some are paid.
Some we may call amateurs. Some are
To some the work IS in
cidental to another occupation. To others
il IS q life study and a life work. Col
lege courses are made out TO prepare for
it. Schools ike that at Harvard. Chicago,
or New York especially train for Il. And
SO these workers bring a high order OF
trained intelligence and ability to bear
upon the social problems OF the day.
DeDlOres Lack of Cooperation.
Now I have been impressed by a lack
Of cooperation between this new pro-
fessiOn and the ministry. between the
charity organization society and the
church.
Il do not believe the church has lost
its grip. believe it is just getting its
grip. And the grip it ought 70 strengthen
IS on the fact that it needs contact with
social machinery, social machinery needs /
contact with il. and that when this con-
tact is made. a power is developed that
IS irresistible for good.
Not long ago a great church in Wash
ngton held a convention. At that con-
vention we were told that we were in a
bad way. The Sabbath was desecrated;
church attendance and contributions were
falling of; the pastoral Office was re-
iected, and the church had lost leader
ship. The report made a great stir. In
It some things were true. But the re-
port, as l understand II, did not get below
the surface
If the church has lost leadership. II
IS the fault of the church. II the church
IS TO regain prestige aud power. it will
be not by scOlding but by making itself
2 social force that men dare not ignore. /
Charity Workers Aid Churches.
The charity worker federates the
churches. The charity worker tells US
about the jail and the workhouse. the /
Crittenton Mission and the reform school, |
he public Board of Charities and the I
private Associated Charihes-eyerythlng /.
n our system of philanthropy from the /
lay nursery down 10 the alrnshouse.
TO the church the charity worker not 1
'n!y gives knowledge but pOwer-the 1
)ower Of noble personality and a con /
iecrated life. Tho church needs the
closest Of cooperation with the charity I
worker, that it may learn of the great /
ocial and reform movements Of the age 4
n which it IS called 70 serve