Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-10-17

That Newark needs a religious
awakening is generally conceded,
So does many another city no better.
and Ia some cases worse. The need
OF an awakening is not particularly
of recent discovery. The moral and
spiritual life OF cities gets into ruts
or becomes cast in set forms and is
manifested in spirit more or less of
Indifference. An awakening implies
a preceding slumber profound or
restless. II there is the conviction
that Newark needs an awakening,
the conviction itself means so much
of gain. If the conviction is sup
ported by moral courage and spiri-
tual interest. the awakening is sure
TO come. The time for an awakening
is suspicious. The interest in prayer
for peace has brought new public
regard for prayer in itself.
There may be in some minds a
strain OF seepticism about prayer
under the older conceptions of
prayer and its functions. But deep
down in the consciousness of most
normal men there Is a saving belief
in prayer, especially in time of spe-
cial realization of dependence in
God. The first necessity of a re-
liglous awakening is a prayerful dis
position of mind. When a people
become so sure of a need that prayer,
or the disposition to be In harmony
with the recognized purposes of
God, becomes general and pervasive,
the first big step in the direction of
a religious awakening has been
taken. The conviction of need OF an
awakening, the consciousness of de-
pendence on God, and the spiritual
attitude of prayer, are primary prep
arations of individuals and churches
for any revival of religious interest.
Making Preparation.
Shall churches in Newark, or else
where, combine for the purpose of
evangelizing the community, or shall
they engage a professional evan
gelist to take command OF all the
forces? This question has already
been answered by the decision 10 use
all the acilities-ministers, choirs
and money-available in an evan
gelistlc movement, in this city at
least. on the part of the Protestant
churches, which will rely on their
own resources solely.
In other Eastern cities plans are al.
ready being completed for the advent
of Rev. William A. Sunday. better
known by the familiar and shorter
name, BILLY" Sunday. Philadelphia
Is looking forward to ten weeks of re.
ligious stimulus, unwonted sensation
and probably some irritation, under
the vigorous preaching of the base
ball evangelist. The coming reviva
for Philadelphia Is already being
hailed as the Largest and most en-
thusiastic evangelistic effort evei
seem in that city. Novel method.
are to be used to get the attention o.
the people and to awaken interes
right at the start, in advance of th'
evangelist's appearance. Cooperation
between the ministers and thel
churches Is now being established al
far as possible by the executive com
mittee of the campaign.
The chairman of the committee ha
explained his plan to bring from tn
district of Scranton, where last win
ter many were converted, 1000 trail
hitters," to do the preliminary worl
of stirring things up generally
These men will be divided into 25
teams of four men each" says tn
chairman, varied as to occupation
ability and testimony. They will b.
the real goods--no fillers-in, no joy
riders, no practical jokers." Thes'
men are to hold mass-meetings In sec
tons of the city, being divided during
afternoons in somewhat different for
nation of twenty groups of fifty mer
each. They are to make a two-da1
visit at a cost to the committee o.
5000 for transportation and to be en-
tertained by the churches where mass
meetings are to be held.
Such is the preparation of Phila.
delphia for the evangelistic movement
to open on January 3. Time ie beinl