Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-12

a city-wide federation Of the
churches of Newark ought not to be
more difficult of accomplishment
than it is for other cities. There is
the same need here as in other cities
of a concentrated, cooperative, com
pact forward movement OF the
churches. Mass formation and ac-
cord of purpose, Christian fellowship
and unity of spirit ought to be as
effective here as it is proving TO be
In several other cities. The dlner-
ences of UNCONVENTIONAL polity ought
not to be allowed to stand in the
way of the social and spiritual eff
fectiveness of a federated movement.
The old-time competitive spirit, and
! possible sanctified jealousies, DO no
longer cyst, or provide a deterrine
barrier. The churches have come
into a, larger manhood. it is to be
hoped, and have developed somewhat
in the moral and spiritual stature
of the Christ. If this hope is not a
delusion it may be expected that the
barriers to a federation are so slight
| that they win readily yield before
the pressure of a little additional in
terest and well-directed energy
toward this end.
Securing Readjustment.
Federation Is effective in securing
the reimbursement of church areas OF
service so that the whole field may
be adequately covered. 1t Yields
Christian churches into a unity OF
Christian fellowship. 1t provides q
means for publicity for the work OF
the Christian church as a whole. 1t
reveals to the Indifferent, the cynical
and the critical the fact that church
is one. 1t also puts the churches
in such form that in an emergency
they may act quickly and respon-
sively. In numerous ways to be dis
| closed as time passes and experience
deepens. the federation idea, reveals
its value and serviceability. 1t is a
constructive idea. 1t does not tres
| psss on any chureh's exclusive do
! main. 1t is an aid and not q
hindrance to the educational and
Transforming work the churches are
established to do for the community.
1t is conceivable that in order to
have an effective federation the
movement should proceed from the
churches themselves and largely from
the laymen. Their interest is to be
secured and to them the value of q
city-wide federation explained. This
may call for a campaign of education
laymen do not yet know what the
federation idea is, Notwithstanding
all that has been printed in various
ways about it, Perhaps denomina-
tional journals have not kept steadily
before members of churches the fed
Grafton idea, or in other ways pub
licity that might have been given
has been lacking in thoroughness Of
explanation and in energy. ~
Becoming a Force.
Other large cities have declarations
that are coming to be a force for
good in their respective communities,
especially since the Men and Re-
ligious Forward Movement of a few
years ago. All mass meetings of gen.
eral religious character, the taking of
the religious census of city, sys-
tematic visitation of families Of the
city, the publicity work of the
churches, and other enterprises not
undertaken by any one church, is
being put in charge of the federation.
The economic question of the ex-
penditure of money, time energy or
other resources of the churches In
maintaining four or five churches in
town or city area where two are
sufficient is becoming yearly an acute
question. Long ago what is known
as the Maine plan" was conceived
! and put into effect on the part prac-
ticaily of all denominations when the