Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-16
overehurchIna and UNDERMINING.

overchurching and Undermanning.
DR.. Calvin Clark and Rev. Frederick
Means.
Maine is chiefly rural State. The last
census showed only % towns of over 5000
inhabitants Sixteen of these had be-
tween 5000 and 10, 900, and only seven more
than that. There were two cities of over
$500 each, Portland and Lewiston. Since
1910 Bangor has doubtless entered that
class.
The effective distribution of religious
forces is therefore au-important for
Maine. Scattered communities and people
need a wide distribution of churches, but
must suffer greatly from overlapping and
undermining. Quality and effectiveness
of work require strong centres. Back
ward conditions in rural communities can
best be overcome by harmony and by a
growing unity of cooperation among the
different denominations.
Our total population in 1910 was $4,000
OF this the Roman Catholic population
was about 10000.
Among the 100000 Protestants there are
somewhat less than 100000 members of
the Protestant denominat lions, of which
$1,000 belong to the five leading denomina-
lions. These five had in 1906 seating ac-
commodations for $4,000 people. more
than one-half the Protestant popula-
ton. and three times the total number
of communicates. The average member
ship for each Protestant organization
was 104. The average seating capacity
for each preaching place, was 81. This
Co.
from general impression about the wide
distribution of religious organizations
and opportunities through the State. Are
there too many churches in Maine? Or
are the churches undermanned?
One of our most esteemed superintend-
ents says: I'VE are over-sectarianized."
Another secretary of another denomina-
ton writes: For our New England life
as at present constituted. think 500 peo-
pie fair-szed parish" 81 think / could
mention 40 communities in Maine that are
overchurched," Another word from this
secretary's letter must be added before
we close. especially since his denomina-
tion by uniting with the one nearest akin
to it, is just now setting us all an ad-
mirable example The fusion that is TAX
laS PldGc DSlNGSL bdpllelS ana i rec bdp
lists is sure to help remedy many cases
of overlapping. BY strengthening the
churches 1t will help to secure for them
better men.
Concrete Recommendations.
The remedies for these twin sources of
weakness. overlapping and underman-
ming, may be summed UP thus:
EGhratiNr
vide both social and economic stimulus
that viii promote community vigor, and
so indirectly will reinvigorate the
churches.
Cd Church activity and leadership in
the social and economic interests of the
community, to enable the churches to re-
gain their influence as vital forces for
community betterment.
90 The direct effort OF local churches,
aided by county or state bodies, and su-
perintendents and bishops-or if they
fan, by the help of the inter-denomina-
tional Commissioned combine unneces-
sarily competing churches. Where some
form Of federation is impossible, the serv-
ing Of neighboring small churches of diff
ferent denominations by one minister has
often proved feasible
tD The final word on this whole matter
/ quote from DR.. /. B. Mower:
1T is a delusion to think that the king
dom will come by diminishing the num-
Der Of parishes and ministers. But this
will prevent waste and the Cause we love
ought TO be advanced by the economy of
strength and money that would follow a
larger degree of cooperation. In New
England the spirit of religious liberty
and freedom Of worship came to an I'M
expected fruxion and we are reaping the
consequences"