Evening star., 1923-10-08
Plen for Religious Tolerance
Voiced by Bishop Freeman,
Addresses 10000, Including Members of
Ciuic Bodies, at Open-AI Services
q Near Peace Cross.

a plea for a larger Christianity
beyond the boundaries Of creeds was
made by Rt. Rev. James Z. Freeman,
Bishop of Washington. at COM
at the amphitheater at the Cathedral
Close. The mass meeting, held under
the auspices of the Laymen's Service
Association. was attended by more
than 10000 persons.
we must give up our denomina-
tional hobbies and sectarian conceits
for the sake of the larger vision,"
Bishop Freeman declared. The great
line of the Christian church must be
reformed as we move into the enemy's
country"
The address of the new bishop formed
the climax to the second impressive
service held at the Close since his
conservation, and men of all de-
nominations attended.
Groups representing the various
civic and business clubs of the Ma
tional Capital, denominations, George
Washington University, the District
Chapter Of the Red Cross, Boy Scouts
and other organizations marched in
the procession at $3.50 o'clock from
the peace cross to the great rustic
cross set within the ampitheater.
Introduced by DIR. William Mather
Lewis, preside ent of George Washing
ton University, Bishop Freeman de-
clared that he was grateful for the
interest Of the laymen and women
OF Washington "in the things we are
trying to do here"
Il know the civil life of this city
well" he continued. 1T expresses the
new note in modern civilization 50
we'll given in the slogan of one of the
great organizations here: Not self,
but service which / feel is the un-
spoken ambition of all the civic and
lay bodies.
New Vision Growing.
1.-THE new allies of the Christian
churches are to be found in the So
called secular bodies. There is a
new vision growing of Christianity
and the church in the large view
point. All hoped that out of the war
would come u great spiritual awak-
ening, but it has not daWned as yet,
although I believe it is coming.
There has been tendency to rest
on our oars, to let well enough alone.
to believe we are making progress,
when in reality we are moving in cir
cles. My brethren of the laity, for
the sake of all you hold dear. re-
member that the hour has struck
when the great line of the, Christian
church from one end to another must
be reformed
The bishop took a text from Deu-
teronomy, and said that there were
several mountains which the Chris
tldn CnuTcneS nave D6eH encompass
ing long enough. One he said. is the
mountain of mechanical affairs, try
ing to convert men by what we have
been pleased to call INSTITUTIONAL
ISM" He asked that the laity relieve
their clergy from mechanical service.
from being public mendicantS on
behalf of the mechanism"
The mount of formal and old Serv-
ice is another obstacle, he said. The
church is the lirst real line of de-
fense OF the republic The religious
effort to save souls makes safeguard
for the home more potent than po-
we must disclose a patriotic spirit
that will go to the death for the
things we believe
The average Christian man, Bishop
Freeman asserted. holds his religion
for himself. apart from the world.
THAT has almost caused the death of
Christianity, and it's got to stop" he
cried THE time has come when we
must know who is loyal We must
get away from the little mount of
petty satisfaction. Christianity has
not been tried and found wanting, but
has been tried and found difficult. II
your Christianity does not cost you
anything it is worthless. The man
who tries to save his own soul alone
will ultimately find it shriveled. The
manhood of Christ has not gripped us
as it should. The hope of America
and of the world is in a return of
allegiance to Jesus Christ Jesus is
embalmed in creeds. What we need