New-York tribune., 1919-04-05
Baptists Strongly Opposed

inquiry among clergy of the city de-
velops that the question of Sunday
moving picture exhibitions, generally
speaking, is not an exciting one. be-
cause the theatres have been open here
Tor so long that the churches have be-
come accustomed to the competition.
an one way or another they have worked
out solution of the problem. Some
Of the clergy believe co0peration with
the movies is possible, but none could
be found who was willing to accept the
advertising offered by Mr.. Mclnerney
IN place of the publicity methods they
now arc employing.
Opposition to Sunday movies is
strongest in the Baptist churches, but
the Rev DR.. j. II. Randall, of the Mount
Morris BAPTIST Church, says he sees
no objection to cooperation with the
movie exhibitors. Everything depends
on how the plan is worked out, he said.
he approved of the exhibition of care
fully selected films on Sunday, but he
objected to the wide open" policy such
as has existed in New York City.
T. r. st. John, trustee of Calvary
Baptist Church, believes the MOVING
pictures have done the churches IRE
parable harm.
"Perhaps, speaking from the lay
mans standpoint he said, at has been
partly the fault of the churches in not
awakening to the necessity of coping
with the situation,' he said
DR.. StratOn Scorns Proposal
81 would treat with scorn and un-
speakable indignation any offer to ad-
Vertlse my sermon or any notice OF
my church." said the Rev. DR.. John r
Straton, of Calvary Baptist Church
who has opposed the bin at Albany
he offer is nothing but bait tc
effect compromise. The motive is
nothing under heaven but money.
heard one of the exhibitors frankly ad-
nit that at Albany. They are cold
bloodedly trying to commcrcalize the
Lords day and pull down the pillars
Of our social structure by undermining
the home, church and faith in the
Bible.
81 came from the South and I've no.
tlced with great concern the tendency
OF the cities of the North toward the
Continental Sunday. The decay of true
lalth IN Europe IS rcaping the harvest
to-day. 1T has caused utter moral col
lapse, and Just as soon as that condi-
ton obtains in the United States we
too shall suffer the same collapse of
our social and moral structure.
III the dosecrators of the Sabbath
WIN out here it will be because thew
have taken advantage of the troublous
time through which we are now pass
ing. The attention of the public is dis
tracted and at such times the forces
OF unrghteousness seize the opportu-
nifty to profit by it,
100000 Churchlcss Protcstants
There are now 100000 Protestant
young people under twenty-four years
of age who are without religious train
ing IN Greater New York. The moving
pictures and Sabbath attractions are
causing an Increase every year. The
prospect is appalling.
There is moving picture show half
a block away from my church, but do
not need to advertise my sermons thers
because have difficulty to find seats
enough in our auditorium to accommo-
date our Sunday night congregations" >"
sand the Rev. DR.. |. Nj. Haldeman, who
has been pastor for thirty-iive years
OF the First Baptist Church, Broadway
and Seventynnth Street. "I am OPP
posed unalternbly to Sunday moving
picture shows, and I don't know any
preacher in my denomination, or any
other, who favors them"