The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-26
City Mission Reflects Upward Trend of Morals

with worshippers, that the young generation
shows indifference, that the language of re-
ligion needed Improvement to adapt it to
everyday life were frank admissions of this
missionary. What he said indicated an un-
usual benevolence toward the faults of our
time-indifference, lack of rule thinning of
moral fbre-these faults which the most
careless observer is sensible of, although that
observer, when he is a layman, is perhaps too
prone TO be sensible of them nversely and to
regard them as virtues
There is so much bad in the best OF u.s.
and so much good in the worst of u.s." be-
gins familiar motto that hangs prom
inenty in the Office at SO Blocker street
It is a kindly motto embracing much truth
as well hope, hut may be permitted
to doubt if ii invariably develops good or
eradicates evil. The faults of other people
flatter us by touching more than one secret
fibre and "A degree of stern purtanism is
needed in our mentors to keep us from
gliding over our own transgressons. and
idealzing our sentiments our actions and
even religion. To credit every sinner
with a germ of religion is a pleasant and
very desirable conclusion to draw out of
jails and correctional institutions. but is it
defnitive?
Bigotry as will be gathered from this
amiabe DEPRESSION is not one of the char
acteristics of this superintendent of city
missions Holding such an office it would
be out OF place and dangerous and he is
the very opposite Of a bigot.
For what is religion" asked Mr. Sunder-
land. and then answered himself 1T is
making people conscious of their proper re-
lationship to Christ. That is religion. its
sum and substance.
Just because person is poor and friend
less is no reason why he may not be typical.
In all my thousands on thousands Of talks
with unfortunates who are strangers TO me |
have yet to find one who will not. when he
becomes a little more confidential. tell me
frankly that he has at times thought on
religious things, felt the need of them and
wanted the help Of God.
'Recentlv I took refuge from a storm on
the porch of the dwelling of a man who had
been working with the army in the chemical
warfare service He not an educated
man and not religious But he told me of
how in the trenches with an enemy
plane overhead dropping leaflets that adj
vised the American soldiers to aim their
best-for they could never destroy-and
following these leaflets with bombs with
death all around him and expecting death
himself he cried for the first time on God.
That is ar illustration Of how every one in
dire need does call on God.
"There is strong sense of the need OF
religion abroad in this city to-day. There
is also restlcssness in the peoples thought
due I'm no small measure to the after effects
OF the war Many men have returned from
the battlefolds who will never be contented
to live as they did before the war. Many
of our people who found an outlet In ser
vice during the war are restless because
that occupation is gone II is a crucial
time why not admit IL?
"Statistics show that the membership of
churches is growing but one must not be
content with mere statistics Now is the
opportunity for the ministers Of the Church
TO show their stewardship. and TO be alert
in persuading these incoming members that
a true--a modern religion, If you will have
n SOS I'm devotion Of personal service TO
God and ones fellow men,"