The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
Urge Better Business Methods.

A committee of New York Iaymen, law.
yers, bankers, two of them newspaper
men. has made formal appeal to the Epis-
Copal Church in New York TO make mark
ed changes in its missionary methods
These changes are many, but the one OF
most popular interest contemplates a
complete reversal OF methods of men and
money raising. In all past times, and
in all religious bodies, missionary soCie-
ties themselves employ and send to the
churches secretaries to hunt up volun-
teers for mission fields. and to appeal
for money to maintain them.
These New York lawyers and bankers
propose that missionary societies here
after make no efforts whatever in New
York, and in their own behalf to secure
men or money, but that New York Epis-
COpalians take upon themselves the en-
tire duty of New York, and annually take
to the societies, local and general. home
and foreign. all the men and money they
ought to contribute Societies are not
to worry about income. nor deduct a dol
lar given by New York to pay cost of
literature, conventions, appeals, or any
other effort expended upon New York.
The statement is made by these Episcopal
laymen that God gives to those who do
blessings that He withOlds from those
who do not do. They propose to do, not
leave work to societies to do, and say
that New York has need for Gods rich
est blessings.
In order to put this new plan into oper-
alton these Episcopal laymen propose one
missionary society charged with the per-
fOrmanCe Of all work. Quite radical in
new method, they propose that this one
strong society shall help existing church.
eS, foster New York City and diocesan
missions, every sort and kind, and raise
money and train men for world missions.
They state that EpiscOpalians now pay
$4,000 in interest on mortgages on church
property in New York City, and as one
means to help missions they suggest
campaign to wipe out these mortgages
and thereafter give the $4,000 TO New
York.
These same New York laymen suggest
many new lines of work, new particular
ly in the Episcopal Church. They propose
that laymen OF abaility be allowed to
preach sermons, and then form into
regular preaching bands. as is done by
the Church OF England in London, to go
TO hamlets vacant churches, into parks
and streets, everywhere and at their own
cost and speak. These laymen also pro-
pose a complete reversal of the method
of periodical literature, ands urge that
New York publish its own missionary
paper, limiting it's contents strictly to
news. They would prohibit appeals and
official utterances absolutely, and tell
what New York does for itself, for Amer
lea, for the world; never appeals from
mission fields. but always New York
outward. New York's own story of New
York's work for itself and others.
II is said that these New York Epis-
copal lawyers, bank clerks, and other
business Iaymen go further in their sug-
gestions than any laymen have yet done,
and yet it is admitted that they are not
critical in their attitude, or laking in
appreciation Of what has been accom-
olished under old methods. Episcopallans
Of New York meet in convention early
N November. Should even part of the
suggestions be adopted, it is said that
New York will lead all other dioceses in
adequate and up-to-date missionary
plans 1t is known that the propositions
put forth by the laymen have been con-
,idered in advance by the bishops, and
,ther clergy to whom they are addressed. |