The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-06-30
WHY MEN DON'T GO TO CHURCH.

TIME question why do not go to church is
older than the present generation. 1t troubled
4 the fathers and grandfathers of those filing
the pupits, and it will probably trouble their
and grandsons. But the fact never so
evident it is today and the search after the
was never so diligent A look over the congrega-
ton gathered in any Protestant church on a Sunday
morning will confirm the impression that do
not go to church in nearly large numbers
women. and if anyone has the means of comparison
he will find that the proportion of to women
is even less than IT generation ago.
Why is it so? There will be good many an
swers to the question by both the lay and the
clergy but probably the gis of the largest number
of answers viii be that do not think it worth
while to go to church because they do not get there
what they want This reply will be given not only
by the laity but by the clergy also.
In his annual address in Cleveland last month
before the Episcopal diocese of Ohio. Bishop Leon
ard declared that people not getting what they
want from the pulpit Sunday, and therefore they
stay away from church. He said: THE world OF
busy toilers, the tired out and Of six
days labor in the marts of merchandise want. on
the Lords day instruction. guidance and in
SEPARATION the subject of sin-fghting and sim
killing Our people tell me that they do not desire
politics. civic questions social themes ethical the
cries doled out to them on Sundays by gentlemen
who know but little OF what they talking. Ear
nest inform me that they want religion and not
rubbish Sundays They want the doctrine of the
soul. the helpful instruction of the perfect man.
Jesus Christ for their spiritual uplifting. What
need today is Christ and the church of life"
Bishop Leonard. at the same time that he deliv-
cred his charge to the clergy of Ohio called atten
ton to investigation made in Chicago as to the
subjects of sermons preached in that ctys pulpits
.
eleven subjects as specimens: Prof Herron's
Teachings Mrs. Humphrey Wards Eleanor !"
The Almighty Dollar Tragedy Of Human Great
ness" Doctrine or SprituaIsmr THE Card-Play-
ing Habit" THE Religious Situation ~Three-fourths
or Four-fourths Of Man" .sThe Churches and Big
otryr Review of the Trial Of DR.. Thomas for Her
esy." THE Southern Negro" An examination OF the
topics announced for pulpit discourses in almost
city would probably show many of the class
Of subjects. These not the subjects which viii
draw men 10 church. and the discussion which the
publication OF this list OF subjects has called In
Chicago iustihes Bishop Eeonard's attitude and
gument
But the sermon is not the only part Of the SER
vice which keeps men away from church The sing
ing is not guiltless in this respect IL the Rev Dr..
cadman pastor Of the largest Congregational church
IN Brooklyn Is TO be believed In an address few
weeks ago on how to bring men into the church he
said Another reason why men do not 50 TO
church IS the femininity Of her hymnology- Why. in
the Protestant church ron find very few hymns that
are strong sirile and manly. We sing shout dying
and going 10 heaven and about sitting marble
slab etc Let rs sing about life and living u ycn
i've right ron vii die right The strength Of Meth
odism IS in the hymnoIogy Of John and Carries
Wesley There Is too much tweedle-dnm. tweedle-
dee in cur hymns Men won to God and Chrizt
- raff Ttz<<re