The Washington herald., 1908-06-08
THE CHURCH CATHOLIC
BY THE oPTIAIIsT

A somewhat remarkable development OF
these modern times is the increasing
lcatholiclty Of the churches Of various de-
nominations. 1t Is evidently symptomatic
Of desire Of the churches. who hnd
themselves waning in public interest. 10
keep Up with the procession.
In the reports Of the day you shall find
accounts Of one church that has insti-
tutfd a series Of Sunday smokers"
SO; vices for men only, az which services
the men are TO be allowed to smoke. the
minister himself setting the example by
expounding his sermon between puffs.
You shall learn, too. how, in Chicago. the
psstar Of church proposes TO open what
he calls a 'courting room"-dim lights.
sofas. chairs built for two, and all the
adventitious aids to matrimony. Other
churches you shall find that. so far from
frowning on games Of chance lend their
support 20 competitive euchre parties with
prizes. the benefits supposedly for the
heather Of the far East; and still others
encourage dancing and other games. in
the hope Of getting the young people In
terested
! A remarkable development OF eccleslas-
teal activity. Is It not? 1t rather seems
to be putting the church in a cowardly
sort of apologize attitude toward the
things which our fathers were wont q
regard as temptations of the devil II
must appeal TO the sane-mlnded as a
rather traitorous surrender Of principles
on the part OF the pastors who allow IT,
and an admission, not thst the Gospel OF
Jesus Christ is lacking. Sut that its pro-
fessed disciples are weak and lmpotent
For one does not need to be a church
man to realize that the church has q
distinct and most valued place in the lif,
of a nation. There is nothing wrong In
the things here mentioned. adopted
as catch-congreRation tricks by certain
preachers. Indeed, they are good things
good recreations to the healthy minded
and have their proper place But tha'
lplace is not the church. Tobacco is Z
fine solace when properly used, but th'
place TO pun a pipe is not during tha
tiny percentage OF time that man gives
TO religion. There is nothing wrong abou
cards per sc, but their place is no
alongside the Bible; nor does any on,
lneed an aid TO courtship as an adjunc
10 the practice Of the Christian virtues.
These tendencies toward catholicity ar,
In themselves one Of the greatest evil
that threaten the influence Of the church
They are signs Of a weak pastorate, no
OF weak religion. The man inspired b,
God 10 preach the Gospel may to-da!
safely take his stand on the Bible ans
elucidate the immeasurable benefits o
the Christian religion, sure that II h
has a real message TO deliver for tn,
benefit OF the world, the world will hocl
10 hear him.
The concessions Of the weak brethren
lamong the clergy to "the world. the flesh
and the devil" are the things that bi,
fair TO throw the churches into disre
lpute; that give the unthinking agnOsti
q cheap argument 10 mouth, and fha
twist and distort the glorious meaninJ
OF the towering spires that reach heaven
ward.
Not catholiclty, but conservatism. 1
needed In the churches to-day: not con
cessions to evil and pleasure. but rathe
a sterner insistence on duty; not euchr
and kissing games. and smoking an
other dcmagogic devices. but the Gospe
OF Jesus Christ. that appeals TO all me
by its high example; that teaches self
sacrifice and charity and love, and abov
ell, which insists that a man-even n n
be preacher-shall do his work In III
world and do Il honestly and withou
excuses.