The Washington herald., 1918-01-28
MEN
WILLPROTEST
CLOSING EDICT
Pastor S Federation Confers
Today on Coal Order
for Churches.

Formal protest against the church
closing edict of the Fuel Admins
tration, first effect of which was
felt yesterday, will be voiced at
o'clock this morning when the Pas
tors Federation will meet in the
New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church. A joint resolution similar
to others already adopted by several
denominations, will be presented
The most noticeable effect OF the
eurtailment of religious services
last night was seen at the Billy
Sunday Tabernacle, where hundreds
were turned away on account of
lack of accommodation.
While hope has been entertained
that modification of the order to
permit the opening of all Sunday
schools would be followed by fur
ther privileges, the Rev. George A.
Miller, who was instrumental in ef-
fecting the modification. dispelled
this last night He said Edward F.
Colladay. acting Fuel Administra-
tor, had particularly cautioned him
that the new order would allow Of
no elasticity.
Resolutions of Protest.
Led by the Rev. William A. Wade,
pastor of Saint Marks Evangelical
Lutheran Church. the pastors and
members of three Lutheran Congre-
cations yesterday unanimously
adopted resolutions stating that it
is impractical ito close the House
of God at this particular time in
the history of our country"
Arguments against the operation
of the order were voiced by the
Rev. DR.. d. H. Martin. pastor of
Wesley NJ. E. Chapel. Fifth and F
streets northwest, when he preach
ed at the union service with the
y Metropolitan NJ. z. Church in the
chapel
The churches" Rev. DR.. Martin
stated, will patriotically obey the
order of the Fuel Administration;
will stand loyalty behind the govern
ment, and will do all in thkfr power
to help the nation win the war. The
response of the churches to the clos
ing order mas shown that they are
both unselfish and patriotic. 1t is.
however. unfair and unjust to close
the churches on Sunday while thea
ters. moving picture shows and other
places of amusement are permitted to
remain open. We argue that the
churches are essential to the very
existence of the nation and that no
element can do more to help the ma
tion in these times of war than the
churches. The argument that the
places of amusement are justified to
Nkaf n
tiers and moving picture houses pay a
war tax is not well taken. for the
reason that the aim of the govern
n!ent is to save coal and not to raise
money.
Would Close schools.
Churches are supported by free
will offerings. Il is hard work to keep
them going at best. and every time a
church ou4its service it hurts a
church financially as well as spirit
uaIyT
III is unfair. to say the least. to
Elose the Bible schools and Sunday
schools and churches and to keep the
secular schools running five days in
the week. If you are going to close
up Sunday schools. then close up the
public schools The children of the
nation need the teaching and influence
Of the sunday schools just as much as
they need the teaching of the secular
schools.
The churches are willing to make
all of the sacrifices that are neces-
sary, and then some, but we insist
that other institutions and people
show the same spirit of unselfish-
ness"
A. resolution vigorously de-
nouncing" the order closing two
thirds of the churches in the city,
was unanimously adopted at the
union services of the Grace and
Metropolitan BAPTIST Churches held
in the Second Baptist Church last
night.
The regular services of the Sec
ond Baptist Church were postponed
and union services of the three
congregations held.