It is useless to try to disguise the fact
that in our. cities organic church life in
the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Congregational and allied denomina
tions has not only not kept pace with
.avmueassw population, but has posi
tively retrograded; and this, too, in the
face of a general progress of the cause
of Christianity in the nation and th
-.vorld which is little short of miracu-
ror e past twenty years has
witnessed the most wonderful move
ments of militant Christianity in the
history of the world. The triumph of
the cause of Christ is as certain as that
,wx,u lianas, me only question
t hat deeply interests us is, Are we in the
impassion.- it not, why not? Is it not
tiaio we knew just where we stand in
our great cities?
What are the Baptist doing in New
iork today, for example? We have
many things with which we might con
gratulate ourselves in our little indi
vidual church. During the past year we
have been more prosperous than any
year of the three of the, present pas
torate. The congregations have bee.i
larger, the spirit of zeal and unity
stronger. We are stronger financially
and m every way stronger than ever be
ore m our history. We have devel
iped m the past year remarkably effi
cient working organizations within the
ohurch.
