The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-07-02
Canton Preacher Attacks
Church Service
AS CONDUCTED TODAY
He Says Il ts Out Of Date, and
Takes Little Stock In Pull
pit oratory--SusSests
. Remedy.

United Presbyterian church, of Canton,
has startled the clergy and great
many of the laiety OF his church and of
other churches, by an article which ap-
peared in the Midland, Chicago pub
lication, devoted to the interests Of the
church of which Rev. Frederick is a
minister. He advocates the abolition
of preaching service In it's present
form, and his reasons therefore are set
forth. The article that has set the
ministers Of his denomination special
ly, to thinking, is as follows:
is REGULAR PREACHING SERVICE
OUT OF DATE?
Don't cry heresy. Don't jump at
conclusions. The above inquiry should
frighten no one. II proposes question
which is worthy of the serious and
prayerful consideration of every min
lister of the gospel, and every person
interested in the advancement of
Christ's kingdom in the world.
The world do move. Conditions are
constantly changing. Methods of
church work must keep pace with these
changing conditions or result in fall
ure or a crippled service.
The regular preaching service has
been practically the same throughout
the entire history of the church. 1t
served its purpose well, but has not the
time come when We may honestly ask,
has italso served its day? Is il out
of date, in the sense that II Is not the
most effective method of promoting the
kingdom of Christ at the present time
The fact that it was once useful,
and probably the hest method, is no
argument for its present existence. 1t
cannot be claimed that the modern reg
ular preaching service is ordained of
God. 1t is simply a method, means
to an. end, habit dear to the hearts
of many because of its long continuance
and hallowed associations If it was
adopted as the wisest method of church
work under conditions that existed
generations ago, and il those conditions
have radically changed, and If the
church under this method today is not
making the desired progress in the
evangelization of the world and the edi-
fication of saints, then should we not
look to some other methods? Let a
few facts be stated. The pulpit is not
needed for the same purposes as form
erly.
PULPIT NOT NEEDED.
]. The pulpit II not now needed to
give the people knowledge OF the rev.
elation of God as contained in the
scriptures. When bibles were scarce,
the people could gather together and
hear the scriptures read. But now
every family has, or can easily be fur
nished with copy OF the bible. and
they are able to read and understand
II.
2. The pulpit is not needed as form
erly for the Interpretation of the scrip
lures. People are more intelligent,
read more and have more to read. Al
most every family has books of SER
mons, exegetical and doctrinal works,
bible history, bible studies along all
lines. theological and ecclesiastical, and
helps of all kinds to assist in right
Interpretation Of the sacred word.
g. Homes are supplied with chris
tian and religious literature Of a gen.
eral nature, In regard to christian
life and work. Every phase OF these
subjects is amply treated, and enterprls.
ing publishers are crowding this kind
of reading matter into the homes OF our
people at very reasonable prices, and
these products are probably as reliable
as the information given from the aver
age pulpit on the same subject.
4. We do not need the pulpit as FORM
erly for the giving out Of information
regarding the need and methods Of
church and christian work. This can
be had in abundance Of the best quality
and from the most reliable sources.
8. 1t lie also true that strong and
effective appeals to the unconverted are
made in these times through literature
and by personal work outside OF the
pulpit. We do not have to depend on
the pulpit as formerly for. this kind
of work.
Q. The pulpit is not needed as pub
lie bulletin board for the congregation
and the community, to give out general
information and make announcements
that once could reach the people in nc
other convenient way. We have oar
daily and weekly papers, special reii-
gious organs and the smaller local
leaflets and announcements.
-REvOLUTIoN OF METHODS.
In view OF these facts, and others
that might be mentioned, ts 1t not time
TO inquire, what good purpose does
the modern, regular preaching service
OF to-day serve, that 10 not or could
NOT be more adequately provided for In
some other way?
Int hA - Ill
IL that the church Of today, under pres
ent methods, is discouraged. She has
reason to be discouraged. Thousands
and hundreds OF thousands OF dollars
are spent annually and q vast amount
Of labor by thousands OF the best traip,
ed and equipped men Of the age, with.
out any eieQuate yeturua. The iproadl
upon I'D world, stn apd Wtcke6peS1
z scarcely 9otleeeble. n alY ~