Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-29
NEED OF THE CHURCH
CHARITY WORKER ESSENTIAL IN
CHRISTIAN SYSTEM.

A large congregation was present yester-
day morning at the Church of Our Father,
Universalist, and listened with interest to
the sermon on The Need of the Church for
the Charity Worker delivered by Rev.
John Van Schaick, jr.. pastor of the church.
Mr.. Van Schack explained that the church
needed the charity worker; that the charity
worker needed the church, and that. there
fore, the relation between the two ought to
be very close. He reviewed tn 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 go. 1t has now be-
come a science and is administered in q
practical and most satisfactory manner.
In referring to the work Of the Associated
Charities he said: The Associated Chari-
ties through one committee started the fight
against tuberculosis. The result has been
an educational campaign Of great value, the
establishment Of free diSpensary and an
appropriation from Congress for the cree
ton OF a tuberculosis hospital. Through an
other committee it has done a great work
IN summer outings for poor children and
tired mothers. Last summer So, 500 was
raised and spent; this summer, $4,000.
Still third committee attacked insanitary
tenements. and a fourth established play.
grounds for Washington"
The minister spoke Of the educational
work Of the. charities and Of the co-opera
ton Of President Roosevelt. He stated that
what has taken place in this city has taken
place in Chicago, Boston. New York and
to a greater or less extent in other cities of
the country.
Lack Of Cooperation.
The speaker deplored the lack Of coop
Grafton between the church and the charity
organization workers. He said: Il do not
believe the church has lost its grip. I be-
lieve 1t Is just getting it's grip. And the
grip 1t ought to strengthen is on the fact
that it needs contact with social machin-
and that when this contact is made
power is developed that is irresistible for
good.
mot long ago great church in Wash
vention we were told that we were in
bad way. The Sabbath was desecrated;
church attendance and contributions were
falling of; the pastoral Office was rejected
report made great stir. In it some things
were true. But the report, as understand
it. did not get below the surface.
IF the church has lost leadership, IT. Is
the fault Of the church. If the church Is
to regain prestige and power. it will be not
by scolding but by making itself 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, the public
Board of Charities and the private Asso-
ciated Charities-everything in our system
Of philanthropy from the day nursery down
to the almshouse.
ITO the church the charity worker not
only gives knowledge, but power-the power
of a noble personality and a consecrated
life. The church needs the closest of CO.
operation with the charity worker, that it
may learn of the great social and reform
movements Of the age in which 1t is called
to serve"