The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-26
A PREACHERS EXPERIMENT.
Turns Day Lahorer To Learn Why
Workingmcn Don't Go To Church.

~
George l.. McNUtt, Tor several years pas
tor OF the Fourth Tr,s0yterian church o.
this city, is pursuing a practical quest
after information as to why so many per-
sons. especially the laboring men, absent
themselves from church. IL was the ex-
per.ence OF Mr.. McNutt as a pastor in
this city that the privilege OF reaching
the masses was denied him. He decided
to investigate the matter. To DO so he
conceived the idea Of giving up his pas
tOrate for a time. and By minglng with
latoring men by knowing them but keep
ing his own Identity a secret, by perfo m
ing their duties and seeking 10 under
stand their din eulties, prepare himself
for the preaching Of G0srei that would
appeal TO them more strongly than had
been the case. when, without such knowl-
edge and experiences. he had labo'ed sun
day after Sunday only 10 find that the
conversion Of men did not follow his
work.
Resicning his pastorate and placing his
wife and children IN a boarding mousse.
Mr. McNutt donned an ODD suit of 60 mes
and started out 20 see what Il was that
deferred men from placing themsalves IN
der the influence OF the Gospel. Tired
and hungry he applied at ore Of the iron
factories at Marion for a Job Tie waited
nearly half a day at the gate Of the fac
tory and then the foreman admitted him
and gave him work M 81 a day. He was
10 10 ready for work at A.. VI. and work
till noon. and begin again az l !. NJ. ana
work tin G. He was assigned to a gang
that was unloading railroad iron and at
this he labored until saturday night hour
after hour. through the hot days. without
anything 20 relieve the monotony or the
lao n q en
ont that he rolled into bed imm diately
after supper, and each morning ne re-
turned 10 work with feel ngs OF CREATE
aversion for his fob. When Thursday eve
ming came he remembered that Dr. was
PRAYER meeting night 40 all Fresoyteil'.n
churches INT rest was so necessary 70
lain, tbat no contented himself with the
memory and siept as soundlv as tnoush
no had not missed The service AZ 'he
end Of the week be gave up MS JoJ am
LEFT the place. ,,.-i.,
Mr. McNutt came away from Marion
with n broader charity and a less opu-
mistlc view OF what may be accom- plish-
ca by the churches.
The minister's next experience was as
farm, hand I'm Johnson county. Here the
work was not so hard ana the as7oelH
lions were "A great deal better. for, though
farming community was generous Win
thoir condolences and he found himself
well treated His employer Invited MN
IN attend the country church on Sunday
and the minister and farmer went ATOMS.
When he entered the church one OF me
elders conducted him 10 seat well UP
I'm front and showed a friendly interest
in him. This treatment was in such happy
contrast with tho cold Indifference tnat
he had encountered In city churches
where he went in his tramp garb that he
enjoyed the sermon and entered heartily
into the spirit OF the services. Among
the farmers from whom he received em-
pl0yment be found n commend3bIe regard
for hts bodily comfort and spiritual well
fare. and IN nearly every case DE was
treated with respect and kindness. Tie
found the work less labOriOus and tho
meals wonderfully tempting in contrast
with those Of the cheap boarding houses
where he stopped when employed ln fac
tories I'm the cities
10 was while employed I'm a f1,tory M
Muncie that the minister thought he
would go out on Saturday night and see
what Inducements were being offered for
a better life outside the factory. lie visit
cd all the churches I'm that city but
found them closed and dark ON tho
stems Of one Of the largest he saw five
Young men drinking from q bottle and
INDUCING in coarse jests. Then he went
among the saloons and in three counted
is5 men who were engaged I'm drinking
and card playing His inquiry for the
rooms Of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION Ted 20 the Information that there
was no organization in Muncie. Then tho
minister began TO moralize.
Here i'm Munce." he said. care 100
saloons. each doing business seven days
I'm the week and about eighteen hours
day While an the religious dcnomina-
tions are represented, each is content
with four or six hours service each week.
I'm other words the devil is at work
about eighteen hours n day and the Chris
tian people OF Muncie are trying % over
come him by an average Of about two
hours work a day"
Mr.. McNutt rs stlll pursuing his inqui-
ries.-New York Sun.