The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-01
SOCIAL SERVICE
BYTHEC CHURCHES.
ORGANIZED Effort in This Field
Celebrated April |
STEDZLE, THE PIONEER
Labor Sunday" Established, So
cial Surveys Instituted and Eff
hciency Plans Promoted
-, THE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER.)

tbc vogue with the churches, it is
surprising to look back and find that
3, is but ten years ago next Monday
since the first social service depart
ment Of a religious denomination was
orcaniZed by the Presbyterians. The
Northern General Assembly, on April
J. 1903, established the Department
# church and Labor" and that de-
c~ennial anniversary is now being
recognized in many Presbyterian
c~hurches.'
Within this decade most of the
great religious denominations have
added a social service feature to their
work. under the direction OF a Spe-
oialist. Even the Federal Counc of
churches las a social service depart
ment which is merely the aggregation
of the de~nominatiOnal departments.
and its plans and li~teratures are
largely those of the Presbyterians.
While there are many criticisms
ot social service on the part Of per-
Sous who would adhere solely 20 di-
rect evangelistic work, it is neverthe-
less evident that social service has
t,come a permanent feat lrF OF mod
crn religious activity. The Presby-
terrain General Assembly defines the
functiOYs of it's bureau of social SEW
ice as being ITO study social cOndi-
,ions as they are related to the prog
ress Of the Kingdom of God. and to
suggest to the church practical ways
of realizing the social ideals Of the
gospel"
4 Leaders Romantic Rise.
The explanation Of the departure
ia church work which is Q being
celebrated is simply a man. Charles
Stclzle, the machinist preacher, is re-
Suoncihlo for tho OrOa niZatiOn Of the
department of Church and Labor OF
the Presbyterian denomination. In all
he interesting history of the past
ten years there has been nothing more
worthy OF remark han Stelzle's own
story.
Tie is a child of the East Side of
New York. Injured to tenement labor
IN early childhood, apprenticed to the
machinist trade in the Hoe Printing
Press Works. he fought his way up
TO something k an education, Sc
cured through the free library. He
Was in bOyhood recruited into a Pres.
hyterian mission and became am
bilious to do Christian work. AL
though he is now an ordained minister
of the gospel, he is still guiltlesS OF
either college or theological educa'
ton. and he still carries his card Of
membership in the machiniStS' union
There have been compensations FOL
Stelzle's lack Of classical education
he has the efficiency of the America,
practical man." Whenever churcl
leaders in any department look abou
FOR somebody capable Of putin.
first of Sickle. 1t was in order t
utilize his special gifts that the De
partment OF Church and Labor wa
established. He Is today the fOremOs
figure in the field Of social service i
America. He also has organized an
addressed h largest mems meeting
ever held under religious auspices i
this country. 1t is estimated that h
has spoken to more han half a mil
non working men in the past tie
wears. Stelzle shared with Fred I
Smith and Raymond Robbins the hor
"rs Of the Men and Religion cam
paign. A t~ireless, inventive. re
sourceful Misrepresentation American
ne has the ability to rise to any o.
casion and any responsibility.
Beginning With h Working Man
Because this dinner-pail preache
Stelzle, was making a commotion
the church papers and in labor NEE
lngs, the Board of Home Missions
the Presbyterian church seized upC
MIN to help bridge the chasm betwet
the church n the working man. N
body expected very much of the a
venture, except that such an off
would at least show the good W
Of the churches and possibly he
solve the consciences Of the chur,
people. Offices were established f
young Stelzle in Chicago.
1t was not long before the who
church Knew that he was 'on the jOt
fere was a man who was less CO
'erned about holding an Office tn;
about doing a task. He went at hin
IN big fashion. He was found as
favorite speaker at the national co
Ventions Of the Federation Of Labor.
He organized a system of delegat
between the ministers meetings a
the central labor unions of scores
cities. At his instigation, hundreds