Universalist Services — Duty Toward Immigrants

Iowa, 1914

Rev. Effie McCollum Jones' sermon last evening was a plea for the immigrant. Her subject was suggested by Mary Antin's book on "The Promised Land" and was very interesting.

Mary Antin is a Russian Jewess, who came to this country when 12 years of age. In her book she outlined the condition of her people in the old country and portrays the essentially religious feeling which the immigrants entertain about America. To them it is a place of hope and deliverance; a place where great opportunities await them.

Mrs. Jones emphasized the duty of American citizens toward their immigrant neighbors. She believes that if the immigrant's dreams do not come true when he reaches American soil that it is the fault of the American people, and they should attempt to train the immigrant educationally, socially, industrially and religiously. This cannot be done by the settlement workers alone, but can be done by each of us cultivating a better sentiment toward our new citizens and by each feeling a deeper interest in them.

A special song service was given in the evening by the chorus choir under the direction of Mrs. Maxwell Case, who sang "God Be Merciful," by Bartlett.

—Waterloo Evening Courier, Waterloo, IA, Jan. 19, 1914, p. 8.