Evening star., 1933-09-24

certain proprietorv right enjoyed by
those who could afford to pay subStan-
tial sums for the seats they occupied.
Within 20 years or less this situation
has greatly changed. and today very
considerable proportion of our churches
have abolished the pew rental system
and are maintained almost wholly upon
a voluntary basis of giving. Whatever
the causes may be that have alienated
great masses of our people, they must
be frankly recognized and courageously
dealt with. If for any cause, whether
an excess of autocratic administration,
excessive individualism, ritualistic &C.
centricities, or an undue emphasis upon
class consciousness, the major task
confronting the church today is to re-
cover both the affection and adherence
of the multitude now beyond its gates
I cannot agree with those who main
tain that the clergy are wholly respon-
sible for any deficiencies now charged
against the church as an institution.
The sooner the laitv assume their
proper responsibility and lift from the
shoulders of the clergy burdens too
heavy to be borne: the sooner a finer
spirit of hospitality and generous in
classes and types of people. the sooner
we shall restore not only the impaired
pulpit power, but the popularity OF
the church as the conserver of the high
moral and spiritual interests of the
people.
1T has grown increasingly evident
in more recent years, especially during
the dark days of the depression, from
which happily We seem to be emerging,
that religion is fundamental to the Sc
curity of every interest that concerns
lis. I am whole -heartedly in favor Of
legislative measures undertaken looking
to the rehabilitation of our economic
and industrial interests. But I am
equally certain that there must go
along with this vitality important effort
a corresponding effort looking to the
restoration of the normal moral and
spiritual tone of our Nation as whole.
Supports Smith View.
Nations. like individuals, do not Sc
cure to themselves permanence, pros
perity and peace by stabilizing the
sources of their income. 1t has never
been more conspicuously true than now
that. Righteousness eXalteth ma
tion.' heartily concur in statement
recently made by Gov. Alfred E.
Smith. in which he boldly affirmed
that there was supreme need, never
RTtdleT tlldll IlOW, lOI IeStoiulS d1io
strengthening the moral tone Of our
people. For the first time in a genera
tion our self-assurance and pride in
Our capacity to ride out any storm
have failed us. In our insularity we
had thought that the ills of other ma
tions We were immune to. We have
an amazing capacity for coming back
after experiencing what to others
would seem to prove disastrous. if not
fatal. But to the most superficial OBJ
server. the recent debacle indicates
that we have sustained moral sag,
and that supineness and indifference
to moral and religious codes is an out
standing cause of our difficulties.
The present critical situation calls
for kind of patriotism that we have
not disclosed since the days Of tn,
World War. 1t is a patriotism that
rises above party affiliations and party
preferences. This critical situation
presents an opportunity and chal-
lenge to churches of every name such
as they have not enjoyed for genera
tions past"
Recalls Early Training.
The bishop reflected upon the period
of his life ~nen he was engaged as an
accountant of great railroad corpora
ton, and when economics was a sub
ject that engaged his whole interest.
He spoke about the transition in his
life when he left behind him his desk
as an accountant and entered upon the
new sphere of the Christian ministry.
He added Il suppose can never get
away from the point of view in which
I was trained through Is years OF
active service in a great corporation,
that has very largely shaped my course
and colored my preaching throughout
the long years of my ministry in three
notable parishes. and now for the past
10 years in my episcopate. have no
desire to turn the hands back on the
dial and I have regarded each one of
these long years as full of privilege
and opportunity. The minister. like
any other person. is citizen Of the
state, with all the obligations which
that implies. He is member of society
ard shares the common veal or woe
of the community in which he resides.
It is imperative that he keep alive and
sensitive his sympathies. 1t is indis-
pensable that he keep step with the age
in which he lives. In the language Of
a great apostle. he must be all things
to all men. This does not mean the
lowering of his standards as minister
of the Christian church. 1t certainly
does mean that he should be en- rap
port with everything that concerns the
well-being of the community in which
he lives.
advances the church has made have
come in times of strenuous opposition.
The old adage, the blood of the mar