The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-16
sCUDDER ~ PLYMOUTH PULPIT.
Tho Jersey City Preacher Says Churches
Must Get Out OF Their Rut.

Tho Jersey City Preacher Says Churches
Must Get Out or Their Rut.
The Rev. John L. Scudder of the jersey City
Tabernacle preached in Plymouth Church.
Brooklyn. yesterday morning. His topic was
Many sided Churches"
Hero at the end Of the nineteenth century"
he said. we are passing through q period Of
transition. and the changes in the domain of
religion alone are innumerable. The church
has caught the spirit Of the age and is lifting
itself out OF its former narrowness. We should
cultivate the church's relation 10 the recrea-
tive side OF human nature instead OF trying to
check 1t. Why should we leave the develop
ment OF the human frame to athletic clubs Is
not muscular Christianity worth something
The average deacon would look aghast II a
gymnasium or tenpin alley were built by the
uD their hands in holy horror. The trouble
with us Is that while our clergy are theological
and philosophical they are not practical and
know almost nothing about mundane affairs.
There Is much in the talk Of our critics that
believe that the church OF the future will not
be as one sided as II has been; II will treat
ample from ST. Paul. who was ali things to all
men. and put herself In touch with humanity.
Approach men on their noq-spirltual side first.
The man who goes around painting Come to
Jesus on stones and fences and asks you
llumply II You are saved is a spiritual Ounce.
ting is Just as ridiculous as TO begin on man
on Els spiritual side first. Honesty compels US
to say that the church has not made herself
sufficiently interesting and this is no better
shown than In the down town metropolitan
DISTRICTS from WHICH the ehptchEoers have.
moved w town. and the church finally dies OF
sheer exhaustion. 1t piOusly gives up the ghost
and business block or tenement, house
den Of the Lord becomes neglected wilder
ness. You can reclaim these vast swamp lands.
with diIapldated organ and a few. old hymn
books The downtown church Of the future
will be large church and one broad In its
theology. The people will not consent to dog
matte beliefs. They must be allowed TO use
their reason. You must proyid Q plain work
vdual opinion. Such a church as this would
look into the sanitary welfare, of the commu-
lake rart a So so E Of The daS
belongs to the church Of God TO provide useful
information ana TO work in practical man
ner. She should touch society at every point
Thsn why fhCTd Satan hay9 en- mo4oPoy Of
about these amusements the helpful Influence
Of The church F%r years Sft Sd has ba,ted hs
while The church has wondered why, the FISH
didn't bite al her hook. Is it any wonder. when
she bats i only with prayer meetings held
times? Why shouldn't We have bowling alleys
and pool tables venture to prophesy that
recognized as q Part OF the church, and We will
find tennis courts aud swimming baths as
approved ieaHT9s o, 1 eGs 6 GnuFSn
habit and such features as these will appear
no more peculiar than II kitchen would have
appeared to our ancestors.
"Of course, our first consideration should be.
Is there any inherent evil in the plan wo are
hesitate and have no doubt that in time We
sha see the church with its special mines and
its football teams. some Will ask Il this Is not
seculariZation. i reply no. and declare that
the conversion OF souls to God must ever he
the principal work. but by the addition OF these
seemingly secular features the spiritual end
and aim will be fastened"