The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-08
WHY CEURCHES DECLINE.
Tho Cause and the Remedy a. They Appear
to u Kansas Philosopher.

Tho Cause and the Remedy a. They Appear
to u Kansas Philosopher.
To THR EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: The sta
tistics OF nearly all the Protestant Churches In
the United States show either a less number u
members during the past year or two or so
small an increase a. to cause remark and In
some cases almost condemnation. Where
Churches have gained in numbers a close
analysis OF the gain will show that in many
cases the increase has come "a a result OF
proselyting from other Churches rather than
by securing converts from the world, This,
too. may account In a measure for some OF tho
losses sustained by other denominations A
careful Investigation 0! this point would doubt
less be interesting and instructive. and might
produce good results.
This. too. IL only an incident Of an existing
condition In the religious world generally. and
II cannot be accounted for by any narrow and
cIrcumscribed view OF the situation. Every
effect must have an adequate cause, The
cause which produces so wide and all-pervad-
ing results must Itself be efficient and sufficient
for the work accomplished; or perhaps. moro
accurately speaking. for tho work not accom-
plished. The antecedent must be prorortioned
to the consequence 1t develops. in breadth.
depth aud height.
To reach logical conclusions the preliminary
facts must be understood. There il implanted
IN every human being a spiritual as we'll as
mental and physical nature. The physical and
intellectual have been well cared for In the
main In oil grades OF society In this country.
but the spiritual has been sadly neglected. not
BY design but by conditions. This may seem
q startling declaration in the face OF so many
churches: such able ministers and such O varl-
ETY. OF appliances as are now operating In the
name OF Christianity; but the closest scrutiny
will prove it's correctness. Machinery without
the appropriate propeiling power Ia useless
and cumbersome.
Elegant churches have been built and their
pul pits filed with ministers who are presumed
TO dispense the Word OF Life" to the people.
yet who doss not know that the plain. old
fashioned Gospel" Is not now proclaimed from
the sacred desK7 Who does not know that tho
great body OF advanced ministers" In all the
denominations are raj her giving addresses on
science, philosophy. evolution. sociology aud
that most bitter and worthless o' all the apples
OF Sodom that ever turnel to ashes at human
lips. the so-called higher criticism?" They
must bs abreast OF the timesl"
These pastors claim TO 60 out In the mama Of
the Master. and are expected to feed he flock
OF Cod with spiritual food: but they do some-
thing else. Apparently they do not stop to
think thu the colleges aud universities. OF the
land are especially endowed and equipped 70
teach these things. and are expected TO do 10.
They can beat the pulpit out Of sight and hear
ing In these departments OF instruction, leaving
the preacher TO play a very poor second. third or
fourth part IN this field OF research. II tho
people desire to hear a discourse on these
topics they can secure the services o. q COM
petent teacher or professor. who will supply
them at first hand and not with nltrated
dilutlons.
When the Church, including the pulpit. fail.
to meet the first purpose OF its existence, spirit
ual disaster must follow. That Is the present
situation. The people looked to the pulpit
for help. and 1t failed them, As a result
thore now exists an intense hunger and thir-t
among the masses for spiritual food and drink.
Many do not stop to consider what ais them.
but they are conscious OF a state oidisluietuds
which will not DO satisfied with ordinary
excitements.
As evidence OF this state Of facts I will cite
one significant incident from among many
others OF similar import. The Rev. Charles VI.
Sheldon OF Topek a, Nan, wrote a book entitled
I'm His Steps" in which the question is asked.
What Would Jesus boz" The work gives It's
authors opinion Of what tho Christ would DO
NV ~ NshN NV : ''h w. ~ Nh'T's
when the crucial tcst came. he failed TO an
swer tine question Of those who sought In for-
nation "a 10 their line Of action in their exist.
ing environment. The book had a wonderful
sale, not because OF its literary excellence. for
It has none: nor for its intellectual ability. for
this Ia by no means great nol FOR it's spiritual
qualities, for these are by no means
extraordinary. But It's title held out
O hope that tho spiritual hunger
might find in 1t n satisfying portion. 1t
met this want IN only n very limited degree.
But the demand for the book caused its author
to be selected TO make the experiment oielitlng
O daily newspaper for a week a. he supposed
Jesus wouli do It.. The book having Jailed to
satisfy the soul-craving tor sustenanco. the
daily paper was seized upon by the public IN
the hope that II would furnish the palladium
FOR which the spiritual lie WA yNlrJing. IL
was this soul-hunger which gave the daily
paper over 10000 patrons during tha Shai 'On
week Of its issue. Ifthe experiment should be-
repeated, however. it is doubtful IL 900 Of tho
host Of subscribers would renew their patron
age. Why For the simple reason that il
failed almost utterly to meet the demands Of
the hour according to the requirements Of eN-
pectation
The facts | have set forth can be fortified In
mum berless wavs. They suggest possibilities
which the wise in the pu pit and the pew AMI
the newspaper would do well TO profoundly
consider. The Church. tho pulpit, the daily
press Ought to see their opportunity In this
great field OF enterprise. AMI reap q glorious
harvest. VIII they 10 ~ j. ". RonEBTs.
OsKALoosA. Kan, April2 2.
IF You See II in The SAN IT'S So"