Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-26
HAS A SOCIAL SIDE
LOCAL CHURCHMAN DISAGNEES
WITH REV. DIR. MORGAN.

Rev. DR.. G. Campbell Morgan, who has
| been following in the footsteps of the late
Dwight L. Moody at East Mortified. Mass.
left for Europe this week. and when the
steamer was on the point of sailing gave
out the following interview:
l. THE American church does not seem to
be much more than social organization
now. Its members spend more time de-
veloping along social lines than they do
| along spiritual lines. The business men,
the influential Christians and others do not
do their duty. Wrapped up In their own
affairs or busy in the pursuit of pleasure
or frivolity, they lose track of the way and
forget the pledges they made to their
church.
THE old fire and the old-time spirit are
lacking, and without this what can be ex-
pected by social clubs but leading away
from God and the path? How can a busi-
ness man expect to have an influence with
his employees when they know his life, his
methods and Just how far he practices what
he breaches?
What the churches want is more of
zoo ana less of dress and social position:
more or the spirit OF the Master and less
OF strife for place and money, and more
1easion by example and life than by
preaching and talking.
would rather have ten men caught by
tne diV1ne passion and compassion gathered
TITO church. but mixing with the won i'd
man !,UVO dilettante church members fool
ing .r with heaven heaven and friyoling with hell:
Inc perspective OF the Rev. Dr. Nor
gan, said a well-known local churchman
10 Star reporter in discussing the above
interview, is very poor. Happily there is
a social side to church worship In this
country, and IT works excellent advantage
IN the building Of truly Christian and
Cody character. trust that is will al
ways be SO, and, furthermore, that Is will
continue to grow. Truly, there can be no
II Ix,,
ment than by social clubs and organiza-
tons In connection with every church In
Christendom. Thereby We make the prac-
tce OF religion part OF our daily lives in
truth.
Perfunctory Churchgoing.
1T is not enough for> churchgoers in this
great age to merely attend a perfunctory
divine service once or twice a week, even
though at the time they may evidence that
old-time spirit and fire. Christian worship
cannot be practiced too often, like other
great works and practices and 1t is quite
probable that one of DR.. Morgan's ten men,
having been struck with the divine passion
while within a church edifice, the very at
mostphere of which Is conducive to prayer
and meditation, might lapse from grace
while away from the scored precincts.
Therefore, by all means, let us have the
clubs and other social organizations in
connection with churches. The word Of
God, in a modified form, at least. should
be kept before mankind at all times. and
where the church organizations exercise
a suzerainty over the clubs, etc, this end
is happily met and the interests of the sew
eral denominations are conserved
by all means allow the social organiZa-
ton to grow, and l feel sure that as long
as they are kept in their proper sphere.
as now, they will have an abiding place
before long in connection with every sect
and denomination that practices the Chris
tian religion"