Evening star., 1921-09-18
CHURCH SEEKSNEW
WAYS TO GIVE HELP
Rector Of Epiphany Tells
Pans for Extending Daily
= Activities.

Plans to expand the activities of
ing with it's downtown location on a
busy thoroughfare. have been placed
before the congregation by the rec
tor, Rev. James L. Freeman.
Declaring that there is a crying
need for the church to SO adapt its
machinery as to make it a mightler
factor in meeting the needs which
new conditions create, DR.. Freeman
said, in part:
Take the matter of the relation of
the church to our young people as
an example of what we mean. They
have come very largely to think OF
it as an institution so utterly other
worldly as to be entirely unrelated
to the things of their common, every
day experiences; and. too. frequently
as an agency quite unsympathetic
when applied to their common needs.
"More Abundant Life"
"Jesus declared: Il am come that
they might have life. and that they
might have it more abundantly. That
He sought to make His church the
largest and most vital factor in life
is clearly evident That He sought
to make it's ministry an unfailingly
helpful thing and to make it practi-
cally serviceable is also true. The
old idea, so long practiced. OF open
ing the church ON one day of the
week for a few hours of worship has
happily and fortunately ceased to be.
and today the church that is alive
to it's great commission is seven
day-a-week institution.
''Fhe Church of the Epiphany Is
downtown church. and let US be
thankful it is. 1t witnesses 10 per
maaence and it must stay where it
is for generations to come. Like the
great cathedral churches of England
it is at the heart and center of the
city. Bishop Harding has frequently
referred to it as a pro cathedral.
Because it Is a downtown church,
placed upon a great highway. it must
be church whose ministry is prac-
teal In equipment, while arcn!fec-
tural1y it's church building is simple
and suggestive of type that was
common fifty or more years ago. 1t
is dignified, worshipful aad his an
atmosphere of reverence. 1t is al
ways open every day and 1t is lih-
orally used. Behind it stands a we'll
conceived parish house that Witnesses
to countless activities daily.
Would Improve Parish House.
1T is of the larger use of this we
write. This parish house. with GER
tain small changes and rearrange-
Inent of it's rooms. might become a
far larger factor in ministering to
the daily needs of the hundreds of
employees whose occupation brings
them within its range. 1t is my de-
sire that these needs. especially those
of young men and women. should be
met. We shall continue to preach
a practical and saving gospel on Sun
day. What we wishSh here in this parish
house to do. is to practice it. through
thoroughly well adapted agencies on
every day of the week.
in 7 fn
organized along the most sane and
practical lines, a noon-day recreation,
and possibly. luncheon club for young
women. where quiet and happy
hour might be passed in the middle
af each day. and where the spirit of
a real and helpful contact might be
afforded with hundreds who at the
present time are denied these privi-
]eges- There is no place in Washing
ton better located for such a club
have nothing about the club that
suggested an effort to patronize or
TO make it resemble in any sence a
charity. inexpensive lunches might
be served and some form of profita BILE
and refreshing recreation afforded.
Parish might. with large profit to
themselves and helpfulness to others.
do much to further such club. Many
a girl using it would come to know
through it of the more abundant
life" for which our Christian religion
stands.
Plans Young Mems Club.
In the evening it might be arrang-
ed that certain other features could
be introduced that would make the
club center of pleasure to those
whose limited means or home envi-
ronment deprive them of such things
There should also be planned and
carried to a successful consummation.
Young Mems Club, with ample and
appealing club facilities, games, bowl
ing alleys. etc, etc. Hundreds of
young men are on our downtown
streets nightly, most of them seeking
some form of recreation or entain-
ment- Here stands a large and ample
building, Immediately across the
street from the new City Club, why
should 1t not be used. in part at least,
for an inexpensive Club for young
men? The fine gymnasium and baths
are already here. the other club fea-
lures might without large cost be
added. There's one thing perfectly
ofear to all of US, namely. that city
life at night, with all it's allurement
and attractions puts a strain upon the
Youth, especially those residing away
from home, possibly In boarding
houses that are none too attractive"