The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-06
SEATTLE, SUNDAY. FEB. o.


THE PROBLEM OF THE CHURCHES.
The task Of the churches Is not new
One. In every language and from the
earliest times prophets have poured out
their Walls of wrath upon the scoffer
and pleaded in the language OF inspira-
ton with the needless. After nearly
600 years Of advancement and OF the
teachings OF the Christian religion, II Is
not encouraging 10 the preachers to De-
wrestling as hopelessly with the wicked
n in the days when God in his anger
smote whole cities for their idolatry-
Nor is the problem confined 10 the
openly and VIGOROUSLY wicked. The
most difficult subject 10 handle Is the
fairly good man who commits no crime
and who substantially obeys the ten
commandments. It Is not an easy mat
ter to bring obloauy upon the average
citizen who rears his family with az
fection and care. who deals honestly In
business. gives something In charity.
Is hospitable, neighboriy and temperate
In his small vices. This Is the man
who makes up the bulk OF the COM
anunity and he Is usually content 60
have his family go 10 church. although
ne does not attend himself. Sometimes
ne yields To conviction or persuasion
and becomes a member. but even then
his fluctuations do not end. He is ex-
hor.ed TO enter upon wider and more
active career OF piety. 10 urge his neigh
bors to attend. to donate more literally
90 every church enterprise. 10 make
sacrifices In order 10 demonstrate bet
Der his fitness for membership.
The new minister coming 10 q barren
church makes a canvass and insists
that a man will be better citizen IL he
will only attend church: but this is not
the end. He is TO sooner settled IN
self-satisfaction at this step than he is
admonished that what Is needed il
greater devotion. more regular attend
anee. participation in week night
PRAYER meetings and. above all things,
60 give more"
This Is no douh. true. Christian
Is unquestionahly more pious who
works INCREASINGLY and unselfshly IN
oil that the church regards as tending
90 the greater glory Of God But gen
GRAFTON after generation succeeds. null
lens OF dollars are given To the mainte-
nance OF training colleges for ministers.
of churches and 81 missions. and re
church stiti cries aloud that we are n
race Of unbeiievers and worldllnes.
There are periods Of revival: year or
go ago IL was predicted that we were
ON the eve OF one Of those religious
cataeiysnis which have swept across
nations. The wave passes. but II is
stirred BY wind which only ripples
the surface and leaves the depths un-
disturbed
Sometimes there Is a passing response
10 the fereent and united effort Of the
preachers. and sometimes there IS a
spasmodic surrender of ieweiry and the
promise OF better iife. such a tide
often follows IN the wake of men like
Moody. bat after many years az OK
hortation and expostula;ien he Is stu
seesing means 10 bring IN the uuregcn-
crate and nn the churches. lie Is
preaching Row In New York city. and
IS unfolding wha; be calls Jesus
Chrisrs plan" 20 save The city. lie
urges all those Who do attend church
10 become good Samaritans one q his
suggestions Is - % away with pewS.
another he puts lnteFrosauyely.
s'My scar friends. den'f yea ,sS7k Ne
could reach New York pretty quick II
car rich people would Ict thef~ POOR
reiEhhoFs rise IL thrir carriages once b,
awhile Nou JUS FRY II sometime mad
arr let ySsT a sstTrss orsan Fn far 4
drasn n the park. ana whne shes cut
yea - ana take her children ara make !
kindergarten Tor fheaa"
This geod work oash, - commend
itselt Il any Christian woman: bat II
viii net - usos; II wouia De rleASau:
for the washerwaEaan ard the seis-
sacrifice ought 70 bring Jay - the Chris
tian worker. bu, Il VII not bs srses -
any appreciate extent 4 knowleszs
- the world weald :.aa &c TIE eoac,u-