The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-16
WHY THE PEws ARE EMPTY.
Rev. /. 7. Mendes' Discourse n
MicIkva Israel Syna.Ogue.

MicI1Va Israel Synagogue.
Rev. DR.. I. P. Mendes delivered an in
teresting lecture at Mickva Israel syna-
gogue yesterday. on why the Pews Re
main Empty"
DR.. Mendes said that the fact that there
are many empty pews in the houses of
worship of both this country and England,
is evident to even the most casual observ-
er. All denominations, he said, recos-
nize it, but each attributed it TO a different
cause. In England it is said to be caused
by the length of the services, the routine
nature of the established religion. and
the retention of many uninteresting fea-
lures that have long ago lost their signiA-
canoe.
In America divers reasons are given. \
prominent Christian minister of New
York, in discussing this question. after
painting a vivid picture of the state of
perfect faith in which our fathers lived.
said 1t was brought about by the perfect
taith they had In the teachings of the
church, and the dread they had of incur
ring the divine wrath should they neglect
their religious obserVances. The reverse
to this state of affairs, which he claims
Is now prevalent, he attributes to the in
PRODUCTION of what he terms modern re-
llgion, the growing unbelief in a place of
future punishment and the inquisitive
spirit that desires to Know the "why," and
the wherefore" of everything.
NO doubt" said DIR. Mendes, 1.-THE gem
tleman was right in drawing such conclu-
slons from the particular standpoint from
which ne viewed the question and id is
quite possible that the dread of a burning
fire after death may have had much to do
with filing the pews in those days, but
there must have been another side to the
question, there must have been some deep
seated belief that the house of God was a
place in which would be found relief from,
and strength to bear the trials that must
come at some time or another in the lives
of every person. Unhappily the younger
generations in throwing away the stub
bic and the chaff of the old religion have
neglected to retain the golden grain. Hor-
ace Mann in "a Few Thoughts for
Young Man" gives as the best reason for
so many empty pews that men are fast
coming to the worship of one being; but
1t unfortunately is neither the living nor
the true God; they defy wealth.
In pursuit of wealth everything else
must give way, said Dr. Mendes," 1t
has become the alpha and omega of some
lives, and before it both church and syna-
gogue sink into insignifcanee. Another
of the unfortunate things that tend to-
ward the disregard of religious observ-
ances, is the inordinate love of pleasure
of the present genera ton, and a growing
want of faith. especially among the young
people of to-day" There is a growing in
clinatlon, he said 10 laugh at holy sub
jects and treat sacred things as matters
of jest. You have in your hands all the
facts that can best answer the question
we have been discussing, but there is an
other question 1 would ask, shall these
pewS remain empty? "Oh by the grace
of Almighty Cod let us answer emphatic
ally, no, they shall not >"
For everything there is a time. said
DR.. Mendes, a time to work, and a time
to play; there is a time to be joyful and a
time to be sad; there is a time that can
be spent with our fellowman, and there is
a time for the worship of God. Let us be
faithful to our mission divine, whether we
worship in the church across the way or
in the synagogue; in either case the effect
will be for the good of yourself and the
world will bring the world nearer to God
and help to Danish forever the question
"why are the pews empty?'