Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-13

1t was needful for me to write unto you and
exhort you that ye should earnestly contend
for the faith that was once delivered unto the
saints.-JUDE 8.
TIE SUNDAY GLOBE has taken occasion to
refer to many of the faults that obtrude
themselves from the pulpit. It has done SO
because of its high regard for the cause of
religion, and because faults in men who pro-
TESS exceptional virtue are far more heinous
than in other men. But it is time that some
attention was bestowed upon the people who
occupy the pews, for it has reached the sea-
son Of the year when congregations become
exceedingly slim and the preacher finds but
little encouragement to remain at his post
of duty.
One who enters our churches on these
sultry Sabbath mornings cannot fail to be
struck with the meagerness of the attend
ance and the apparent apathy of those who
are present. The pews are but sparsely oc-
cupied, while an air of drowsiress seems to
pervade all present. The hymn is sung
by the choir. employed for the purpose, few
of the congregation even taking the trouble
to refer to the page of the hymn book con-
tanning it, and fewer still joining in the words
of praise or devotion. Heads are bowed
during the prayer, with apparent reverence,
but the sigh of relief that arises at its close
says as plainly as words could utter it, 'sI'm
glad it's over at LAST Then, when the
sermon commences, each person settles into
the most comfortable position possible, and
with an air of resignation rather than atten-
ton, submits to what he considers the in
evitable. It is too often the case
that somnolence interferes with the
thread of the discourse, and the preacher,
instead of receiving for his words at least
half sleeping, listless hearers. We confess
to good deal of sympathy for the minister
who, in rage at the inattention of his con-
gregation, flung his hymn book at the head
of a drowsy deacon in one of the front pews.
We take it for granted that if church
employs q pastor and pays him large
salary, he is worth listening to and should
receive the respect of an appreciative hear
ing. It is sometimes the case, it is true,
that little instruction can be derived from
the preaching heard on the Sabbath, but
these are exceptions. It is seldom that even
the most uninteresting of men can speak for
half an hour without letting fall some gem
of thought or some aphorism from which
benefit can be derived. If he does not do SO he
is not fit for the place he occupies, and should
| be dismissed at once.
| Did it never strike those who complain
of dull sermons that they themselves are
largely responsible? When clergyman
notices that his auditors pay but little heed
to his sermons, it is perfectly natural for
him to take less care in their preparation.
An unappreciative audience is the worst
possible damper upon the vigor and en-
thusiasm of public speaker. He may be
ever SO learned and eloquent, but if the
people before him receive his utterances
with Indifference he becomes dull and prosy.
He can't help himself, no matter how hard
he may struggle or how earnestly he may
desire to do otherwise.
| We would like to see new earnestness in
fused into the psws of our churches, and
then we might reasonably look for greater
vigor in the pulpit. We would like to see
the pews well filled, even if the air is sur
charged with caloric, for if the ord
inances and services of the church are worth
anything they will repay triding incon-
ven;ence to those who observe them. We
would like to see the attendants take more
interest in the services. They should join
in the singing, and not praise God by proxy
as they now do. The good old congrega-
tional singing that was SO common thirty
years ago would be great relief to the more
artistic though less sensible custom now pre-
vailing. The prayers might be improved by
the shortening process, the preacher omit
ting few of the instructions he usually
gives to the deity, and the congregations
might pay greater heed to them. The ser.
mons can generally be improved if moro care
is taken in their preparation, and if the au-
4 dience pays attention to it the minister will
be stimulated to greater effort. Earnest
ness is all that is lacking to make a great
Improvement in the Sabbath services. By
earnestly contending for the faith, church
members would be surprised to notice the
change that q few weeks would make. The
experiment, at any rate, is worth trying.
Il --- -----.------.
The Commercial League.
It is all important that every town and
county in the State should be represented al
the 22d of July conference at st. Paul. II
| by long pull, strong pull, and pull all
together. There must be such demon
stration of the feelings of the entire State and
Dakota as will show to the outside world that
we are in earnest and will join heartily with