The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-03
TO EVANGELIZE FIFTH AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH To IN
CREASE ITS ACTIVITIES.

7 SDtcIbl Hu11UUy FNtUi1k ptfVIVtA IVF Ntt
First Time with Famous Men ss Preach
ers-Also an Assistant Minister 10
Look After Folks In the Big Hotels.
The Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
Is to break away from the extreme con-
servS'ism that has always marked its
career and undertake IN a popular way
the evangelization of non-churchgoers who
live in the district around Fifth avenue
and Fifty-ffth street. As one member
OF the session put it yesterday, the church
is going to attempt to fulfil its mission in
the community.
A notice sent out TO the members Of the
church by a committee Of the session says
that the session some time ago adopted
a. the suggestion of the pastor the Rev.
DR.. J. Ross Stevenson. the following policy
as being the most feasible for the future
life and work OF the church:
ITO make our church a great evangelical,
evangelistic and missionary centre. in con-
nection with which the superb building in
its ideal location will he used to the greatest
advantage to give h gospel 20 the world.
! On account Of the investment represented
in the location and in the equipment Of our
church nothing less than a great enter
prise can Justify the retention Of This vald-
able property"
In keeping with this policy, the COM
mittee announces, the number Of elders and
deacons in the church was increased. The
announcement continues:
aF,or ro.ok .ar,o,. th0,0ht and oaFpacf
prayer Z has been decided to go still further
and carry out as far as possible the general
policy 80 heartily and unanimously adopted.
II is our purpose to introduce a special
Sunday evening service which. with in
spring music and stirring gospel preach
ing, will he intended to reach the great
mass Of non-churchgoers who live in close
proximity TO our church and for whose
evangenzation we are IN such large meas
ure responsible"
Up to this time there has been no regular
evening service in the Fifth avenue church.
The Sunday church worship has consisted
Of the old conservative morning and after
noon services, which have been attended
largely by pe~wholders. At the Sunday
evening evangelical service all he pews
will be thrown wide open. The = will not
only be preaching Of an evangel Al chsrac-
ter. but singing by a chorus At least
fifty voices. This chorus. it is nderstood.
will be under the leadership OF one OF the
city's best known muyical directors
The Sunday morning service" says the
announcement. will be continued along
the present lines. and we shall rely upon
our own church member for its loyal sup
port. as well as for the support OF the Sunday
evening service
1t is proposed to make the Sunday after
noon service attractive TO the non-church-
goers in the neighborhood by getting the
services Of -eminent men" who will give a
series Of discourses. These discourses will
be along the line Of religious instruction.
The announc 'ment is made hat the Rev.
Hugh Black. late OF the Free st. Georges
Church in Edinburgh. has been secured for
three months. beginning November /.
In addition to this the church proposes
to ~iraugurate a special course OF Bible
study and religious instruction for young
people, especially students coming to this
city who need a church home. The minis
terial force will be increased. probably
doubled.
II is proposed to nave one OF the assistan mt
clergymen devote practically all OF his
time to the guests At the hotels in the neigh
borhood. Among these are the 81. Regis,
the Gotham, the Netherlands, the Savoy
and the new Plaza. II is the belief Of the
governing officers Of the church that the in
terest Of the church in the hotel life OF the
community will constantly increase, and
that when the system is once established
IL will take one mans time TO loo after
this phase OF the evangelical plan alone
Another thing that the governing body
OF the church is considering in connection
with the general plan is to have the doors
Of the church always open for the public,
with a clergyman continually on duty to
receive those who enter. The question
Of establishing permanent church Offices
in the rear of the present building 10 also I'M
der consideration.
The public said one membe Of the
session yesterday. shouldn't get the idea
that the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
is being converted into a mission church.
What We are trying to do 10 to continue
our old congregational life and at the same
time broaden out in a way hat will help us
to fulfil our mission in the community"
The congregation OF the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church 10 one Of the wealthiest
in the city. Only one church in the city
exceeds it in the amount which II contributes
for charitable and missionary purposes.
Many Of the church pews are owned by