Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-08-13
WELCOMES, YET
FEARS EFFECT OF
MODERN CHURCHES
Rev. DR.. E. Girtanner Does Not
Favor Club-rOOm and Bowl
ing Annexes.

The breaking of ground for several
new churches on the ''Hilr' and in the
Clinton section of this city is meeting
with the approval Of the old church
congregations that have heretofore
catered exclusively to the religious con-
stituency in the uptown districts.
The activity of the downtown Luther
an and German UNCONVENTIONAL flocks
to erect new churches in the section
above Bergen street has been most
pronounced. Nevertheless, the pastoral
dean of the German church-going peo-
Pile above that street, the Rev. DR.. T..
Girtanner, Of the German Reformed
Church, at 81 Blum street, which has
stood in the heart of the present
church Incoming" territory for h past
forty-four years. sees in this encroach-
ment a decided era OF religious adj
vancement. He is just closing a twen-
ty-six-year pastorate at the local
church, and he views the changing sit
uation most optimistically.
"I am pleased to see that the down
town churches are anxious to meet
the condition of the times" said DR..
Girtanner, when seen at his home.
They are moving to better keep in
touch with their people.
"Our religious life has. I believe, even
changed more rapidly than the re-
movals of the churches TO more de-
sirable sites. l am not a bit selfish
because other German flocks are NOV
ing up into this vicinity, for there is
room for us all.
"oId Methods Arc Cnst Aside"
Nevertheless, the methods of old
are being cast aside and a newer and
more modern view of meeting the re-
ligious conditions Of the times is con-
fronting us.
TN the German church, particularly,
we find that the children are allowed
by the parents to drift away from the
use Of the mother tongue, which means
that the coming generations will find
the English-speaking churches more to
their taste.
This is a bad precedent, for not only
does that lessen their inclination to
attend services, but it also weakens
their value from a commercial stand
point, for the employee hat can speak
both German and English can COM
mand a higher salaried rating.
Then. again, we are coming to the
clubroom and the bowling alley in the
churches-things that would not have
been countenanced twenty years ago.
The Bible and its teachings never vary.
They are the same as yesterday, today
and will endure to the end of time.
in my plain, square-outlined church
l talk to my people of the pleasures of
contentment, a condition that cannot
be enjoyed by a pastor or flock who
have a handsome new church to wor-
ship in that is bowed down with debt.
we socially and r~eligiously have our
but they should conform TO that
Christ-like simplicity that makes us
take down the bars and sincerely love
another.
my church has been most success
ful, for we worship together as one
family; each one interested in
the welfare of ALL"
The Rev. DIR. Girtanner is one of
Newark's oldest and most representa-
tive scholars. His congregation num-
bers over 200 and the Sabbath school
has a still larger membership. The
Aid Society is n of the most
church organizations and
has or its roll 100 members, who take a
most active interest in the upbuilding
Of the denomination.