Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-27
Tuesday, August 81, 1907.
Strangers in Church.


see what was meant by the invitation
"Strangers Cordially Welcome" and tt
see how many of the clergymen OF
members of the congregations would
after the services, speak word Of en-
couragement or greeting to the strang-
er within their gates. This is what
tended "a churches, and of "a pastors
one, DIR. Conrad. the pastor Of the Park
Street Congregational church, sought
me out and spoke to me. In -four
churches, two members, two being
ushcrs, passed n friendly word. AS for
the other 10 churches, not a word from
anyone" The churches represented all
denominations and in all Of them she
was cOurteously given a seat. The
aroused quite discussion in the Bos-
ton papers. Pastors, ushers. deaconS
and others are sending in their expla-
nations and comments and they make
it very plain that there are two sides
to the story, and that the differences OF
coldness and Indifference to be drawn
from the bare recital Of the Philadel-
phia young woman are by no means
justified.
one writer, speaking for one of the
most fashionable churches visited. says
that I'm the summer months practically
al in attendance are strangers in the
city and the pulpit is supplied by visit
ing clergymen. Obviously there could
be very little personal welcoming done
under such circumstances. Probably
the same conditions existed in other
churches on the list. Writes a pastor:
Ignorance of the visitors presence or
the impoSsbiity Of getting through
the crowded aisle before his departure
is tn" most common cause of this fail
ur" on the part of the pastor" Says
a layman: This detective may be an
exception to the rule. but in tho main
the people who run about complaining
Of personal sights are those who have
never gotten into their inner con-
seriousness Il smattering of that bit of
horse sensasgiven out by Solomon, He
that would have friends must show
himself friendly" Another layman
says that if the visitor had been man
il would have been different. Most
women will not speak to strange
woman in the pew beside them" he
says. Men are moro social and less
afraid 10 speak to strangers
a well known gentleman writes: 81
think the most self prospecting strang-
ers do not like us to take the attitude
Of a drummer. pat them on the back
and smile a fond farewell to them.
They resent it, and don't blame them.
At the conclusion of the morning ser
vice our minister always steps down
from the pulpit and the strangers come
forward to speak. He does not go
after them. How could he with 1900?
OF course, in Il way 1t is hit or
miss arrangement, for more strangers
may go away without making them
selves known than come forward to
speak" Here Is the point Of view Of a
pastor: Il do not recall any case
where our Lord approached strangers
unless there We're something in their
condition or attitude that invited His
attention.; nor do think that the aver
age disciple now should be censurcd
too severely if he maintains a respect
full reserve with reference to strangers
till without inquisitiveness he can
learn something of the strangers mo-
tive and heart purpose in attending
Divine service" Another pastor writes:
Now the primary object. take it, of
church service Is worship of Deity
ana not social intercourse The lady
was welcome to participate in the ser
vice. What more had she n right to
demand?"
Enough of the explanations and COM
ments have been quoted to show their
general drift. The pastors. the work.
ers. the church officers and the regular
worshippcrs of the 10 churches where
the Philadelphia young woman got no
friendly word of welcome were all glad
enough to have her Join them in wor
ship. 1t is probably not fair to any of
them to say they in any degree resent
ed her presence or meant to be cold or
inhospitable. But there are many
strangers at each service in the city
churches. The primary object Of the
services is worship and there are 9TH
er occasions for social intercourse.
MOST strangers. as they enter and leave
give small opportunity for words of
welcome. especially on the part of the
pastor. The discussion is good thing
however. What is true of Boston il
'n's matter Is true of cities generafr
anu both church people and stranger.
M church can learn many things t,
= their advantage by getting each other
point Of view.