The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-19
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Empty PeWS

To the Editor: | have noticed OF
late considerable discussion relative
to the falling on in church attend
ance. These discussions for the most
part, have been fathered by scholars
andn %theologians OF excellent reputa-
ton, and their sincerity | do not ues-
ton, but in my judgement they fail
to give the true reasons for empty
pews.
In worldly rsatters whenever there
is a financial panic our minds at once
revert to the times when prosperity
was at It's zenith. and we carefully
study the conditions under which as
a people we were prosperous and hap
py. Should We apply the same rule
to so-called spiritual matters we will
be compelled to go back 10 the days
OF u grandmothers. when from a
spiritual standpoint the church made
its most rapid growth. and compare
the conditions under which such re-
suits were attained with surroundings
at the present time.
In those early days railroad kings.
coal barons, land sharks. and multi.
millionaires were unheard of. and
earthly mansions little dreamed of,
the fashionable 400 were yet TO be
born. Each community was com.
posed Of plain and SYMPATHETIC
people. Whenever sickness and
death came to n home the
sympathy OF the entire community
was aroused. Their interests and en-
vironments were the same. Food and
raiment sufficient for their earthly
pilgrimage. and w%elLearned titles to
mansions In Heaven were their chief
ambition, Commodious aud unpre-
tentious churches were built at great
sacrifice. Their pastors were earnest
and unassuming. with but limited ed.
ucation. They were graduates from
the chool OF hard knocks. To STRAIT a
revival was simply to oun that
such services would begin at early
candle light, and the Amen corners
would be occupied from the start.
Expert revlValists were unnecessary.
Thus wa find the Church at the be-
ginning OF the era OF wealth and edu-
cation.
As the resources OF the country he
came understood fuanciers began 10
loom up. Selhshness and pride began
10 assert themselves. and II would
seem that as people became wealthy
titles 10 corner lots on fashionable
streets gradually became more attrac.
tive than prospective mansions In
Heaven Who is not familiar with In.
stances where all claims to the latter
were bartered away In an attempt 10
obtain the former? With the concen-
tration OF wealth there arose n grow.
ing demand for bettcr educated min
listers and more expensive churches.
which seem 10 increase as the years
go by.
Perhaps there never was a time In
the history OF the church when It's
pastors were so well educated az now.
In order 20 meet tho educational re-
quirements they must spend years In
preparing themselves for college.
Then m a long term at colleges
and theological seminarics, where vi.
tai force Is bartored for accomplish.
ments that are Of little value as soul
winners.
II by reason Of great strength they
should endure the mental strain with.
out becoming wrecks and succeed In
graduating with high honors. they
find themselves partially disqualified
for the work before them by the fact
that they have had but a limited
knowledge OF human nature. The d.
yersihed mouldings OF the human
brain are such that a thorough knowl-
edge OF human nature only can be OBJ
tanned by coming In contact with hui
manity In all It's varied surroundings.
For obtaining such a knowledge, per.
haps. there is no profession so handi-
capped as the minister OF the gospel.
As a rule people will put the best side
out when in his presence.
In conclusion | will say: Gentlemen
OF the ministry. II you are willing 10
concede hat the soul OF the man with
a hoe. although he be poor and init
crate. has as great value In the sight
OF God as the soul OF the man Of let
tiers and wealth you must admit that
the church In wealth and education
has outgrOwn the masses. II the
church Is 10 return 10 It's former pow
err and prestige II will be necessary
either "a return 10 the simplicity IN
der which the church prOspered or
else wait for the masses TO catch up
with the church.
In the meantime the common peo-
pie who cannot afford 10 rent pews
and dress I'm keeping with the sur
r%oundings. rather than submit 90 hu-
initiation will continue 10 gaze al the
wealth and splendor OF the church
from afar. H.. L. FOX.
A Ministers Mistake.
A city minister was recently hAnded