St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-22
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.



! To the Editor of the Globe:
Sir: Being present at Plymouth church
on Sunday evening. both as church men,
Der and as workingman, and consequently
as an interested party on both sides Of the
question at issue. / was somewhat sur
prised, as well as disappointed, at not hear
ing brought forward. by those representing
the Non Church-Goers." some of the most
important reasons why the working classes
and the masses of the people generally are
not TO be found in our churches. And as
one who has had opportunities of looking at
this question on both sides, i now venture
10 express my views.
There are large numbers Of intelligent,
thinking men among the artisans of
our two cities. Men who have much in
their characters that is truly noble. and who
are ever ready to contribute of their means
TO help those who need help. and yet these
men as rule do not attend church. Why
is it? Is it because they disbelieve in God
or are averse to the teachings of Christ?
No! Most of these men when spoken TO
seriously ON the subject of religion, will
convince one not only that they believe in
God and in Jesus Christ but that they have
| the same natural yearning for higher and
purer life which all true men have. Why
| then do they not attend church? Most of
them have done so at some time or other. but
they find it no place for them. In wealthy
church everything is too high-toned and the
sermon Is often couched in such language
as to be unintelligible TO them. In the
poorer churches, where a large salary can
not be raised, the minister is invariably
man Of inferior ability or a young man
with very little experience. The great aim
seems to be to get the people in somehow,
and all kinds of schemes are invented for
that end. Popular subjects are discussed
and everything is done to awaken interest.
Some are interested; the congregation
grows larger, but the very men whom we
are so anxious to reach fail to come in, and
it is not surprising. If they go to the
Fashionable church." with its gliding,
! its cushioned seats, organ, paid choir, ele-
gantly attired congregation, and highly pol
ished, elegant preacher, they don't
feel at home. Every thing is very nice,
but they feel like intruders, and if
they 20 10 the poor mans church with its
bare walls. bare seats, poor organ, no
choir and lOw-priced minister. there they
fail to get what they want. When men 20
to church they expect TO find there the
spirit of Christ, but as rule that spirit is
not very manifest. If a man happens 10
attend church regularly for few Sundays
he is asked to contribute to the support of
the minister. May be he doesn't feel like
it, and so he does not care after that %
come to church. If such man found on
entering a church for the first time a
preacher who was full of the spirit of God
and who thought more of saving souls than
of his monthly stipend, he would soon
learn that it was his duty to
give and he would do so spontaneously
aud literally. Under such circumstances
men willingly give from their small means
to support the cause of Christ. The work
ingmen of to-day are as sensitive and
clearsighted as any class. They can easily
see whether the minister aud members of
church are living up to the principles
they profess, or whether they are only play
ing at being Christians. They hate Shams
and unrealities. and that is why they prefer
to stay away from Gods hcme.
Ministers and laymen have discussed the
question over and over again, ''HOw are we
to reach the masses?" The answer Is sim
pie. Pay less heed to the popular Ques-
tons of the day. Be less anxious about
financial affairs. Study more carefully the
life and teachings of our Lord. Then get
up before your people, and in the name
and spirit of Christ talk TO
them quietly and earnestly about
their souls. Do this. and social questions
will come out all right, finances will never
be wanting. and the common people will
hear you gladly. 1t always has been so,
and it ever will be So The earnest, de-
yout, plain-spoken preacher of Gods truth
has never yet failed to attract the people
What j have written applies to no church
or minister in particular. There are true
men among the clergy and laymen of our
cities, both rich and poor. but we know
there are too many inconsistencies in our
churches. and the sooner they are swept
away the better. DR.. Dana has commenced
noble work. and l trust that it will not
cease until its purpose is accomplished.
q. S. BRETT.