New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-28
SIMMER RELIGION,

SUMNER RELIGION.
The suspension of Church activities for the
summer has already begun, and many of the
Church members who are most prominently
identified with these activities are scattered far
and wide. There is, of course, some loss to the
churches involved in this summer vacation; for
not only is the vacation season lengthenlng
every year, but an increasingly large number
of people leave town in the fall, winter and
spring for the South and elsewhere. The clergy
of the large city churches feel the effect of this
constant movement, and they are now obliged
to concentrate the work Of the year within
very short period. The pleasant and intimate
relations of parochial life that yet obtain in
country parishes are no longer possible in the
CITY parish where everything is done under a
sense of feverish unrest and hurry that almost
results in making the Church collection of
strange and unrelated units instead Of a united
band of brethren.
1t is not however, of this feature of the sum-
mer vacation that we desire especially to speak
now, but of what may be called the summer re-
ligion Of Church members The complex Or
ganization of the modern Church is undoubted-
y one of it's sources of strength. The organ
zation conServes energy, and makes the most
effective use of individual effort. 1t brings the
otherwise aimless enthusiasm of the members to
bear on certain defined objects in such
way as to tell in the growth of the Church. But
organization has its serious drawbacks. 1t fos-
ters an unconscious belief in machinery as an
end. rather than a means to an end. But most
of ALL it tends to defy routine, that most deadly
of all the foes Of true religion. The result Of
this is that when Church-memberS in summer
give up for a time their connection with the or
ganized activities of their Church they are like
w to imagine themselves freed from any seri-
Gus responsibility as religious men and women.
We do not mean to say that they begin to in
dulge in the commission of any great sins but
they resign themselves to the more or less vapid
life of thes summer waterng-place, with the
consolng thought that they are taking a much
needed religious rest They have worked hard
all winter in the many activities of their church.
These activities are now suspended; perhaps
the church is closed and tho pastor is enjoying
a well-earned vacation. Why should they not
do the same?
Now, it is hardly the province Of a secular
journal to preach q sermon; but it does seem
that a few words of suggestion are here
in order. If religion means anything at all, it
means lifelong profession, a constant warfare
against the powers of evil, a daily example of
cody life. And no Church member can law
fully leave it behind him in the deserted city
church of which he is a member. 1t is not
simply optional with him to put himself in re-
lation with the local church Of the place where
he is temporarily soiourning; it is his bounden
duty to do SO. Nothing is more saddening or
more CALCULATED to provoke the sheer of the
unbeliever than the contemptuOus way in which
so many city Church members hold alOof from
the little country church of the locality where
they chance to be summering. Good men and
women, who at home are models of religious
ZEAL will not hesitate to sneer in public at the
crude worship of such churches and the poor
preaching of tho pastor. Even to attend the
services much less to identify themselves with
the church in any way, outrages their aesthetic
sensibilities and so they spend their Sundays
on the hotel piazza, telling their neighbors what
a splendid preacher their pastor is, and what
fine singing they have in their home church.
But going to church is not all of rei gion |
either in the city or country. Religion is life, |
and it finds its only adequate expression in con-
duct. The Christian of the city church has |
golden opportunity to provo this in the summer |
not perhaps in any great or striking |
way, but in the little matter of courtesy and |
for others. But alas he does |
not always make full use Of the opportunity |
Life at the average summer resort could be |
made much more beautiful and tolerable by the |
infusion into it of the brCtherIy kindness which |
Christianity teaches. And instead of taking |
any part in the petty jealousies and scandals |
and chickering's of watering-place life, as they
so often do, the city Church members should |
be the leaders in movement to make real the
principles they SO ardently profess the rest of
the year. "To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to hearken than the fat of rams"