The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-08
CITY NEWS
THEY TELL WHY men
DON'T GO TO CHURCH
First Christian Church Holds a
Little Symposium on
the Subject.

'fWhy Don't Men Go to church," was
discussed from three points of view
last evening at the First Christian
church. C. w. Hornick spoke for the
business men, Ambrose Tighe for the
professional men, and Rev A. D. Har-
mon presented the situation as seen
by the preacher. Mr.. Hornick said:
There are too many different churches
too many SectS, too many divisions Of
hke-minded people. The business man is
appealed to only by those things which
are conducted on business PRINCIPLES and
as 1t is now, the community is divided
up into little congregations that are strug-
Cling along many Of them in a state Of
fnanition. A very large number of these
churches are so exhausted by their strug-
giles for existence that they have no sur
plus either financial, Spiritual or ener-
getic. and they have but little to offer
This Is an age of combination and I
think that what the church needs is a
wide spirit Of concentration. The weak
should be combined with the strong or
should combine among themselves for
added strength. say to the churches
pool your issues and combine.
The business man, as matter of fact,
appreciates the church and the part it
plays in life; but L think he does not
feel that the church is even yet near
enough to his practical needs. The church
should come closer to the practical every
day life OF the community 1na,it and the com
the church. There should be more in
Innate relationship.
Professional Mans View.
Ambrose Tighe said that as he I'M
derstood the topic of discussion it was
not asserted that men do not attend
church; but merely that some men do
not, and that the object of this meet
ing was that each speaker should state
what he believed to be the reason for
the non-attendance. In part he said:
In the first place 1 believe the growth of
our free institutions has developed in
many men what they call preservation of
their individuality They are afraid they
will lose some Of their independence Of
thought Eat
Some men, believe. are too conscien-
tious to attend church, That sounds like
a strange statement, but believe it, They
feel that they can't square with the
church standard and they are resolved
that whatever may be~their sins, hypoc-
risy shall not be one of them.
Habit also has great deal to do with It.
Some men go to church because they
would feel uncomfortable if they did not,
and other stay at home because they
would feel uncomfortable If they went.
Another reason, I believe, is to be found
in the astonishing development of our in
tellectual life. Formerly the church was
, the center of intelligence and learning.
Now the church has hundred other in
Years ago the clergyman did the think
ing for the community. He phrased the
thoughts of other men and stirred their
emotions. l am sure that the clergy
men of that time preached better than
those of today, but they preached, better
for the stimulus of appreciation than they
otherwise would. Then the Sunday service
and sermon constituted the intellectual
stimulus of the week. The intellectual
standard of the ministry has not de-
clined, but the intelligence of the entire
community has become greater.
Church Attendance Has Increased.
Rev. A. d. Harmon said in introduce
ing his remarks that the subject of
the meeting was not intended as a
declaration that men do not attend
church, as it is shown by statistics
that more men attend church now
than ever before. He said:
Going to church is a habit, but it is
rendered to Christ. l believe that the
chief reason for the non-attendance Of a
certain proportion of men is that they
have counted the cost, have reckoned
what will be required of them, and are
not willing to pay the price
There are secondary reasons, but the
one l have stated | believe to be the
chief of all. One of the secondary rea
sons is that the church itself is lacking
in His message. Too many churches play
to the galleries and substitute lectures or
concerts for the church service. If We
want a lecture we need not go to church
for it. and if we want a concert We can
find it at the places ofeamuSement.