Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-05-07
PASTOR
IN EAST ORANGE
Rev. Ralph H. Ferris Formally
Assumes Charge of Con-
gregational Church.

That successful parish work is not
solo performance by the pastor
OF any congregation. but an ensemble
Of various instrumentalities working
in harmony, the congregation mem
hers sharing responsibility with the
Clergyman. was the statement made
last niSht BY Rev. Harry Emerson
Fosdick. OF the First Baptist Church,
Montclair. at the installation ef Rev.
Ralph Han Ferris as pastor Of the
First congregational Church, Main
and Grove streets. East Orange. Rev.
Mr.. FoSdick gave the charge 70 the
people.
He asserted that Christianity is a
laymen's movement, having been
started by Jesus Christ with lay
members as His Co-workerS Many
of the greatest movements in church
history. he said. have been conSum-
mated by the men and women Of the
various congregations. lie also sug-
gested the transfer 10 church work OF
the successful rules which have been
tested in business, utilizing the pas
tor as an expert in the big tasks OF
the parish.
And, remember. there are many
things which essentially your pastor
cannot do for you. He cannot eat
for you. cannot breathe for you. nor
can he fall in love for eea. Christian
ity is a movement in which the indi-
vidual in his daily life comes face 20
face with God. You cannot buy your
pastor or anyone else 10 do your reli-
gious work for you in its entirety.
Should be No ~Sctos Wcrk.
Every one In this church should
feel his or her personal responsibility.
There can be no solo work. The first
violin in the orchestra cannot Inter
pret the entire musical score There
are many times when the minister
feels that to set all the work for one
instrument. is too hard a task for one
man. And you must learn TO save
your pastors time.
Some people who would never
think of stealing his money, without
a twinge of conscience will steal his
time, which is far more valuable.
And then to expect too much of him
is unreasonable. / am reminded of
the glory of a sunrise in the Alps. 1t
takes four full hours from the time
the first peep of dawn shows until
the sun appears in the full beauty of
the picture. An American moving
picture man will show you Tyrolese
sunrise In exactly ninety seconds.
Phillip Brooks once said a
sermon was taking a flower from his
heart to unfold It's beauty in the pull
pit for the people. A sermon is not
made by knocking together sections,
like a box is made, and then taking 1t
up to show the people. The American
public want pulpit prophets, but will
not give them a chance properly to
prepare their discourses. And give
your pastor, like your physicians,
office hours. Don't bother him with
useless calls"
Hardship for an Ideal.
That the sacrifices of the young
men and older men of Europe and
elsewhere who die in the wars of the
world shows the high spirit of man
kind, willing to endure hardship for
an ideal, was a thought expressed
last night by Professor Arthur c..
McGiffert, of Union Theological Semi
nary. The speaker suggested the
lesson of the valor of the soldiers to
the church in emphasizing her call
to mankind, call to the enduring of
hardships, not for g. nation alone
but for all the world, in the service
of Christ.
Rev. Charles S. Mills, of the First
Church. Montolair, the
moderator, offered the Invocation.
The Scripture lesson was given by
Professor Edward P. Johnson, of
New Brunswick Theological Sem
mary. Prayer was offered by Rev.
Frederick B. Pullan, OF River Edge
Congregational Church. The sermon
was preached by Professor Arthur c.
McGiffert, OF Union Theological Sem
mary, and the charge to pastor was
given by President Francis Brown,
of Union Theological Seminary. The
installation prayer was offered by
Rev Charles w. Carroll, PASTORAL
large, and the right hand of fellow
ship was extended by Rev. Howard
j.. Chidley, of East Orange. Bene-
diction was given by the pastor.