The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-02-01

"'The greatest need OF the churches
in this age, )" said Wilbur G.. CIapp, sec
rotary Of the Men and Religion For
ward Movement" is for a general COS
pei publicity company, promoted by lay
men of all denominations for the rein
forcement Of all the churches and the
awakening Of religious interest and q
desire among the people. The success of
the gospel is largely a silent success.
The great number who are influenced
are never known"
Mr.. Clapp has been in charge of the
Wisconsin district of the evangelstic
campaign which is being carried on in
all parts of the country to bring men
and boys in closer touch with the
church. He said tbat statistics prove
that two women to one man are church
members. The movement with which he
is identified was started with the ex-
press purpose of working to the end
that men and boys be brought to real
i4e that their attendance at church is
most desirable principle.
Mr.. Clapp said that it is Well known
fact, ascertained by exhaustive investi-
cation and careful analysis of figures,
that in the United States the average
male criminal S tendencies are formed
between the years of IA and IS. Youths
who have escaped acquire such before
they reach their 18th birthday are prac-
tically safe. And this fact, Of such tire
meudous Importance to the whole social
and economic system, was early recog-
nized by the leaders Of the Men and Re
ligion Forward Movement. Therefore,
they determined at the outset Of their
campaign that .tGe of their principal
lines OF instruction and inspiration
should be that of work concerning boys.
Boys have teen interested in the
movement by organizing Bible study
classes and in every legitimate manner
to focus their attention upon the I'M
portance of becoming true Christians.
The detection among men for their
lack of attendance at church and inter
es in religious work is not ascrlbed to
the fact that men are less religious than
women, but because no concerted action
is ever brought to bear 80 interest men
in the church. In the movement now
sweeping over the country men in all
walks of life are coming forward and
are numbered among the most en-
thusiastic.
1T would surprise some people to
know that 100000 men and boys
never attend any religious services, /"
said Mr.. Clapp. "When this movement
was started we realized that we had a
big task before us, but we we're salts
fled that men were not staying away
from church because they disliked the
church, but merely because nothing waJ
done to attract them. We find that men
who have become interested in this
movement are more enthusiastic than
women, so there is no doubt that we
are succeeding in accomplishing the
object of this organization,
Men are being attracted to the move
ment by shop meetings held in differ
emit parts of the city at noon several
days each week, by theater meetings,
the organization of Bible classes, and
by similar methods calculated to arouse
their interest.
''The church will ultimately adver-
tise in the newspapers the same as
theaters are DOING said Mr.. Clapp.
Some do now with good results A
Boston layman said everything is adj
vertised except religion. One of the cry
ing needs of the church has been its
lack of conducting the business side of
the church on q business basis. We adj
vocate the introduction Of daily re-
ligious page in all newspapers, conduct
cd by men who have the ability to
make such a department. as interesting
as the sporting editor makes his page.
If the people are sufficiently aroused,
half the obstacles with which the
church now contends viii be eliminat-
cd.
The state convention Of all people
engaged in this work win be held in
Milwaukee February 25-2S, to report
on the conditions as they have found
them.