Evening star., 1909-07-18

mated the whole Y NJ c. A movement,
of which he is the admitted head, al
though his title as an international secre-
tary puts him on level with certain
other men. He projected and organized
the great international student movement,
which has repeatedly during the past
dozen years called together the greatest
gatherings of undergraduates from insti-
tutionS of higher learning than history
las known. These conventions have been
held in America, Europe and Japan.
The work of picking and placing and
managing Y. NJ. c. A. secretaries all over
the world-for this force has been dis
tributed over practically every country on
earth-has been within Mr.. Motifs control.
He has achieved great distinction for his
Skill in selecting the right men and for
lis platform eloquence. Because OF the
International character of his work he
Jas been kept largely on the go, and has
repeatedly circled the globe.
One of Mr.. Motifs principles, which is
now pointed out as reason why he will
accept the tender just made to him. is
that no man should remain permanently
I'm student work. Young men should lead
the undergraduates of the nation. Mr..
Mott himself has been called young
man for so long that the public has for
gotten that he has reached middle life,
being fortyfour years old. He was
graduated from Cornell with the doctor
ate of philosophy in 1888. Yale made him
a master of arts. He is fellow of the
Royal Geographical Society and author OF
numerous books. Through these, but es-
pecially through his student leadership
and Y. NJ. G. A. work, he has developed
an immense following OF business and
professional men in all parts Of the land.
who would rally to his leadership. He is
uniquely interdenominational, although a
member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. 1t is generally admitted that
Mr.. Mott embodies the genius of the new
Federation of Churches, which Is really
the fruition OF all the preparatory move
Inents. like the Y. NJ. C. A. and Christian
FEdeavor.
Millions in It.
The general public has scarcely awaken
cd 10 the significance OF this federation OF
church, which has called Mr.. Mott to Its
chief executive position. The idea OF
banding together all the churches oi
America has been in the air for genera
ttons II was actually consummated In
Philadelphia last December. when the
twenty nine largest Protestant denomina
tons in the country officially enrolled
themselves in this federal council. each
denomination paying its share of the coun'
ellis expenses, and fully committing itseli
to this big project OF concerted activity.
I'm the churches which have taken OF
hcial action by their highest executive
alton there are 1900 900 actual mem.
bers This is not to count mere ad.
herents. The latter would total more
than half the population Of the nation
u IS the official character of the fedora
tion OF churches which gives II signii
canoe and power. 1t must not be consid
cred as IN the same class with such
volunteer and unofficial interdenomina
uonal organizations as the Christian as
sociations, young peoples societies and
Bible societies. The federation is tht
churches.
In addition to its denominational or.
Eanization the federation has got to.
gether in number OF states and Is al
ready a powerful working force in Wis
consin, Massachusetts. Maine and Rhode
Island. Part of Mr.. Motifs work will b<
the perfecting Of state federations IL
every state in the Union. together witt
local city federations. A western head
quarters of the federation has just beer
opened In Denver, with Rev. o. r. Gard
ner in charge.
The design is to perfect the organiza
ton so that all its power can be brought
20 bear upon any given point or problem
1T is largely to concern itself with mat
ters OF practical religion. A husinessIik,
organization which can make itself fell
at Washington or at state capital 1:
more To be desired than an ecclesiastica
gathering which can discuss learnedl,