Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-22
SOCIAL SERVICE WORK
DUTY OF THE CHURCH
Rev. John Watchhorn I'M
presses It's Importance in Adj
dress Before Conference.
ErroM A srAtr CONFECTIONERY. !

lFhph y HlAtt t'hhEHFuN'hNA'
YOUNGSTOWN, Pa, March 22.-"tt is
as much duty of the Methodist Church
to solve the problems of social service
az to preach the gospel" declared the
Rev John Watchorn, of Frankford, in
an address to the $50 members OF the
Philadelphia Conference at the opening
session today. The spirit of the meeting
took it's keynote from Mr. Watchorn's
address and from a report which showed
that social service work is one of tho
rapidly growing branches of the confer
ence activities.
Some men place all stress in con-
verting men as units and then turn
them loose without proper organization,
said Mr. Watchorn. The church must
not only save the unit; 1t must organize
the several units to benefit the commu-
nifty. 1t Is an unfair criticism to say
that in cleaning UP the slums we are
substituting soap and water for the pro-
gram of Jesus
THE church is not reaching the work.
ing classes" he continued. "a group
which cheers the name of Jesus will jeer
the name of the church. The working
classes must he made to realize that the
church is dealing with practical affairs
which are vital in their daily life"
The report of the Conference Social
Service Commission, of which Herbert y.
Shenton of Columbia University. is field
secretary. was read by Mr.. Watchhorn.
Glasses for immigrants, for the study of
immigration, presentation of social ideals
of Christianity to Socialists and other
groups, and almost numberless activities
IT,
gerous and vicious living conditions" are
noted in the report as phases of the work
the commission is carrying on.
Glasses in domestic science are taught
by pastors wives, the report continues.
Free music lessons are being given The
unemployment problem receives attention
in churches where II is acute. Indecent
theatrical exhibitions were stopped and
film shows suppressed the last year.
The First Church, Germantown. was
commended Is conducting remarkable
and unique social service program with
distinguished and uninterrupted success"
Praise was given to the Deaconess' Home,
6ll Vine street, Philadelphia, for its work
in social service work
Under the commissions direction. chill
drens day has been used as an oppor-
tunity to preach sermons on social prob
lens and child welfare. One hundred
such sermons were preached in the con-
ference. Prior to election day i'm Novem-
Ger sermons on civil responsibility We're
preached Groups of factory workers
marched 10 special church services ar
ranged for them and services were held
in shops and mills
'If 1t weren't for the working man, the
Methodist Episcopal Church would be out
of existence today. The Methodist Epis-
copal Church Is the best friend OF the
working man." said the Rev c. NJ Bos-
well, explaining the relationship of the
church Nothing can be done without
working men, 1t will take eternity 10
tell what Methodism has done for the
working man"
Bishop w. r. Mcdowell announced that
he will reappoint the Rev. S. W. Gehrett
corresponding secretary OF the Home for
the Aged, Belmont and Edgely avenues,
Philadelphia,
The Conference voted to hold an after
noon session today and to adjourn to-
morrow morning.