The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-14
wor.b,,,ne God by Telephone.


That civilization has its losses as well as
its gains is truism, as the subject is fruit
fuI one for writer's. We all know how dis
ease creeps in which is peculiar 10 the con-
ditjons prescribed by civilization; we know
how eHeminate luxury supplants manly
simplicity, and how the inOrdinate desire to
get riches leads to the sacrifice OF what 10
beat and Eoblest in man. The latest phase
Of this subject seems 10 be discovered In the
practice Of going to church by tel
ephone. By this practice the head OF the
family may take his cigar, put up his
feet In real American style, place the ere
ceiversv at his ears, and Ego 10 church IN
true telephone fashion," This telephone
method, so the cable news from London
tells us, was utilized the other day IN Christ
church, Birmingham. But even then the
telephoue did not satisfy, for, says the Lon
don correspondent, "we could hear very lit
tie of the prayers, probably from the fact
that the officiating minister was not WITHIN
voice reach OF the transmitter. The organ
had faint, PARKWAY sound, but the sing.
ing and sermon were distinct success.
In the evening the telephone behaved
better, for it is stated that different
parts OF the evening service
were put through successfully TO
London, Manchester, Derby, Coventry.
Kidderminster, and Hanley. In every
place the greatest satisfaction was eX-
pressed. Now we presume II VIII not be
denied that only an lrreverent age could
produce such an exhibition as this As II
Christian men, putting aside the injunction
OF the apostle not 10 forget the assembling
OF themselves together, could take their ease
In their home, not pat themselves TO any
trouble 10 attend the worship Of God in his
sanctuary. but instead attach two mechani.
cal devices 10 the ears and so worship God
in a church mile or so away! Imagine
the disciples TO have made use Of such a
method, could they have done so, in
stead Of personally following the
master. Imagine great audiences
stirred to the depths by the burning
words Of Wesley, Whitehead, Harlan rage,
Finney, and Moody TO have been converted
by this patent electrical method. Ii must
be a lively Imagination, indeed, that could
couture up such conglomeratiOn OF absIr-
dities. There is no occasion for the discus
sion OF this subject at length. The church
telephone Is a device OF our modern CIVIL
xasion 10 enable Christian men TO stay away
from the sanctuary 10 avoid meeting their
fellow & nristians IA re, thus relieving them
from giving the influence OF their example
In the matter Of public attendance on the
services OF the church, ana by taking
their supreme ease In their homes to
receive Gods message over wire. The
Telephone may rightly be used and to great
edification and comfort for the benefit OF the
aged and iniirm, unable TO place themselves,
as they so long 20, within the walls OF the
sanctury. But for strong, healthy Chris
tians to resort 10 the telephone for their
preaching, their prayers and the song ser
vices Of the church. and for them 10 think TO
utilize such a method IN place Of their reg
ular attendance upon and personal partici-
patton In the public worship OF God, is 10
disregard the plain commands OF scripture,
make a trayesty OF the Gospel, and offer an
insult 10 the Almighty .-Christian at Work.