Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-26

.,nsrst ton of the ministry of Atlanta
,r The Go-to- Curch Day, set tenta-
#velv for December IA. were given
The Georgian Wednesday,
Practically every minister in the
-,tv and suburbs now has pledged his
personal assistance in bringing out
-be largest church attendance that
Atlanta ever has had In her entire
1is+orv. All OF the ministers are en-
tusastic over the project, and are
entering heart and soul into the
work
FNpressions from many OF them
ore to the effect that 1t is exactly
he movement for which the churches
Of Atlanta have been waiting without
moving Just what was needed to
simulate the attendance.
The plan, in brief, proposes that
sysrz. church in the city and envi-
IONS seek to bring out its entire
--enbership on the date set so that
Atlanta may set a record for attend
arce that will surpaSs any other city
In the country of the size, and so that
interest in church work may be slim
G,ated beyond any point it hitherto
has reached.
Each Church to Get Out Members.
There is to be no PROSECUTING and
M petty rivalry. Each church is to
invite its own and not to work to get
attendance from other churches. The
thought Is not to establish the in
d.yidual supremacy of any church in
respect to membership or attend
ance. but to make s. striking showing
of the strength OF the church and of
religion in the city at large.
What the movement Will accom-
1!ish in the way of lasting results
was Illustrated forcibly by the Rev.
". r Hendrix. pastor of the Wesley
Memorial Church, one of the fore
most institutional churches of the
city
louisville made campaign while
was a pastor there very similar
10 the one proposed by The Geor-
CLAN" said the Rev. Mr.. Hendrix. 1T
vas a four-weeks' endeavor among
the pastors and congregations. The
climax came on the fourth week
when the churches had the largest
combined attendance in the history
Of the city.
That campaign was the most eff
fective and permanent thing accom-
pished during the time I was there.
n was a notable fact that in the
year after the Go-to- Church crusade
interest In church work was at Its
highest point, and the church at
tendance throughout the city was
nearly doubled throughout the
twelve months
This settled in my mind the ques-
non Of the pernanency of the re-
sults [ heartily concur in the plan
Of The Georgian, and will say for
our folks that we all will join in
me movement The date. December
"a, seems to he about right.
Methodists Welcome Date.
IT will be especially timely for the
Alethodists as we are just beginning
new ecclesiastical year, and in the
churches where there IS new
preacher the outpouring of members
will give him a good start and afford
him encouragement for the work of
the year.
THE Methodists meet next Mon
day in Wesley Memorial Church. and
The Georg1an's plan will be brought
Up then for Endorsement of the min
-S'erS OF the denomination"
The Rev. A. r. Holderby. pastor
n the Moore Memorial Presbyterian
church, said in regard to "Go-to-
Church Day"
I wish TO give my hearty indorse
Went 10 the proposition, believing that
such an effort will be a tremendous
Inspiration and a great help to the
entire city. If we can succeed in get
ing 100000 people to attend the
.HlTches on that day it will be the
1fsl time that such a feat was ever
accomplished in Atlanta.
As a matter Of fact, there are not
NuIuclent church buildings in the city
o accommodate even 100000 people
IL the calculation is correct there are
only about 200 church buildings in
me city proper, and the seating ca
P5"ty is not more than 400 on an
average. It is further calculated that
mere are in the city only about IS 600
"dIeh members, and if that be true
.-'u Jle church membership could
not be accommodated at any one ser
zee But, however that may be, 1t
true mat Atlanta needs q tremen-
.ous shahe-up in the matter of go
Ag 10 church.
Not Church Going City.
Auanta is not a church going peo
ne as all pastors know to their sor-
.g". Not one-half of Atlanta's pop
"alon attend the services of the
"1rches and not more than so per
eI. OF the church members regularly
e1s'hd The churches on any Sunday
'o.W+eVer bright the day may be.
. asked the reason for this con
ION Jhere Is but one to render, and