The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-02
DEMOCRACY
 IN RELIGION Founding of the Peoples Church In Schenectady,
 N. Y. A Unique Application of the Initiative and Refer
 endurn
(Livy s. Richards)

1 A significant experiment in demo- cratic religion is in progress in Sche- nectady, N. Y. It is called The Peo- ple's Church and it's inspiring factor is Rev. Dr. George R. Lunn, who re- signed from the pastorate of the most aristocratfc congregation in that city to champion the interests of common | humanity.
 Schenectady is peculiar city. Ori ginaily controlled by conservative na- tives, it is today in the grip of apsen- tee capitalism. In ten years its pop ulation has leaped from 30,OO0 to sO,- 900 and the bulk of this ''outlander in. crement" depends for it's daily bread upon two immense industries. the Gen. eral Electric Company. employing, at maximum, 17.000 workers, and the American Locomotive Company, em- ploying between coco and 1000. Dr. Lunn, full of faith in the efficacy of the Christian religion to solve those problems, came to the pulpit of Sche- nectady's most substantial congrega- tion resolved to battle for a bettered social order.
 He began by insisting that what mattered most was not what doctrines a man professed to believe in but how he behaved himself as a man and brother.
 There arose a crusade to exile cer- tain notorious women outcasts. He did not join, but affirmed that women who were driven into social unclean- ness by the scant wages of un-Christ- ianized industry might not be half so guilty in the sight of God as women whose unearned wealth had been in part recruited by high rentals derived from dealers in vice.
 The street railway system in Sche- nectady had been owned and managed l. ~ TH1 ,,.@ ~ f had given good car service. had sold six tickets (called "red ticketsO for quarter and had been liberal with transfers. When the New York Gen. tral and Delaware & Hudson steam lines conceived the plan of securing control of trolley traffic in the Mo hawk Valley, refined compulsion" was put upon the General Electric people to sell the Schenectady trolley sys- tenn.
 On May 14. 1907. the new manage ment said: '"The desire of the com pany is to extend its service and to continue the use of the so-called red tickets; but justice to the company makes 1t unwise that it should guar antee in perpetuity this low rate of fare.''
 On March 1, 1908. the fare was raised to the flat five-cent rate. Although the general manager of the company was a member of the finance commit tee of his church. Dr. Lunn headed a citizens committee which first con- ferred with the president of the com papy in fruitless endeavor to se- cure a revocation of the raise: and later carried the whole traction situa- tion before the State Public Service Commission.
 But it was in his contact with the politicians that this fighting parson stirred up the biggest hornets nest. William w. Wemple of Schenectady was in the State Senate when Cover nor Hughes began his effort to de- legalize book making. MT. Wemple voted with the racing interests. For this he was roundly cenSured by the Schenectady Ministerial Association But Dr. Lunn thought it would be a good thing to have the Governor come over to Schenectady and make a speech. The president of the Minis terial Association was absent from the city, hence, pr. Lunn went ahead on his own responsibility; hired thea tre; secured the Governors promise to appear; by three hours telephoning organized reception committee, and had the meeting all arranged before the Republican leaders knew about it. When they woke up they were espe- cially solicitious that Senator Wemple should be on the platform; but Dr. Lunn would not have it that way.
 
 crowded and responsive audience. and, in the following election, Senator Wemple was elected to stay at home.
 Dr. Lunn's purpose in attacking po- litical graft, law-breaking and injuS- tices was not primarily economic but spiritual; to make religion vital among people alienated from the conventional church. And he said:
 'The church has failed to recognize in the great cry for better conditions and a fuller and more complete life generally, coming from the laboring age, veritable voice of the eternal calling all men of good will into active service''
 What followed was what could have been expected. In spite of the con- tinued support of few broad-minded men the run of parishioners having in- terests to defend took umbrage at this vitalizing of Gospel precepts; friction arose, tongues Wagged and finally though the congregation by vote of 26s to 101 urged him to stay, Dr. Lunn resigned and the consistory, with half its membership of eight about to re- tire voted seven to one to accept the resignation.
 So Dr. Lunn left the aristocratic pull pit in Schenectady and went to a thea tre to preach-to a meeting place in which has been born a strictly demo-
 
 Sunday. The evening I attended, 1,- 800 substantial looking, interested men and women crowded pit and balconies sang with gusto songs of democracy to familiar hymn tunes. bowed rever- l ently in prayer, repeating in union the Lords Prayer, and listened intently to a practical and pointed talk on every day religion. The Peoples Church has no creed and its government is ex- ceeding simple. There is only the | congregation. the pastor and an advis- ory council. the latter consisting ot one of the principal surgeons of the l city, two business men. an electrical engineer. three wage-earning working | men, one leader in the labor move | ment, and two places left open for wo- men. The initiative and referendum are applied in that twenty persons | may unite to bring any subject to the pastors or congregations attention Once a month there is an open forum discussion. Expenses are met by plate offerings and pledge cards.
 When Dr. Lunn left the First Re- formed pastorate 1,500 working people | in writing wanted him immediately tC organize a Peoples Church but he in- sisted upon first testing the attend. ance and spirit. That test he thinks | is now complete-certainly the Peoples | Church appears to be on a sound | financial as we'll as upon a vital hu- ] man interests basis. Five month.