The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-01
WHY DO MEN STAY AwAYp
Pointed Question Asked by the Rev.
James Hughes.

Rev. James Hughes, in the Adams
Avenue Presbyterian chapel, last night
preached sermon In which he asked
the question, why do men not attend
church more regularly?" He said, in
part:
think Il is generally admitted that there is
very great reluctance on the part of many
fnen to attend church, II Is very obvious that
there Is very large preponderance OF women
at our church services even In the morning
when domestic duties might be pleaded as an
excuse for many of them staying at home
No one, Think can fail to an immense
number of men sitting on their vcrandas, saun.
tering around their gardens, strolling about
the streets of the city during the hours of div.
inc worship. Now what can be the secret Of this
willful neglect of the house Of God2
il this conduct were confined to men OF very
meager mental powers and Of no education, an
4 adequate reply might be easily found, but when
We find such vast number Of skilled artizans,
and even professional men. and Others also en-.
| dowed with considerable powers OF mind and
ndorned with many accomplishments. when we
find such men habitualy absent themselves from
the services of the sanctuary We are confronted
with problem of no easy solution.
Possibly. some would ascribc all this to the
| moral degenerate condition of the people about
whom am speaking. Such reply would ap.
pear TO me as being wholly unsatisfactory.
| ] appeal to the men now present. and do SO
with all carncstncss and much personal respect.
i'rother men, what is the secret of all this
obvious reluctance on the part of so many Of
our sex to attend the sanctuary
II cannot be that they believe that there Is no
good in religion any benefit accruing from
attending religious services for many of them
send their children to the Sunday school, and
insist OH them attending divine worship, and
n fhnnN tlnn tN l,.p
their wives t. attend church.
Such men would rever act thus were they not
| convinced that it was the proper thing TO do,
| and that good would be the result.
Wien any of the family are dangerously i'll
minister faithful member of the church
is sent for to pray or minister in spiritual
things to the snfferer--t very right thing to
do--and should death enter the home, clergy
man is generally expected to try to comfort the
bereavcd and conduct funeral service, which
request is always responded to at any hour,
night or day.
Even the most pronounced non.church.goer
would be shocked if any Christian refused to
pray with and for his dying child. II any
minister refused to ofiicate at the funeral of
his deceased wife; and yet possibly such a
person does not visit the house Of God once in
six months.
Now were you to charge such men with IN
consistency. they would resent such charge
with Indignation, yet it would be most difficult
to point out wherein their consistency consists.
They encourage their wives and children to
attend the services OF the house of the Lord, and
they desire the services OF Christian minister
in case of domestic ailiction or painful bereavc-
ment, and yet they themselves will seldom APP
pear in place of worship. Is this consistent?
Ought we not and shall not honor God by
assembling together in His house tn worship
Him. who is the great first cause and living
fountain of all the blessings which have come
down to us through human channels. increasing
in volume and richness with the flight of time!
My friends. God expects to meet for worship
and spiritual instruction. lie also expects lis to
be faithful with each other and faithful to our
selves
What will be the effect of yonr conduct on the
life and destiny of your sons? How many young
men have been wrecked on the barren rocks OF
a fathers example?
Then what will be the ultimate effect upon
yourselves? To whom much has been given,
from them shall much be required. The spirit
OF God says, Neglect not the assembling OF
yourselves together"