CHURCH METHODS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1515, 10 August 1912, Page 9

CHURCH METHODS.

\ XOTABLB EXTERI'inSE IN SOUTH ■LONDON. Christ Church, '\\V-tmins(er Bridge. l?o:id, is one uf the most bwuitifiil (iothio churches belonginc l» Free Churchnioii in London. P.rerted -is the nnturnl successor of old Surrey (.'luipel, whero EowImul Hill was..|)usior, it marked tho most successful Blags of Newman Hall's mia-

istry. The graceful spiro and Lincoln Tower aro a reminder of his advocacy of the Northern cause and the return Americans made lor his gonetous assistance at a timo when the majority in this country favoured the South. But oven with its noble pile of buildings the church hail recently (says tho "Westminster Gazette") fallen upon days when, its future position seemed precarious. It is iu a "Down-Town" position, and . after the Rev. F. B. Meyer, 8.A., retired from the pastorate leading ministers were not auxious to undertake thft problem presented by tho decaying church. Two months ago Dr. Len Broughton, of Atlanta, entered upon the ministry, on tho understanding that he was to receive , a , freo hand to carry out an extensive programme of work which he had planned i."i view of, the circumstances. Already Dr. Broughton—according to his ■ interview with a representative- of tho "Westminster Gazetic"—has seen evidences of a response .on the part of thobu who had not been previously associated with tho church. This has already exceeded his expectations, and gives him every hopo for the future. "1 am thrilled with the possibilities of Christ Church," he said,

"and in twelve months' tirjo 1 believe wo shall seo a net gain iu membership of GOO." "At the present pcrio.d the English churches arc realising a decliuo in membership. The ministers are very siek of the fact, and when the subject is discussed in their presence they simply give a shrug of the shoulders. I think 1 have discovered the secret. It is quite true that people arc not so ready to join tho Church as previously, but from what 1 know already of English Church life, ministers do not to-day emphasise tho necessity of membership. Numbers of good people because of this failure remain outside Church fellowship, and the Church is weakened as a consequence, but from my own short experience I find many who have stated,, when the position was brought- before them, that they have never previously received the facts in such a manner.

"We propose to incur an expenditure of .£IO,OOO. The church has never been cleaned since it was built. There is some, liiost beautiful carving in the interior, but it is obliterated by tho dust Of tho ages. Again, the lighting of tho church by gas is out of date, .and we prefer to inslal tho electric light. We mean to make tho church intensely bright nnd scrupulously clean. A choir gallery is to bo erected in accordance with tho present gallery, and a platform for the use of. lectures, etc., is to be built out from the chancel on a level with the present pupit." At present there aro MOO scholars and 400 teachers in the various Sunday Schools connected with the Church. This practical interest in 'Sunday Schools has always* proved a feature of the organisation of the church almost from tho days of ltnwland Hill. "We propose," continued the present pastor, "to form a model and modern school. As compared with America England lags behind iu th" matter of tho equipment of Sunday Schools. Tho Rev. Albert Swift, who is an acknowledged authority- on the matter, is coming to Christ Church in order to take Hie administrative charge of tho Sunday School De-' partment, and tho work amongst young people. Wβ will provide gymnasia on every floor, shower-baths, library, restrooin.i for (,'irls, and other necessary auxiliaries."

Further progress along American lines in the establishment of an Institutional Church will bo the Christian Workers' Training School for tho equipment of Sunday School teachers, deaconesses, and district nurses. In due course, as I)r. Broughton. states, this school will "head up" to a hospital. "Everything that wo propose at Christ Ch'ureh," remarked Dr. Broughton, in closing tho interview, "will bo keyed to evangelism. This is tho basis on which all my work will be organised."