The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-21
WHY YOUNG MEN
ATTEND CHURCH
Prof. Carroll Addresses the
Vaughn Glass.
ANNUAL BANQUET IS HELD
Excellent Musical Program Provided
During the Dinner-Toasts
Responded To.

Vaughn class of Calvary Baptist
Church held its annual banquet last
night in the Sunday school room AZ the
church An excellent musical program
enlivened the dinner with singing ana
playing
The principal address of the evening
was made by Prof Mitchell Carroll. Of
Columbian University, and a cO-instruc-
tor of the Vaughn class. who spoke on
Why Do Young Men Attend Church %
Prior 10 the banquet reception was
held
Responses to Toasts.
In the course Of the dinner the fol.
lowing toasts were responded TO: ~
Church Home" Dr. Grant 5. Barnhart:
Our Alumni. w. w Greene: Cess
Fellowship" Powell Rogers; Vacation. 20
Hon ). ". Bell; Happy Hooligan.'' =.
c Saltsingcr. Speeches We're also made
by A. a. Pratzmau and c. c. Hasmer
The POSTMASTER was Arthur Copeland
The musical program was given by the
West End Mandolin Club. A owen Pen
neg. h1sso. who sang Loves Old Sweet
Song and The King OF the Man," +
Clarence Rtce, jr., mandol.nist. who
played Rubinstein's Melody in F."
With Guy A. Ourand as accompanist
In the course Of mis- speech, Prof. Car
rol: presented statistics showing the
caurch membership in the United States
to be SIS per cent Of the total popula-
tioC over twelve years of age. OF these
q per cent are boys. IN regard to
nae mbership Of young men, ne said the
percentage IS good. as 100000 out OF
thc I4Z9oOO young men of the country
are regular attendants at churches.
Young Men in Calvary Church.
So far as Caivary Baptist Church is
concerned, he said. there Is no lack of
young men. Records Of the past year
show that in the adult department Of
the Sunday school there has been a
majority Of men present each Sunday.
EIe aggregate attendance for March.
April. and May was $3.50 men and 3lS6
women, an average per Sunday of 262
men and 2f3 women.
Continuing, Prof. Carroll said this is
the golden era for the young man. as
the demand for him in the business
world was never greater. Thus the
question, why do young men go to
church," he said may be answered by
the assumption that they go 10 church
because in the church are influences
which give them strength to combat
temptations -Four great influences are
working for the upbuilding of young
manhood good-fcllowship. the pastor.
public worship, and greatest Of all, the
message from the pulpit
Speaking OF the influence Of good
fellowship. Prof. Carroll said:
Drawn by Opposite Sex.
There is no yearning in the heart
Of a young man so keen as that for as
ISOLATION. for friendship. for living in
touch with his kind. Hence frequently
it is the young ladies who first attract
some young men to church. Then, too.
some kindred souls of his own sex fire.
quently are the first influence 20. lead a
young man into the Sunday school and
church
Il think the chief element in the great
success Of the Vaughn class has been
the spirit Of good-fcllowship en- the heart
Of our leader, which has permeated the
organization. creating an esprit de corps
so strong that when young man
comes near us he feels he has sympa-
thy and comradship.'
What the pastor does for the young
man he summed up In the statement
In a living church it is tho spirit Of
the pastor that finds a place In the
heart Of every member OF the church
and congregation. and quickens the en-
tire organization. II he is a pastor who
grips and inspires young men. the
church Is filled with them whether
members or not
The Manly Pastor.
"a church IS popular with young men
because the pastor IS above all "A man.
"A parson. but a man.. was the sug-
gestive epitaph on the tombstone Of a
cowboy preacher. Above all things. II
is personality that counts. A pastor
who has himself passed through the
struggles OF early manhood. who knows
its problems. who is in touch with the
vital questions facing the individual. and
humanity. and knows how 10 apply the
gospel TO them, who IS himself brave,
and strong. and candid. and courageous.
Is sure 20 have a large following among
young men"
Speaking OF public worship, be said:
When the spirit Is full Of care and
doubt. and unreSt-eyen II one IS not a
Christian--there is nothing that brings
tranquility Ike the bowling OF the human
soul I'm that divine presence. Hence
when the church services are fun of the
spirit Of worship, II hymns and prayers
and Scripture reading are reverertIaI
and attractive. the young man is glad to
participate. So much the better Is Il II
he can take part. I'm responsive reading
and i'm congregational singing.
Ia closing, Prof. Carroll spoke Of the
influence OF THE message from the pull
pit"
II name finally what most OF all at
tracts men 20 the church-the message
delivered 20 the congregation by tho
pastor" he said. at Is true that the
average sermon Is vapid and meaning
less to the young man Of thought and
activity. Yet when the good news is
prcached-as we hear n every Sunday
there Is always something that reaches
through the intelligence into the heart
lourg men want living, burning thought
In the pulpit n message from the heart
Of humanity, and from the Scriptures
as an Interpretation Of life.
Religion IS the life Of God I'm the soul
% man; and the message from the pull
pit should seek 10 impart that life Re
NgiOu. as has been said, is an inward
spiritual force. 10 be applied 10 every
problem OF life. and IL appeals 10 the
Will rather than 70 the intellect: 10 the
iutuitlons. and 70 the affections"
MRS. LANGTRY SELLING OUT;
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