New-York tribune., 1908-11-15
CHURCH EPIToME OF DEMOCRACY.

And that was the way the Rev. Charles Aubrey
Eaton, who has accepted q call to the Madison
Avenue Baptist Church Of New York City. came
70 Cleveland TO save the Euclid Avenue Baptist
church. the biggest Of its denomination in the city
rom being forced into obscuTity. Il was danger
q having TO 10 the residential district Its at
tendance was falling Of. Its influence was limited
The trustees began sadly 70 figure on giving up
their location and breaking up the congregation
one or two ministers had tried TO postpone the day
but unsucCessfuliy. The congregation was in de-
sPaiT- They heard OF Nova Scotia minister who.
Il was said. had once been a fisherman and could
face any kind Of rough weather. and they sent for
MIN D. Eaton came. and he showed EN- When
he leaves Cleveland he viii leave q congregation
t"lce as large as Il was when he came. church
with many missions in outlying districts with an
influence SO broad that II is the only Baptist church
epOAen OF generally In the city and with large
OF Charities and John D RockefeIers gifts are al
WAYS excluded by Dr. EaJon's orders from the
count when the average is made Up
His church is the epitome OF democracy The
stranger IS made welcome within is gates The
Sunday morning that Nj. efeIler first wore
his wig TO this church. and was not recognized he
received heartier welcome than he had received
"hen not in disguise The fact so pleased him that
ne never fails 70 speak Of II IS tending 70 show
ilat the church has reached its highest mission
10 think Of the welfare of Others. not Of itself
And stiH upon many occasions DR.. Eaton has At
lacked the rich class. and has said things
which have made most excellent stories for the
newspapers because q their obvious application 10
the head OF the Oh Trust Yet M Rockefeller has
1oid acquaintance that Dr. Eaton is the best min
tste- q the GosPel that ne knows and that he re
serts him much for his zssness and nanIi-
ness as for his learning
But about the man himself. -5e stands well oy--
six feet. is broad shouldered and strong featured
a man of perhaps fCrty-fve years he looks older
because q his iror-gray hair His eyes are kindly
h-s hanoshake is q grip o. steel and his pace q
hFe-ulile gait wherever he goes. There IS nothing
superhuOUs about Charles Eaton. either Of flesh
Or speech H is hard as steel and when he
hits. either with his fst-and he has a big ore-or
With his word. his blows count He isn't the sort
q preacher who says:
Nov do come up TO the church and be reformed
Come on now, won't you. End BE- reformed2'
Eaton says, You're You've got some
sense or had some once Let's see II YOU can't help
Is 10 solve Our probleTns-we have theIn-and per
haps help you
be has more biz business msn IL his Congrega-
tons than any other three churches in the CITY and
they are active members, too. Dr. Eaton has made
Shern fee personal Interest IL als church because
lie has made Z business Cf his work. Not more
than year ago he began q sermon discovered
three business men not members OF the church in
TIE audience and changed his subject delivering
a. eztemDore sermon The Business Of Re
lgiou." AM made his church thereafter On sun
days little short OF z business mans club.