The New York herald., 1921-02-16
REDS BORING FROM
WITHIN CHURCHES,
SAYSNQURY
National Civic Federation
Report Says Clergy Has
Been Contaminated.
FIND MAJORITY LOYAL
Church of Messiah, New
York, 'Socialized,' 1t Says,
and Religion Put Aside.
ASCENSION ALSO NAMED
Movement Is Menace Rather
Than Aid to American La
Dor, Is Warning.
ASCENSION ALSO NAMED

Radical groups ranging in color
from socialism TO aparchism are max
ing a determined and organized ef-
fort to exploit the churches as a
medium for Spreading their propa-
ganda. That is the conclusion reached
by the committee on judges and re-
ligious organizations OF the National
Civic Federation after an investigation
which occupied the last ten months.
Tho committees report was submit
ted to the federation yesterday at tho
second day of its session in the Hotel
Astor by Everett p Wheeler. former
president of the American Bar Asso-
citation.
The committee reports that 1t has
found evidences Of these activities not
only in the Roman Catholic, Protes-
tant and Jewish churches. but also in
such non-sectarian religious bodies as
the Y. NJ. C. A. and the Y. w. c. A..
and In such philanthropic organiza-
tions as the Red Cross, supported
largely by the churches.
Become Disciples of Marx.
Not only, the committee reports. have
the churches been used by outside
agencies for the furtherance of their
own aims. but a section Of the clergy
itself is using it's office as an outlet
for radical propaganda. Reference Is
made to the Christian Socialist League
of America, composed of a certain group
of Episcopal clergy and others. rs
frankly the exponent of MARKHAM So
c.alism, carrying on an extended propa-
ganda in church organizations and In
theological seminaries."
The committees report says: 1T is
a matter of satisfaction 10 observe that
the great majority OF the clergy priests
and rabbis of the Catholic. Protestant
and Jewish faiths. az we'll as the Chris
tian and Jewish religious organizations
themselves. are loyal to the institutions
and laws OF this country. and are exert
ing a powerful influence for right
throughout the nation.
1T Is, however. a matter OF concei II
TO the committee that there is a small
but active and well organized element
in the churches which appears to be
impatient with the slow and orderly
progress of political and economic evolu-
ton and has espoused MARKHAM doctrines
as supplying the only solution for ex-
isting problems.
"Those who have frankly and openly
adopted these principles may be easily
..-ttl- nv ho nthar hand. there
are other clergymen. priests and rabbis
who. while not frankly accepting the
principles Of socialism or communism.
sympathize with. foster and aid the
groups represented by such philosophy
and who by reason Of their own erronc-
Gus convictions on political and economic
questions tend ignorantly to undermine
and destroy the confidence of their
hearers In the Government and institu-
tions of this country.
"The latter group is by far the most
dangerous and difficult TO deal with. IT
Is made up In large measure OF men or
high ideals, real sentiment and earnest
ness OF purpose.
The committees Investigations have
disclosed the fact that efforts 10 gain "A
foothold I'm the various churches have
been most successful in the Presby-
terian, the Episcopal and the Methodist
churches and that indications are not
wanting that the same tendency IL
itself in the Roman Catholic
Church"
New York Churches Named.
As an example of the use made OF the
churches by radical groups. the report
cites the American International Church.
meeting Of the Labor Temple. at second
avenue and Fourteenth street, as a regu-
larly constituted Presbyterian church
where members Of the J. W. W. and In
dependent radlcalsk have frequently
spoken. AS an example OF similar uses
made OF the Episcopal Church. the report
mentions tho Church OF the Ascension
at Fifth avenue and Tenth street.
so far as the committee has OBJ
served" states the report. "the Meth
odist Church does not tolerate such con-
spicuous centres as have been found
among the Presbyterian and Episcopal
churches on the other hand. there are
among it's clergy men who have espouscd
radical and some revolutionary doc
trines. These men have attained posi-
tions Of influence In theological semi
rarios and In Methodist publications.
thus securing IN measure power 10
guido aud influence the opinion Of the
members OF the Methodist Church.
while the Roman Catholic Church.
as is well known. Is steadfast in its sup
port Of low and order, there are 20 be
found certain priests whose viewpoints
on social and economic questions meet
with the hearty support and applause OF
the radical and revolutionary elements
,r our country. Certain OF these priests
arc IN important positions in church or
and speak with apparent au-
thority on economic and social ques-
tlons.
There has also boon noted n ten
iency In some places for clergymen 20
bandon The dlstinctively religious char
,cter and TO 'socializo' their churches.
\ typical Instance is the reorganization
of the Church Of the Messiah In New
-.a---
Continued on Second PG0c.
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