The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1919-06-04
OBLIGATION FACES
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
Must Chr|stlan|ze Reconstruc-
lion Forces.
METHODIST CENTENARY TASK
Great Convention at Columbus En-
phssixes Far-Reachino Movement
Not Simply to Raise One Hundred
Million Dollars.

Million Dollars.
Columbus, o. = Especially = "A
world. wide program for Christian re-
construction"
This theme, considered the most
far-reaching ever adopted by a mod
ern Protestant church, brought to-
gether in a three days convention
over 1000 Methodist ministers and
laymen from the Cincinnati area at
the Methodist Centenary convention
last week. This area, one of 20 into
which the country has been divided
for this movement, includes Ohio,
Kentucky and southern Indiana.
In striking language. representa-
tives of many fields of world activity,
painted the opportunity now facing
the Christian churches to bring the
gospel to hungry people of many
lands and to intensity the work SO
as to meet the needs of the home
field in America. Strong emphasis
was placed upon the fact that the
world is very different from what 1t
was in 1914, and that a church pro-
gram, seemingly adequate then, Is
wholly inadequate now.
Pacing as we do emergencies In
America and Europe and in the rest
of the world that simply will not wait.
we are challenged to show whether
or not we mean business about
Christ's business" was the typical
expression of DR.. Ralph s. Cushman
of the Central New York conference.
DR.. l.. B. Bowers, member of the
national campaign committee of the
Centenary, outlined a two-fold obliga-
ton facing the Christian churches.
This obligation, he said, is:
First-The Christianization of the
processes of reconstruction.
Second-The conservation and har-
Messing of spiritual forces generated
through this world struggle to pro-
gram for the conquest OF the world
for democracy and righteousness.
To meet the demands of such pro-
gvsm, the Methodist church, through
the Centenary, seeks:
To enroll at least 20 per cent of its
membership as regular tithers;
To enroll an equal number of men,
bers as "intercessors," members who
pledge themselves to make daily
prayer for the evangelization of the
world vital part of their daily lives;
To so organize and intensity the
life of each local church so that 1t
may do a much more vital work in
it's own community;
To secure one hundred and sixteen
million dollars in the next five years
for the extension of vital religious
work;
To secure much needed additional
trained workers to meet the needs of
the home and foreign field;
To extend the work SO as to much
more adequately take advantage of
the opportunities presented to the
Christian church.
The Centenary answers the ques-
tion how to bring the local church to
the new spirit of conservation,
through its four-fold program of the
stewardship of prayer, of life, and
intercession and education" said one
of the speakers.
Great Service Flag.
One of the most striking incidents
ever seen at convention In Column
bus occurred ct the Centenary con-
vention when great service flag,
concentrating the service of
Methodist boys In the Cincinnati
area, was borne across the stage
by fifty veterans. The flag, 200
yards long and one yard wide, con-
tanned $1,000 stars, of which 1,U9O
were in gold. Mrs. Logan Feland of
New York city, wife of the marines
captain who led the first charge after
General Pershing's troops reached
France, sang the Star Spangled Ban
ner," as the service flag was brought
upon the stage.
"Such a sight as this is certainly
q call to life service" said Bishop
Warne of India.
Cincinnati Area Apportionment.
BY a standing vote the convention
gave enthusiastic approval to the
large centenary program. Resolu-
lions adopted say:
I'VE accept Cincinnati areas ap-
portionment (for the fund of $115,-
O0O, 000) of $14.5SS,395 and. trusting
In Jesus Christ as our Leader, we
will put ourselves under the task Of
raising the apportionment and max
ing the Centenary success in the
Cincinnati area.
with our hearts deeply stirred by
the noble sacrifice the 1000 Meth
odist men of this area who have made
the supreme sacrifice In behalf of hu-
man freedom and justice in the de-
fensc of this glorious land of our.
have made and chosen In this hour