Connecticut western news., 1893-06-22
THE SAVORLE.SS SALT
REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR., ON CORRUPT
 TON IN THE CHURCH.

REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR., ON CORRuP-
 TON IN THE CHURCH.
 Ninth Sermon of the Series on the "Gates
 of Hell In Modern Babylon''-Churches
 as Social Clubs and Cliques-Romanism
 without Rome's Power.
 NEW YORK, June 18.--Rev. Thomas Dixon, Jr., preached this morning the ninth sermon of the series on 1.-The Gates of He'll In Modern Babylon" The subject of the morning sermon was .'The Failure of the Church In the City" The text chosen was from Matthew V, 18: ssYe are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost it savor wherewith shall it be salted? It 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 it's rapid devel- opment The fact is that the failure of Protestant Christianity in the centers of civic 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 20 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 it's population to be the metropolis of the new world. The truth is, while ev erything else has advanced with marvel ous 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 it's 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 sud fact is forciaaS atself om the hearts of nadaay ao7o love the Lord thGt thoalsands of the churches in our centers oflVe 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- Gl }
 First n 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 it's 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 Arst thing that strikes the eye of the observer There are various excuses made for this condition of affairs. It 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 ct 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 mocking ghosts. It is chilling experience to any man to come from country district into the city and face these solemn evi- dences of the decadence of church life. I shall never forget the first sermon preached in a city church. The house seated about ], ,60O. There were about 80 present. They were scattered over the solemn building. They shivered in the cold, and shivered in sympathy. It is needless to say the service was dismal failure.
 SOCIAL CLUES.
 Second-Many of our churches have become social clubs and clques. Mans social nature is mighty lever when it is properly used. It 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- CT 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 8 mere clique, in which there are parties with all sorts of games, in which there
 
 kissing bees and all sorts of cheating in- ventions, we have hero the evidences of decay.
 A pastor recently resigned in one of our great churches because some of his people insisted on having dog show in the church. He said he could stand 8 good deal, but he drew the line at dog show. A young man was recently forced to resign his charge because he insisted on wearing 8 mustache. The congrega- tion did not like 8 preacher with that style of beard. He refused to part with his ornament, and they parted with their pastor.
 Our churches, many of them, have be- come apostles of the gospel of geography They believe in moving. One of two things is true. By this fact either the gospel Is 8 lie or the methods they use to propagate it are false. The first of these alternatives need scarcely be discussed Is the gospel a failure? Hardly. Is it weak? Can it not answer every accusa- ton of the enemy of man? Let the ages answer. Let every generation since Calvary answer. Has Jesus Christ, who promised to be with his church always, deserted? Ask the church militant to- day, and you will have the answer. Does not God hear prayer today? Ask those who have faith, who pray. There never was time when Christianity was such a power as today. There never was a time when it yielded such resistless in- fusnce over civilization as a whole as today. Itmakes and unmakes the poli- cies of nations and of parties. Its past triumphs have been glorious. Its present power is practically resistless when brought to bear on society.
 It need not be said that our methods are false. The gospel of geography ap- piled to the city's life is travesty on Christianity. It is the cry of the traitor that leaves the ground to the enemy from whom he has fled. We are told that the churches leave these districts be- caua3 the DeOple are gone and vet they