Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-12

Rev. John Van Schaick, Jr.
Rev. John Van Schaick, jr., pastor of
the Church of Our Father, has declined
to accept the general secretaryship of the
Associated Charities which was rendered
him one month ago. He gave his answer
to the board of managers of the organiza-
ton at meeting held this afternoon.
In letter submitted to the board the
pastor paid high tribute to the work of
the Associated Charities and asserted that
a man to fill the position of general sec
rotary must have a broad professional
training in philanthropy as we'll as gen
eral knowledge and interest in the work.
He declined, he said, because he believes
he can do more for the Associated Chair
ties and the community while occupying
the pulpit of the Church Of Our Father
than in the position of general secretary
of the charity organization. In closing
he urged the selection Of the strongest
and best man in sight, wherever he can
be found.
committee consisting of William II.
Baldwin, Rev. Mr.. Van Schaick and
George S. Wilson has been appointed to
nominate a successor to Mr.. Weller as
general secretary OF the organization, and
Will tdhc up the WOTk al once.
During the past month Rev. Mr.. Van
Schaick has been urged to accept the po-
| sition and 1t was the firm conviction of
many OF the pastors friends in the Asso
ciated Charities that eventually he would
see his way clear to give up his church
work and assume the duties of the gen
eral secretaryship, but In this they were
mistaken, as he believes he can be of
greater service to the community laboring
in the board of management of the or
ganization and in his pulpit.
Difficulty in Deciding.
There has seldom come to me d more
difficult question to decide than that con-
tanned in your proposition Of one month
ago that become general secretary of the
Associated Charities said Rev, Mr.. Van
Setback In his letter to the board of man
ayers, this afternoon.
NO work is more important in this
District. No opportunity for service is
more attractive and honora BILE. The man
who occupies that position has the closest
of cooperation with the progressive So
cial movements of the community, the
assistance of the strongest and best peo-
pie of Washington, fellowship with the
churches and synagogues. and a ministry
to a need that is real and imperative.
ITO meet the opportunities, however,
which come to him abilities of an unusual
order are required. Your general secretary
must De a Man vi great iHeHIdI, pHySlCdi
and moral strength. He must have bust
ness experience common sense, know
ledge of human nature, unfailfng patience.
good nature and sympathy. In this day
and age of the world 1t is also absolutely
essential to the largest success that the
chief executive officer of an Associated
Charities. or similar organization, have
a broad and deep knowledge of the ideals
and methods of modern philanthropy.
I'VE have seen what such a general
ton. During the past seven years Mr..
Charles F. Weller has rendered service
that all classes of our people have been
glad to recognize.
Strong Man Needed.
mo mistake must now be made. No
backward step must be taken. The
strongest and best man available must be
chosen to succeed men like George S. Will
son and Charles F. Weller. There is no
special reason for haste. The society is
we'll organized and those in charge are
doing good work. / do not, therefore. see
the need of my attempting this task.
Nor do / feel myself qualified as l should
be for the duties OF the high Office.
II do feel myself qualified, In a
measure at least. for an Office as high. In
which 1 have been able to render some
slight service, and upon which all the
charities and philanthropies must depend
for vision inspiration and strength. II
have no right to lay down my work as a
minister of religion to take up any other
work. however important.
LAS a citizen | will work with other
citizens and a minister ] will work
with other ministers to push forward the
things for which the Associated Charities
stands.
Il will do what can to put my church
and other churches back of this move
ment.
Science of Philanthropy.
THE time is coming fast when men will
no more question science in philanthropy
than they do in medicine or pedagogy. I
believe that the day is near at hand when
we will no more attempt to administer
relief without the trained charity worker
than We would attempt to run our schools
without teachers. or our hospitals without
the surgeon and the nurse.
II desire to express through you my
deep sense of obligation to the Asso-
ciated Charities for what the organiZa-
| ton has done for me in the nine years l
have lived in Washington. 1t has been
| constant educational force. 1t has
steadily broadened my horizon. In all
that l have seen of its work. it has
deepened my faith in my fellow human
beings. both rich and poor.
81 look forward confidently to greater
| things for this society in the future, and
| to help on the coming of that day of
greater things l honestly believe 1t to be
my duty to keep myself out of the place
| of leadership with which you would honor
me and remain a worker in the ranks"
When seen this afternoon Mr.. Van
Schaick said:
Il can add but little to what 1 have
said in my letter to the board of manage
ment.
Need for Charities Building.
IF the 100000 citizens of Washington