Article May 22, 1926 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from L. Walter Mason

[From the Christian Century, New York, New York]

The pastors of Cleveland have shown a new and better way in which Christian leaders may begin a new year. On the last day of 1925, sixty of them gathered under the auspices of the federation of churches in one of the centrally located churches of the city. Dr. Francis S. White, the president of the federated churches, who chanced to be also the dean of the Episcopal cathedral, presided. Three pastors who had celebrated anniversaries during the year of long service in Cleveland took leading parts in the simple ritual. Rev. Henry Schmidt, who read the Scripture, had just finished thrity-five years at the Third Reformed Church. Rev. J. H. Goldner had been twenty-five years at the Euclid Avenue Christian Church. Rev. Dan F. Bradley had been twenty years at the Pilgrim Congregational Church. As he officiated, Dr. Goldner remarked, "It has been worth waiting twenty-six years to attend such a service as this." Ministers from the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and United Presbyterian communions also took a leading part in the service. Every element in the Protestant church life of Cleveland found representation in the group which gathered about the table of the Lord. It is impossible but that a better spirit will come out of such a service. No arrant sectarianism could survive in the atmosphere thus engendered.

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