The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-24
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Moody Talks Against the Pew System
A Lack of Worm Out Churches.

1
| The afternoon session opened al 3 o'clock, with
a larger attendance than that of the morn
ing special feature of the service, as
| of the morning service, was the sing
ing of Professor Towner, who. with his wife, &C
companies Mr.. Moody. AS he sang, every word
of the song, sung in a rich baritons voice, was
distinctly heard and understood, and when Mrs.
Towner sang with him. her voice strong, SYM
pathetic contralto, the effect. following the
prayer, or the stirring exhortations Of the
service, was remarkable Mr.. Moody seeks to
make every participant in every part of
the services and lays great stress upon the sing
ing.
One of the most noteworthy of these songs, as
showing Professor and Mrs. Towncr's powers
was, "Behold What Manner of Love the Father
Hath Bestowed Upon U.s."
Rev. N. A. Hyde spoke upon "How to Secure
a More General Attendance Upon Public Wor
ship" He said the subject was matter of great
Importance, one of great difficulty, and he did
not expect to answer it satisfactorily We are
all aware that there is large class in this city,
as in other cities, who are not in the habit of
attending services upon the Sabbath day. We
do not think how large nor how dangerous this
element is There are two classes-one that
does not go to church at all, and another class,
larger, perhaps, than this, that goes but seldom,
and as caprice may prompt How large is this
class! How great the evil that is facing US? In
Cincinnati the declaration has been made that
only one in ten goes to church upon the Sabbath
| -one hundred in thousand In Philadelphia it
is some BETTER one in eight. In Indianapolis il
is still better one in four or five-one hundred
out of every four hundred. We see that there is
a great multitude who are not receiving the
profit and benefit of the teaching of the word.
Church, going is largely matter of education.
We must train the young to go to church. This
depends upon the parents, and if the parents
would see to it, as they should we would soon
see great difference. great change has come
over this country in the last twenty five years.
up in this habit To gather children in the Sun
day.school is good only In part. They should
be made a portion of the congregation.
In the lack OF observance of the
men especially are not there. Give me, rather,
the rigid laws of the Puritans than laxity
that brings about such depiorabe state of affairs
as this The influence of a sentiment against
church going is, of course. disastrous upon the
community at large. We must go back to the
true idea OF the sanctity of worship. Not to 60
to hear good sermon, or fine music but to
maintain worship, to go to the house of God. If
every one who had taken upon himself or her.
self the obligation of Christian would 60, all
our houses of worship would be filled 1t is
question whether we have the spirit of God in
the community or not. 1t is the influence of
the Holy Ghost that brings people to the house
of worship Let US pray for that
The song my Soul is Redeemed" was then
sung after which Rev. H. T. Sweeney of Co
lumbus spoke briefly.
Mr. Moody said we want to help one another
We live in different days from those of our
fathers. Men live quicker, move quicker, think
quicker than was done 100 years ago. A man
having business III New York does not now sit
down and write ten sheets of foolscap. He puts
it in ten words and sends it by telegraph. 1t is
about as we'll to preach in an unknown tongue as
to sing in an unknown tongue Some of our
church members have been to the opera so much
they like that kind of music. believe
John Wesleys hymns, in the day Of John
Wesley, did as much good as his preaching.
We shall utterly fail to reach nonchureh going
people unless we got them out at night. Many
morning
object to choirs being SO far away from the
platform. The singers should be near the