The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-03-24
s. the great multitudes were concern.

ed. consequently it was imperative
that their minds and aspirations
should be turned to another world in
which 1t was possible for those who
We're true and good to enjoy eternal
bliss. Today the opportunities for
democracy the world over are richer
and fuller than they were of old, con-
s%equently attention is being directed to
the coming Of the Kingdom here on
earth. Today there really seems to
be a possibility of realizing the state
ment The kingdom of heaven is with
In" and 1t Is not necessary to pass
through deaths portals in order that
holiness and happiness may be ENJOY
ed. This eve concept of the mission
of the church seems to have its orig
in in the great modern study and
movement of sociology. Sociological
studies are the great lights which are
being used to illuminate the larger
and newer efforts of the church in re-
vice.
Three Fold Mission.
For convenience, then, we may look
briefly at the mission Of the church
from the three-fold aspect Of: first,
acquiring definite information about
the machinery of the church, meas
ure the terms Of its investment in
buildings and grounds, annual CO..
tributions and membership. Assoc...-
ed with this religious survey should
be definite Information relative to the
needs Of the community life and the
present charity organizations which
are ministering to those needs-phil-
anthropic organizations with which
the church should ally itself. Sec
ond, the mission Of the church should
express itself in the organization and
maintenance of a forum in which this
reliable information gathered from
religious survey might be brought for
presentation, discussion and organiza-
ton. This Forum should lot be a
place for passing resolutions. but a
real center for enlightenment and ed
ucation extension WHICH might be de-
pended upon when wise plans for So
cial service had been matured. A
third great mission of the church is
the same as that which has character
lied lei office always. affording a
great center for uplift and inspiration.
Catholic Church Praised.
If We should illustrate u first
point or mission Of the church by in
formation relative to the church as
expressed by seventeen Or more organi-
cations in Grand Forks we find that
absolutely no definite Information ex-
ISIS. IL Is dSouIleu lAAdl LAC SAAuASAA
property in Grand Forks represents
an actual investment Of from four
hundred thousand to five hundred
thousand dollars. It is likewise as
eumed that $4,000 are contributed
annually in Grand Forks for church
work; and it is also assumed that
there are from four to five thousand
church members In Grand Forks. But
these are all assumptions. You will
have to put Interrogation marks after
all Of them. Unquestionably there
should be an accurate religious sur
vey made Of this city. 1t would lead,
conclusions. One thing would. be evil
dent at once, and that is that the great
Catholic church is the only denomina-
ton in Grand Forks which is pursuing
wise sane and Christian policy. She
conserves her forces and does not
waste them by scattering. II the
Protestant denominations were to fol-
low her wise leadership this religious
survey would show unQuestionably
that a consolidation Of the four largest
Protestant groups would give a
church property having a value Of
about $4,000, and q membership
greater than LOO. whether sucn a
consolidation would be wise or not
would have to be determined subse-
quent to long and wise elaboration.
It would be no new thing of course. in
church history. We are already ia
miliar with the results OF church con-
%solidation in canada and in the small
towns of, United states. We are. al
ready familiar with church comfy
Dr.. Matthews. to this movement.
Surely the. great example of the vener-
able Catholic church. the new move
mente in Protestant consolidation, and
the large number of smaller church
plants in Grand Forks furnish food
for thought on the part Of every con-
structiye we'll wisher In this COM
munity.
properly associate with itself a study
Of our jail. hospitals. amusement
halls, hotels, homes university and
other Interests Of this city.
Religious Survey.
With reliable and definite informa.
ton acquired Gin the surveys referred
to. the church Forum might well,con-
Germ itself. This information should
be Analysed, organised and presented
by experts. There would be no IN
tention Of substituting the church for
the present charitable organization.
which are operating In the name Of
the state and other authorities. There
would, however, be very definite sug-
eestion made. with reference to corr
iatinG the church5And these charitable
organisations. Emphasis would, be
placed upon the need 81 both state
and church occupying q relationship
Of intsrdependence. II would b
FaS+5