Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-22

 ly. The church had stronger hold on the people than Of there societies to- day, which practically doing the work or churches and there labor unions also The only meet Sunday Of course crcum stances prevent all persons from attending services Sunday. One Sunday the husband will go to church while the Sunday the wife will at tend"
 Rev Dr Anderson, pastor of the First Congrega- ttonal church: 'The number of nonchurch goers is increasing much. Even in Catholic churches non church attendance, especially among the young men,, is increasing It is difficult to answer the question: What is the reason for this decrease in church attendance and a corresponding increase in the number of non-church goers:' No one answer the a general be given a words The decrease church attendance IS not confined to churches In any one country IS the in Europe in America, among Catholics we'll Protestants. Among Protestants and Catholics there is a drifting away from ecclecast cism, but not from religion. The majority of the people who remain away from church believe in destiny, immortality, personal God, but do not believe ill attending church. Of the claims of the Catholic church upon its members is different than that of the Protestant church. A Catholic is under obligation attend mass FurthermOre a thorough going church attendant among the Catho lies is thorough believer in the nfallibty of the church the infaibility of the pope. There is no such belief among Protestants. Neither are they under any obligation to attend church. The claim of the gospel is not recognized now it in former years Among the working classes the feeling IS spreading that the church capital labor. The working classes have certain dignity and like to dress well make as nice a show ing on Sunday other people, It is widespread alienation from church going among the The pulpit has not the influence that it had The Protestants of New England brought up to thlnk that the main part or the service was the sermon. Now the people do not depend upon the sermon for knowledge The pulpit has been replac- cd in this regard by the newspapers, books and magazines. A large amount of the preaching Is subjects whose spirit is merely secular"
 Some years ago in answer to a question: the Rev Dr Anderson received the following:
 Waterbury, Conn, June 23, 1S91 A short time ago Mir Baker of the Second church. asked to secure information from the young men to why many not Christians regular at tendants at service. We have obtained the informa ton from something hundred of the young We did not attempt to do than this, for practically covered the community, and probably great majority of any other answers we might secure would be duplicates of those already given
 Of course many were duplicated and have tried to cut much possible and still give
 Yours faithfully
 F. L. WILLIS Secretary of the Young Mems Christian Associa- ton.
 The offered follows:
 l. Have to work Sunday
 ? Think this church going is all bosh Only and children attend church, 3. 'When do go find the services dull and un- interesting"
 
 for recreaton Don't want to spend that time in church.. am apt to go to sleep and disturb some one. In the evening I usually make a call. Sunday morning want to sleep later than other mornings Fact is. I have time for it''
 > "Nothng in the services to attract except the music. Sermons are too deep and far beyond the man."
 G. q have right 10 tell minister his duty I know but I do know something about the things young very interested in and troubled by. and feel sure if they would preach on things that trouble our factory men more of us would go to church. Many of the sermons to dry and un- interesting away above us.'
 r "Think ministers preach for money. I don't know anything about the Waterbury ministers, but a general thing think ministers like the rest of us. after the dollars"
 S. "Am not made to feel welcome when I go to church Do not feel at home,'
 g. Cant afford to go to church. Costs too much money to hire a pew sitting. especially if one has family to clothe Necessary in these days to clothe your children that they shall look well other children if you wish any attention'
 10. "I used to go to church and Sunday school regularly, taken sick and for some time kept in the house: called me- or, far as know, even inquired about me. When became able to work again had some difficulty in finding employment. Called the different in the church who employ labor, but seemed in cIned to assist me in any way. That settled it for me-
 II, Says young man a letter of some length "Pcrhaps you won't believe what next, but there factories in Waterbury where be known Christian is drawback to a Why will good give liberally toward the the support of the church and work hard for it in other ways then hire an atheist and put him over the young and the boys, and let this foreman persecut, them for going to the church which he, who pays them all, is anxious build uD"
 F. My boss is Christian man, socalled, | enough of Christianity every day without going to church Sunday
 These the which were given by nmber of young about a dozen years ago They were made the subject of highly interesting sermon delivered about that time by the Rev Dr An derson of the First Congregational church. What true twelve years ago is probably true today and there is no doubt that if a number of young