The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-03-31
MEN AND RELIGION
SECRETARY MAKES
RECOMMENDATIONS


the Washington Campaign-Im-
provement in Religious Condi-
lions ms Result of Movement I'm
Capital.
Fred ]. Nichols, who served as execu-
tive secretary of the Men and Religion
Forward Movement during its Washing
ton campaign, shows in his report that
excellent beginnings have been MADE TO-
ward improving the efficiency OF the
religious forces Of the District as result
Of the meetings and institutes helo oy
the workers Of the movement
Mr.. Nichols, who yesterday took up
work as assistant national executive sec
rotary of the movement in New York,
has presented the following statement
and. recommendations to Washington
clergymen and laymen:
The conference on older boys, Novem-
Der IO-I2. revealed the smaIf number OF
boys between sixteen and twenty years
of age in the Sunday school. 1t discussed
:he problem, suggested methods of secur-
ing and holding boys, and inspired the
leaders among men and older boys 10
undertake the older boys crusade to win
5000 older boys not now In the sunday
schools, and TO keep them there. The
crusade was launched and is continuing
boys classes were organized, old classes
strengthened, boys returned to Sunday
school who had dropped out and new
boys enrolled.
AT least FIVE new mems Bible classes
have been organized as a result OF the
movement Many existing classes have
been stimulated to better work and quite
a number which were organized have
undertaken definite programmes of work.
Bible Study Institute trained men for
larger and more effective service. Re-
suits are being seen in the improved Work
and attendance throughout the city.
ION Sunday. November IS, evangelism
meetings were attended by 7s6 men. There
were five conversions. The evangelism
committee, through institutes and plat
form meetings, stimulated large group
of men to aggressive personal evangelism.
AT least six new brotherhoods have
been organized to include a programme
OF definite Christian service In the
church and community.
THE eight-day campaign brought in
spiration and training. the most impor-
tant feature being the institutes, which
were attended by an average Of loo men
per day. Many note books are flled with
plans and methods trat have been sue
cCssful in other places. Gradually the
men who were inspired and trained in
these Institutes will swing things into
line
The personal canvass promises to be
one of the most important contributions
Of the movement to the Christian life OF
the community. 1t is significant in the
combination of forces. Protestants, Cath |
oIics and Jewish, in the good feeling !
developed. in the large number OF men
in active service. The most valuable |
point Is making available a list Of men
and boys of the District. There seems
IN 11e 10 n
ministers and laymen in most Of the
churches to follow up the canvass with
personal invitations. y number of special
events helped the campaign in many
ways.
"A committee of ministers represent |
ing the denominational ministerial asso-
Citations is now engaged in working out |
the details of a church federation which |
will continue and make permanent the |
work stimulated by the Men and Reltg-
ion Movement.
1T should be remembered that this L
is but the beginning-the train
ing school-of a five-year campaign OF
special effort on the part of local
churches and Christian organizations In
behalf Of the Christian life of the men
and boys of the District of Columbia"
In all, $50 meetings OF all kinds were
conducted by the movement during the
course of the campaign, and T.7S7 people
were reached. From October 20, 1911, un-
til March q, 1872, there have been, on
an average, five events each daily, with
an average attendance Of ninety at each
event. The attendance at committee
meetings was 1886; at addresses given
by the executive secretary, 2,S53: at spe-
rial meetings, 1922; in the eight-day
27.7S2, and in the auxiliary
city campaigns. 52S54. Special events
made up a total attendance Of 1851 in
addition to this number.