Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-04-08
Rev. James Y. NOrthrup Delivered
A Sermon Last Night On
Topic Of Church Attendance.
WHY THE PEOPLE STAY AWAY.
Many Answers Were Received on the
Subject and the Minister Discuss
ed Many of Them-One Man Want
ed Something Practical Which
Would Help Him Through the
Week-Niinisters Like Real Men.

Rev. James H. Northrup, pastor of
the First Presbyterian church, took
for his subject last night: "Why De-
cent People Come to Church, and
Why They Don't" The text was
from Hebrews X, 20. Mr.. Northrup
took up the reasons given by others
and a few of his own. He had receiv-
ed a number of replies to the ques-
tion published last week by letter
and a number of them through solici-
tation by himself and friends. He
also received a number of letters
cept one, dwelt on reasons for not at
tending church and to that he devot-
ed much of his sermon.
Mr.. Northrup said the early Chris
tians were somewhat lax in going to
church because they feared perse-
cution. He pointed out that we have
no such reason for it now.
One of the answers that he discuss
ed thoroughly was that hypocrisy
was the chief reason why people
stayed away from church. He agreed
with the writer so far as to say that
hypocrisy did frequently keep peo-
pie from church, but he said this rea-
son was altogether illogical.
who is the greatest hypocrite?"
asked the minister, "the man whose
life falls short of his profession, or
the man who practically denies God
all his life and then in time of ship
wreck is the first to get on his knees
to pray? You can take your choice,
either to associate with a few hypo-
critics in the church for little while
here, or, by keeping away from the
church here, be compelled to associ-
ate with them forever hereafter"
A reason sent in by one man ex-
planning why he did not attend
church was that he wanted some
thing practical. 81 want something
that will help a man along during
the week; something that will give a
man an inspiration for better things, I"
the letter read. Mr. Northrup said
that was just what the session, trus-
tees, choir and minister are trying to
do This man hit the nail on the
head" declared the preacher. 81 am
sorry we have not accomplished it
for him."
Another said the reason he did not
come to church was that the minister
did not act like a real man. Mr.
Northrup's reply was that if min
lister wanted to act like a real man
these same people would hold up
their hands in surprise and wish
them to act like ministers instead of
men. He said the fault is that the
people refuse to treat ministers like
real men. He said that minister
finds it hard to act like other men.
One man says: 81 don't go to
church because my wife goes for the
whole family"
Another said: "I have no reason
for not going to church. Some years
ago | went quite often and got some
good points, too, but the trouble is
never used the points"
Another said: ITO tell Gods honest
truth, I'm too lazy. | suppose by
rights | ought to go to church once
in a while just TO set an example to
others"
In the morning Mr.. Northrup
preached in the Second Presbyterian
church, Railway, in exchange with
the Rev. William Terrence Sturchell,
who preached here.
Tonight every lady taught the two