The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-12-09
USE CHURCHES FOR
SOCIAL CENTERS
IS NEW SLOGN
Nationwide Movement to
Minimize Sectarianism in
Country Districts Inaugu-
rated in Columbus.

rated i'll Columbus.
Columbus, O., Dec. determination
OF a nationwide movement 20 im-
| prove the condition OF rural churches.
largely by encouraging these churches
10 be community centcrs Instead OF
sectarian institutions. rs the principal
business 10 be discussed at the ma
tional convention of the Federal
Council OF Churches. which opened
here today. The convention viii o u
tinue through December 10. PTeai-
dent Wilson has been asked 10 make
on address at The concluding session.
The rural church discussion will he
under the direction of the commission
on church and rural lie, "a branch or
the federal council. Of which Clifford
| Pipchot. president OF the National
| Conservation association. ~ chlirmansl
Most other branches OF the council
have arranged only Tor business meet
ings without public programs.
Among the speakers on the pros
gram Of the commission on church
and rural life are Mr.. PinchOt, Rev.
Warren II. Wilson, NeW York. direct
or OF rural reform work for the Pros
byterian church; Or. Smaller Math-
ews. Chicago, president Of the Federal
Council OF Churches; President Ken
yon l.. Butterheld OF Massachusetts
! Agricultural college, President w, %.
Thompson of ohio State university;
Henry Wallace. Des Moines, agrlcul-
tural editor; a. H. Roberts, New
York. director OF country work for
the Young Mems Christian associa-
tion. Fred b. smith. New York. head
OF the Men and Religion Forward
movement; the Rev. Washington
GLADDEN., Columbus, Prof. Edwin L..
carp, Madison. n. j.. the Rev. HUI
bert G. Herring, Boston, the Rev. Z.
A. Hutchinson. Pittsburgh, Prof y.
G.. Branson OF the University of North
! Carolina. Bishop Joseph T.. Berry.
Philadelphia. Prof W. X. Tate. Nash-
.lVillc. Tenn. Rev. T.. Talimadge Root.
Boston, and Rev. j. Ross stevenson,
Princeton, y. j.
The reports OF two committees. one
that has been studying The church.
as a Community Center under the
chairmanship OF Prof. Edwin l.. carp
OF Drew Theological seminary, Mad
ison, y. j.. ana the other on The
Allies Of the Country church, under
the chairmanship of \. f.. Roberts.
head Of the rural work of the Inter-
national Young Mems Christian assoc
citation will also be read and dis
cusscd.
Speakers for this evening are w O
Thompson, president Of the ohio
state university; Rev. Hubert c. Her
ring uf Boston, secretary of the Ma
tional Home Mission society OF the
CONGREGATIONAL church. and Rev. r..
a. Hutchinson. who has been active
In civic movements In Pittsburgh
The need of vigorous n souud'
country life and the important role
play ED by the rural church In produC-
ing such "a condition were emphasized
IN the address which clifford piuChot
OF Milford. Pa, delivered here today
AS chairman OF the conference on
church and rural life. The confer
cnce was held la connection with he
convention OF the Federal Council Of
Churches OF Christ in America.
THE country church is one Of he
great roots from which spring uatiua-
al integrity. vitality and Intelligence.
It's life and power are of nationwide
; concern said MI. Pinchot, and con-
lunued.
we are here also to call the at
tentton OF the christian people of the
United states to the existence Of the
country church problem, and To ask
them Ia consider with us the needs of
the country church, to find cut how
best to meet these needs, how "a
strengthen and v~italize, n above all,
how to INT the country church for the
actual modern task with which it ii
face 70 face.
The problems which confront us
can no more be solved by the iudi-
vidual country church. or hy the
country churches of any one donomi-
nation, than The problems OF rural
life can be solved by the owner Of any
one farm, or the farmers of any one
state. In this. as m an other under
takings among men, union Is strength.
We work 10 best a%dyantasc when we
work together.
II cooperation among countsy
churches for the general welfare OF
the work Is sound ana wise, and II
cooperation among farmers viii lead
TO "a stronger and richer spiritual
mental and physical life ON the farm
then the country church as q whol'
Is interested IN cooperation amonf
farmers. I do not contend that tn
church should take the functions %
the grange or OF the agriculture
school but ! do believe that the IRE
uuent failure OF the country Churche
through their ministers 10 set int
productive touch with the work gn'
the needs of the country ptoplc b. ON
OF the fundamental reasons for tn
present weakness OF the couuti.
church.
The movement we are met 4
further is sound and practical in u
purpose ana deeply needed. tn
work which lies before the cuuntr.
church may well be second 10 no 9th
err In the power of it's thrust towar'
"a social order founded on h ethic
of Jesus Christ.