The San Francisco call., 1913-11-18
,GOTOCHURCH
DAY IDEA
FAVORED
Clergymen of City Indorse
Movement; Declare 1t
Will Be Success


More clergymen of San Francisco
have come forward and praised the
idea of a "go to church day move
ment for this city
They have expressed their belief
that it would meet with success and
result in a great many people becom-
ing regular church goers who now are
prone TO neglect this feature of their
life.
The question that appears most
important at the present time con-
cerning the movement is the naming
of a day to be known as "go to church
day" in San Francisco. This question
will be settled by the clergy
) Here are a few views expressed by
the pastors of various churches of the
city:
Rev. DIR. Bradford Leavitt-I am de-
cidedly in favor of the plan for a
go to church day." because I feel
that il would prove a great success.
IN the first place. San Francisco is
not strictly a church going commu-
nifty. 1t is rather a pleasure loving
city. Habit plays a great part in
the lives of any people. If the
habit of church going were culti-
vated it would finally become a
pleasure, just as it is in the New
England and most of the middle
western states, where the habit of
church going is almost a matter of
hereditary impulse. 1 think the
church have advanced a great
deal, but there are great numbers
of people who do not realize this
fact. They stay away because they
have an idea that churches are stil3
~r,.+ Nf,arr Ia fsv let
would soon dispel this belief and
the churches would become more
popular than they are.
Rev. Harold $. TutsIe. pastor of the
Bethany Congregational church
The idea of a "go to church day
movement should prove a great
success and rebound credit on its
instigators It undoubtedly would
elevate the ideals OF the people
and result in church going becom-
ing more regular. Too many peo-
pie through unconscious negli-
gence are inclined to slight their
spiritual duties in this respect and
I. for one, feel that the idea of
'go to church day movement
would be boon to the community
and the spiritual side of its people.
I heartily favor the movement
Rev. Philip Andreen, pastor Ebenezer
Lutheran church, am heartily
in favor of the magnificent idea
of having a "go to church day"
in San Francisco. There is a vast
number of people who wish. in a
way, to be aff1liated with Christian
itv, and who have their children
baptised and confirmed. but who do
not attend divine worship, as one
has a right to expect they should
under the conditions. This grand
idea will be an inspiration TO many
and church going should be in the
ascendancy. Ny church numbers
some 500 souls. but il could just as
well number several thousand if the
people had not fallen into religious
lethargy. Brighter and better days
will come for the church.
Rev. f H.. Benson, pastor Church of
St. John the Evangelist think
the idea of a go-to-church-day'
for San Francisco is a very good
one, and I certainly would like ia
see il a success. However, l am
rather skepticaL The idea, while
il naturally would appeal to all
clergymen, appears almost revolu-
tionary. San Francisco is rot a
church going community, and it
would be a most difficult task to
change il into one. Butt in spite of
this / certainly should like to see
il become reality and will gladly
do all in my power to aid the cause.