Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-08
URGES CHURCHES To-
TAKE IN FOREIGNERS.
Their Attendance Would Be a
Tribute, Declares Speaker
at Madison.
Especial TO the Evening start


MADISON. April S.-"Immigration"
was the subject of the last of the
series of interdenominational mission
lectures held yesterday afternoon in
James Assembly Hall. The speaker
was Rev. William p. Shriver, of New
York city, author of the interesting
book, Immigrant Forces" Mrs.
James 4. Webb presided, and in clos
ing expressed her thanks for the CO.
operation of all those who had con-
tributed in any way to the immense
success of these lectures.
In the lower section of New York."
said the speaker. you will find many
of the simple old homes of immi-
grants-old homes that We cannot but
believe sometimes are productive of
d timer, fairer and better life than
the marble palaces on Fifth avenue,
which are, at best, somewhat strained
IN their attitude. 1t is remarkable
thing that Fifth avenue begins in an
Italian colony Of 1000 and ends in a
Jewish settlement, with the dwellings,
OF the wealthy class in between.
- MS immigrant State of today is
an Open human and social challenge
10 the purpose aud forces which
Christ gave to the church. Now. what
IS the problem and business of the
church? We will discuss this a little
later.
Foreign Merchandise aud Labor
1T has been the policy of this coun-
try TO keep practically the open door
toward other nations with regard to
imnligra ton, excluding only parts of
the yellow races. 1t has always
seemed stra nge to me that we close
Of no Try To ion
merchandise and yet open wide our
doors TO foreign labor. Yet we are
told that this is for the good of our
workingmen.
Immigrants from countries in the
centre of Europe come here in order
that they might make a better living
and better life. They show the
spirit of the pioneer who risks all to
lind fairer and better life for him.
self and his loved ones.
During the last several years there
has been an average of 900, coo
foreigners entering our ports every
year. During the year ending last
June there was a total of 100000
There are, however. q number return
ing each year. The proportion is
about one returning for every three
who enter the country. In the New
England States the foreign-born
population is only > per cent. higher
than il was ten years ago. The old
historic house of Paul Revere is now
surrounded by an Italian colony.
Country No More Foreign.
This country" continued Dr.
Shriver, "is not any moro foreign
than it has been on account Of this
immigration, but it is different. Grand
new springs are being tapped and
they are coming here to stay. These
immigrants are opening up a great,
new world of interest, a study of
which is most fascinating"
At this point the speaker contrasted
the traditions, pride and patriotism
OF these people in their own land with
the section in which they are settled
= IN this country. lie instanced the
coke fields of Pennsylvania. These
areas of human desoation, said he,
are the by-product of the great in
dustries of our country.
''Tu tho first place" said the speak
er, touching on the part of the church
in this work, "the churches must be
inspired with u fine new spirit of
service. They must begin with q
keen perception of human and social
conditions The immigrants need real
human friendship. The church must
show intelligent discernmcnt without
any degree of patronage You can't
PITY tncSS immigrants DecduSe tpeY
are proud of their blood and their
traditions and are independent. There
could be no finer tribute to q church
than to have these people gladly flock
to it's open doors. The trouble is in
q great many cases that after the
doors are thrown open they won't
enter and | don't blame them. Don't
try to do things for these people but
do things with them. CIIere he in
stanced tine confusion and talk Gre
ated by the social survey at Morris
town. AS one way of helping, he
suggested that an exhibit of houses
be held and they the Foreigners be
invited. They admire beauty, he
said.
"In closing ] wish 10 say that the
church is challenged as never before
to incarnate the spirit of Jesus
Christ"