The Detroit times., 1917-07-28
TO OBSERVE
LANDING OF
PILGRIMS
Con gre e a t i onalists
Plan Big Tercen-
tennial for 1920
SEEK 100000
NEW MEMBERS
Program of Prepara-
ton Five-FOld In
Its Objects
sy TIE RELIGIOUS RAmsLER.

BY TIE RELIGIOUS RAMBLER.
Congregationalism has hltched It's
wagon TO the Pilgrim star Taking
advantage OF the'tact'the 1920 is the
three hundredth anniversary OF the
landing OF the Pilgrims az Ply.
mouth, the denomination which
gives allegiance 10 the religious
IDEAS brought over IN the Maynow-
er - now in the midst of what IL
calls the 'tercentenary program A
substantial sentimental and material
advantage will De derived by the
Congregational churches from the
popular interest in the terccntennial
OF q historic event that bulks large
n American lie
Were g. not for the war the forth.
coming event would already be az.
uring largely In American thought
The state Of Massachusetts and the
town OF Plymouth and The Mayfow-
er descendants and the Congrega-
tionslists all have commissions ar
work upon proper celebration Of
the occasion The Red Men Will
erect statue OF Nassasolt. the
friend OF the Pilgrims. upon Coles
hill. Plans FOR national exposi-
ton ar Plymouth have been aban-
doued but il Is expected that a
great memorial hall will be erected
Plymouth, where national conven-
tons may be held Plymouth Rock
itself will be taken from It's absurd
canopy and the surroundings will
be made more slightly, and closer
akin 70 the original coast condi-
lions Some sort % memorial viii
be put into The church o., the Pill
Erimage and Coles Hill burial
grounds will b. more suitably
marked and beau'ifed
There is a literal Pilgrim spring.
which is shown 70 visitors 70 Ply
mouth but the plan OF ConCrega-
iionsl leaders-and the scheme is
already in oper2tion--is that All OF
their churches shall drink anew ~
The spring of tho spirit OF the PHI
grim fathers-and Pilgrim mothers.
too for no tercentenary article or
celebration would be complete with
out the old saying that while The
Pilgrim fathers endured the rigors
~ the wilderness. the Pilgrim moth
ers Fad 20 endure the Pilgrim IA
theirs as well
First on he sve-told program ~
the Congregational denomination for
the next three and a half years IL
the stressing OF the principles ot
the Pilgrims. The National council
has advised Us churches that this
commemorative period b@ marked
By ar intelligent study and setting
forth ~ those political and re
ligious convictions which brought
the Pilgrims 70 America
There are about theefourths ~
4 million members Of The Congregs-
tional churches IN the United states
AZ The present time As the second
ITEM in the tercentenary program =
he proposed 20 add not less han
half million new members BY he
end OF the year 1920 This would
put ngregationalism into the MI.
ion member class, along with
Ne4hodists. Baptists. Presbyterian
Disciples. and recently Episcopa.
lians OF course the working ort
% this ideal includes an appor'ion
mnnt % increase among The local
congregations.
All enlargement calls FOR n.
creased leadership. so the Official
program stlpulates. Third thar
large numbers ~ our Young people
Of character and ability be led 20
commit themselves definitely 20 a
life work % Christian leader h'n
thro the ministry or other forms of
distinctly Christian calling The OBJ
Hzatlon ~ our churches and mis-
sionary societies 70 provide feid- %
service. significant in opportunity
and free from needless denomlna
tionM composition with adequate
salaries and reasonable provision
/ for disability and the needs ~ old
age. is recognized a. an essential
part of this appeal
Fourth that before Dee ~ 1920
The churches 81 orr fellowship A..
tain an annual rate % giving from
living donors. thru our missionary
agencies. ~ not less than ne g.
600 600 contemplated By Tho appor
fionment plan
Fifth that a. memorial ~ the
Pilgrims there be established q rer.