The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-07-02

scarce, money for missions comes hard
and many pews go begging. Almost
every method, righteous. questionable
and sinful, is resorted to In order to se-
cure a respectable attendance at the
preaching service. Preachers fret and
pray and scold because the young peo-
pie are not more interested. and be-
cause they find other places more con-
genial. The efforts and resources of
| pastor and officers of the church are
expended largely in fixing up the ma
emery, providing for the music,
| socials, entertainments. finances. and
they are constantly burdened with the
thought and desire of making a fav-
| orable outward showing In accessions
beneyolences, etc. The church OF today
is floundering about, only partially and
poorly fnlfilling her great commission
These are facts, gathered net from ex-
perience of one congregation, or even
from one denomination, but from gen.
eral observation and sta, istics.
1t Is probable, and to some It is ap-
parent, that we are on the eve of a
great revolution in the methods Of
church and christian work. II this rev.
olution is in keeping with the times
| in harmony with the word of God, and
for the upbulding Of the kingdom OF
Christ, then may God speed It's consum-
nation. { il.
MORE EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
But one says, II is easy to criticise
and find fault. but what have you to
offer to take the place of the regular
preaching service? We reply that we
are not finding fault, but trying to feel
our way out into larger and more ef-
fective service. We have not even in
timated that we would do away with
the preaching service entirely, but have
only questioned the propriety of reg
ular, stated, preaching service. We
venture to suggest method which
would be a radical change, and yet un-
der which we could have as much
preaching as at present IL desired,
and II local conditions seemed to re-
quire it. This method, we think. is
specially adapted to work in the cities.
]. Let the church building be remod-
eled and reconstructed. Instead of a
large, dark audience room and the lit
tie pens or cells for Sabbath. school
classes, and the ordinary lecture rooms,
so-called, let the entire church be d.
vided into four or five equal apartments,
each one resembling a light. cheerful
hail. SO arranged that all can be thrown
into one auditorium for special occa-
sions.
Let these halls be fitted up for spec.
ial purposes, for the Sabbath school,
the Y. p. C. u, the w. NJ. s., Junior
Christian Union, Mems club, or any
n Toe 4hot fch ho o1
ed Let one of the halls be the special
This is it's place of meeting, its head
quarters from where the active and de-
tail work of the church is transacted.
With this in view. the hall is equipped
with suitable books, paraphernalia, lit
erature, furniture, pictures, etc., max
ing 1t cheerful. attractive, homelike.
Personal WORK.
ii. Then let the major part Of the
church work be done through these
separate organizations. They can hold
their meetings when most convenient.
Having their own headquarters, or hall
the meetings will not conflict. The
pastor may attend any or all of these
meetings, or as often as he desires,
give counsel, directions and assist In
the work. He can talk, or even preach,
to each separate class. This would
hav its advantage. He could get closer
to his people. He could be more directly
associated with them In their sepcial
work, and could prepare his talks or
sermons to suit the particular class,
their particular needs and work.
AS an example, the Women's Mis-
sionary society concentrates it's efforts
upon the unconverted women Of the
community. They make their hall and
their meetings as pleasant and attrac-
tive as possible, and can induce women
to attend when they could not be induc-
ing service. The program is short,
spicy, cheerful. The entire meeting
is interesting, instructive, uplifting to
mind and soul. The business is trans
acted orderly, expeditiously and they
LOOSE among the pictures. papers, mag
zines, books. writing tables, easy
chairs and have social, enjoyable time.
Those ladies' will want to return again.
Not to multiply words, let each organ
ization arrange its plans along lines
similar to this, best adapted to its par
ticular field and class Of people with
whom It has to deal. The object all
the while, OF course, is to bring unbs-
levers under the influence of christian
people and the preaching Of the word.
SPECIAL WORK.
III. The pastor. being relieved from
the preparation and delivery of two
set sermons week, can devote more
time and effort to personal work, and in
interesting and directing others In per-
sonal work through these separate or
ganizations. Then let a big union
meeting OF all these organizations be
arranged for and announced occasion
ally. Let 1t be geheraily understood
that this is always to be an important
meeting, and then make 1t so. Let it
be well advertised through the differ
l. emf OrRa N iZatfnna and n anecial aff,,rt