New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-02
Clergymen Want Revival
Spirit to Sweep City
OF April IL.
CHURCH ANTIDOTE
FOR LURE OF SIN
Or. Welch Says Religious Cru
sade Plans to Battle Sinister
Influence of War.

A revival Of the red-corpuscle re-
',ron which grips men and holds
them is coming to New York City just
,s surely as Billy Sunday is coming to
his tabernacle in Paterson.
This is the firm belief of the Rev.
DR.. Charles Whiteheld Welch. pastor
a, the Park Avenue Presbyterian
Church. and one Of the first clergymen
10 suggest that the baseball evangelist
q not essential TO city-wide spiritual
sntidote for reflex influences in Ameri-
esn life born of the European war
pr Welch believes in Billy Sunday
he wen. down 10 Philadelphia TO ask
,he evangelist 70 insert New York IN
his schedule. When that mission was
unsuccessful a plan was evolved TO
assist New York spiritual life through
the prayers of clergymen and laymen'
As chairman Of the steering com
n;,tee DR.. Welch called at City Hall
Yesterday, to ask Mayor Mitchell to is
sue a proclamation designating Mon
day. April l2. as a day Of prayer for
the entire city.
Letter Is Call to Prayer.
IN absence Of the Mayor, his secre-
tary Theodore Rousseau gave the plan
his personal commendation and sug-
gested that he clergymen embody their
request in a letter TO his chief. Dr.
Welch had the letter in the mails a
few hours later.
"A meeting held in the Park Avenue
Presbyterian Church Monday" he
wrote. voted to ask all clergymen and
church officials Of the city to observe
Monday, April ~, as day OF fasting
md prayer fer the outpourlng OF the
fpirit Of God upon the life o. this
city and that clergymen and church
officials come together in some ade-
ouately sized church for union ad-
ministration Of the sacrament Of the
communion.
''In view of this widespread desire
that New York needs a revival OF re-
hgion in the hearts Of all its people,
we would ask that you designate by
PROCLAMATION April 12 as day OF
prayer throughout the city. when all
people shall be asked TO so to their
respective places Of worship and pray
for a deepening Of the religious life
Of the city"
Secretary Rousseau said yesterday
afternoon that the Mayor did not re-
eeive DR.. Welch's letter before leaving
the city for the Easter holidays. On
his return Monday he will consider the
request AMI announce his decision to
the elergymen Tuesday.
This must be broad and compre-
hensive movement, uniting all the
Protestants of New York City," de-
clared DR.. Welch in discussing his let
ter. "All we need is tn stimulus and
faith to get out of the rut Of routine.
Plea to All Factions.
Friends Of Billy Sunday will be
willing to cooperate. because If they
want him 10 come here they want a
revival Ly whatever agency God sees
ft to send. Opponents Of Billy Sun
day will Join heartily in it. because
they, too, know that we need a revival
Of whatever cost Those who are
theologically conservative and the lib
ersl theologians will find it easy to
meet on the same platform when the
movement grows out of city and
nation wide hunger for spiritual re-
yitalization.
"Why have revival just now?
Here's the answer:
Reflex influences Of the war in
Europe and a corresponding depression
throughout all our American life have
brought matters spiritually to a crisis.
Such a revival as we hope for will
make problems OF law enforcement,
vice, closing of saloons and other tasks
very easy of solution. What we need
first is a rededication to God"
Associated with DR.. Welch on the
steering committee are the Rev.
Charles A. Eaton, Of the Madison Ave-
rue Baptist Church; the Rev. David J.
Burrell, Of the Marble Collegiate Re-
formed Church; the Rev. II. A. Stimson,
OF the Manhattan Congregational
Church; the Rev. James VI. Philputt. of
The Church of the Disciples; Bishop
Courtney. Of ST. James Protestant Epis-
eopal Church, nd the Rev. W. II. Nor
gan. Of the Calvary Baptist Church.
ms committee is sending out 1000
letters to clergymen and church Of
MEALS In all parts of the city.
Many Volunteer Aid.
Dr.. Weleh says that he has received
more than 100 letters from persons
VINO commend the movement and vol
unteer their services to bring the re-
wal TO pass
We are sure that every religious
S'ganization in New York will receive
nelpiul stimulus" said DR.. Welch.
ms is ot 70 be narrow or formal.
Dut religious awakening as broad as
.ne city is big. 1t is a shocking state
Affairs when you think that a COM
ratively small number of churches
"a IN New York are self-supporting. With
~ me people we have in the city.
hurehes are dependent upon ways and
means committees, city mission So
Nsnes and private endowment.
an comparison with the population
wv persons 20 to church. Yet |
lave G.e found that men like to talk re-
'on II 1t is put up TO them in
masculine way"
Ut. Welch declares that the delay
NJ. getting an answer from Mayor