The San Francisco call., 1908-08-31
REV. {. BAKER
/. SCORES MODERN
CHURCH GOERS
In Final Sermon the Pastor Arr
raigns Certain Members
of Congregation
Says 1t Is Deplorable That Men
Pray on Sunday and Lie
on Monday

OAKLAND, Aug. 3o.-Very simply,
dispensing utterly with the ordinary
formalities of leave taking, Rev. E. E.
Baker, retiring pastor of the First
Presbyterian church, announced at the
conclusion of his sermon tonight that,
in accordance with the action of the
local prespytery, his pulpit was de-
clared vacant. The farewell sermon
was a very remarkable one from a
Presbyterian standpoint. 1t was filled
with striking utterances, many OF
which were believed by hearers to be
boldly unorthodox, while others merci-
lessly scored conditions prevailing in
the life of the congregation of the First
Presbyterian church and the life of the
church in general
ADHEREs TO PRINCIPLE
when L began my pastorate at this
church." declared the minister, II de-
cided to make optimism the guiding
principle of my work, and l feel that l
am deserving of great deal of credit
for adhering to my principle. Any man
who could live through seven and a
half years of preaching in this city, In
this church-seven and half years of
attack, criticism, gossip and bricks
surely deserves credit for preserving
his optimism.
"If the minister were not dependent
upon the people he is supposed TO re-
form we would have broader, ftruer,
more effective work from the pulpit
today. Instead, however, of allowing
a minister free play in his work. he
is censored and restricted by the con-
gregation he is expected to uplift and
benefit.
soThe great trouble with the church
is that we have put heaven too far
away. When the church ceases to be
a political organization, controlled by
a coterie of influential men; when 1t
ceases to be select club, run by a
particular few; when it opens its doors
freely to the sinner and welcomes the
outcast. then it will come to exercise
it's destined function in civilization
and the world. 1t has always been a
deplorable fact that men would pray
on Sunday and lie on Monday. The re-
ligion that won't keep a man straight
on Monday isn't worth a cent on Sun
day.
MEMBERSHIP MEANS NOTHING
when I hear a man make long,
glib prayer in prayer meeting4 4 always
want to watch him closely, because my
experience has taught me to distrust
him. 1 know of one man In this city
who, not long ago, lost $4,000 in a
business deal to a man who had estab-
lished a reputation for piety and
prayerfulness. Membership in a
church is coming to mean almost alb
soIutely nothing in these days. The
churchman must make a scientific test
of the influence of Jesus Christ upon
himself. That's the only true test of
divinity.
"Sin is not the fundamental fact of
this world. God made the world good
and sin entered into it afterward. 1t
will disappear some time. There is
only one future life to look forward to
that of eternal happiness. If it is
part of the duty of a minister to
preach hell fire. then I am glad that
am leaving it. The Christian should
not lay too much emphasis upon a mere
incident of Iife-sin.'
Dr. Baker will enter secular life to-
morrow as the district manager for the
r. r. Sheldon school OF scientific sales
manship. His headquarters will be In
Oakland.