Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-03-04
POTLACH UNION CHURCH.

Many of our readers will be glad .
to have brief account of one of
the most interesting churches in Ida
no. the Potlach Union Church. The
General Secretary had the privilege
of supplying the pulpit and of con-
Quoting the Sunday school in this
church during the month of July,
hence he can write from observation.
lie wanted to be in touch with some
Sunday school for at least four weeks
and therefore chose a town where
there was but one Sunday school. He
had heard much concerning the Pot
ZACH church-pro and con-and he
union plan worked
When the town was started, the
lumber company offered TO build two
churches-one for the Catholics and
the other for the Protestants, provid-
ing the Protestants would get toge-
Their and stay together This they
decided to do. A goodsized village
church was then provided for them,
but in a few years they outgrew 1t.
Now they worship in $13, 1000 build
ing, which seats 500 or more people
In the auditorium, besides the numer-
Gus small rooms. This new building,
heated and lighted. was a gift from
the company. The church is control
led by a committee OF twelve. as fol-
lows: Pastor, superintendent, clerk,
treasurer, head usher, three trustees
and four deacons. Twenty or more
denominations are represented
among the members, but the sectari-
an idea is so far removed that a per-
son will seldom show what church he
was formerly identified with. This
church is thoroughly awake to world
wide missions. having its own mis-
sionary on the field in Africa and
having others in training
The four weeks experience In Pot
ZACH gave the secretary an insight
into the delightful fellowship in a
small town where there is only one
Protestant church, and that is free
from sectarian strife. In some OF the
small. over-churched towns In our
. field the contrast is very striking.
, There the little schools compete and
the half-starved ministers become dis
couraged, while neighborhood Cos
! sip undermines the struggling
: churches and the outsiders stay away
= because they do not care to get mixed
Z up with the petty quarrels. 1t would
be revelation to some OF the resi-
y dents of these over-churched towns
: if they could spend a few days il
r Potlach.
n The secretary is not advocating /
n union church in over-churched towns
o but il would be good taste for the de
II nominations TO do a little trading
u withdrawing church organization
If from some of these towns and per
h hitting two good ministers to liv'
y where four now nearly starve. De
nominational leaders in the east ar
now quietly investigating some o
the fields in the west with the hop
of saving some OF the money whicl
has heretofore been wasted Eastern
, ers cannot understand why CONNER
, cial clubs In the West send out sucl
attractive literature telling how for
tunes are made In a day in particula
TO towns. and at the same time each q
III the three or four churches in tha
Is same town write to the boards bac
D. east. making a most piteous appei
TX for the little struggling church While
ie is almost down and out on account {
s. poor crops and poverty stricken PEI
p pie. The two stories don't hang &
D. gether. 1t might be we'll for the el
al terprising commercial clubs to III
s. some of their surplus energy In tr
ing to bring together the brethren
ey unity Idaho Sunday School Bull
nj tin.
ia Says l to myself. says |. the Tim