Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-05-25
THE CHURCH MILITANT

The gratifying response of the congregation
of the Presbyterian church to the appeal for
So, 1000 to cancel the church mortgage Sunday is
something in which the whole city may take
pride. The Presbyterians have a beautiful
church edifce facing City Hall park. The in
spiration that such a church home gives, how
er. is somewhat dimmed with the knowledge
that it is heavily burdened with debt. To do
effective work in helping to lift the burden OF
others, ones own burden must be made as light
as possible.
Thi4 debt handicap has now been removed
by II Presbyterians. Not only has the amount
'of B mortgage been raised. but over eight
IN dsand dollars have been pledged toward the
hiding of a manse for the pastor. 1t is q
howing worthy of an enthusiastic congrega-
tion.
Under the leadership of the pastor, the Rev.
Frederick D. N%iedermeyer, the Presbyterian
church in this city has prospered as seldom be-
fore. Early this year sevepty-two commune
cants were added to the church roll, increasing
the membership to COS, the largest in the his
tory Of the church. People have been drawn to
Mr.. Niedermeyer by his fine Christian charac-
ter. his great ability both as a pastor and a
preacher. and by his attractive personality. all Of
which have tended to build up his congrega-
tions until they are today among the largest in
the city. The splendid manner in which the
members of the church responded to his ap-
peal on Sunday shows in what esteem he is
held.
In the comparatively short time that Mr..
Niedermeyer has been a resident Of this city
he has made many friends outside as we'll as
in his church; the same is true Of Mrs. Nieder-
o,o Oath bava ca fhorouph1y established
themselves in the civic life of the community
that it is with genuine pleasure that the peo-
pie learn that a manse is soon to be built max
ing q permanent home for the church's minis
ter where it is hoped the present pastor and his
wife will continue to reside for many years to
come.
1.-The success of the effort of the Presbyte-
rians to .lift'' their church debt ought to be
an inspiration for all the church in the city,
ENCOURAGING them to carry on with renewed
zeal. Epne~ef Perth Amboy's greatest needs
nd Sac has many Of them. is an aroused In
terest in the church and in religious activities
We frequently hear reference made to our
rhristdry civilization and it is true that civiliza-
tion az we know it today dates back to the
Of Christianity. The church is the one
iaxtstutign to keep this civilization alive and as
long as there is interest in the church our CIV
tlixatkn is safe. 1t follows. therefore that the
move interest we take in the advancement OIL
the church the higher will be our civiliza-
Non. The more we follow in the footsteps OF
/the lowly Nazarene the greater will be our con-
Germ for humanity, for the uplift of our Fellow
man. and the less chance there will be for wars
and other destructive features of such a de-
grazing nature.
The more prosperous the churches OF = COM
rlunity are the more is the moral tone of that
community raised and the more desirable 1t be-
comes as a place in which to live. A decaying
church indicates a decaying neighborhood. Few
of us, indeed. would care to live where there
are no churches. Even the most hardened non
churchgoer will admit that he would not like
To see the churches closed for all time: Yet. how