The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-12
Topeka Issues Sweeping Chal-
lenge in Church Campaign.
Much Enthusiasm Shown in
Five Weeks Drive.
PLAN BIG "PEP" MEETING
TOpekanS Urged to Attend Con-
ference on May %.
Check on Church and Sunday
School Attendance.

The indifference of the thousands of
Topekans who do not attend church is
in danger of being turned into enthu-
siasm for that practice thru the ef-
forts of the five-weeks church attend
ance campaign now under way in the
city. The sweeping organization for
the campaign, which includes repre-
sentatives of practically all churches
of the city and of many civic organiza-
tions, is planning to make 4 big attack
on any such indifference toward the
churches and by the conclusion of the
campaign on Sunday, July 3. be able
to report that Topeka has established
a record for the largest church attend
ance of any city in the state.
Much Interest Shown.
1.-The campaign is on and workers
are showing great interest" Roscoe c.
Ellis. director general of the cam
paign, said today. 80 enthusiastic are
the leaders that they have offered an
open challenge to any city in the state
to exceed Topeka's church attendance
in the next five weeks. The challenge
would take into consideration the size
of towns, and base the church attend
ance on it's proportion to the popula-
tion.''
To Hold "Pep" Meeting.
All Topekans. churchgoers and
otherwise, will be interested in the
huge pep" meeting of the campaign
which will probably be held Wednes-
day evening, May rs, at the city audi
torium- The music provided for that
evening will strike a popular appeal
Marshall's band will give a concert
from seven to eight o'clock preceding
the addresses to be given briefly by
speakers who are to be "headliners,' .
according to Ellis. The Modoc quar-
other numbers. George w. Barnes
choir leader and organist, will con-
tribute much to the program
One certain number for the com
munity singing of the meeting will be
Billy Sundays famous Brighten the
| Corner Where You Are"
To Make Canvass of City.
Speakers for the big mass meeting
viii tell citizens the purpose of the
campaign and will prepare the cit,
for the canvass of the city to begin tht
day following the mass meeting.
The finance committee meeting a
I the Central Y. M c. A. "Wednesday
afternoon reported that the $4,000
necessary for financing the campaign
will be pro rated among the churches
according to the size of the member.
snip roll. 1t was estimated that 6
! basis of thirty cents a member should
be used, thus providing that a church
| OF 500 would be asked to give $50
The majority of the churches in To.
peka have several times that number
of members, and the financial problem
does not appear difficult to solve.
To Keep Attendance Record.
Churches and Sunday schools are
| expected to keep careful check or
their attendance, particularly OF
church service attendance, beginning
next Sunday and continuing every
Sunday until the last day of the cam.
| paign, Sunday, July 3.
| Early next week a meeting of lead
ers in the campaign will be held a
| the Chamber of Commerce to prepare
for the survey of church attendance
conditions in the city
One Topeka church has alread,
subscribed its quota of money and
members to assist in the church at
/ tendance campaign. The Rev. ]. w
Stiverson of the First United Breth
! rem church said today that his church
was ready with the funds asked by
the campaign committee and haC
many members willing to give theil
services in pushing the drive.