El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-01-13


hesitancy in joining this church than
those of any other communion in town
There is a reason for the hesitancy,
which is not altogether condemnatory.
and which can also, think. be sue
cessfully combated. ask your
thoughts to move along three lines;
the past, present and future slgnlfl-
canoe Of church membership
In the Past.
First. the significance Of mem bersnip
in the past
The Christian church arose immedi-
ately after the time of Jesus, the first
services being held IN private houses
The faith prOfessed was n complete
break from the old ideas. and the adOp-
ton Of il meant much, il meant a com
plete change OF life's philosophy
In the arly years Of the Roman EN-
pire' christians were prosecuted and
they do with the sermons they hear
from high salaried preachers. Vslua-
bic church properties that have long
failed TO earn their salt. some OF them
clamOTing for endOwments. are to be
asked on what grounds they claim ex-
emption from taxation Pensions are
to be provided in 1917. in part in order
that incOmpetents may be sheived. Bus
mess is in the air. especially among
Presbyterian. Episcopal, Baptist and
Catholic bodies.
Catholics Have FOur Tasks.
American Catholics have at least four
big tasks on hand for 1917 and there
after One OF these IS to increase the
gifts of Americans TO the pope These
gifts are called Peters pence. Pope
Benedict XIV is recognized as states
man. and has many plans and projects.
The war has cut off funds from almost
all countries save the United States
From Americans must come far larger
support for the vatican and its work
The gifts grow steadily, but during
1917 they are to be doubled. II possible
a second task is relief OF the mis-
siOnaries usually supported IN largest
mart by French Catholics. Some mis-
sionaries in India and the east had to
be supported in 1915 on American
money given by Protestsnts- Ameri-
can Catholics are now told they must
help.
Catholic church in the south. where 1t
is comparatively weak. Introduction
of mills in the CarOlinas and elsewhere
has vastly increased the number OF
Catholic operatives. and they must be
cared for.
Finally, the fourth task Of American
Catholics is perhaps the biggest Of all !
For years their burden to provide for !
members from Europe /
has been heavy The return OF many Z
Catholics to Europe TO fight has given /
American prelates q breathing space, /
during which they are educating priests /
in Italian and many other tongues pro-
viding for new churches where posi- .
BILE During 1917 every effort IS 10 be /
put forth to provide for foreign sneak :
ng Catholics already here. and for the I
possible numbers who may come here I
after the war.
Year Of Anniversaries
The year 1917 VIII he great in the
Celebration of anniversaries It is the .
our hundredth since Martin Luther 4
lailed the protests 10 the door Of his .
.hurch which stirred all OF the world /
II his day. American Lutherans viii /
celebrate the entire year. Reformed
bodies go back to other reformers. and !
hey are keeping the year Congrega- 4
ionalists, and closely allied with them l
he Presbyterians, in some measure ]
also the Baptists. are spending Isl.
getting ready for the celebration OF 4
he landing OF the Pilgrims. the three 4
lundredth anniversary OF which falls
n 1920. There viii be = general COOP I
grafton in the observance Of these an
liversaries- Big meetings, street pa 8
AIDES and many sermons are features
Il the year.
TO DO More Intensive Work.
From many leaders come predictions {
hat churches Of the United States.
Protestant and Catholic alike. Will a6-
ireSs themselves to intensive work far
more than in former years. In Eng
and this work was done years ago A
-esult is that there special campaigns
Ire directed toward men OF various
rades and occupations. There are
MISSIONS to chimney sweeps. 20 hop Z
lickers, to deep sea fishermen. to old
aides whose incomes are less than Z
heir aristocratic notions cause them 20 i
iemand that they may live in a style OF
heir ancestors, TO all possible forms
4 service in army and navy, and to
policemen and almost everybody else
n public service There are societies
or the study Of particular problems
ffecting the church, and these obtain
n both established and free churches.
[ is the conviction that in churches
II the United States similar division Of
1hristian effort ought to be brought
bout, and that 1917 is a good time to
)egin.
As part OF this intensive work. there
viii be formed in many cities during
he year federations Of churches. A
ew such have long obtained. A part