New Britain herald., 1926-06-14

special conditions urgently calling
 for what tho church has or ought to
 have to give.
 The first great opportunity ana challenge grows out of the new in dustrialism into which the last gen.
 eration has carried us. The devel-
 opment of the machinery, the fac tory system, the specialized labor,
 the concentration into cities and
 above all the enormous increase in
 the volume of our American wealth
 due 10 the natural resources have
 tended to emphasize business stand ards Of success. Prosperity rather than human welfare have become one national ideal. Our greatest heroes are those who have amassed the greatest wealth.
 "Tha church must deliver herself from the taint of commorcialism and fight against the God of Man. mon. She must open to driven and tired souls, a window toward heaven.
 "A second special opportunity for the church is our age and nation grows out of the fact that we Americans are as a people deeply indivilualistic. IL is one of the secrets Of our national strength that We have been so. But now that the pioneer stage of our development is over We should enter into brother ly cooperation or maturity wherein We shall all recognize and act on Inc principle that we are all 'mom- her one of another.' This then Is the second and perhaps supreme op- portunity to cultivate and sensitive the social conscience for the specific purpose of making all men realize thoy are all brothers, children of common father in one great human family, Her public worship ought to b" great force in this respect.
 This leads us 10 the third great opportunity of the church in mod ern ages. In the past the church was not slow 10 undertake specific tasks along the pathway to her spir- ltuaI ideals and which others were not undertaking There in ancient times she undertook the whole work or relieving the poor and caring for sick and disabled. which in our own advanced social evolution the stata has taken over. With the passing or these tasks to more appropriate and adequate agencies it is for her, not to lament over lost prestige or outWorn opportunities but to press toward seeking new ones.
 That the church has not been wholly blind to the new situation let the recent development of intsitu- | tional and ncighborhood work in tho neediest part of the city of re- lemptiye agencies for down and | outs bear testimony.
 "The position of the church in human society should be similar. l .hen. to the position Of our colleges | and universities During the pre- 2eding centuries they We're the GUS i -odianS Of higher life and interests | Of humanity, and this training is | their permanent function. But in | addition they give a complete tech 1 nical training for particular calmes, | hey are constantly making new dis ,overies in applied science or ad- Sancing new principles of social well l being, which are put to the services ] 1f society in practical life. i
 They are always Centers and | -allying points for patriotism and | public spirit. The alumni through | out the world look back each to his 1 Alma Mater with a loyalty and af- 'oction which is equallcd and scarce y anywhere in human life. What ! he college is 10 intellectual life, i he church ought 10 be to it's moral | md religious life"
 Mrs. Schncck Reelected
 Mrs. G. II. Schncck, wife of the pastor of the German Baptist church | ,f New Britain was reelected pres dent of the United Ladies' Aid | societies at the Sunday afternoon session of the convention.
 Other officers, all re-elections, were as follows; Nice-president, Mrs. | Emil Berger of Bridgeport; secre- Mrs. Anna Eichstaedt # New Britain.