Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-01-29
~ ENELOPMENTS that really count
/ in the religious life of America

IL
in the religious life of America
are not usually the ones that
make most noise upon their appear
ance. Quietly, and without public
notice. there assembled in Chicago a
few days ago four conferences having
to do with higher education and reli-
gion; and the actions taken are in
tended to affect deeply and widely
the educational and religious life of
the nation.
Five definite results of these re-
lated gatherings may be stated. The
first is q nationwide campaign by the
leading denominations to arouse the
churC hes to the present critical con-
dition of the cause of Christian edu-
cation. The second is an agreement
between the International Young
Mems Christian Association and the
denominational leaders that will CO.
ordinate these two agencies in work
for students at State universities. The
third is the Standardization of Chris
tian colleges, so that no Institution
can claim public support as a college
unless it meets certain uniform re-
quirements. The fourth is the launch
ing of q new campaign, on an educa-
tional basis, for the introduction of
the Bible into the public schools. and
the adoption of a book of Bible Sc
lections for this purpose. The fifth
is the organization of union of
Presbyterian college presidents
The simultaneous presence in the
one place of so many leaders in var
ious forms of Christian education
visualiZed the many agencies that are
always quietly at work creating and
strengthening the moral and religious
life of the land. Some of the most
fundamental of national questions
never get into the newspapers.
Thirteen of the greatest denomina-
tions were represented in the meeting
of the council of the church boards
of education, the most important of
the Chicago meetings.
Most of the State universities were
represented in the conference of
church workers in State universities
These comprised both Young Mems
Christian Association officials and stu
dent pastors.
College presidents to the number
of nearly two hundred formed an
Association of American Colleges
The Presbyterian College Union was
organized at the same time by the
heads of institutions belonging to that
denomination. They signalized their
entrance into the educational world
by advocating the consolidation of the
college board and the board of edu-
cation OF their church: and also by
making a classification of their de-
nominational institutions that re-
quired scholarly courage.
Uniting Work For students
II there has not been friction of
Young Mems Christian Association
secretaries and the student pastors
established at many State universities
by the denominations. there has at
least been a lack of cohesion and ad-
justment There has not always been
team work in the religious activi-
ties maintained for the students.
Now the denominations and the
Young Mems Christian Association
are getting together on the ba-
sis of making the Young Mems
Christian Association a clearing
house for all the religious
activities of n university-Roman
Catholic and Jewish, as well as Prot
estant. The association will give up
itJ participation in athletics, leaving
these to the students and to the uni
versity authorities, and concentrating
its attention upon the strictly religious
aspect of student needs.
Only those in touch with American
student life know what a great ad-
vance this action registers. 1t means
that all Christian forces will present
united front in attacking the grave
problem of the neral and religious
life of the American students. A fur
ther conference between the associa-
tion and UNCONVENTIONAL leaders is to
be held in Cleveland on March 10.
a Crusade For Christian Education
Less immediate and concrete in in
terest. but possibly of even greater
magnitude is the campaign formu-
lated at the Chicago meeting for a
nationwide campaign in behalf of
Christian education. These men are
not theorists. They already are in
possession of the machinery for NOV
ing all the churches in the land. They
have access to practically every pull
pit in America, and their recommen-
datlons are followed by most pastors.