The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-28
PILGRIM eYorAERHoou.
Inquire Why So Many Men Stay away
From Church.


The meeting of the Pilgrim Brother
hood in the parlors of the Congregation
al church Tuesday evening was an in
teresting one, aud this new society for
the discussion of living issues from the
religious standpoint is arousing the i'm
terest of all who attend its sessions.
The discussion of the question, "Whv
do not men attend church, " was led bv
j. b. T. Tuthill and John Bayne. each
OF these gentlemen speaking u minutes
those who followed being allowed 8
minutes each, nearly everyone present
except ladies, taking part.
The majority of the speakers were in.
clined to follow conventional lines of
thought, and account for the general re-
luctance of mankind toward attending
church, to the innate depravity of the
male of our species, while minority
advanced the idea that it is to a greater
or less extent the fault of the churches
and church members themselves.
AT least one speaker thought that a
radical change must come over the
churches and that they must get back TO
the simple principles taught by the
Master before they could successfully
appeal to the masses.
The leading thought of the differen
speakers, as caught on fly, were about as
Mr.. Tuthill thought mistake had
been made in appointing leaders. Some
who do not attend church could tell
why, but he could not understand il.
His idea, however, was that in the ma
lority of cases it was simply a matter
indifference on the part of men. Many |
different excuses would be given, but in |
The last analysis, they would amount
merely TO Indifference. His idea OF the
cause of this Indifference was that the
example of church members was not
'uch as to impress the outsiders with
he belief that there il much in the
ihurch that they desire they desire to
ind out about. The change in theology
iad something TO do with non-attend-
Ince. The threat of hell fire used TO
lrivc many to church. This was no
onger operative, and non-church goers
must be attracted in other ways.
John Bayne had inquire of many
lon-church goers, and knew why he had
lot, at certain times attended church.
lie believed thoughtlessness was one of
he main reasons. Lack Of knowledge
4 the real church atmosphere made
nauy outsiders feel not at home in that
tmosphere. Habit was also prevail
ny cause Of staying away. Could not
gree with Rev. Bridgman, OF the Con-
regationalist, that il was the "lack of
interest in what the church stands for"
Unbclief was keeping a great many
len away from church. This unbelief
ad arisen TO great extent from the
xcessive strictness that formerly pre-
allied in the churches which had
rejudiced children against religion.
A. T. Gilbert thought that the lodges
ad an influence against church attend
nee. Many belong TO so many lodges
hat they lost all interest in the church.
q. NJ. Powers thought the church did
ot attract men because it does not
AXE up the living questions Of human
oyernment and discuss them in a non
artison spirit from pulpit and pew, and
a the light Of Christ's teaching, seek TO
meliorate the condition of the great
lass Of men who form the mudsills of l
,ciety and on whose broad backs rests !
ne whole superstructure OF civilization.
The church had almostinvariably sup
orted organized government regard
IS OF its cruelty, corruption, oppres-
on and disregard for human liberty;
I'd the intolerance Of priesthood in the
lrk ages had the psychological effect
planting an inherited instinct OF dis
ust for the church in the mindsoi men,
hich eould only be removed by the