The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-25
PLEADS FOR GOSPEL !.
IN SUNDAY SERMONS
PROFESSOR ALBERT c. KNUDsoN.
DR.. THOMPSON DEGREES THE
"POPULAR' TEXT. =
Methodist Minister Asks Congregation
to Aid Him in ':Holy War; for
L, 'Worshipful'' Sunday Evening Ser
vice-Would Bring End of Evenings
~ Hs
of Entertainment.

az The subject of preaching sermons
strictly on gospel subjects, and aban-
doning the delivery of Sunday pulpit
addresses on popular topics of the day,
! is being agitated among Protestant
il ministers Of the city.
There is n tendency in other large
! cities thruout the country for the dis
! continuance Of lectures. That the Sun
day lecture is a drawing card is not
disputed for minute, for we'll filled
churches where the Sunday lecture is
! delivered, demonstrate the point. The
! question in debate is whether the Sun
/, day pulpit is the place for the delivery
of Sunday address on any but re-
/ 1igious subject.
! The first local minister to come out
! with a public announcement of his
views opposing the pulpit for Sunday
lecture platform is Rev. Fayette l..
/ Thompson, of the Hennepin Avenue
M. E. church. DR.. Thompson has issued
a circular letter to friends and parish
FSoners He speaks Of two important
items in his mind One is the mid-week
service, for which he makes plea for
larger attendance.
Eih33 Gospel Service Best.
"The other,' says his letter, els the
Sunday evening public worship. If you
note with care the Saturday announce
ments in the city press regarding the
Sunday evening topics, you observe how
largely the amusement or entertainment
features predominant. I am fully per-
suaded that genuine gospel service
on Sunday evening is best for all; the
churches, the people, and the preacher
HIMSELF
The letter here quotes from "a re-
cent calendar,' relative to two SER
vices held in Chicago by the eminent
ministers, DR.. Gunsaulus, at the Audi
forum, and DR.. Quayle, at St. James
Methodist church. The calendar says Of
these meetings.:
nMost Of all the type Of the ser
mons was suggestive. They were boil
Of the most marked gospel order. Al
altar service could have. been appropri
ately conducted after either. Man,
short-sighted people honestly think tina
these days the gospel will not draw
hence preachers must seek novelties
particularly for Sunday evenings, Blu
! these two great preachers evidently d
not SO nOlu.
Terms It ''Holy War;
DR.. Thompson letter then cor
I eludes:
81 am sending this message to
select few, with al appeal for co-opers
1 tion. With deep conscientiousness L al
standing for a deyout, spiritual, wo
shipful Sunday evening service. TIL
!. odds in this city are very strong
{ favor of the Sunday evening lectur
s. Entertainment ideal. Will you not he1
;#,ne in this holy war and in the defent
ta.ef our most holy faith, by doing tN
things:
.s First, faithfully and as matter {
deep personal duty and convictio
Il regularly attend this evening servi'
81 yourself, 50 that I can always DEEPER
s upon you, no matter who else may ia
Il me.
Second, quietly talk with othe
I about the evening hour, invite them
I come and say some good strong Wor
q Of approval for a worshipful Saba
81 night, as distinct from Sabbath eve
i ing Of entertainment