Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-02
Or. DAVID o. FORSYTHE
On the Church and Human Need

A NY Church, regardless of creed or high
~ purpose, fails of its mission to humanity
in so far it fails to keep vitally in touch
with and serve the need of mankind, both
spiritual and material. This is the belief of
DR.. David d. Forsythe, head Of the Home
Missions Board of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, whose central Offices are in the
Wesley Building
"a Church, either as a social or religious
factor" he says, "must serve. That is the
upon the Christian man through the spark
OF the divine that fckers in him. Creeds
are empty without comfort that sustains in
the trials that come to the everyday man
and woman.
MAN cannot live by bread alone, nor can
he absorb the lesson in the Ten Command
ments II by some combination of circum-
stances, beyond his control. perhaps, he
must sit starving in his church pew
The poor we have always with us. and 1t
is remarkable how quickly faithful wor-
shippers become not only poor in the things
of material comfort. but poor IN spirit, II
they are not truly shcpherded. 1t has been
and will always be the task of the Home
Missions Board of the Methodist Episcopal
Church to see that what is known AZ social
service receives the imprint of spiritual
purpose, that people are lifted up, but not
fed on pamphlets and exhortations alone
Example Of Social Service
a modest example of one branch of social
service in which every one ought to be in
| terested, for 1t Is of vital importance during
the present industrial depression. 1t Is the
Good Will Industries founded on the
| model of an institution successful in Boston
| for more than thirty years. This is but one
expression of the ideal of Christianity, of
service, but its practical application ought
| to be worth noting.
| within three squares of this center
A. loo 1I
| and less than three blocks away Is the local
| headquarters of our local 'Bolshevki.' What
| can Good VIII Industries do for this and
other sections of Philadelphia hard hit by
| the accident of social misfortune and the
| inevitable fact Of It's attendant WANT
"Throughout the city some 10000 Good
Will Bags will be placed during n single
| year, and perhaps 300, 900 articles OF wearing
apparel, second hand but still usable, will
be contributed by those well able to give
used. But there will be shoes, baby gar
| ments, wompn's and mems outer garments.
'Thesc will be turned into, prcscntabIc
apparel for the needy, things they may not
would be wasted or thrown away by others.
Here the handicapped, those not normal and
those crippled, are given chance to earn
and to work. A soldier with only one leg
and one arm works as telephone operator at
a salary OF 50 day. A. disabled soldier,
with wife and child, who had lost both legs
while going over the top, hobbies IN ana IS
taught a trade while he earns father of
FIVE children, who, with their mother, face
starvation, gets employment which In the
ordinary circles Of trade he could not get.
Cripples Made Self. Supporting
"The relentless juggernaut of industry
had taken four fingers. His compensation
was long since spent His education was
scant But he had to live. The Church
stepped in, and 1t was not mere charity.
| He worked and earned
"A cripple dressed in rags asked the op-
portunity Of working for pair OF trousers.
lie worked six hours. and vas given suit
| Of clothes, an ovGrCoat and elghty-hVe cents
| in cash. These instances of actual service
to unfortunate men and women could be
multiplied indefinitely
Seventeen such institutions are now
maintained By the Methodist Episcopal
Church throughout America, in the prin
cipal cities. Ours here is outgrowing it,
quarters and We expect soon to move to Il
hctter location for manufacturing purposes
in South Philadelphia.
1T must be remembered that all the ma
tcrins brought In are soon converted into
real ammunition with which to help the poor
fight the high cost of living. And vet these
articles are sold, not given away There
need be no loss of self-respect IN Keeping
clothed, even with these savaged articles
becadse they are far from being gift
Much salvaged army clothing has been solt
and the demand has been keen. why no
civilian clothing, which is so bitterly needed