The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-02-05
FINE SERMON BY DR.. RAIL
PREACHED 1T TRINITY M F.
 CHURCH SUNDAY EVENING.
First of a Series of Sermons On the Ques- ton; "Why Does Not the Church
 Reach More Men"-LarEe CongreS"-

At the Trinity M. F. church on Sun
 day evening, the pastor, Dr. H, Frahf Ral, gave the first of series Of foul sermons discussing the question, "Why Does Not the Church Reach Mofe Men?" A large audience was present and followed closely the discussion. A few weeks ago Dr. Rall sent the follow ing letter to twenty-five or forty prom inent citizens of New Haven:
 My dear sir: I wish to take up in a brief series of Sunday evening ser mons a study of certain problems in the church life and work of to-day The underlying problem may be stated III the question: "Why Does Not the Church Reach More Men Today Nv immediate purpose is to obtain better understanding of the situation which confronts the church to-day, and q clearer perception of it's needs ana duties.
 Tn order that the discussion may be practical, pertinent and real, Wlsh 10 secure the opinion of representative men who have some knowledge Of the churches, on the one side, and, on the other, are in touch with men who are outside of the church or only nominally under it's influence. l am sending thls letter, therefore, to some twenty-five men, representing different denonina- tlons and tendencies of thought, some
 l,oiv al iot with church. I should be grateful for frank answer to the questions appended below with as full statement of reasons as possible.
 Why does not the church reach more men to-day? Tn your opinion, first, Is the minister at fault? Second, Is the church at fault? Third, Is it due to special conditions of the age e. g., new economic and social conditions, changed modes of living, changes in belief? Fourth, Are the men themselves at fault?
 The replies to these questions will be used in the public discussion, but no names will be mentioned except upon express permission. I shall endeavor to set forth honestly the opinions advance ed, and, in case of difference, to combat them fairly.
 Trusting that you may find time to answer these questions, and thanking you in advance for the assistance that you will thereby render me, I am,
 Sincerely yours,
 H. FRANK RAIL,
 Pastor Trinity M. B. ChuIch.
 Replies to this letter were received from a majority of those addressed, they being about equally divided among the following classes: Judges and law yers, business men, employers and su- perintendents of labor, educational and scientific men, and 1aboring men. The following is a brief synopsis of MT. Rails address:
 The question we are discussing does not imply that the church is to-day failing to reach men. Taken as a whole | the church, and that for which it stands has probably a wider influence and power than at any time since the | Reformation. The question is not a theoretical, but practical one. The church is Gods great instrument for the realization of the purposes of His kingdom on earth. It is we'll for the
  anew it's end, to inquire as to its pro- | gress, to ask how it may better do it's work. Many men are not being reach | ed to-day. Our real question is, How shall we reach them? A further pur- pose of the discussion Is to bring about a better understanding between the church and the men who may be alien ated from her because they do not un- derstand her.
 Four elements enter into the problem as indicated by the four questions put above. We consider tonight the uues- tion, "In How Far Is the Minister at Fault?" Here we may first consider the as man, in his personal char acter. In each part of this discussion shall first read extracts from letters received, and then base my comments upon these.
 As to the minister personally, busi- ness man writes: 'The minister is SUD- posed to be better than the average of mankind, and his shortcomings are more noticeable. Therefore let him be careful to live honestly, and pay his lebts" A young business man writes: "The oiiouiu lehu d t1OTOuSnIy con- scientious life, practicing in every way what he breaches. Let him do his duty ] no matter whom it ] hurts. Give me anything but toady- ng minister" Another writes: "A { 'aut in ministers to-day is indolence ] md lack of leadership A laboring man writes: "The minister 'hould be man of large experience md broad sympathies, one who having t passed through the fire of tribulation t ind having overcome Is now in position $ o assist his fellows in their overcom- I ng For this it is not sufficient that ! ( le should be well equipped with plati- ( udes and we'll versed in evasions but I is absolutely essential that he be q t nan of convictions and knows of what c e is convicted. He should be found on s he right side of every question and with courage to take his stand come 0 1hat may r These answers do not so much dis o ribute to the minister his share of q Iar1e, as point out what the minister s hould be if he is not to be at fault. n 'hree principal demands are made in t hese and other similar answers. First t he minister is to be man of true life il nd high ideals. The day is past when il e can expect consideration merely on ti ccount of his office. He must stand e s man among men, submitting to Il