Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-23
MOVIES FAVORED
As AN INCIDENT
TO CHURCH WORK
Las Vegas Ministers Believe
Time Is Not Far Off When
Every House Worship Will
Be Equipped With Machines
ESPECIAL eo--s.-.nOsses TO ~o.s,ss Jou.sAll

ESPECIAL corstsreHpsheH TO @oshihe JOURNAL
East Las Vegas \. NJ, March 22.-
Within the next six months or one
year every large Methodist Episcopal
congregation in New Mexico will
work This is the opinion Of the Rev.
Ray SPOTS Dunn, pastor of the First
Methodist church of this city, and of
DR. Frank II. II. Roberts. president OF
the New Mexico Normal university.
After four weeks ef the movies as
u part Of his regular church actiVl-
ties, the Rev Mr. DUN is ready to
advise all his brother clergymen to
follow his example. DR.. Roberts
following an extensive trip through
out the southern part of the state, Is
convinced that the clergymen will
take up the use of the movies as
soon as they are convinced that MI
Dunn has been successful.
When Mr. DUN installed his mo-
ton picture apparatus he decided TO
take the plunge in its entirety. He
was not content with making movies
an adjunct of his church work as
sort of entertainment for the children
and for adults on week nights ana
at socials, but announced that they
would be portion Of the regular
Sunday evening worship. There was
some apprehension that the more con-
servative element OF the church
would object, but so far there has not
been the slightest dissa tisfaction. The
regular Sunday evening attendance
has been increased to such propor-
lions that II has been necessary 10
organize a junior congregation Tor
the children. meeting in the after
noon. in order to afford sufficient
room for the adults at night. This III
itself has provided a noyal and wide
field Of church endcavor The sun
day offerings have been more than
doubled and, best of ALL large pro-
portion of men is attending the eN-
enine services. The psychological ell
| feet is good and all apprehension
/ that the spirit of reverence would be
lost or that the congregation would
give less attention to the other pol-
lions of the services because of the
movie features. has proved ground
less. on the contrary the spirit Of
worship has been more than ordln-
Iarily noticeable.
Used as Part OF Service.
Movies are used by the Rev Mr..
Dunn as "A part Of the sunday even
ing worship, as has been said before.
on Friday evenings a popular pro-
gram is given, to which an admission
fee is charged Such pictures as
Julius Caesar" and other high class
many-reel subjects are shown, ana
they are found to draw large crowds
one Of the things accomplished bV
Mir. Dunn. it might be said in this
connection. is to bring the movie to
children whose parents had denied
them the permission to see them In
the theaters. Children from 10 tc
Ia wears of age saw the movies fol
the first time in the Methodist
church.
on Sunday afternoons movies are
used for the services Of the junior
congregation, and they were used TIM
week at the Wednesday evening pray
or meeting, for the first time. The
movies have paid their way at the
church. shows at which admission;
are charged having brought in sur
ficient funds to meet the expenses
When other churches in New Mexico
begin using motion pictures, the eN'
penses will Ire cut down, as at the
present time Mr.. Dunn is Obliged Z
pav express on films beth from the
exchange and return. He says M
finds the exchanges most willing Il
cooperate with him in the matter o
securing suitable films. and he hal
found. by studying the catalogues
that there is an almost infinite fieit
from which to select. On Sunda!