New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16
By CHARLES W. WEIGH

hushlug OF the cry OF the mHilo"S W
people across the seas which have been
insistent for more than two years WILL
"the church that is in New York re-
gardless Of its multitudinous and God
less divisions, awake to a dynamic and
insistent response to the appeal which
is made TO il out OF a world condition
which has been projected by the evil
forces which the church has decreed Il
should combat
An appeal has been repeated IN TINS
department many times since the war
in Europe began that "the church that
is in New York take initial steps IN
the ouelling Of the forces which have
insisted that tie assertions Of civiiiza-
ton be disreCardcd and that this war
continue regardless Of the rights OF
men. What a tremendous opportunity
for limitless ministry in the midst o.
worlds strife has been ignored by these
Christian forcesl
The American Council Of the World
Alliance for Promoting International
Friendship Through the Churches has
issued this week challenge to CHRIS
tians in the churches Of America, ad-
dressed to those in the New York
churches as we'll rs throughout the
country. What will "the church that Is
in New York" do about IL?
The preamble Of this challenge says:
"For decades Europe's statesmen and
citizens had been definitely preparing
for conflict. Had the churches OF bu'
rope and America done their duty IN
finding Christian ways of settling inter
national difficulties, and of promoting
international confidence and good VIII
For decades a few pacifsts had pro-
posed judicial methods for solving dim
eulties between nations. What support
did the churches give to these proposals
and Efforts"
The tremendous success which al
ready has crowned the splendid eiorts
Of the executive committee which Is
making preparations for the coming
of Mr., Sunday TO the city next April
has demonstrated what might nave
been done by "the church that Is IN
New York" two years ago, when the
reaction from the war in Europe held
the life Of New York as in a wise.
The part America will play IN re
storing poisc TO the life Of the world
depends upon the attitude OF the
Church. The recently issued call
asks: what part. now. are the
churches Of America TO play IN the
immediate future Of the United
States? Are they to be an important or
a negligible factor in opposing ma
tional seldshness, ambitions and IN
Justice and in establishing wholesome
international relations
And IL continues: THAT will de-
pend on their attitude Of the pressing
problems of the new times and on
their ability to act together. ne
times challenge the churches to hlgh
and noble action.
.If they hold themselves strictly
aloof from international problems, II
they saw these are political questions
with which the churches are not con
cerned. they will. OF course, do noth-
ing The churches Of America will be
as irpotent and as negligible m in
,ernatioual affairs as the churches or
Furope have been. II is indeed true
that these problems are largely polt-
zeal But have they not moral as
pects which the churches can ignore
only at their peril? Do they not IN
yolve moral principles for whose pro
mitigation the churches exist? II
because Of the inactivity Of the
a ia NaH
oyertake America, would not the i'm
potence and bankruptcy OF American
christianity be loudly and justly pro-
claimed? .,
Equally prohtless to mankind will
be the influence OF the churches II, IN
coWardico and fear, they merely in
dorsc the policy Of peace and security
through reliance on vast military pre-
paredness. They viii thereby but play
into the hands Of materialists and
militaristy. and will avail nothing m
restraining eXcesses or in subordinst-
ing military power 10 reason and 10
noble ends.
"Mere opposition on the other hand
70 military preparedness and condem-
nation OF the wickedness and horror OF
war likewise will avail nothing. In
vectiyc. however fierce: denunciation,
boweyer strenuous, will be fruitess.
Mere negative psssivism and lsissez
faire attitude on the pressing and grow
inc problems OF international relations
provide no solutions
"Onlv as the churches Of America
nositively adopt an attitude and a pol
icy OF constructive ststesmanship,
coLrageousiy indorsing and promoting
those practical programmes that en-
bodv I'm international relations the
ideals of universal human brotherhood,
can they make their unique contribu-
ton to human welfare
"This constructive attitude reoog-
nises and approves, indeed, the relative
truths presented by advocates OF esch
Of the other policies -aloofness, pre-
paredness and anti-preparedness. But
Il insists that the pressing need Is Tor
comprehensive and constructive policies
and for concrete activities promoting
The establishment Of the truly Chris
tian world order -.
The American branch OF the World
Alliance for Promoting international
Friendship through the Churches seeks
90 hiring about a thorough understand
ing Of the churches place IN thlS fead-
inetmcnt Of international life by q
course Of studies which it outlines for
60 Four weeks study IN world con
strpctiye craftsmanship" This outline
il fourfold and deals with the follow
inc essential considerations: The
Dsvn Of New Era in Human History,
Fundamental Principles of the New
Fra {" "The Practical Programme Of the
New Era" and Americas Opportunity
and Duty in Bringing in the New Era.
COPIES Of these outlines may be OBJ
,,ined BY applying TO the American
Sn"ncu of the World Alliance for
PTomoting international Friendship
,brough the Churches, 81 100 East
Twenty-seeond Street