Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-06-29
THE SAVORLESS SALT
REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR., ON coRRUP-
TON IN THE CHURCH.

~
without Rome's Power.
New YORK. June 1S-Rev. Thomas
Dixon. Jr.. preached this morning the
ninth sermon of the aeries ON 1.-THE
Gates of He'll In Modern Babylon" The
subject of the morning sermon was
1.-The Failure of the Church In the City. y
The text chosen was from Matthew V,
10: Eye are the salt of the earth. but if
the salt have lost it SAVIOR wherewith
shall it be sailed? 1t is thenceforth good
for nothing but to be cast out and trod-
den under foot of men,"
One of the most serious causes for the
present condition of the city is to be
found in the failure of the church Of
Christ to keep pace with its rapid devel-
opment. The fact is that the failure of
Protestant Christianity in the centers of
livic life in America has been one of the
most painful facts in the history of the
nation in the last quarter of century.
There are fewer Methodists in New York
city today than there were 90 years ago.
There are fewer Baptists in New York
city today than 20 years ago. And this
in the face of the fact that in the mean
time the city has practically doubled its
population-gTown to be the metropolis
of the new world The truth is, while ev-
erything else has advanced with marvel
GUS strides the church has lost ground
And what is true in New York is true
really in many other great cities. The
essence of Christianity lies in its power
TO save. The work Of Christianity is TO
save the world. When the salt is re-
moved from the earth, it is not to be
wondered at the corruption that results.
There is terrible failure today in the
work of applying Christianity TO the
needs of the people in the city.
The sad fact is forcing itself on the
hearts Of many achO lore the Lord that
thousands Of the churches an oar ceaters
of life are today practically dead.
The trouble about it is, too, that they
are still above ground. They are dead,
and no permit to bury has been issued.
The consequence is that there is natural
embarrassment. We see this painful
fact
J. First - In the empty pews in the
churches of the city. The primary idea
of the church of Christ is an assembly.
The word church in its original means
assembly. The trouble is they have
ceased to assemble. The congregation
in the average church in our great
cities is conspicuous for the people who
are not there. Empty pews are the
first thing that strikes the eye Of the
observer. There are various excuses
made for this condition of affairs. 1t is
owing to the point of view from which
you look at it as to the answer you
would make. A man asked another how
he accounted for the small attendance
at our churches. He said he could not |
account for it. He said he went one
night himself, and he never could under |
stand what could attract those people |
that were there.
The language of empty pews is sad |
one to the church They are knocking |
ghosts. 1t is a chilling experience to
any man to come from a country district
into the city and face these solemn evil
dences of the decadence of church life.
] shall never forget the first sermon |
preached in city church. The house
seated about 500 There were about so
present. They were scattered over the
solemn building They shivered in the
cold. and shivered in sympathy. 1t is
needless to say the service was a dismal
failure.
SOCIAL CLUBS.
Second-Many of our churches have
become social clubs and cliques. Mans
social nature is mighty lever when it
is properly used. 1t should be utilized
for spiritual ends. But social club is
one thing, and an assembly of people
gathered in the name of Jesus Christ to
do his work, to follow his teachings and
be the medium through which his spirit
shall operate in the world-this is anoth-
sr thing. Every part of mans social
nature may be and should be utilized
but when the great spiritual fact is over
looked and the church degenerates into
d mere clique. in which there are parties
with all sorts of games, in which there
are festivals with all sorts of swindling,
kissing bees and all sorts of cheating in
we have here the evidences of
decay.
A pastor recently resigned in one of
our great churches because some of his
people insisted ON having a dog show in
he church. He said he could stand
good deal. but he drew the line at dog
show. A young man was recently forced
% resign his charge because he insisted
IN wearing a mustache. The congrega-
ion did not like preacher with that
Ityle of beard He refused to part with {
his ornament. and they parted with their
pastor.
Our churches, many of them, have be-
,ome apostles of the gospel of geography.
They believe in moving. One of two
Kings is true. BY this fact either the
yospel is lie or the methods they use to
propagate it are false. The first of these
need scarcely be discussed.
S the gospel failure? Hardly. Is it
weak? Can it not answer every accusa-