Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-20
PICTURES RANK
WITH ORGAN IN
MODERN CHURCH
New Theory Says Sermons
Seen Are More Effective
Than Those Heard.
Nv FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

said Rev C. E. Guthrie, president OF the
Epworth league. at the Desplaines camp
meeting near here.
Rev. Guthrie said much more on the
same line.
The church that wishes to hold the
faded interest of the modern youth or
maiden must furnish more than spirit
ual thrills
1t must be amusing.
It must have gymnasium classes, So
ciaI clubs entertainments ana various
other harmless attractions.
This is in line with the whole mod
ern church movement, and seems to be
a logical idea.
In the days of our grandparents the
competition between the church and the
world was not so keen.
Religion was a recreation as well as a
duty.
But now, with the movies, fivvers. golf
and cabarets all striving to wean the
weak and erring soul away from his in
herited habits of worship. it begins TO
look as if the church will have to be
up and doing.
1t is a depIorable fact that the light
of spirituaI truth from the church does
not seem to shine as brightly in the
eyes of the younger generation as the
lights of the movie theater across the
way.
The answer to this, according to the
more modern divines, is to bring the
movies to the churches rather than let
the congregations go to the movies,
Indeed, surprising as it may seem to
some Of US, there are already over 5000
churches in the country equipped, with
motion picture machines, which are used
In various ways in connection with
church work
Some ministers preach sermons illus
trated by films.
So far, however, the greatest work
done by the church movies is in afford
ing wholesome entertainment for the
fiock on week days or Sunday after
Moons
PREACH TO
THE EYES.
In attracting and holding church men,
bers the movie has been found to be
without equal.
Rev. Leslie Sprague, one of the first
ministers to preach a sermon illustrated
by movies, says this is only natural.
It is a scientific factsthat we get 50
per cent Of all our information through
our eyes.
Hence a serm N preached to our eyes
to produce more results
1t seems to BE- much easier for the
modern man to Concentrate usually than
suricularly.
Life moves too swiftly for him to con-
centrate upon some heavy tome or alb
struse lecture.
His mental stimulus comes mostly
from the newspaper headlines and car
toons, the illustrated magazines and the
moving pictures.
Preach moving picture sermon TO
him and you meet him on his own
ground
Harangue him for an hour with re-
sounding phrases and he falls asleep.
All this shows, says Rev. Sprague,
that church that is not equipped to
show motion pictures is as incomplete
as the church without an organ.
And as the head Of the church depart
ment Of the Community Motion Picture
bureau of New York, surely he should
know.
Another even more important use for
the church motion picture machine is
the educating and amusing Of children.
Not only is it a great help in Sunday
school work, by 1abHne children to
visualize simple Bible scenes and para
bles, but it also plays a much needed
part during the week
A. D. '. Storey, executive secretary Of
the American Educational Motion Pic
ture association, suggests that the church
should give one special children's show
each afternoon.
The child could stop on his way from
school and see proper films, especially
suited to his age, and then come home
to his dinner, have all the evening to
do his home work, with his craving for
Ill
peacefully to bed, having spent an alb
solutely innocuous day.
CHILD SPENDS
HOURS IN STREET.
As it is, the child spends his after
school hours in the streets, races through
his home work in time to get to the first
showing Of The Vampires Revenge"
and goes to bed with scenes in his mind
that are rot compatible with infantile
innocence
And in all this day the church has
played no part.
Mr.. Storey's plan would change all that
by having the church and school work
together to fill the child's play with ed
ucation and healthy dmusemenrs.
This plan would not only benefit the
child, but would also give the church
another interested member. make it
more vital factor in the life Of the COM
munity, and prevent its good influenza
from being even partially diverted.
Mayor Broening Of Baltimore is one
of many well known public men who be-
heves that the movie could be made a
strong influence for good in the COM
munity
He would like to see the churches of
baltimore take up the motion picture
seriously, and is having the laws and
regulations applying to the use Of motion
picture machines looked into, particu-
larry those having to do with the danger
of fire.
However, this is a minor consideration
that can soon be adjusted If enough
church members take an active interest
in it.
Another problem in connection with the
church movie idea is the securing of
suitable films.
deacon on Broadway would I'LL with hor-
Tor a deacon in his natural habitat
And until the demand for the church
movie becomes greater than it is, the
more advanced churches will have to
pick and choose among the films made
for the theaters.
orrin G. Cocks, secretary of the ma
tional committee for better films. does
not believe that this will offer them anv
great obstacles.
he claims that the motion picture is
becoming purer and better factor in
our lives every day. He offers statistics
to prove this.
MOVIES ARE
IMPROVING,
OF the moving pictures mt m Soma