The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-01
CHURCREsA|DED.
BY RADIO, SAYS
PASTOR
pr. Millar. Head Of Federation,
Says in Long Run It Will
Increase Attendance.

Even though broadcasting may in
jure church attendance at first, in
the long run 1t will prove to be a
factor in bringing hundreds to the
churches, the Rev. DR.. William 81
NfIlar, general secretary Of the New
York Federation of Churches, which
broadcasts service over WEAF.
New York twice weekly, said re-
Gently
AT present religious services
which are broadcasted twice
week in no way conflict with the
regular services of the churches
here for the schedules are arranged
for Sunday afternoons and Thurs
day evenings.
Eve have arranged this scheme
in cooperation with WEAF,"
DR.. Millar said, for a two-fold
reason. The younger and less
eloquent clergymen and those In
the small neighbpring towns could
not compete with a we'll known
New York preacher who has estab-
lished a pulpit reputation, and is In
consequence sought as broad
caster.
Aids Religion.
@You have no idea what a sat
isfactory effect broadcasting is
having upon religion among those
who are difficult to reach or
dinarily / have a pile of letters
here. They show that although.
as you suggest, broadcasting may
be reducing church attendance,
it IS at the same time widening
our audience outside the church
pews. Just think of the number
Of persons in large city like
ours who are invalids or bed
ridden and may not be able to
attend church. This is an i'm
portant group to reach right at
their very bedside.
.Broadcasting am convinced
will broaden the field of religious
work. That is why I am doing
my utmost to interest the best
elergymen can find in delivering
sermons. And we want only
gospel sermons; we are not OPP
for any religious disputes.
For everyone who remains home
to get his gospel preaching by
radio there must be five who are
drawn to church by the same
means. / know this for a fact.
because church members tell me
most every day about persons who
feel the need of church services
after they have listened in on an
inspiring preachers sermon.
Bible Study Popular.
bible study and reading is be-
Coming more popular on this ac-
count Many men who have a,
recollection of church-going in their
youth that doesn't thrill them are
beginning to fnid that there is some
thing in a church service that they
had formerly missed.
"Of course, we don't take up r
collection by radio, but that doesn't
matter. We are performing the
function of a religious organization
of satisfying a need which every
human being seems to have some
where in his makeup.
nI almost hesitate to tell you
this story because it may seem so
| improbable. Nevertheless, I'll tell
you about a man whose brother
was going out one evening to a
party where the stay-at-home
brother knew he. would not be
benefiting himself, to put it mildly.
| There was a half-hour which the
brother was going to vile away
before starting out and the stay-at-
home suggested that his brother
listen in. He did, for the want of
something else to do. 1t was. Thurs
day night, prayer meeting night,
in the ether. The sermon caught
the man who was intent upon his
! party and he notified his friends
by telephone that he would not go
out, Before the broadcasting period
ended the two brothers knelt in
| prayer, and now they frequently
attend church service together"