The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-11-03
Men And Religion Movement
Sweeping the Middle West

Reports received at the national
headquarters in New York city indi-
cate that the Men and Religion For
ward Movement is sweeping through
the interior OF the country in a way
which surprises even those in charge
Of this CONFERENCE.-THE effort to inter-
est men and boys in all kinds of re-
ligious endeavor.
From Hamilton. Ont. to Dallas,
lin. Mo-: from the Mesaba range re-
gion to Atlanta and Mobile. hundreds
Of thousands of laymen. in all the
Protestant churches, are working to-
gether, to take Christianity out Of
cold storage" and set 1t at work in
the community.
One of the extraordinary incidents
of the campaign in Grand Rapids
which has just closed, occurred at a
Sickle Of the New York labor tenn
pie, and DR.. /. ]. Lansing, discussed
The Church and Labor The audi
ence at this mass meeting included
men Of every social station and Of
almost every occupation. Laborers
and capitalists, professional men and
mechanics. artisans and factory oper-
dllScS, sat elDOW " GlUOW, eNluClHk the
utmost interest.
Both Dr.. Lansing and Mr.. Sickle
pointed out the weakness Of the
church In respect to its treatment OF
the workingman, and also told Of the
strength Of the church when awakened
to its greater usefulness.
Millions Of men outside Of the
church," said Mr. Sickle. d n un-
derstand the church. On the other
l hand mono Nafv1fnn0 aPn nNt If tho
church because the church does not
understand them.
Workingmen Respond.
"workingmen respond to religion as
do no other people. At least I have
found this true in my personal ex-
perience. What are you as church
men doing to make your church at
tractive to the working MANI"
DR.. Lansing followed with a talk on
the same subject.
Misunderstanding is the cause Of
opposition between labor and the
church. They must be %reconciled." he
said. He told of the good accom-
plished by labor unions. of their high
principles and purposes. basing his
stand on readings from labor plat
forms.
Mel in the audience hastened to
AAS o00A CS5SSs
IF you take away the saloon, what
will you substitute for it in a social
way?" he was asked. Mr.. Stelzle re-
piled: Use the public schools more.
These buildings cost much money. Is
It a good investment to keep them
idle SO much of the time?"
What should the church do in a
employs women from twelve to six
| teen hours a dav?
II should fight it for all I was worth
after / had made sure Of the facts.
No industry or corporation has a right
to exist that cannot pay a living
wage"
community in which there is a strike
on??"
The church. as a church. cannot
commit itself to organized labor, be-
cause some members do not believe
in unions. Where the fight is for a
living wage. decent hours n SAM
tary conditions. the church should GER
tainly get in the fight. A minister,
init himself to organized labor, hut
not as pastor of a church,"
Reaching Florida Negroes.
The Men and Religion Forward
Movement is to be brought before the
negroes of Jacksonville, F"a., just as
1t is being presented to the white
people. At a recent conference OF
most prominent colored ministers had
the meaning of the work explained to
them. They will consult with the
leaders Of their churches and arrange
a. date for a meeting at which the ex.
tension committee will lay out the
movement for them. The preachers
who attended the conference appear.
ed to be deeply interested.
A plan to reach the two hundred o,
more Cinnamon in Jacksonville is also
being worked out. Information II
now being collected for the extension
committee. 1t Is proposed to estab.
fish a bible class for the Mongols
Many of those in the city are unable
to read English. and speak it will
be that the class will be subdividei
and handled through Interpreters
teachers from the movement TALKING
directly to those only who understand
and read English. while the inter
prefers ha lie those less proficient ii
the language.
Gideons IN the Work.
Announcement is made from Bos
ton that the Gideons, a national or
ganization of Christian Commercial
travellers. with headquarters in tina
city. has decided to throw itself int
the work of the Men and Religion
Forward Movement. Within the mex
few days about 400 members of tn
> Gideons, using 100 automobiles, will
distribute 5000 bibles among Bostol
! hotels. one copy'to be placed In eacl
: guest chamber ~ that every strange
. who Zones to Boston and goes to
' hotel will find a bible in his roon
, where he a e 1t If he chooses t.
: The Gideons have already distribute,
. $4,000 bibles throughout the hotel
of the United States.
The Boston boys work committee O
= the Men and Religion Forward Move
? ment has projected plans for a serie
! of educational lectures on severa
phases of boys work.. These plan
. were decided upon at a luncheon i
. the City club which was presided owe