Evening journal., 1923-02-17

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old question was asked OF God. vet
regardless OF age. circumstances
culture or religion. no man has
ever been able 20 answer TO his own
conscience negatively the question.
Am my brothers keeper" since
the first answer rang into the ears
or one who asked Il, The voice OF
thy brothers blood crieth unto me
from the ground" Mutual and COM
mon responsibilities have differed
from time to time in detail. hut
they have ever remained the same
in the essential. As opportunities and
facilities for mutual helpfulness,and
community service increase, and our
vision OF human needs become
keener and wider, the debts we
owe our fellow creatures, In our
/ various communities grow larger
and larger. and however many Of
! them we pay, they are never can
celled until we are taken over 70
+ our better country. that IS an
heavenly" To bring this definitely
before our community workers. we
must thoroughly acquaint our
selves with the assets and liabilities
I of our several communities. The
territory covered by the circulation
! OF this paper embraces not only
our own city with It's varied com
munity environments, but the many
country towns, villages and Isolated
rural sections OF the Delmarvia PEN
insula. Therefore our first check
should be for the conduct Of a thor
ough community survey. covering
first a religious census, and placing
upon each church the definite re-
sponsibilhy OF reaching, winning,
saving and training for service those
for whom that church Is considered
responsible.
There are communities, Ike our
own city. where this entails such
organization as IS designed in the
timely movement for a city council
OF churches. or church federation,
now established in almost all the
larger cities. We should hall with
delight this much needed organiza-
tion as a step toward closer fedora
ton and cooperation toward the
great common objectives Of our
evangelical churches. Il has IN Il an
opportunity for US TO utilize all our
forces young and old for the actual
accomplishment Of tasks upon
which we have been dissipatlng all
too much OF our God given energies.
In every community. large and
small. there are all too many
FnNk - -
speak. in mo mans land" in our
Christian warfare. These should be
so definitely sought and won for
Chist and the church by the com
bined churches in such a way as 20
compel them 10 come IN" This
survey should cover also the moral
conditions, the known and suspect
ed evils, the popular amusements |
and the habits OF the community. |
As information Is the inspiration OF
missions so will Il be found that |
where the information is brought |
definitely before the people, they
will be inspired 10 act for the i'm
OF conditions in every
way. This survey should further
more cover the facilities for sani-
.ation, education and recreation. It
will be a great step forward when
Dur various communities become
with themselves.
The survey completed. the next
step will depend entirely upon the
most urgent need discovered. It will
differ according to the community.
L IS impossible to write or present
l definite program for all COM
nunities. Let us suggest a few for
example.
Draw another check sufficient to
cover the expense of a public lee !
ure course. relating to the religious
moral. educational. social and ply
iical life and health OF the people.
This will serve to develop a COM
nunity conscience concerning all
''ol needs. Evils now tolerated +,
vi, hout interference, will soon be-
,in to fret under popular opposi-
ion, and many Of them be cor
ected. Laws Of sanitation common
v violated on private premises. and ,
n public places will begin TO appeal :
% popular attention. and many de- ,
,lorable conditions will be speedily
!
Draw another check to provide ]
IN outlet for the play life OF the 7
and young people Of the 2
But beware lest the J
precede proper superin- s
endency and careful supervision. It 2
: better to provide no such facil-
ties, than TO have the equipment
Without proper care and supervision.
Tot every community may be able
o employ capable supervisors Of
LAY, but the survey above referred
o should surely reveal some
ehnite talent that should respond :
o the call of the community for !
,atrlotic service either OF a volun- !
ary character. or at a very nominal :
xpense. for at least part-time SER
ice. Some communities may afford I
through the churches and interested !
it!zens a community house. with S
terary. athletic and other needed c
ABILITIES. properly supervised. II is 3
etter that churches get together TO Il
rovide adequately for such COM v
lunities than that they act inde- "
evidently for themselves. and fail Il
o provide enough.
Draw other checks for the es-
lblishment OF capable agencies for !.
he care of the poor and unfortun- y
te. the employment of the unem- -
loyed. the encouragement Of thrift, \
religious education. and h
-hatever else the community may n
ave need OF. Be Il remembered
throughout this program Of public n