Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-03-26
Going to Church,
REV. DIR. GLADDEN. AND THE YOUNG MEN,
TwENTY-NINE EXCUSES FOR STAYING At
HOME.



Washington GLADDEN.. who knows Young
men and how to get at them, recently sent a
circular letter to about 200 of their class in
his city, desiring frank statements of the
reasons why so many young men keep them
selves aloof from the churches. From the
careful study of large number Of replies
he found 20 different explanations OF the
fact that seemed worthy of consideration as
fairly covering about all that Young men
have to say about it. Many Of them were
jocose rather than serious, pretexls rather
than reasons. But taken altoge her, they
have given DIR. GLADDEN. good occasion for
a plain and kindly talk not through
speaking tube in sermonic tones but from
their own tand-points, and the familiar level
of fireside colloquy to present his earnest
and cogent reasons why they should come
into the churches. DIR. GLADDEN. was aided
by several Young friends who are IN full
sympathy with the churches IN drawing out
the real objections and excuses Of non-at-
tendants. The outcome of hs~experimpnt
We have in little volume published bg the
Congregational Sunday school and publish-
ing society, Boston.
Among the more solid reasons, caste, the
not feeling at home among big bugs" aud
"arlstocrats, ami kindred To this lack of
attention from church members, 10 which
DR.. GLADDEN. answers that as regards the
majority of churches which are workin.
earnestly upon this very problem of briug-
ing in the young men and making them feel
at home, this objection is uu,u.tained.
Church service. too dull aud sermons too
long," the reply to which is that with all
ark M laI1 pF al
and prolixlty of preachers, when the real
design of church services is considered. no.
amusement, but quiet and sober attention 10
the highest duties and creates, themes, the
hour and a halt of public worship relieved
as il is by its variety of exercises ought not
to be long or dull TO one whose mur.l tone
is manly and self-respectfu
The need OF rest, sleep aud reerytt on Ms
pleaded. To this DR.. Glad len uf II rs lfe
counter plea for one week day afternoon or
part of II to be devoted IN his country Is
III England for the hard workers, and ay,r>
also that considering youHg m1a has al
tie time there is IN the week To- use is be-
peases, the best uses Of sleep AID rr reaiiou
are not hindered but promoted by III at
tendance, and this he cc,rohula'e> by the
actual contrasts Of different exprfl nos
From such reasons the argument p.. eel
TO those less superficial aud ,ol~u.- in
the current objections to Chri>t.ln.. .y a,tf.
and particularly as representr! 90 e, pro-
fessors and its creels. he au,arr t1 q i,
is an adrolt and Sens'hie d d,yg.n.... bee
tween Christianity and its excfe,ceat.-
Having met objections. DR.. G,.4.,a G.-
lshes his argument with a clear -'l.r..at. g
the positive benefits Of golng To ...g "a. I.
is good as mere drill ~ N --t.. ..... .,..--
and proprieties. Ii is good t> ee .-.gct .n
of a refined taste, pure Eusit~... -.a.l rt..u
re, true poetry and mu>c, 70, "a .".. ut
which the average chIrc'es eye an g.. ylir.
-'andard. 1t Identifies ,olrg utu nIlt
'4e best people OF the co,nmurl'y sr. f0.r-
np als self respect beside, he o b-a-
eits. Its intellectual stimulus j. .p- 90 be
desplsed, and above al, the }ulirs %, ~,
moral nature needs To be >prropnar.. 0lfH
the atmosphere Of high mnr,lI.l. anI % -
where the perfect and ldeai STANDARD B, c1u-
stantIy lifted up to keep The mpru nature
from detrlment and spoHa.!un, ami ~ con-
firm and strengthen il toward pure aaI
manly life.