Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-07
SOCIOLOGY AND THE CHURCH
What is Being Accomplished by
Earnest New York Workers.
SERMON BUREAUS IN ENGLAND
Agencies that Prepare for Any sOr'
of Minister of Any sort of
Greed Any Sort of
sermon.
RY n. V. FRANCls.

NEW YORK, Aug 6.-(Special TO The
Bee.)--The necessity for definite sociology
cal work for the men Of the church Is
bthy very generally recognized by the
New York City churches and many OF them
already are busy along lines which interest
men IN a particular way and with most
gratifying results in the way Of enlivening
the churches
St Georges churchmen have succeeded
in keeping the streets surrounding the
church and Stuyvesart park free from
solicitation at night The Washington
Heights Baptist church has Interested it,
self In the boys Of the neighborhood In
the movement 60 change the amusements
In Fort George park and in obtaining play
grounds for children on the Heights. The
men OF ST. Michaels have aided the rector,
DR. Peters In the work OF the committee
of fourteen and In legislation considered
At Albany The men OF the West End
Presbyterian church have attempted to
interest the small shopkeepers. clerks, etc,
in their work The members OF the Brick
Church Brotherhood have been organized
for some time in committees interested in
social and civic movements and are keenly
awake.
other Activities.
Two Of The members OF the Pilgrim Con-
gregstional church are on the Harlem
committee OF the Charity Organization SO
ciety. The organization has been conduct
ing an unusual series of meetings on Sun
day evenings which have had to do with
social work. The men in the Church Of
the Holy Communion, under DR.. Mottets
leadership have circulated petitions and
been instrumental in obtaining public
school in the Vicinity OF Twentieth street
on the West Side. In the Mt Morris Bap-
fist church the members Of the Bible class
have gathered information and conducted
a discussion concerning poverty and It's
cacses.
In the campaign against the moving pic
ture shows the Society for the Prevention
OF Crime was greatly aided by individuals
in churches throughout the city. Organi--
cations also which have supported or OPP
posed bills affecting the social and moral
welfare Of the community have found in
crets sing support from these organizations
both by letter or telegram and delegations.
Tho Congregationalists. Episcopalians,
Methodists. Baptists and Presbyterisns
have local declarations and in each case
have introduced social service in the COM
munity as an object.
1t is interesting to note also that inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL groups have been formed
In various parts OF Manhattan and the
Bronx which. have begun to take up So
cial questions. In some cases they are
composed Of representatives of churches
alone and in others combination OF the
social and religious forces of the commun-
ity.
sermon Writing Business.
While 1t is possible such things are known
in this country as preachers having their
sermons written for them by others, but
UP to this time 1t has not become regular
recognized business undertaking as 1t has
been in England.
There on the other side special sermon
providing agencies which for the sum of
Sl.25 will send manuscript which has no
duplicate; the usual terms of one written
specially are $3.50. Generally the writer's
are clergyman. some Of whom have agen-
cies Of their own, but recently a new class
has sprung into being constituted of otdi-
nary Journalists who have turned to this
branch Of writing
The better agencies have men in their en-
ployment who devote their attention to
special branches of the trade. Thus one
firm claims to have specialists in the fol-
lowing branches Foreign, home, mission,
baptism. matrmony, funeral, flower, tenn
perance. territorials, Introductory and fare
we'll. One advertisement reads:
Modern Sermons: Original written, by
hand. All subjects 2s. cd each. Special
Harvest IS. Confined to the Clergy. Edited
by M. A. Oxon.
Another is as follows;
Original sermons In clear Ms. iithography
by benefited clergyman, late travelling fell
low and chancellors medallist of his uni
versity.
n, - . a.. -. - -eot... .oott3
ment about the trade. the clerical authors.
attaching their names and addresses In fun.
These advertisements appeal to ali, being
specially prepared for use by clergymen OF
the High Church. Low Church, and 80 on. =
Goods are offered for sale to suit every
sect and every course. So far has the
business been organized that II is possible
TO become member of sermon circulate
ing library. In fact. a special service of
Original sermons is carried on in exactly
the same way lines being the same as a
circulating library, the terms being based
on rate of So cents per sermon Fancy
listening to a series OF 80 cent sermons
for yearl Sun another service" offers
Its wares at an inclusive charge, fixing its
terms at a low rate: Quarterly subscrip-
tion" 13s 3d.
Frequently large numbers of sermons are
OfIered Tor sale by the executors OF ue-
ceased elergymen, exclusive rights being
given. In this way many apparent bar
gains are offered. Thus one such adver-
tsement offers 800 autographed MS. SER
mons. the property of deceased clergy
man; well suited for a village congregation,
VIII accept pds, cash"
Roof Garden Services.
The roof garden is playing an important
part In the open air service campaign this
summer At 81. Bartholomew parish
house a big screen has been set up on
which Is shown the complete evening prayer
service. so that neither lights nor prayer
books are necessary TO the congregation.
Scenes mentioned In the bible lessons and
texts are also shown. and thus emphasized.
Every Sunday morning there isua sunday
schol on the roof where there Is also an
illustrated study OF the heroes OF the Old
Testament
Al the Madison avenue Baptist church.
the roof OF the parish house Is crowded
daily from $50 o'clock until dusk with a
crowd OF little children who play games,
have drills. or receive instruction OF a
varied nature An instructor looks after
these little people and keeps up constant
interest aud enthusiasm. When the weather
does not permit of these open air pleas
rraa thare ia an adjournment "a the large