The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-14

Inc GalueTlnS OF clergymen winch
has taken place in Seattle during the
last two days brought together many
who have been feilow-workers for many
years although wide apart In their
fields. The Episcopal church sent Its
missionaries to this Coast very early
In its settlement. Among those who
were present at the meeting was Canon
Good, who commenced his work among
the Lytton Indians thirty-seven years
ago.
The restless determination to spread
the influence OF the church is as potent
now as it was then. but 1t must be dis
heartening sometimes to earnest minis
tiers to find the percentage Of church.
goers rather decreasing than increasing
with the growth of population. Their
intense fervor in their task enables
them to maintain confidence and 1t in
spires them to renewed effort, but the
speeches OF the ministers OF the Ep.s-
copal church manifested that same con-
vietion OF need for still greater effort
which is no less apparent in the gather
ings OF other denominations.
The work OF minister has two
branches. One Is TO induce people to
become members of the church for their
own sake. and the other Is TO devise
means by which the necessary expenses
may be betrayed. The two chief papers
read before the Episcopal ministers
dealt with those subjects. One OF them
was devoted to methods OF evangelical
ton In modern church work, and the
other to methods OF raising funds
Arehdeaeon Scriven, of Victoria, ad-
vocated such auxIliaries as open air
preaching, missions and district visit
ing. These methods have all been tried
and while there Is no doubt that they
perform certain good. it Is to be feared
that something more is wanting.
Neither OF these agencies would be like
iy 10 reach the great mass of the ordi-
nary people. who are now Indifferent
about church matters and only luke
warm members when they do Join
Much depends upon the personality OF
the preacher, The fluctuations In at
tendance al the several churches Of this
city places this statement, beyond con-
troversy- But that is a very unsub-
stantlal consideration upon which TO
base the growth ot any church. No
matter what a mans belief may be.
he Will recognize in the influence Of the
church a power for great good which
organized society will be very reluctant
To abandon until more effcaoious SUBJ
ssitute is furnished. For that reason
even the indifferent are deeply inter
estei In the success of church work.
Where authorities differ 50 widely as
10 the means by which congregations
| nsay he increased and religious influence
extended. IL would be presumptuous
far laynen 10 offer suggestions. Never
taeless. they viii entertain ideas Of their
own, BORN - their own observations
and experience. Fer that reason they
NIGH; be considered by the clergy not
50 much for their own value as afYor,-
tag az Indication Of the real difficulty
TO be overcome
To BE- frank therefore. most men alb
stain from membership 81 a church be-
cause &, inierferes wisA ulodera notions
/ az intelligent recreation. One reason
81 ny the Catholic church has n,aErataine,,
lts bold npon tbs masses ia that. after
having exac'ed religious duty from
tae ind.y idual. M IS free 10 DO all TIA,
De might properly do as a gro. e.,lxsn
/ although set a church member. Many
aaen weui4 sseleng 90 the churches be.
cause - their good moral influence IL 4.
ga nss prevent their participating in
pleasures as 20 which. - themselves
thsy see 70 harm TIE ordinary eitfxe,
Se2ansa - lbs business dusinr the