The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-27
For THE CENTRAL PREsByTER1AS.
How Can We get the Poor to Church? ?

nVW Vdn we ReI Iue IVoi W CuuIcn
In this matter as in nasny others, a
shake of the hand accompanied with a
smile, is worth a great deal. To be Civ
en-, it costs nothing, and yet it is often,
yes, almost universally, productive of
good results. One might suppose that
there is a secret spring about the hand
which, when thus pleasantly touched,
opens the heart. Certainly in many in
stances the heart is so softened by it
that without further trouble, you leave a
lifelong good impression; and upon this
impression it is not very difficult to build
an influence which will affect the soul for
all eternity. But the proposition with
which began, needs no proof or if
any one thinks differently, would deal
with him in an "eloquence more power
full than words by sending him for
conviction to those pleasant feelings
which warm up the heart, when it is
kindly dealt with.
What l here intend was suggested by
readine "H. B. P.'s" article entitled as
above, in your issue of February 18th.
In all that he says l most heartily
concur, and pray that its application to
the Church may be by the power of the
Spirit of God. But I think that there
is duty resting upon Christians in ad-
dition to the giving of material aid, and
making provision for the spiritual wants
of the poor. In caring for the poor the
Church, as body, has great and bind
ing obligation upon her, which the Apos-
tie James explains with great clearness
in his second chapter. But the individ-
uals of the Church give character to her
actions. 1t is therefore vain that the
Church should call to the poor in winning
tones, and promise a hearty welcome to
her courts, if the members who compose
the Church are not in unison.
Will man think he can be pleasantly
associated with you in public, if your
private life repels him? If you meet
him only in the spirit of pride, arro-
gance,zor with respecsS hut very
cold and distant formality n the every
day contact, will he not find in this a
reason for not seeking your company,
save when it is absolutely necessary ?
Now he is not obliged to attend Church,
and perhaps does not because you, a
representative of the Church, have made
a bad impression upon him. And as he
thinks of you, so is he prejudiced against
your Church.
1t is not required that the proper
rules of society should be broken down,
nor that you shall force intelligence and
ignorance, refinement and yulgarity into
congeniality, but simply that the follow
ers of Christ shall deal with men as their
Divine Master would. Is there any one
among the poor worms of the dust who
claims superiority to Him? Then if He,
the King of Kings, the Lord of glory,
could afford to treat the poor kindly when
He dwelt among men, so can you, no
matter what your condition in wealth,
honor or greatness. If you do nothing
more, you can give him a friendly smile,
a pleasant word, cordial grasp of the
hand which will convince him that you
do think and care something more for
him than for "the beasts that perish. r"
Does this means of good seem too insig-
ni6cant for the ends to be attained? If
so, 1 beg you to let it seem what it may,
while you give it a practical test. For
this is the root of a tree which will bear
good fruit, whereof he who cultivates it
shall partake with much joy in the day
when Christ shall say, "Inasmuch as ye
did it unto one of the least of these, my
brethren, ye have done it unto me. )"
Those especially, who handle the word
of life and break the spiritual bread to
needy souls, may we'll prove this matter,
for they will often gain souls for Christ
by winning hearts to themselves.
1 have sometimes heard the complaints
of the poor that the minister did neither
visit nor show any interest in them, but
treated them as strangers in whom he
had no concern, and have known them
to prefer another denomination because
its minister ever met them kindly, never
Stunned their humble homes, and always
took them kindly by the hand in his
greetings. Were it necessary, I could
write here the names of some who scoffed
at the Church, and were judged to be
hopelessly hardened in sin, but who were
drawn to an attendance upon the minis,
trations of one who thus treated them,
and they are now walking in the path Of
life. Was not that then a means Of
grace for bringing them to Christ
Others also l could mention, who seem
to be as far from Christ as sinners can
be in this world, yet they are nearer than
they once were. The time was when,
though they never failed to attend church,
they never entered the church, but now,
their seats IN church are seldom, if ever
vacant. The minister won their regard
by associating kindly with them, when.
ever he met them, though some were
poor, and those who were not, were YET
so wicked and careless, in some instance:
full of blasphemy, that their company
might by many have seemed an improper
place for minister Of the Gospel to b.
seen.
Experience is my teacher that tn
poor, both IN car7sal and spiritual things
NAV he drawn IN our churches bv ever