The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-02
CLERGY UNANIMOUS
FOR OPEN CHURCHES
Ministers Complete Plans for
Registration Day Services.
TINES SUGGESTION ADOPTED
Only Financial Inability viii Pre-
vent Keeping Doors A-Swing.

With practically every clergyman
in Washington enlisted in The Times
campaign to open the Churches on
Registration Day and Keep Them
Open" ministers OF various faiths to-
day were completing plans to make
Tuesday a red letter day in the
church, In a spiritual and patriotic
sense.
In many churches there will be sps-
cial services, and with hardly an ex-
ception these will be open to all who
wish to pray on the day when Amer
leans take their first great step in the
war.
Wherever II Is possible to do 50
from q financial standpoint. pastors
have promised to keep their houses OF
worship open every day from Tues
day until the end OF the war.
Indorsed On All Sides.
Endorsement OF The Times sugges-
tion continued to come in today from
clergymen OF every faith.
The Rev. c. c. Mclean, pastor of
Douglas Memorial Methodist Epis-
copal Church, announced today that
his church will be open Tuesday and
every day thereafter during the war.
TN addition to being open for
meditation, prayer, and rest every
day." Mr.. Mclean said today, "the
church viii be at the service Of the
United States Government in any
way desired"
America for Freedom.
The Rev. Hugh Stevenson. min.
lister of Bethany Baptist Church,
Rhode Island avenue and Second
street northwest, today Endorsed The
Times campaign with great vigor.
81 believe the greatest value In the
suggestion" he said, sis that II drives
home TO the American people their alb
solute dependence upon God. Unless
we follow his leadership we shall fail.
"Our success In former conflicts
has been due to the fact that as a
nation we have stood tor the prlnci-
pies of freedom. The Christianity
that has not been tried by the world
contains the only hope for all the ma
lions In this hour.
Let not only the churches be open
for seasons of intercessory prayer
and the worship Of the Lord, but !
would also urge that the broken fam
lily affairs be repaired, and that the
Bible once more be read in our homes
30 that a. q people we may plead with
God for the revival OF Righteousness
which alone exaltsth a nation.
"I hope that the time will come
when not only during the war. but at
all times the church doors may be
open to minister to men. favor
the open-door policy for my own
church and trust that the time will
come when Bethany's door will never
be closed day or night to symbolic
the fact that not only Bethany's pas
tor. but above all. that the Lord
Jesus is ever ready to respond to the
needs OF men"
at Is an excellent idea which The
Times Is presenting" said the Rev
Rabbi Benjamin Grossman. OF Adas
Israel synagogue, Sixth and / streets,
today.
The synagogue Is open every day,
as believe is proper, but especially
at this time will we give our utmost
efforts for the success of your move
ment
81 realize full the urgency OF the
moment, and how timely your sug-
gestion is"
Wants United Devotional Service.
The Rev. H. z. BrundaEe. pastor
of the lexington Presbyterian
Church at North Capitol and Florida
avenues. said today that he not only
hoped that the churches OF Blooming
dale would be open on registration
day but also that a united devotional
service may be held.
ut Is the supreme moment for