The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-09-25
ONE REASON.

A great many ministers of different
denominations are frequently asking
why so few people attend church.
One reason is because of the lack of
sincerity in the ministers and their
failure to expound the doctrines of
true Christianity, says the Colfax
Commoner They profess to be en-
gagged in the task of saving souls, but
a large part Of their time and thought
is devoted to raising the almighty dol
lar, with which to carry on the work,
and they are not at all particular as
to the source from which the dollars
come or how they were earned, as was
evidenced by the action Of the Amer
lean board of commissioners for for
eign missions who met at Seattle last
week and by vote of As to 10, killed
a resolution offered by DR.. Gladden.
forbidding the soliciting of tainted
money for church work. AS long as
lawfully or dishonesty acquired, eu
logiZe the givers and condOne their
business methods, they cannot expec;
the public to believe in the sincerit.
of their preaching. The average man
who breaches one doctrine and prac-
tees another and he does not care to
belong to a religious institution which
is conducted eat variance with the
teachings of it's founder. There is
too much commercialism and too lit
tie Christianity in the churches of to-
day. Inst ad of seeking to have the
fundamental principles of salvation
taught in every community of this and
other lands, each denomination is
striving to win converts to it's partic-
ular theories, and as a result the war
for Christ has degenerated into a bat
tie of sects. Half a dozen churches
are established in communities where
one could accomplish far more good.
Then all the energy and zeal of each
congregation is expended in raising
funds to keep its particular church
going and little time or strength IS
left for real and effective work among
the people who need it.
So bitter has the struggle for ex-
istence and supremacy become that
too often wealth is considered a more
desira hle qualification than virtue in |
members. Too many ministers dare
not attack dishonesty in business and
corruption in politics for fear of Of
Tending prominent members of their
congregations or contributors to their |
churches. AS long as men see the |
churches chasing the dollar and striv-
ing to win cash contributions nssead |
of souls, as long as they see the ex- |
Founders of Christ's teaching timidlv
refraining from denouncing dishon- |
esty, oppression and corruption. or |
openly condoning unchristian meth !
DDS of acquiring wealth, and solicit
ing contributions of ill-gotten gains. !
So long will they hold aloof from the
churches.
Christ did not solicit contributions
from the money changers to carry on
His work He scourged them from
the temple, which they were profan-
ing. Christ did not try to conciliate
the rich and influential men of his
ume by condoning their evil prac-
tees. He fearlessly denounced them.
He did not have cause to complain
tnat people did not come to listen to
him, for We are told that: The COM
mon people heard Him gladly. His
apostles did not waste their time ana
energy in disputing about any par
ucular form of worship or method of