New-York tribune., 1919-06-14
Proselytizing'
Abroad Denied
By Protestants
Leaders in Work of Rails
ing Funds Assert They
Are Conc cerned Only
ia Repairing Devastation
Belittle Catholic Charges
Churches Here Seek S'Noa
to Supplant but to Sap
plement,'' Says DIR. North

Organizations of Protestant denomi-
nations now collecting vast sums for
foreign missionary work, which were
charged by Archbishop Hayes and Will
lam D. Guthrie at banquet in the
Waldorf Astoria Thursday with pre-
pairing a 'proselytizing campaign"
among the Catholics of France and
Belgium, asserted their rights in off
clal statements issued last night
The Protestant denominations were
charged with seeking to undermine the
faith of Catholic France" and to induce
women and children "to abandon the
religion of their fathers" In reply. DR.
Robert W. Patton, national director Of
the Episcopal campaign, said:
This statement is without warrant
as to present act or future intention
so far as the leaders of this cam
paign are aware. The purpose Of the
nationwide campaign of the Epsco-
pal Church has been from the be-
ginning, and is now, so to arouse and
stimulate the whole membership Of the
church as to enable her to contribute
her share to the work of universal
reconstruction throughout a devastated
world.
Praises Work in France
"No mention has been made at any
time OF any use whatever for recon
struction in France. Perhaps the only
use Of any funds in that field will be
to strengthen the only work that the
American Church has in France, our
church in Paris-a work Of long stand
ing, largely established for the benefit
of American residents No organiza-
ton, ecclesiastical or otherwisr, has
been more active than this American
Church in relief of suffering France
during the period of the war The
only Protestant church which SO far
has made any definite ovcrtures to the
Roman Church looking to more sympa-
thetic cooperation with the Roman
Church in the future than has been
realized in the past is the Protestant
Episcopal Church,
DR.. William Hiram Foulkes, general
secretary Of the Presbyterian New Era
Movement, said:
"The Presbyterian Church has sue
cessfully undertaken to secure fund,
OF approximately $5000 for the relief
of the stricken Protestant churches of
the war zone. 1t has been actuated by
feelings OF humanitarian sympathy for
those who, with scant resources, have
lost so heavily.
"To read into this worthy and broad
minded service a sectarian purpose and
a hostile attitude toward any other
church is entirely unjustifed. 1t is an
interesting theory, although it is very
ancient, that the mere carrying on of
Protestant Christianity is an attack
upon Roman Catholicism"
Spirit Is Not Controversial
Dr.. Frank Mason North, of the Meth
odist Episcopal Centenary Commission.
said
THE programme Of the church in
this movement is definitely construct
i've. 1t aims not to pull down, but to
build up. 1t hopes not to supplant. but
to supplement. Its spirit is not contro-
versial, though it moves from convic-
ton and believes itself to be impelled
by the spirit of God. The details of
It's plan are now under the careful con-
sideration of able and representative
men. The leaders of it's enterprise
have received heartiest welcome from
men in high position in the military
and civil life of France, some OF these
being Of the Roman Catholic faith.
Catholics of America will find wavs
for doing their part in the reconstruct
tion work in France it would seem
thoroughly consistent with American
fairness that others who find their duty
TO lie in some other method should be
permitted to proceed without either
suspicion or censurc. Undoubtedly
they will proceed without undue CON
sideration of either"
Seek to Aid Reconstruction
Rev. DR.. Charles S. MacFarland. of
the Federal Council of Churches.
which is engaged in a campaign for
relief work in France and Belgium,
said: "The Federal Council is prepar-
ing to assist IN any way the churches
in France that have so gricvously suf
fered during the war. I win not take
up controversy further. We intend
to do all we can to aid in the recon
struction work"
Rev. DR.. Frederick y. Haggard, an
official Of the American Baptist Church
engaged in campaign for foreign
missionary work, could not be reached
last night, though he said over the
telephone earlier that the money set
aside for Baptist reconstruction work
IN Europe would not cover the damages
'nat the war had caused to their
churches and that there was little
prospect of an extension programme
oelng considered by the Baptist de-
nomination.