The Washington herald., 1911-05-07
I'M THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
RELIGION. Liberals, New Move.

Religious Liberals' New Move.
The Federation Of Religious Liberals.
formed in Philadelphia three years ago.
and representing progressive Jews, Hicks
ite Quakers, Unitarians, and Univer-
salists, issues a statement to the enect
that churches are not, in its judgment.
adequately organized to make their in
f1uence felt for world peace. 1t pro-
poses a meeting Of commissions from
all bodies and the naming of commit
tees in all congregations. The fedora
ton in this country states that its cause
has been much strengthened by the sue
cessful Berlin congress, held last
August where 1000 German liberals at
tended. 1t also states that 1t is its pur-
pose to locate a representative at WASH
ington during sessions Of Congress, there
to cooperate with other agencies in the
advancement of public Righteousness and
social justice. In this latter undertaking
1t is seeking to bring about union with
the Congress Of Religion and the Free
Religious Association OF America, both
holding practically the views and plans
Of the federation. At its third con-
gress, Just held. the federation presented
plans for unity, not along religious lines
alone, but in political, industrial. and
racial affairs. Particularly does it ask
Russia to treat Jews fairly, and peoples
Of the far East to open their minds
both to the liberal and conservative
Christian constructions Of Bible truths.
Religion and Social Justice.
Foremost social service workers have
issued an appeal to social workers
throughout the country, commencing to
them the men and religion movement" "
and asking their cooperation with 1t.
The appeal is signed. among others. by
Messrs. Owen r. Love1oy, of tAe Ma
tional Child Labor Committee: Graham
Taylor. Of the Chicago Commons; Homer
Folks. of the National Corrections;
Charles Stelzle. Of the Presbyterian
Church, and Labor Committee; John NJ.
Glenn, Of the Sage Foundation. and Ed
ward T. Devine, editor of The Survey.
Either before or during the conventions
proposed TO be held by the movement
between September and next May. social
service workers in all religious bodies
are asked to study. general conditions.
plan conferences, and, through the
movement, to extend the influence of the
church into industrial, labor, moral. civic,
and all other lines. The movement has
just issued explicit advance directions to
these and to other workers, preparatory
to the conventions, that will number at
least eighty-five in as many cities. The
teams are to have six experts each.
They are to be on work for boys. Bible
study home and foreign missions,
evangelism, social service. and COM
munity extension the last named an eff
fort to make the large cities permanently
responsible for uplift work in all cities
tributary TO them. The movement pro-
poses that this coming June II shall be
the time when churches formally recog-
nize relations with it, and start prepara-
tions for the campaign that is to begin
in September next.
Federal Councils Social Programme
The commission on social service of
the Federal Council of the Churches of
Christ in America has elected as execu-
tive secretary the Rev. Charles S. Mac
farland, who resigns the pastorate Of
Congregational Church in Connecticut to
enter upon the work. This council rep
resents practically all Protestant bodies.
having combined memberships of 10000 600
to 100000, and the commission with
the Rev. DR.. F. Mason North at its
head, is the agency through which
Professionalism in America seeks in larger
measure to bring religion to bear upon
labor, industrial, and moral problems.
Mr.. Macfarland is q graduate of Yale
University, and lately instituted social
service lectures there that have been
most popular. He has been active in
organizing social service work in the
churches of his State. The federation
has department headquarters in New
York, Chicago, Denver. and San Fran
cisco, but the social service commission,
with Mr.. Macfariand as its working
head, will act through all of them.
Friends Help DoukhObors.
There are 4,5O0 Doukhobors at Petrofka,
Saskatchewan, Canada, who came three
years ago from Russia, driven, as they
claimed, from their homes by religious
persecution. In belief they have some
doctrines in common with American
Quakers, and the Philadelphia orthodox
yearly meeting of Friends. just in ses-
sion, decided to make permanent a small
educational work undertaken two years
ago by them at Petrofka. About 81, 600
was subscribed, and notice was given
that additional sums will be sent. 1t
was admitted by this orthodox Friends
that many among them are opposed to
foreign missions. so called, but that they
heartily favor helping these Doukhobors.
Much enthusiasm was aroused over the
venture.
Y. N. c. A. Interests in Portugal.
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, indorsed and in some degree finan-
cially helped by wealthy American lay
men, is extending work among young
men Of Portugal Twenty years ago a
start was made, resulting in a director
getting into prison on one occasion, but
since the late revolution there, six addi-
tional cities have been entered with
work, making fourteen centers in all.
A new building has been opened in
Oporto. and efforts are now making to
provide a large building in Lisbon to be
the national Y. NJ. c. A. headquarters.
Americans have expressed willingness to
help. Swiss and English associations are
supporting workers there. Col. Louis
Ayme. consul at Lisbon, is to lecture in
the assembly hall of the Washington
z. M. c. A. next Monday night, and,
II lie understood, will give some account
Of the associations present efforts In
Portugal as he has observed them.
Training Volunteer Lay Workers.
Catholic and Protestant men of New
York are, without concert between them.
Identical plans to meet the same
religious conditions among young men
Of the great city. Three years ago both
began the holding Of retreats in summer
and schools in winter. The retreats are
for the deepening Of the spiritual life,
on precisely the plan as retreats long
held for clergy. The schools are for the
Of volunteer laymen in educa-
Hon and missionary, uorL rhy. .