The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-28
The Non Church Going: How Can our
Churches Reach Them?
Ry !. MARSHALL LANG, D. D.

How then. shall we so adapt or readjust the
oct;on Of the Church as to set her fairly towards
tbe diffcult problem by which she is confronted
Given an increasing proportion of nominally
Christian people declining the worship of her
nnctnaries what can be done to recover the
hold which she seems to be losing to rectify
what is wrong, or supply what is lacking in her
ministries and organizations
| have already expressed the opinion that
"what we do want is effective preaching" and
that I" the discussion Liverpool statistics will
not be in vain if it induces the more states
manlike men in all our Churches to consider
many matters relating to the efficiency of the
pulpit" Undoubtedly L place the efficiency of
the pulpit in the forefront of our discussion.
But now, taking wider view of the Church
in its attitude to the population, let us ask
What, as connected with places of worship, with
work and methods of work, is preventing the
full realisation of the Lords great charge
Compel them to come in, that My house may
be flled?"
Is there any check imposed on the invitation
which church bell and open church door are
presumed to give2 We find on gate, and door,
and wall, notices announcing the seats are to be
let or rented on certain days we enter the
sanctuary, and on the pew boards observe
cards, more or less ornamental, announcing that
the seats belong to the persons named. No
entrance" do not all such notices seem to say,
except with money and price ?" am aware
of the apparent advantages of the pew rent sys
tenn and in some parts of a city there is little
to be said against it. But when we are seeking
to gather in from street and lane, where the
church stands in the midst of working people,
it does seem to me in many ways Objectionable
Those whom we desire to attract will not 90
where they can obtain a seat only by favor,
and at the risk of being stared at as in
truders. And the effect even on those who
pay the rent is this working man with the
wage below that of the skilled laborer can sell
dom afford to take more than one or two sit
tings. He comes himself to one service his
wife comes to another and at each time one of
the older children perhaps but the younger are
sent to children S services or foundry boys meet
lngs; and thus, at the period when habits are
formed, attendance at church is discouraged, all
but prevented and children grow up out of
sympathy with worship and instruction. If we
would invite the poor we must be able to saw
Come and welcome To open some mission.
hall, some cheap looking place with all arrange
ments corresponding, and say, Seats free-this
is for the like of YOU" is but a sorry fashion of
expressing Christian interest. The people, "
said Mr.. Dale, OF Birmingham will care for
the Church when the Church proves that she
cares for the people,. Let us try to get the toll
bars at our churches removed Surely there is
a more excellent way of finance than that All,
what have we lost in the abandonment by the
confessing people of the Lord of the old scrip
tural principle of the 1.-THE of our increase En-
dowments, and of the best kind, there would be
in abundance, and no more need of the church
toll bar, if that principle were only realised
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse
that there may be meat in mine house. and
prove me now herewith. saith the Lord of Hosts
If will not open you the windows of heaven
and pour you out blessing that there shall
not be room enough to receive it,"
Really beautiful churches really open ser
vices not a mere forenoon and evening, but
three or four on Sunday, and betimes through
the week; services short and hearty earnes
prayer, sweet but simple music, sermons goine
straight to the intelligence and conscience
churches answering to this description will b.
centres of blessing OF pure and wholesom,
Christian influence, Belfast Witness.