The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-02-26
IMPORTANT CHURCH IDEA
SUGGESTED.

One Of the leading influential ortho-
dox churches of Milwaukee has given
a hearing to sugges tons for wider
field of church influence by the enlist
ment of great numbers who are now in
different to church work. The consid-
erations which lead to the suggestions
made are in substance the following:
A large proportion Of our male popula-
ton, including business men, profess
sional and working men, mechanics
and laborers, are seldom seen at
church on Sundays. In probably a
majority of cases these persons refrain
from attending church. not because
they are unfriendly to it, nor because
they are not well-wishers of the
church. Why, then, do they remain
away? Simply because they are not
interested in the general character of
the sermons delivered Sunday after
Sunday. They do not deny the i'm
portance Of the spiritual life which
they are constantly pressed to choose,
but naturally grow weary hearing
their spiritual wants presented while
other vital interests to them are left
untouched. Ifsuch, then, be the situa-
ton Of these non.church goers, how
are they to be reached? There Is one
thing that first Of all interests every
rational human being; that is, his life.
Life is the chief and constant concern
Of all; self-preservation is the first law
Of nature With most men their care
is for what pertains to the comforts
and necessaries for themselves and
families; it is not only q moral but a
christian obligation for every person
Go provide for his own household. In
respect to these dnties and affairs OF
life of secular character nothing is
seldom heard from the pulpit. It is
proposed to take in a wider range of
Subjects in the pulpit. that those who
are struggling in the world for a living
may hear words Of cheer and encour-
agement in the church. In short, let it
be understood by every business man,
every mechanic and working man,
that the church is not only in sym.
pathy with them, but holds it a religious
obligation to aid by counsel or other.
wise all who are pursuing an honest
calling. All, therefore. who recognize
the binding obligation Of the teachings
of the Great Teacher are invited to
come into fellowship with the church
and participate in its counsels. The
suggestors of the movement for en-
larged church work believe they have
the examples OF Christ he was the
friend and counselor Of all, whether
reckoned among his immediate follow
ers or not. His discourses were not al
ways on spiritual themes, but often on
the ordinary and common affairs of life:
he mingled with publicans and sinners,
and was always helpful. Whatever
may be the ultimate outcome OF the
movement, it is the settled pur-
pose to hold up the Great Teacher as
the central object. The Milwaukee
church alluded to comtemplates erect.
ing at no distant period a new and
spacious edi6ce, and may adapt its
construction to inset the convenience
of services Of the kind briefly indi-
Gated. A large church building has
been constructed in Indianapolis, al
congregation organized. and the plan
put in full operation. It is said the |
Indianapolis church suggested the idea
o. similar enterprise In Milwaukee.