New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-06
THEA CHURCH AND THE MASSES.
DR.. GROVES SERMON At THE CHURCH OF rHA
ETERNAL HOPE


ETERNAL HOPE.
mo Rev DR. W s Grove preached yesterday
corning AZ tho Church Of the Eternal Hope. in
West Eighty -irst-st.. on The Churches and the
Masses" He said that he did not believe the
general public was 50 Indifferent 70 religion now
adays quite commonly assumed II the en-
tire religious interests 81 the city were confined 20
those who were az that moment IN the churches u
would. indeed. be a melancholy showing. In MS
opinion. however a majority OF all tho people. even
In the cities. IN vital sympathy with The
churches while IN the small towns and the country
he thought fully three-fourths % the people were
similarly inclined. A large proportion OF these
people however. make the great mistake Of think
ing that they not really needed al church.
whereas II they thoroughly loyal no evil could
stand against the united influence ~ the churches
OF the outsiders one class had merely looked upon
religion in the light OF fire insurance. and. having
got rl OF what they came 10 regard as mere super
stition they cared nothing for the Church
Another class. more strictly intellectual" said
DR.. Grove finds Itself unable 20 Join with the
churches in work which II would gladly DO.
because Of certain positions IL had taken. These
often wise true, splendid people but they re-
pudiate one-half OF human nature-that which 10
learned through the heart Then there are those
who merely pleasure-seek"rs. who give up their
whole lives 10 business and amusement. These
three classes really hostile TO the Church. and
the Nnurch cannot properly De accused OF utkiect-
ing them.
AS to the very poor those In the depths Of pow
erty ignorance. vice and crime. cannot but
feel pity for them. But the churches never hal
them. Some Church possibly governed their an
cestors IN the old World but they were born
aliens 20 our churches. and Il IL practically i'm
possible for our free churches. not using cOmpul-
sion. 10 get hold of them. Bur the work Is not for
the churches alone The slum problem Is one OF
the chief problems OF civilization and the church
people ready 20 do their part They have done
their part nobiy. and f. should be remembered that
the people Of the slums not aiienated from re-
lgiOn any more than from education, morality, A
home life. from all that Is excellent. The state.
the Health and School boards. all who believe IN
cleanliness and intelligence. are A. much obligated
are the churches 10 take part IN tho work OF
lifting up these people Therefore. while eNhort-
ing church people their utmost duty IN this work.
! say b. j. the utmost Incidence and hypocrisy for
any other class of people 20 complain because the
churches are not doing 10 an
But there Is another work when the cnurcnes
specially called OF God 20 do-fO stand FOR tho
dealsm Of morality. n may be necessary for
practical men 10 make compromise. bur let ~ not
call those c0mpromise@ good War and capital pun
shment may be- necessary bur rhey are necessary
evils Since cannot get rid ~ tho saloon y
may De advisable 10 license DO. bur ief us NOT blind
ourselves 10 IT'S character. Christ Was an deal
Isl In an His celebrations and e. Is the dutj ~ the
Church 70 continue His work