Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-31

on numerous occasions has transmit
ted kilograms to national and state
officials and representatives in ref
erence to pending legislative meas
ures, setsting forth its attitude re-
garding them. Il has also put itself
strongly behind the movement to
bring Billy Sunday to the tri-cities,
and is at the present time circulating
petitions to be forwarded 10 the evan
gelist as soon as signatures are Sc
cured Moreover, within the year Cap
tain Richmond P. H0hson spoke at the
Illinois theatre under its auspices and
gave his famous lecture on The Great
Destroyer to an audience that packed
the building In November the fed
Grafton was legally incorporated I'M
der the laws OF Illinois in order that
! it might more effectively carry on
some of The work planned for the flu
ture, F 0. Van Calder, Rev. D. A.
. johnson and c. G. Taylor being the
incoFp0ratOrs.
The Churchmen's Federation has
lined up strongly Tor improved moral
conditions in the city where its mem
bers have its homes. On Monday.
June II, 1917, a large delegation Of
members marched from the Y. NJ. G. A.
to the city hall in 81 body to present to
/ the city commissioners a set of resolu-
tions requesting them to enforce eX-
listing laws against vice. They were
. courte0usly received and as courte-
ously dismissed This experience has
naturally forced the federation to re-
sort to more roundabout methods. and,
of course, the farther one must travel
to reach a certain point. the longer it
takes him to get there. But he will
arrive if he keeps on plodding. and
that is exactly what the federation is
striving to do to the best of its ability
and opportunity It has no selfish
aims to serve and welcomes any and
every effort, from whatever source,
that will tend TO insure al a not too
distant day better and a cleaner
Rock Island Il is entirely willing.
itoo, that other agencies and organiza-
lions shall have the final credit with
the public for the happy denouement
so long as the ends sought are ulti-
mately attained.
Lest there be any misunderstanding
let it be stated that the Chuchmen's
Federation OF Rock Island was not in
Istituted to assume police powers or
to attempt reforms over night. It was
organized primarily to bring the men
OF all churches together in d mobiliz-
Iation of Christian manhood for their
own and the conmunity's welfare. Il
/ is an association of men who desire
( to become better acquainted in order
that they may better serve the com.
mon good. 1t is an Organization es.
peciatly equipped to get behind al
j civic movements requiring the co
operation Of the Christian men of the
city. In short, it is an effort to brine
all the little candles out of the small
corners of UNCONVENTIONAL exclusive
ness and put them together in the mid
, die Of the room so that each may Sc,
} the others light and unitediy refec
the light Of all And while the ca
pacity for illumination may be NOR,
or less limited. the field is not. and tn.
, federation will endeavor to keep q,
shining as long as there ts any dark
ness that needs its light.
There are at the present time abou
/ three hundred members actually en-
4 rolled aud pledged to support ia
= aims OF the organization ana as tht
!. force becomes better trained an,
s amalgamated there Is no telling wha
1t may be able to accomplish. Thai
only the future can reveal.