The sun., 1908-12-23
AN OFFER TO TAKE ST. JOHNS
SALVATION ARMY WOULD LIKE
TO CARRY 1T ON.

No sign That Trinity Corporation or the
chapel CousregatIon Regards eeri.
ousIy the Oner Of Col. W. A. McIn-
tyre. Head OF the Central Province.
The Salvation Army is willing to take
old st. Johns Chapel oh the hands OF
Trinity Corporation and maintain 1t az a
centre of relief and missionary work In
downtown New York. The army 10
willing to relieve the corporation Of the
expense OF maintaining the historic struc-
ture provided that the vestrymen OF
Trinity turn it over to them freely and
sympathetically.
Col. w. A. Mcintyre, the head Of the
central province of the Salvation Army,
suggested the plan In a statement he gave
out yesterday. Fl. H. Cammann. comp
troller of Trinity Corporation. who speaks
always for the Trinity vestrymen. heard
about the offer to relieve Trinity of the
expense OF maintaining st. Johns but
declined to discuss the proposition one
way or another. 1t is considered very
unlikely that the corporation will pay
any attention to Col. McIntyres offer.
Col. Mcintyre wanted it made plain that
he had no intention of offending the ves-
trymen of Trinity. but that the offer was
made seriously. He believed that as a
centre OF missionary and relief work in
the downtown district st. Johns could
be used advantageously by the army.
However, he would not like to attempt
the scheme unless the Trinity vestry-
men thought that it was practical. Col.
Mcintyre issued this statement:
Il can only say that ! recognize the
problem that the vestrymon Of Trinity
Corporation find on their hands in the
changed conditions that confront down
town churches. Locations that were
once splendid centres for gathering au-
dienoes by the development OF transit
conditions have been SO changed that
it is now almost impossible to get an audi
ence, and that would naturallyraise the
question in the minds Of the responsible
parties whether the good accom-
plished warranted the expenditure OF
money and effort In my twenty-five
have had to meet the same conditions
and / sympathizs with them most sim
cerely.
Il would make this offer. II II would
be agreeable to the vestlymen Of Trinity
Corporation and IL they thought that
tn0 63iVdUlOD COufQ D0 Vi NtCt
in continuing meetings for the benefit
of those who would find it impossible
or inconvenient to reach other places Of
worship at distance we would be glad
to undertake to conduct a reasonable
number of services each week, also the
distribution OF the Christmas dinners to
the poor mothers and children hereto
fore supplied by st. Johns Chapel, pro-
vided that the building was placed at
our disposal free Of expense and with the
hearty and sympathetic support Of Trinity
Corporation.
I'm conclusion I would say that we
could not expect to accomplish great
things; il is one Of the lesser opportuni-
ties where We would have to look for
smaller results, as In many other loca-
tions, and in making this offer am pre-
suming that 1t would not be offensive
to those interested. and II is only with
a desire to be Of service to the people.
as we'll as to those who are interested in
them. who might find our system u little
more suited to the present conditions.
A member OF st. Johns congregation
said last evening that the congregation
would not consent to such action even il
the vestrymen Of Trinity were willing
which he thought was most unlikely
st. Johns hasn't given up hope yet Of
being permitted TO enjoy its individuality
in it's venerable home.