The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-20
HOW TO FILL CHURCHES.

Seattle, November IS. 1897.
To the Editor: Permit me to congratu-
late YOU on the attitude taken In your
editorial Of Wednesday on the subject of
small church attendance. Is there not
third course open to the pastors In addi-
ton to the alternatives you offer? This
course is suggested by the fact that they
seem to fail to adapt themselves to chang
ing conditions. Time was when the pas
tor was assumed to possess the brains OF
the community and his dictum was final
With the opening of the century in this
country came an intellectual awakening,
and the cleric did not monopoliZe the
literary field. Cultivation became more
general and people read, wrote and
thought. With better opportunities came
increased knowledge, and in all branches
of art. form became less and less sub
ordinased TO matter. until now. to be ac-
ceptable all work must be treated ar
tistically
A century ago the Scripture was ex-
pounded and the pastor revered as one
above the common herd, no matter how
vague his utterances ror how long he
took TO deliver himself of them. Now he
is regarded as extremely Humankind not
wrongly-as court records and church
trials demonstrate.
The average pastor has failed to inter-
pref the handwriting on the wall He is
satisfied that conscientious effort will
win. No matter how earnest and sincere
he may be. these qualities alone will not
attract the non-ehurchgoer. man pays
q dollar and a half for seat in rhe the
alter; for 10 cents he can buy a copy OF
the play. Why does he pay the higher
price, The dollar-forty represents that
amount of satisfaction TO his sense Of
form. He can read his Bible at home
without the solemnity of the words and
thoughts being rendered farcical by a
catarrhal voice and violent muscular
spasms.
Let your readers fancy the next sermon
they hear delivered by any one of our
local political orators. These gentlemen
understand how essential to success is the
uninterrupted possession of the hearers
attention. hence by proper delivery. ar
tistic delivery. they secure that attention,
y sermon may not always contain that
fuilneSs ana richness desired of the regen-
crate, yet artistic delivery will make pal
atabie the hssty production Of an over
worked pastor
merchant presents his wares I'm an
attractive form and profits thereby.
pastor refuses 10 remove the dust OF years
from his. and cries. they do not patron-
izs nay shop have personally known
popular pastors. who were so for the rea-
son that 20 earnestnsSs and sincerity they
added those qualities Of mind and manner
which made them companionabIe among
men, ana oeccmingiy dignifed in the pull
pi'' Their Official utterances were duly
considered and based on the idea that the
sanctiiy Of a church does not raise vaDid-
ity To the level of prophecy.
rive per cent Of the people win GO "a
church under all conditions: l. ner cen,
VIII not go ~ all; NJ per cent. win go n
worth he effort II Is to the 50 per cent.
she pastors must look for support, Hence
.',' lae pastor add 10 his own Zeal honesty
Industry
the atiracitveueSs of unaffected z-->y,.- :
not professional drawi or a rrossssso,aI
Shlhholeih and he will--not make rhnyrh-
Eoers Of the other 8.s0 in ses,tla h,,.
est a call where the S9o salary limit
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