Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 10.djvu/763

* INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH. 675 INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH. Temple, Boston. Since this name magnifies the departmental organization and has a mechanical sound, 'Free Cliureli' and 'Open Church' are otlier names proposed ; but as the former designation is applied to a church with free pews, Open Church has met with the most favor. Ever since 1840 some of the English churches have been taking on new functions, but the new church movement in the United States dates back hard- ly to 1880, and as a recognized movement it is scarcely older than 1800. It had its origin in the same impulses which created the University Settlement, Christian Socialism, and the Salva- tion Army — a feeling that the cluirches were not reaching the masses, and that each com- munity had much work to be accomplished which could be done by the Church. The object is distinctly humanitarian. The Institution- al Church becomes the centre and inspiration of the daily live.s of its members, to whom it ministers according to their immediate needs, and has, as a result, reabsorbed certain functions (educational, medical, charitable) which had been assumed by the State and otlier organiza- tions sinca the Roman Catholic Church ceased to be the universal Church. The characteristics of the Institutional Church are, in general, an adoption of .secular methods. The platform of the Institutional Church League states that it "stands for open church doors for every day and all the day, free seats, a plurality of Christian workers, the personal activity of all Church members, and a ministry to all the comnumity through educational, reformatory, and philanthropic channels." The organization of such churches is very complete. Tlie numerous committees have definite duties, such as wel- coming strangers, house to house canvassing, visiting members, and suiierintending work of different kinds. The finances are placed in competent hands and managed upon business principles. The ushers for church services are carefully chosen. Subpastors, deaconesses, sis- ters, and nurses carry on certain features of the work. The distinctly religious work consists of attractive services ; music, frequently by large choirs or choruses; well-organized Sunday schools; pleasant Sunday afternoons; prayer meetings with special features; open-air meet- ings in summer ; and the encouragement of help- ful associations, such as men's Sunday evening meetings, the brotherhoods of Saint Andrew and of Andrew and Philip, and Christian Endeavor societies. The secular work aims at education- al, social, and physical improvement. Some churches have established special .schools and colleges, which give an opportunity to obtain or to supplement a rudimentary education; industrial classes are maintained: lectures, illustrated and university extension, are given ; literary and debating clubs are encouraged; and libraries, reading-rooms, and recreation- rooms, with billiards, bowling-alleys, and games, are provided. The physical man is ministered to in gymnasiums, swimming-pools, military drills, and athletic teams. The philanthropic work includes employment bureaus, aid to worthy poor, wood-yards, dispensaries, hospitals. cre<hes. penny provident funds, and personal efTnrts to reach the vicious or intemperate. When funds are suflicient, special buildings have been con- structed. The denominations especially engaged in this work are the Episcopal, Congregational, and Baptist, although there are a num5;r of Presby- terian, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, and Metho- dist churches which make use of the .same meth- ods. Some of the prominent Institutional churches are: Berkeley Temple, Ruggles Street Baptist, and Parker Memorial, of Boston; Fourth Congregational Church, of Hartford; Saint George, Saint Paul's, Saint Bartholomew, and Judson Memorial, of New York; Tabernacle, or People's Palace, of Jersey City; Grace Church (The Temple) and Bethany Church, of Phila- delphia; Pilgrim Church, of Cleveland: Ninth Street Church, of Cincinnati; Plymouth Taber- nacle. Institute, and People's College, of Detroit; People's Church, of Saint Paul; the Tabernacle, of Denver; and, one of the oldest of all, Plym- outh Cliurch, of Indianapolis. The Open and Institutional Church League was organized in New York in 1894. The league has given aid and counsel by correspondence; it published for three v-ears a magazine, the Open Church; and it has held conventions in Boston (189.5), in Philadelphia (ISlKJ), in Brooklvn (1897), in Hartford il,S9,S), in Worcester (1899), and in New York (1901). At present the League is doing little active work; but its secretary, in connection with the Federation of Churches in New York, has organized the Xa- tioiial Federation of Churches and Christian Workers. The principles of the League have taken a strong hold on Church life, and many churches are adopting free pews and institutional methods. Important results claimed for these methods are increased church attendance, especially of men ; a higher spiritual tone, and the arousing of activity, which is considered by sociologists as an essential moral and industrial stimulant. In all these churches the business clergyman with executive ability is brought into prominence. The objections made to this movement are: Its expensiveness ; the heavy burden placed upon the minister; the tendency to overlook the spiritual ; and the secularization of the Church. It may be said that the Church to-day is de- pendent entirely upon voluntary association. There are no religious restraints other than those of inherited habits, which are easily modi- fied by the environment. If the Church, with its power and organization, does not attempt to offer temporarily a remedy for serious social evils, it will lose its slight hold upon the unfortunate classes. Undoubtedly the success of individual churches is dependent upon the character of the minister or some dominant personality, whose death cripples the work. Specialization in Church work among the clergy may obviate this difficulty. Since the people reached are from the lower middle class, constituting an indifferent element in the community, it is probable that elements of the population are brought within Church influence who would otherwise have re- mained outside. The social benefits are important in that they emphasize individual responsibility, and by making outsiders members of special groups impress them with a sense of relationship to the whole community. BrBLioGRAPliT. Mead, Modern Methods in Church Work (New York. 1897): Strong. Veto Era (New York, 189.'?): Tliwing. The Working Church (New York. 1888) : Woods, English So- cial Movements (New Y'ork, 1891).