Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-10-27
THE MODERN PULPIT.

a great deal has beth talu laNtiS va
the failure OF the various popular de-
nominations Of the world 20 reach the
masses OF the people. so as TO influence
them morally 20 any material extent
And the question is often asked by the
thoughtful observer. what are the
causes OF the lmpotency Of the modern
pulpit
We find on the Religious News
page Of an influential New York paper
series Of announcements OF sunday
sermons, which throws q food Of light
on this interesting topic The sub
jeots are announced beforehand Here
are some Of them selected at random'
or. John J.. Reed win preach at both
morning and evening services tomor-
row His sermon at l0.30 win be on
Beauty. as God Secs IT, and az $40
his subject win be Spiritual lnten-
sity.'
IA Man who Failed In Hard
Place Is the subject Of tomorrow eve
nings sermon " the Rev. Or. Donald
Sage Mackay.'
osrhe subject Of Mr.. seagle's sermon
tomorrow evening win be Appearance
Its Helpfulness and It's Deceittul-
ness.
"The Rev. Elmer Addison Dent win
preach at II a. m, tomorrow on The
Father Of Methuselah,' and az 1913 p.
m. on The Building Of the Tower OF
Babel
And so on through the page. Some Of
the churches publish regular concert
programs OF which one example may
be reproduced;
"The music tomorrow will include the
following
II A. NJ
Organ Prelude-Grand Chpur.. Bath
Anthem-"The Earth Is the Lords
,..,, 90. ..,, .,.,...,,...,t..-Be hrend
Offertory-(a) Organ Andante. Chauyet
90 From the Depths'",
..,,,..,tt..., ,..,.. ,...'.'''l dHphHb
organ Postlude-Maestoso in 49,.
,.,., 90. o.. 60. .....,,..,.,'.'''''Ca lhlh
SA.
Organ "Reverie" .,...,P Page
Anthem, Hear Us, O Father &C.,. owen
Of'ertory- Organ, "Fidelitas. Wickede
Anthem Lord With Glowing
Heart ,..... o., ... ...,,,'.''.N leBand
Response-"Grant Us, Dear Lord
a...,.. co.. 90. 90, ....,,,....,.,.N eyes
organ Postlude-March "Religieuse"
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ...' Dunkley
Is it strange, when the themes Of the
pulpit Of a great metropolis are consid-
cred. that II Is found wanting in power
and influence?
our time is concerned about problems
Of great practical value. II is trying to
grasp the origin and destiny Of man.
It IL in search for principles by the
application Of which social inequalities
may be eyened out to some extent, and
by which crime may be successfully
combatted. II Is looking for gospel
that opens up the road TO peace, TO
brotherhood. to happiness on earth, as
well as hereafter But the churches
are behind the time. They offer to show
struggling. tempted, helpless humanity
Beauty. as God Sees IT," or Appear
ance-Its Helpfunoss and Its Deceit
fulness." or The Father Of Methuse-
lah,' or they advertise a beautiful con-
cert. Was there ever more striking
example Of one asking for bread and
receiving a stone? A brilliant, moving
picture exhibition before the eyes OF a
drowning man would be about as APP
proprlate as an organ postlude-
March Religleuse" to sinner whose
first need is salvation through obedI-
ence to the Gospel Of Jesus.
The condition Of the modern pulpit
is all the more remarkable. because
history abundantly teaches the truth
that theinnuenceo Of the Church depends
upon faithfulness 10 the sacred trust
that Is hers. The preachers Of repent
ance. whose mission was TO convince.
or Convict mankind Of sin ana Go
show the way TO salvation. made am
impression upon the time in which they
lived. Messengers with a special word
from God to man may have given their
lives for the privilege Of bearing their
testimony. but they gave a new turn
to the worlds history. Not the oratory
that pleased the ear. but the truth that
pierced the heart. was the power that
lifted mankind TO a higher level
We are not disposed to criticize IN an
unfricndly spirit the work that is be-
Ing done by those engaged in the min
istry. but when We hear that the re-
ngious denominations are losing mem
bers. that churches are deserted while
thousands flock TO all manner Of places
for amusements; that the circulation Of
Bibles Is decreasing; that ignorance
about the Word OF God Is conspicuous
even In Institutes Of learning, and that
the family altar IS being forsaken,
while skepucism, agnosticlsm inhdcl-
lty. and with these. crimes and vice are
increasing In the Christian world we
believe It is necessary TO point out that
the fault IS in the deviation OF the pull
pit from the teachings Of our Lord The
world IN general, and the churches In
particular need Just such a message
Of awakening as was brought TO them
through the Prophet Joseph, and upon
the acceptance Of this message depends
/ salvation.