St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-07

and strange, and many find irritation in
the preaching of theological views and
literal interpretations of Scripture"
Another, young doctor, says: mo,
they do not attend church, because the
world offers them stronger, more sub
Stantlal and Immediate attractions. and
their business deterS them" Another
young doctor also replies negatively:
For several reasons. Some because
they are too tired with the pressing
business life of the week, some because
they are physically exhausted by the
super addition of social excuses to
their business duties, some be-
cause they like better to do some
thing else. without that something being
IN any way injurious, some because the
Sunday newspaper consumes too much
of their time, others because of many of
the churches failing to supply the kind
of spiritual pabulum which they need"
A young lawyer says, "a large number
do not, to my knowledge. A feeling of
having Outgrown the orthodox faith, a
spirit of wOuld-be independence, and in
some cases 'offishneSs.' All these are
largely responsible. Young men are
nothing if not independent, self-reliant.
They will not copy custom even in
church-going if they think it has any of
the elements of womanishness, or
goody-gOodyness, or weakness. At the
root of it all, too, is the feeling that
church-gOing and orthodoxy have no
necessary connection with vital re-
ligion.'
A prominent young business man also
says: Il suppose the larger percentage
dO not. First, tendency to be lazy
Sunday morning as a relief from the
pressure of week days. Second, the in
tiuence of those in the boarding house
caring nothing for those things that
make for righteousness. Third. last.
and | think the greatest, the Sunday
newspaper. patroniZed and read by our
leading Christian men as an example.
And here l would add a word closely
connected with the last re-
mark. of practice remarkably
prevalent among Christian men in
Minneapolis, which, believe is clear
Dissertation of the Sabbath, and respon-
sible to an extent for its disregard and
for the lack of spirituality often evident,
namely, the mentioning and discussing
Of business matters on Sunday. My
dear sir, it has again and again sur
priSed me to hear Christian men and
women. leaders in the church life in
this church, discussing with no heSita-
ton those things that belong to six days
of the week. 1t may be proper to add
that my surprise was not new. There
was occasion for it in my old church
home" In relation to the thousands of
young men in Minneapolis, the
number attending church is small:
but compared with other cities,
the number is very large. The number
of young men who look to Plymouth
church as their church home is between
800 and 400, and not few of them are
in attendance each Sunday. The rea-
sons for falling to attend which are
cited by these correspondents are easily
divided into claSSeS-reaSOnS found in
the young men themselves or their
conditions and reasons found in the
churches. The reasons found in the
church may be expressed in one word
lack of attractiveneSS. The service is
not restful, the sermon is not entertain
ing. The idea is prevalent that
one should go to church for
the same reason that be should
go to the theater or popular lecture,
for the purpose of entertainment.
l should come as an individual who had
done wrong, desiring that wrong to con-
fess and to obtain pardon of the one
WrOnged, | should go with reverent
thanks for gifts undeServed, but none
the less needful and welcome. | should
go desiring the help of a present God.
| should pray that l might be more
strong to do the work, more ready to
bear my burden, more reconciled to dis
appointment. | should come, remember
ing that am about to die, and praying
to fit myself for that hour of supreme
loneliness. l should come, not forget
ting that am immortal, and desiring to
make the wisest use OF this primary
school of life in fitting me for the higher
tasks. Thus coming, should depart
with a mind more calm in its mood,
more firm in its grasp Oh the eternal
verities, with heart trusting where it
could not feel and hoping where it could
not trust, with conscience the more
determined to choose the right, with a
purpose to make the Divine will for my
self, my own will. In word, l should
want the service to make me more of a
man, by making me more of the son of
God, more worthy of my divine sonship,
because of my greater humanity.