Christian sociology; Labor -- United States; Labor movement -- United States; Working class -- United States
A prominent pastor desiring to discover how his preaching would affect
different classes of people had a friend invite some persons from
different parts of the city; and then after the service these people
were invited to meet with others in one of the classrooms to discuss
the sermon. It was almost impossible to draw any expressions of opinion
from them as to the value of the service, but they agreed that they did
not feel at home in the church. Yet none of these visitors could tell
what he meant by “feeling at home.” The fact is, however, more people
go to church to-day because of the friendships that they find within
the institution than because of their desire for religious instruction.
A large proportion of the people who are outside of the church are
outside because to them the institution seems cold, narrow, and
unattractive, and fits the description given by Robert Louis Stevenson
of many churches that he had known, “A fire at which no man ever warms
his hands.”
=A Ministry to All.= The Morgan Memorial Church of Boston touches
a wide community and is carrying on a very extensive work. It has
enlarged its plant from time to time until it occupies almost a
solid block. There has recently been erected a new building to be
operated in connection with this institution known as the Church of
all Nations. Here is the gathering place of the multitude from every
land who now live in the south end of Boston. In addition to the
regular religious services there is a rescue mission for the “down
and outs,” and dormitories for men and women where clean beds can
be secured at a reasonable price. There are workshops, employment
bureaus, a restaurant, a reading-room and, in fact, under one roof this
church houses a community of interests, economic, industrial, social,
educational, and religious. On the front of the building there is a
lighted cross, and to all of the south end of Boston this cross means
hope.
=Story of Twenty-five Years.= The church has not accomplished all that
might have been accomplished, but when we study the history of the
last twenty-five years and take stock of the results that have been
achieved, we find that there are countless things that indicate a real
life interest, and a purpose toward achievement in the church.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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