The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-01-11
why DO People Remain From
Church?

Why DO People Remain From
church,
The real reason why so many do not 20 Il
fine or church people unsocial, but because
the gospel is q subject that they care little
about. The excuses that keep them away
from church do not keep them away from
shows and theaters. The worship Of God IL
not attractive 10 worldly men therefore they
often stay away.-Associste Reformed Pres
byter1an.
The Press and Banner would not attempt
to argue the matter, as above stated, by oul
good friend, the editor OF the A. R. Presby
terian. His knowledge OF theology, and bill
familiarity with the divine plan OF salvation
is not to be questioned, and his orthodoxy
in all spiritual matters is doubted by none
On these subjects he may speak, almost al
by inspiration. But attendance or non atten'
dance at church Is quite another thing. This
subject comes down to the level Of the practl
cal matters of life.
Through practical methods the hearts o
men are touched, and by touching theil
hearts they are made better.
In response to practical methods congrega.
tions assemble, and they in turn, by the sp
plication OF the same rules, build churches
and send the gospel abroad.
BY practical methods the very salvation Of
our souls is secured and 1t is thus that the price
less jewel with which each OF us ia endowed
finds acceptance in the sight Of the Father OF
Us all.
For these reasons, when the practical Issues
Of life and death are before US, and when the
moral and temporal welfare OF the people are
involved, even layman may have his say.
In every sentence Of the article, above
quoted, there is error. For instance:
1.-THE real reason why 80 many do not 20 to
preaching is not because the churches are too
hne, or church people unsocial, but because
tSeg the gospel is a subject that they care little
Speaking from the point OF Iayman the
above assertion seems to award the people
but scant justice.
A. greater number Of people frequent the
churches than 60 to all other assemblages,
and they pay more money for the preaching
ofthe gospel than for any other intellectual
or educational purpose. In nearly every
heart there is an Unborn, and an inbred, love
OF the church, and there is in the holy
scriptures more that interests the people,
than In all the other books combined.
When the preacher starts out with all these
advantages in his favor, and he dissipates his
congregation, the true remedy is not to abuse
the people for staying away. he should con-
scientifically and prayerfully ask his own
heart II the fault does not lie at his own door.
Thechurch service will always be interest
ing and attractive, II properly conducted
The reading Of the scriptures, the singing Of the
which are prompted by the contrite heart,
and the expression Of an earnest desire for
cleaner hands and purer hearts seldom fails to
draw and attract the people.
I OF the alleged sermons We have said moth.
ing, but II we were to assign q reason for the
= absence Of people from church, we would
charge 1t largely to the conduct OF the
service.
In the first place, the con nductor Of that SER
vice In majority Of cases. except In Theo.
logical matters, is about the most ignorant
man in the neighborhood. He seldoms reads
the daily newspapers. and even with the cur.
rent literature OF the day he 10 a stranger,
while the contemp porary history OF the times
Is unknown to him. These facts are too
often sealed books. Instead Of informing
the people on subjects that would bring him
In touch with the people, and while be
should be impressing sense Of obligation and
duty, we are often treated to disserta.
ton or speculation on texts In which
there is absolutely nothing, except as
ne may Inject 1t. Such themes as dancing,
heavenly recognition, the millennium, the
:. scenes at the judgment. the pictures Of tor.
men,, the realistic joys of the blessed, and
all those principles, or sectarian dogmas,
about which the ablest and best men differ in
opinion, occupy large part Of the service at
church. The people are not edited, and they
finally absent themselves from the sanctuary.
The singing and the reading of the scrip.
lures have too often been dispensed with. In
stead OF the humble and grateful use Of the
Lords prayer, the preacher too often goes off
gasoonading, or displaying his "power In
prayer That is, he displays his ability for
enumerating the'gifts and benefits for which
he Is thankful. and then rendering Oil of
particulars, itemizing each individual article
that he would like to have, and finally wind.
Ing mp with statement that hewould gladly
accept almost any other thing that the Lord
might be pleased to bestow, even II he had
forgotten to ask for It.
Again, the Presbyterian says:
"The excuses that keep them away from
and theatres"
We are not Informed that anybody
makes excuses for preferring q show or
theatre to the services at church. Who
shall assume to call q man to account, or re-
quire him to make excuse? 1t is in order, to
assign reason, II y man chooses to do So.
That reason is generally not owing to per-
verseEess OF heart. The theatre or the circus
comes seldom, and the performers usually
strive to make it interesting.
Again, the Presbyterian says:
"The worship Of God is not 80 attractive to
worldly men, therefore they stay away."'
Not that, exactly. The worldly" man is
not as much disposed to make a martyr of
himself as is the Heavenly" man. The
worldly" man goes where 1t is interesting
the Heavenly man certainly goes to the
right place-the church-even II he goes for
other reasons than pleasure or worship.
Eel