The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-24
PREACHER TURNS DAY LABORER.
The Rev. MT. MoNutt Tries TO Learn why
worL,nrmen Don't GO to Church.


workinRmen Don't Go to Church'
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 23-The Rev. George
1. McNutt for several years pastor OF the Four'h
Presbyterinn church OF this city, Is pursuing
a practical quest after information as to why
80 many persons, especially the laboring men,
absent themselves from church. IL was the eA-
porience of Mr NcNutt as pastor In this Guy
that the privilege Of reaching tho masses was nc
MED him He decided TO investigate the matter
To do 80 he conceived the idea OF giving up ms
pastorate for time, and. by mingling WIN
laboring men, by knowing them but keeping
his own identity secret by performing theH
duties and seeking TO understand their diihculueS
prepare himself for the preaching Of Gospel
that would appeal TO them more strongly than
had been the case when, without such knowledge
and experiences, he had labored Sunday after
Sunday only 10 find that the conversion OF men
did not follow his work.
Resigning his pastorate and placing his vile
and children in boarding house, MT McNuu
donned an old suit OF clothes and started out
TO sec what IL was that deferred men from placing
themselves under the influence OF the gospel
Tired and hungry he applied at one OF the iron
factories at Marion for a job He waited nearly
half day at the gate Of the factory and then the
foreman admitted him and gavo him work at 81
day. He WAS to be ready for work at AM,
and work till O. He was assigned to a gang that
was unloading railroad iron and at this he laborcd
until Saturday night hour after hour through
the hon days, without anything TO relieve the mo-
notony OF the work. At night he was so utterly
tagged out that he rolled into bed Immediately
after supper, and each morning he returned to
work with feelings Of greater aversion for his
job When Thursday evening came. he rcncm-
bered that IL was prayer meeting night at all Pres
bytcrian churches, but rest necessary 10
him that he contented himself with the memory
and slept as so,lndly as though he had not missed
the service AT the end of the week he gave up
his job and left the place
Mr.. McNutt came away from Marion with a
broader charity and with less optimistic view
Of what may be accomplished by the churches.
The ministers next experience a farm
hand In johnson County. Here the work was
not so hard and the associations were great
deal better, tor though he had asked Tor work as
a tramp the farming community were generous
with their condolences and he found himself well
treated. His employer invited him TO attend
the country church on Sunday and the minister
and farmer went along. When he entered the
little church one OF the elders conducted him to a
seat we'll up in front and showed friendly inter
est In him This treatment was in such happy
contrast with the cold indifference that he had en-
tramp garb that he enjoyed the sermon and en-
tered heartily into the spirit OF the services Among
the farmers from whom he received employment
he found q commendable regard Tor his bodily
comfort and spiritual welfare and in nearly every
case was treated with respect and kindness. He
found the work less laborious and the meals won
derfully tempting in contrast with those of the
cheap boarding houses where he stopped when
employed in factories in the cities
1t was while employed in a factory at Muncie
that the minister thought he would go out on
Saturday night and see what inducements were
being offered Tor better life outside of the fac
tory. He visited all of the churches in that city
but found them closed and dark. On the steps
OF one OF the largest he saw five young men drink
ing from bottle and INDUCING in coarse tests
Then he went among the saloons and in three
counted 1876 men who engaged in drinking
and card playing. His inquiry for the rooms Of
the Young Mems Christian Association led to
tho information that there was no Organization
in Munce. Then the minister began to moralize
Here in Muncie," he said, ARE 100 saloons each
doing business seven days in the week and about
eighteen hours day. While all the religious
denominations are represented, each is content
with four or six hours service each week In
other words, the devil is at work about IS hours
a day and the Christian people of Muncie are
trying to overcome him by an average OF about
two hours work a day"
Mr.. McNutt is still pursuing his inquiries