The Washington times., 1909-06-06
First Outdoor Meeting Will
Be Conducted by Rev.
DR.. Wood.
OTHER MINISTER'S
MAY DO LIKEWISE
An Interesting Program Will Pre-
cede Short Sermon Every
Sunday Evening.

II the success of the movement is tn
De measured by the energy and determi-
nation Of its leader, Washington is soon
10 see the most widespread series OF
outdoor" church services in its history
Tents erected in all parts of the CITY
In which religious services. will be held
not consisting solely of pedantic. Ia
bored sermons. but largely of music and
short, earnest half hour talks" and
to which not only the pastors own con-
greEation but any stranger seeking a re-
ligious uplift will be welcomed-aIl this
is embodied In the movement set afoot
by the Rev. DR.. Charles Wood, pastor
Of the Church Of the Covenant, and one
Of the most progressive Presbyterian
clergymen of his day
Inaugurates Plan Today.
The Rev. DR.. Wood has inausurated
this plan by having erected at sixteenth
and Monroe streets a large tent in
which will be held Sunday evening ser
vices throughout this summer While
admitting that the plan is something Of
an innovation here, Dr. Wood points to
its succe1s in other cities, notably PhiIa-
adelphia, and, moreover, he hopes that
it will be taken UP by other local clergy
men, that It may not be sectarian but
universal in its scope and influence.
In the judgment of DR.. Wood. whose
congregation is one OF the Capitals 1.sost
fashionable. the church should "get
down to the people," He regards il as
an ominous sign when any church, once
In the center OF residence district but
later hemmed in by the encroachments
OF business houses, decides to move
away and thus breaks its hold on and
its influence with the masses of the
people.
Churches Too Hot.
DR.. Wood was prompted in his idea
OF having outdoor services here because
of the fact that intense heat Of the
summer evening makes the atmosphere
of most of the churches unbearable and
the congregation disinclined to attend
Sunday evening services. That there
may be no reason to abandon the even
ing services on this score, DR.. Wood has
seized upon the outdoor plan as the So
luton Of the problem of keeping alive
the spirit and influence OF religious
work during the long, hot summer
mcnths.
The tent at Sixteenth and Monroe
streets will bid welcome to ali who care
70 enter because most or Df. WOODS
congregation leave the city for the en-
tire summer, II is likely that his out
door congregation viii be made up most
" OF those who have heretofore been
strangers TO his widely known and
quoted sermons. Seats for more than
300 have already been arranged, and as
MANY more as need be will be added.
DR.. Wood says.
Service This Evening
The service in DR.. Woods tent this
evening at 7.8O O'Clock viii be conducted
by the Rev. Joseph T. Kelly, pastor Of
the Fourth Presbyterian Church. who
viii deliver a brief sermon. There will
also be a program Of concert music con-
Quoted by Anton Kaspar. vio1inist, and
Miss FRANCESCA Kaspar, soloist, who
viii sing several numbers.
Notwithstar ding the strict Injunction
OF the Presbyterian General Assembly
and the strong influence within the
body Of the church itself against any
striking innovation, particularly Il ii
takes OF a form OF entertainment IN
promoting religious work, Dr. Wood
holds decidedly liberal views. Asked as
TO his opinion Of the so-called men
church" at Atlantic City, where the con-
gregatiOn is entertained with vaude-
vile performance and served during the