New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-08
THE CAUSES or cHTRcH DECLINE.

THE CAUSES or en- RCH DECLINE.
The Rev. John +. Carson. Of Brooklyn. called
attention the other day in the Brooklyn Pres
lvtery 10 the startling decline Of Christianity
in thar borough a decline all the more startling
because Brooklyn has for many years been
known as the City Of Churches. He says that
after careful study Of oil available statis-
Ties be IS forced 10 the conclusion that nearly
SIX hundred thousand people in Brooklyn are
absolutely outside the pale of Christianity
whether Catholic or Protestant Moreover,
while the Increase Of population in the borough
was between 10000 and 100000 last year the
Increase I'm the membership Of an the churches
was only 53G5. which means that about 10000
were added 10 the unchurched masses. We do
not. NJ course. vouch for these figures, but they
are made by a reputable clergyman. and they
chaIcnr, attention and discussion. Though ap-
nailed bv the decline of christianity which his
figures indicate. Mr. Carson Is optimistic. lie
thinks that the churches will redeem themselves
and reach those who have fallen away. first OF
ali by making larger use Of evangelism, sec
ond. by ceasing to discuss theology. and es-
neclallv the lew Biblical criticism. and. third
bv laying loss emphasis on the social side OF
religion. such as the soup kitchen and the gym
naslum. which in his opinion has made the
Church weak
But the trouble with these remedies e that
they cannot be applied. As to evangelism. II
IS matter Of common knowledge that it IS no
longer the effective agency it once was. Even the
magic Of Mr. Moodys name is less potent today
among the unchurched masses than It was
TWENTY-FIVE years ago The day for REVEALS
except on limited scale. seems to have passed
int 49,
credit bv certain vulgar aud forl mouhed fel
lows who have taken mp evangelism IS p busi-
ness and who hold commission from no
Church 50 We fear those 6ooooo-odd nom
Christians IN Brooklyn won't be reached by
evangelism Nor Is it likely that Mr.. Carson
or ANYBODY else will persuade Christians moi 70
discuss vital questions Of theology as they re-
late ~ the thought and scholarship OF the day.
People talk about the present age as peculiarly
given 10 such discussions. and seem TO think
that # betokens an abnormal and und rable
spirir in the modern Church But little read
J Ing of Church history would show how untena-
ble that view IS Christians have discussed
/ such questions ever since the first Council met
IN Jerusalem to decide the status Of Gentle
/ Christiq>s. and they viii continue 20 do so as
/ long as the Church lives Indeed compared
J
named the religious controversies ~ the pres
ent day are most decorous. Bur whatever their
character. they cannot be suppressed for they
are incident TO the ife Of the Church. We're
no differences Of opinion TO crop our in ri"
P church. it would Zoe a sure IN that the Church
was diving. I'm regard 10 the so-calod "soup
kitchen" outgrovth Of Christianity. this much
f. to be said. II is reaching and uplifting large
,,tff
us critics can offer n better substitute II VIII
continue 10 be employed.
Concerning this whole general subject. 4 coz
nate thought IS suggested Ever since liberal
ism has become Il factor 70 be rcckoncd with
I'm the churches r. has been tho habit OF the
conservatives 10 lay upon it the whole blame
for the falling away from church membership
Til, must mean either that conservatives give
/ NJ Christianity because liberals are permitted
70 remain In the Church. or that liberals with
draw because they are not allowed 10 remain
II conservatives. however. give up their faith
because although in a majority. they cannot
altogether silence liberalism they are unworthy
the name Of Christians on the other hand II
the non recognition " liberalism as tolerated
school of thought ln tho church leads % SUCH
n vholc.aie DETECTION - thar I'm Brooklyn com
mrntcd On boy Mr.. Carson. is n nor high timo for
tho church 10 reconsider t~ attitude Of hostility
~ Hhcralsm' In other words. when tho lilo
eral, are charged with the responsibility for the
decline nj christianity. might they not fairly
rerort by putting the responsibility on the con
seryativo.t For instance. nor long ago con
scr,ati,. clergyman I'D Sermon dcrlarrd thai
I'm rfh.-., ~l1a-hrorinG helpless women an'
mfant- tnc ancient Jews did right. because th'
inspr,d Scriptures commended the deed. an,
one Of the most loyal and devout laymen Of hi,