The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-20
THE PREACHERS FRAGMENT.

IhE FhEACdEho 6hEAOhmENA Il
Discussion of the tme-worn topic of church
attendance is on its annual rounds again in
pulpit and press The ball was opened this
season by Rev. Heber Newton, of All Souls
Church, New York, who poured his opinions
into the ears of that receptacle of pet ideas
and hobbies known as the congressional labor
and education committee. The pastor of
ALI Souls is convinced that the practice of
wealthy ladies attending divine service
dressed in costly apparel has the effect of
Keeping large numbers Of poorer people
away altogether This view seems to be ac-
cepted as explanatory of thin congregations
by a majority of these who discuss the sub
ject though a few incline to the belief that
rented pews are responsible for the evil.
The latter hold that churches are commonly
regarded as close corporations, not intended
for the benefit of any but pew-holders, and
that chance vsiter to one of them feels
himself like an intruder into private club
house.
Both of these things undoubtedly do af-
feet church attendance to some ex-
tent, but their influence can hardly
be SO great as represented. The
matter of clothes certainly has much
less to do with the problem than is COM
monty assumed. When dressing for church
is discussed the first, and usually the last,
careless conclusion is that only women are
affected by it; but is this the correct in
ference? Every one knows, when he comes
to think of it, that women are largely in the
majority in all religious assemblies, and of
ihat majority the number who are mex
pensively dressed is not few. Surely, the
anxious pastor and the critical editor, when
they sternly rebuke the richly attired lady,
never mean to intimate that her elegance
drives plainly dressed men from the house of
God But is this not the logical deduction?
If it is not the correct one the premises are
in fault.
AS for the clubhouse theory, the citizen
who really felt that an organized effort was
being made to deprive him of benefit would
leave no stone unturned and would spend
large portion of his substance until he had
gained the right of entry; not for the sake
OF the benefit to be derived perhaps, but to
circumvent his opponents Men resort to
such measures sometimes to secure ad-
mittance TO clubs but whoever heard of
man making violent efforts to break into a
church pew?
Neither of the reasons being sufficient it
may be worth while to consider another,
which has been overlooked by the good
brethren Regular attendants at divine serV-
ice are thus constant for a variety of
reasons. There are those who go from
sense of duty having no clearly defined idea
of what they gain thereby; others attend for
social reasons, some from habit and few
devout souls these and far between-find
comfort merely in the privilege of worship.
If the minister be eloquent, it is WE'LL if
not their souls being at peace, they find
no fault. Then there is the great army of
occasional church-goers. When these can
be drawn into attendance this Sunday and
the next and thereafter, the problem under
consideration will be one no longer; temples
and tabernacles will then be filled to over
flowing. Fol- most persons in this Christian
land do make attempts, spasmodic and
feeble though they may be, to under
stand and assimilate something of the
religion of Him whose name it bears.
1t may be half latent religious instinct, ii
may be a sense of the emptiness of life sure
to come to all; it may be passionate hun
ger for comfort and consolation that no
mortal can give-something of these it is,
which brings each one, from time to time, to
listen wstfully to the words of tn ose who
should break for them the bread of life.
They do not find what they seek; they are
fed upon husks and go away dissatisfied
The sermons are full of excellent moral
sentiments, the orthodoxy unimpeachable.
their literary style faultless, but they lack
what is it? A fire which should transmute
the whole into message from on high? 1t
is not the assumption here that the minister
does not possess the spiritual power but
only that he does not use it. With the best
intentions, the most exalted desires, he may
yet make mistakes, and one of the most COM
mon is the supposition that his hearers are
perverse and hard of heart To the end
that he may convince them of error he pro-
Ceeds to reason with them; to confute
heresies they nevar sharad To hnrl