New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-11
The Church That Is In New York

cause OF Him whose life. fasting. death
and resurrection are emphasized dur
irg this season.
Never in the history Of the Church
GId the Lenten season come when II Is
more needed than IL is this year. No
people were ever more ready for ITS
originally intended purpose than the
people who are living throughout the
World to-day.
4 worldwide application Of the les
ons which will be taught throughout
70 Christian Church Is essential dur
ing this forty days that the psychology
,al reactions produced By the present
world upheayal may be turned TO some
account IN the progress of the race
toward its intended goal
The nationwide preaching mission
which is being inaugurated By the
Protestant Episcopal Church. the ma
tional eyangelistic movement OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church. the de
nominstionai and lnterdenomlnational
ioyiyal campaig ns. as well a. the ei-
forts in individual churches and com
nunities. will naturally receive ter
tic impetus as the people throughout
our country are brought within the
radius OF this forty days concerted re-
conservation and its consequent serl-
BUSINESS OF purpose.
This the Church's Opportunity.
never were men and women Of every
station in life more ready 10 think
seriously regarding religious questions
than they are to-day. Never were the
men Of New York City more ready 20
enter seriously and respectfully upon
the discussions regarding the content
Ct the religions OF the day.
What fascinating and altogether
attractive opportunity Is this for the
Church that is in New York" 10 prove
its worth-whileness What a splendid
privilege i, this for the people OF TINS
city TO put into practice their ever
recurring resolution 20 prove their SIN
certify and interest in things which are
not altogether ephemerai,
II the Church that is in New York
and all Of the people Of the city are
ever 20 meet in the fulfilling Of their
common task there must be time
when they will both meet in an under
standing Of each concerning the other
ministry.
The Tribune's sustained campaign IN
the interest of church attendance VIII
continue 10 be al incentive with many
hut IL is anxiously hoped by the Cnurch
that is i'm New York and The Tribune
that the present celebration OF inc
Lenten season will find the individual
churches Of every denomination crowded
m every service and that deepening
OF the spiritual and religious lie OIL
the city will be enhanced 20 an I'M
measurable degree thereby.
We Must Get Close to God.
That the present celebration OF this
period Of the Church year should be
more seriously undertaken IS voiced By
the current issue of "The Churchman.'
which says. editorially: The season OF
Lent comes 10 the Church this year
with more than its usual appeal. We
are living in times of exceptional
stress and anxiety. Hearts everywhere
ars saddened and depressed by the IN
creasing weight Of affection LAID upon
the suffering multitudes OF Europe.
Our relation as nation TO the intrlcatt
problems arising from that appalling
conflict and the consciousness OF the
responsibilities We may at any moment
be asked 20 assume for their solution
is a further SOLDERING influence. More
over. the state Of affairs existing
within the Church. however much we
tionalism. Is one that must Of neces-
sitv grieve all who love their Church
and long 70 see it rise with solid ranks
TO the epochal demands now laid upon
d.
These are considerations which com
bine 10 make the Lenten privileges OF
special and peculiar value. There Is
vide appreciation Of the need OF get
ting close 10 God in order 70 think
things out and 10 relate ones self 20
present events with something OF the
grace and guidance that is afforded b.
Tho cultivation of the presence OF the
Holy Spirit. Here. prominently, Is the
call Of this Lenteu season TO think
over with God the great and soul-test-
ing problems with which wc are to-day
confronted And such thinking will be
something more than any periunctorv
arrangement Of our prejudices; il
will be deep searching OF the heart.
with the definite view of ascertaining,
first Of all. how far We Individually
may be accountable for the present dis
tress IN the world and within the
Church. and then by what measures Of
self-consecration and self-abncgat
we individually can cooperate for the
restoration Of that Goodly order which
vill enable Gods cause 20 20 for