New-York tribune., 1914-11-23
CHURCHES TO FIGHT
TO RESCUE FAITH
Federal Council TO Send
Ministers to Preach
in Europe.
WAR NOT TO BE END
OF CHRISTIANITY
Is Beginning of New Era of Love
and Efficacy of Prayers,
Says Dean GrOsvenOr.

To convey the goodwill and sympathy
of the Christian churches in America,
the Federal Council of the Churches of
Christ in America is planning to send
n number of prominent ministers as
messengers TO European churches. in
cluding those in the warning nations.
THE purpose" said the Rev. Charles
). MacfHrland yesterday, should not
he misunderstood. We do not mean, if
we can help IT, TO let the war stop
Christian activities"
Mr.. Macfarland. who is secretary Of
the council and one of the messengers.
added that arrangements begun year
ago for world congress to consider
the general work of the churches would
go right on.
at has been decided he stated.
that this is just the time to push our
work harder than ever. We feel that
our conferences and prayers with the
churches in Europe will not tend to
lengthen the conflict"
The plan will be worked out i'm de-
tail at meeting Of the executive com
mittee, composed of delegates from all
denominations. IN Richmond, Va, De-
cember Q, 10 and II.
In his sermon at the morning service
at the Cathedral of st. John the Divine
yesterday the Rev. DR.. William "
GrOsvenor, the dean, declared he did
not believe that the war means the
breaking up of Christianity.
at has not shaken my faith" he de-
clared, "but strengthened it. for every
thing else has failed but the love OF
Christ. believe in the efficacy of
prayer. ! believe in the love of God
and His protection, and believe that
the war is the beginning of new era
in Christianity
Just as the French Revolution was
the overthrow OF feudalism, said Dean
Grosvenor, so. he believed, the great
war to-day would mark the end of ma
terialism and witness the heginnin0. of
Of St. Mary's Church, Poughkeepsie,
in sermon at high mass at st. IS Pati
a new era Of Christian brotherhood.
The Rev. DR.. Patrick Dalv. fcrmerlv
rick's Cathedral declared that II the
European governments had not gone
so far out Of their way to drive God
from the hearts of their subjects the
present bloodshed and carnage would
have been impossible. lie asked the
congregation 20 pray for the return OF
faith and religion to Europe.
The Rev. DR.. Christian +. Reisner,
pastor OF Grace Methodist Church, in
West lOlth ST.. spoke last night on
"Uscless Wartime Prayers"
surely ! am hypOcrIte If while |
pray for peace ! manufacture millions
of cartridges and send them to the
fighting armies" said DR.. Reisner.
Blind faith that requires exact an
swers really caused the present war.
Such faith claims that God selects n
particular family TO rule and that such
q designated family il so infallible
that its representative who happens TO
be king may declare war as Gods will.
Being Gods special representative. vic
tory for his arms is sure, he believes"
4 reply TO the scoifers at the recent
day Of public prayer was made by DR..
Reisner when he said:
"lf peace parades and one whole day
given over 10 prayer could stop war
which is the product of years Of depen-
dence on armament and a systematic
sowing Of hatred for other nations,
then we could afford TO ignore caution,
teaching and even morals. If any ma
tional trouble were to come up we
would only need TO have d parade and
a day OF public prayer, with one out OF
fifty Of the people Of the country in
the churches observing it, and danger
would be averted."