Bisbee daily review., 1908-09-01

The First children's Church, Chicago church service as maintained for the adult membership. But Chicago, which city can lay claim to many sensible in noyations, Is the possessor of a chil dren's church which has recently been organized To be sure since the Founder of the Faith spoke the words by Galilee's lake, Suffer the little children ro come unto me-" they have been made welcome in all.the temples of worship, but it is a new thought to have house of prayer and worship ex, clusively for them.
 The building, which bears the title, The First Children's Church" has just been dedicated, but the enthusi. asm 1t aroused has resulted in a dou- bled membership in it's brief month of activity.
 William Fflline is superintendent of this juvenile church A printer by trade, he has long been interested in religious work, having graduated from the Moody Bible Institute. Assisting him in the work is Bernard Gronseth, a somewhat older, but no less ener- getic evangelist.
 The movement had its inception a year and half ago at meeting held in Chicago lodge room. For seven months meetings were held in this place, but the atmosphere lacked the essentially religious tone that was de- sired, and the organizers kept on the outlook for church building which could be obtained within the small limits set by their funds During the summer months a shift was made to tent, and youngsters crowded nightly to hear the speakers secured by Su- perintendent Filline.
 Others had been watching the work. and had begun to see it's possibilities, so when Superintendent F1lline learned of a former church building, then being used as a storage house, that could be obtained for a not excessive sum he found liberal proaers of help when he started out to obtain it.
 Six months of hard work was re- quired to get the building in a fit con- dition to hold church services, but everybody helped Much Of the actual carpentering, painting and paper-hang ing was done by Messrs. Fflline and Gronseth, assisted by volunteers from other churches, who had been aroused to the value of the work in progress
 When the little church was finally refurnished it presented a pretty ex- terior and a comfortable, cheerful in terior, that delighted the eyes of the children who had seen it grow from virtual barn.
 Si& different churches volunteered help for the opening night, aiding either with singers or speakers.
 One boy, Joseph Raycroft, developed unexpected powers as an evangelist, and he filled the church ih services which lasted for more than week, 50 children being converted during the time that the youngster occupied the pulpit.
 The new church does not abandon the regular Sunday school meeting of other churches. It merely supplements it. Sunday school Is held every Sun day afternoon at three o'clock.
 On Sunday evening, from seven to eight. is held the regular children's church praise service, which consists of singing and prayers little testimonies by the youngsters and Bible readings by the children or the superintendent
 For this service there is children's choir and a drummer. Foundations have been laid for a children's orches- tra, and it is hoped to have one within the next 12 months.
 The other regular church meeting is held on Wednesday nights, and con sists of Bible study and exercises de- signed to teach children that in sue cess, in religion or in practical life the first rule is to be able to help oneself.
 In addition to these services, 1t is also hoped to introduce others, which will include night for boys and a niohf for girls once week