The Denver star., 1914-12-19
HIGH EFFICIENCY
IN CHURCH WORK
Success Of AbyssinIan Baptist
n New York.
UNIQUE FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
Ably Conducted Religious Cooperation
Founded 1oe Years Ago Csisbratss
Anniversary With Series Of Public
Exercises and Raises $2,o4o-Resuits
Of Intelligent Leadership.
Dy N. BARNETT DoDsoN.


Of Intelligent Leadership.
BY N. BARNETT DODSON.
New York-The Abyssinian Baptist
church In this city, Of which the Rev.
DR.. A Clayton Powell is the capable
and highly esteemed pastor. recently
closed ten days celebration Of its one
hundred and sixth anniversary. Some
Of the most able clergymen and lay
men of the race took part in the ami
versary exercises. Inspiring and schol-
arly sermons were delivered by Revs-
n. n. Warning. w. ]. Lucas. W. NJ
Moss, W. II. Brooks, w. P. Hayes.
w. 81. Harrod and S. W. Timms.
Mr.. Watt Terry, the young real estate
operator of Brockton. Mass who Is re
ported to be worth nearly a million
dollars and Hon. Fred r. Moore urged
the race to save money and go into
business. One of the features Of the
celebration was recital of sacred mu-
SIC by an orchestra Of 6fty members
from the Martin-Smith music school.
Never before was a sacred concert
held on 50 large scale seen in 4
church among our people in this city.
The pastor and officers asked for
5000 during the celebration Up 10
the fourth Sunday in November $2O4o
had been reported. and some auxil
iar1es were to be heard from This
church has a unique and admirable
method OF conducting its activities.
The prayer meetings, revival services
and financial rallies are conducted by
the eleven auxiliaries. 1t Is the bust
ness Of two Of these auxiliaries to help
clothe and feed the poor OF the COM
munity. The Rev. DR.. A. Clayton Pow
ell has been the leader Of this congre
CATION for six years. During his pas
torate 1.275 members have been added
to the roll and $4,000 paid on the debt
In the words Of DR.. Powell, "Abys-
sinia is the richest and poorest Baptist
church among our people in the
world" 1t is the richest because 1t
owns about $3.50 900 worth Of property
and the poorest because it owes $134.-
600. In the face Of this tremendous
debt that would frighten most minis
tiers to death, DR.. Powell a year ago
did away with the well known table
method of getting q collection and In
augurated the pledge card and envel-
ope system instead.
The change has made a marked i'm
provement in the order and spiritual
life Of the congregation and has actu-
ally increased the finances OF the
church. The success Of the change
from the old system Is due to the in
telligence and willingness of the Off
cials and members of the church TO
follow the able and wise leadership of
DR.. Powell in conducting the financial
as well as the spiritual affairs OF the
church. The deacon board, the board
of trustees and the various organiza-
tions Of the church each has among the
members composing them men and wo-
men of influence and experience in
Christian work and who vie with one
another In their zeal to get the best re-
suits from their efforts.
Another reason for the success OF
this congregation is well organized
Sunday school ably managed and
whose influence pervades the entire
church, The young people are not
pushed back. but urged and encour-
aged to go forward. They are given n
CQunCe 10 exercise luelT tdieIit HIu gnu
experience in the best methods OF do
ing social and religious service in all
departments of the church in its en-
deavor to reach the entire membership
and as large n number of the needy in
the Immediate community as possible.
Thus many persons have been reached
through the personal efforts of the
members.
Still another strong lever OF upltft
and inspiration In the progress of this
church is n wei trained choir. led by
Chorister Page. The music rendered
by the choir il a feature OF service at
the public worship Of the AbySSinian
church which Is greatly enjoyed by its
parishioners. Professor Page knows
how to get the best results from his
efforts. and the members of the choir
seem to delight in making thorough
prena rations for their work.