St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-28
OF THE CHURCH.
Rev. T. MeClary Enlarges Upon
the Weakness Of the
Church.
A Great Need for a Better I'm
Outstanding Among Chris
tianS.
How the Churches Are Seri-
ously Overlapping Each
Other.
Money Wasted, Energy Mis-.
spent Through a Lack Of
Unity.

Rev. Thomas McClary, of the Bates
Avenue NJ. E. church, in his sermon
yesterday morning discussed the weak
ness of the church and the necessity for
her to put on strength. He said: zone
cause of weakness is the distracted con-
dition of Christendom, divided rather
than united. do not mean to condemn
the denominations, for they have been
like the waters dividing above Nicollet
island, running in two streams, turning
more mills because conducted through
different races, than if in only one;
then, having done their work, they flow
together and go laughingly around to
the sea. What is to be condemned is
the absence of an intelligent, hearty CO.
operation among these denominations
not in professions, but in action. The
time was when there were great theo-
logical battles to be fought. This has
been done, and among the evangelical
churches there is no reason for
Withholding the most hearty co-opera-
ton. Why do so many of these demon
nations locate in some little towns, or
neighborhoods ON the frontier, where
one or two would meet all the wants?
Why keep up plan that wastes mis-
sionary and church extension money,
burdens the people, Starves the minis
tiers, depriylng them of noble incentives
to action, wasting the lives tibet might
be useful, making the church beggar.
appealing to the pasSers for aid. causing
the members to resort to degrading
methods for raising money, and placing
the church under condemnation by re-
spectacle citizens, and so depriving her
of power to influence them? Why not
get out into neighborhoods where they
are needed. and Jesus can be gloriied?
This state OF things is largely caused by
Syn0dical missionaries, uperintendents,
presiding elders, bishops, and sometimes
by some cranky laymen, who can't have
everything their own way in the exist
ing church, or
Some Real Estate Wording
who offers lot and some money if they
put up church in his part of the town.
| have seen this state of things and
know what am talking about, and may
God forgive me for ever encouraging it.
'Then in our cities, while there is
room for all, how foOlishly we are act
ing. Our churches and missions are
put side by side, while places needing
churches have none, and we are cross
ing and recrOSSing each others paths.
The neighborhoodS do not afford con-
gregations for all of us. and four pas
tors preach and care for tioeks that
might be shepherded by one; pews are
empty, Sunday schools small, prayer
e.1 oh,
some, ministers half-paid. working in
while the multitudeS go their
way; theaters are crowded, and
lazy professors of religion are
at home reading the Sunday
paper, or wondering if there are many
at church. Look at the evening con-
gregations in st. Paul. | am told that
in some large churches there are not
sixty people, and morning congrega-
tons are nothing to boast of. We have
seating capacity in st. Paul, | am told,
for 10000. and not over 10000 of our pop
ulatiOn attend the church. There 49,
900 non-attendantS. | have it from a
city missionary. Sunday evenings
there are not 10000 in the churches
This state of things can be- RENE
died if ministers will get move on
them, and business men in the churches
will discourage the present unbusiness-
like methods, and act in church matters
as in other things of business; and if
churches will
Have an Understanding,
and divide up the cities into parishes to
be worked by the denominations occu-
plying them undisturbed by others. In
this way the fields could be all occu-
pied; the cities diStricted and worked;
churches could locate where they are
needed, and not, as now, following the
uptown move. Ministers of the right
stamp could be maintained i'll the cen
tiers of the city among the changing.
moving populations, good congregations
assured to all and the Lords work done
decently and in order. Oh! for re-
vival of good business sense in Chris
tianity, that the children of this world
may not be wiser in their generation
than the children of light.
''AEOther cause of weakness is the lack
O. inteniIent interest on the part OF the