Evening star., 1922-05-27

are under way by the National Capt.
tai Extension Committee for the Pres
bytery of Washington City. which
have Just been indorsed by the sixty
second assembly of the Presbyterian
Church, U. S. A. which met this
week at Des Moines, Iowa
The committee has prepared
booklet in order to bring to PresDy
terians generally some knowledge OF
the condition and situation OF the
church here. The enterprise mas oeeh
indorsed by Rev. DR.. Henry c. Swer-
ingen. moderator of the genera as
sembly, and other memoers VI eno
executive commission.
DR.. Sweringen said:
"The situation of our Presbyterian
Church in Washington, d. C.' shoulo
interest every member OF the cnuasn VIZ
throughout the entire country. More
and more Washington city is becom-
ing a center of the nation.
THE national heart beats there. ana
its pulsations are felt everywhere.
1t seems to me imperative that Pres
byterians have representation at
the National Capital which Will eA,
press fully the dignity and power or
our denomination and its determine
tion to put it's full strength INTO the
service of Christ's kingdom.
Our local constituency IN WASH,
ington may not be able to meet AL
the requirements of the situation.
Under such circumstances 1T WILL De-
come necessary for the entire churcn
to undergrad our cause there that 1t
may become more of factor IN max
ing America fully Christian"
Financial Ability Limited.
1t Is set forth in the booklet that
"the presbytery Of Washington city
and Presbyterians in the capital, un-
aided, are quite unable to give
Presbyterianism the place 1t deserves
and the position which it should oc-
cupy before the nation and the world
in close contact with Washington
A large percentage of Washington
people are in government service ana
have limited financial ability: the
connected with churches in other
cities.
There is no Presbyterian Church
with members able to help other
i churches adequately in crucial times
and in movements for church exten-
sion. There cannot be a progressive
Presbyterianism in the capital with
out the encouragement and assist
ance of strong. able Presbyterlans
from the denomination outside the
capital.
"The Presbyterian Church in Wash,
ington is so poorly housed ana
meagerly equipped. as to be embar-.
rassed by contact with the other
magnificent surroundings Ihere is
not a single Presbyterian Church
building in Washington that Will
compare favorably with the fore
most Presbyterian churches in otner
cities of the same size or mucn
smaller. And there is no prospect
of obtaining any such church edi-
fees unless patriotic Presoyterians
with national and international vision
come to the rescue. There are
twenty-one Presbyterian churches IN IN
have buildings fairly equipped, SIX
are now pressed for enlargement or
entire edifices, three have chapels
awaiting completed plans, four others
have small frame buildings ana are
in real need of adequate equipment
No church Is provided with anything
like modern Sunday school facilities.
Historical churches are housed IN
buildings that are disappolntment
and a discredit to our great denomi-
nation. Appearances, efficiency and
effectiveness can never be attalneo
until PresbyterianS are informed and
their loyalty and pride spurred to
action
Other Denominations Praised.
"Other denominations and religious
societies have appreciated the situation
with their people and the conspicuous
ness Of their work in the nations capl-
tai and have risen to it,
The work of the other denominations
in Washington, many Of which have
provided memorials for local churcnes'
are set forth in the booklet.
Our Presbyterian Church needs a
number of commanding church edifces
in the capital Our constituency needs
them. Our denomination should oe
creditably represented by them Our
standing in the nation and the world
would be greatly raised by them. Our
church is constantly losing prestige at
home and abroad without then," 1t Is
"a great Presbyterian building might
he erected In the Capital Of the nation.
1t might include Presbyterian headquar.
terra. offices suitable for religious and
byterian depository and book store,
largo auditorium to accommodate re-
ugious gatherings. the Presbyterian gem
eral assembly, welfare organizations
constantly demanding such accornmoda-
tons, a headquarters for Professionalism
in the capital 1t might if desirable,
incorporate a church auditorium and
complete equipment to secure perma-
nency for a central Presbyterian Church
organization.
Church Erection Urged.
"a large sum of money might be
invested in Presbyterian church edi-
aces in the capital to aid congrega-
tions in erecting conspicuous church
buildings, to provide equipment for
taking care of transient Presby-
terians, of which there are many: to
mako the physical side of Presbyter-
ianism stand out In an attractive way
and to command the respect of all the
representative people who come to
the capital"
The assembly at Des Moines adopted
resolutions urging "the National
Capital Church Extension Committee
Of the Presbytery OF Washington City
TO present to the church definite pro-