St. Tammany farmer., 1908-03-21
THE ADVANCE OF THE CHURCH.

w PNAAAASc"UAAAS
has entered the door of the church and spread
it's influence over the congregation and over the
pulpit
The old feeling that what was good enough
for grandfather is good enough for me- is be-
ing superseded by the feeling that nothing is
too good for me- Progress" is on the banner
that is being carried aloft, and those who areI
unable to keep up with the ranks in the march
Of time will be left on the Wayside..
1t is not surprising that such an important fac
tor in the ethical improvement of the world as
the Church should recognize this spirit as a
dominant feature in twentieth century character
and be prepared to meet the requirements of
natural disposition to get the best out Of life
that there is in it.
At meeting Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South in New Orleans, last week, a
Methodist Laymen's District Union was organ
lied, for the purpose of carrying out some of
the plans formulated at the September Metho-
dist Laymen's meeting at Knoxville Tenn, un-
der sanction of the General Conference, and
the question was discussed as to what layman
could do to increase church attendance.
There seemed to be unanimity of feeling
that if the Church wished to maintain it's infu-
ence there should be some effort made to pro-
vide material as we'll as spiritual inducements
for attendance at church. AS one member ex-
pressed it, THE average man to-day wants
something more out of church than the minis
ter's sermon. "
Nor is this all. While the youth Of the land are
invited to the church, that it's religious influences
may be used to convert them to christian lives,
they are confronted with reformation that re-
| duires SO much sacrifice of worldly pleasures
without other than spiritual consolation, and at
time when the material appeals to them most
strongly, that not only an inclination to the
Church is necessary, but also the assistance OF
strong will power A general recognition Of
this has attracted the attention of church mem
bers throughout the country, and it appears very
evident that the twentieth century church will
be made more attractive and greater attention be
paid to the material side of life. Such course
is inevitable if the Church wishes to continue it's
usefulness It's influence has been felt in the
advancement of civilization in all ages, and it
will continue it's good work for all ages to come;
but its methods will have to keep pace with the
progress of the times. The effete rules Of the
ancient Church would not be applicable to con-
dition of to-day AS there have been changes
in the past so must there be changes in the fu-
ture There must be more attractive features
to the services, more of the amusements and
pleasures of this world associated with church
life, and less of "sackcloth and ashes. The
duty of man to man embraces more salvation
onN hnn0
covereth multitude of sins. -
The innovation made some years ago by the
introduction Of the cornet and violin in church
services met with severe criticism, and some OF
the horror-stricken members withdrew from the
church; but to-day in the weather. churches
you find professional musicians and singers Of
note, some of the churches making their choirs
special feature Of the service.
1t seems to us that the remarks of Mr.. A. F.
Godat were prediction of that which we will
find in the coming church. We give his words
as reported in the Picayune.
The speaker declared you must interest people
| to get them to attend anything. He said that
thousands go to witness baseball game and
pay quarter to sit two hours on hard benches
| in the broiling sun to see game. 1t was be-
cause they were interested however Mr.. Co.
splendid churches, professional choirs and art
windows, were any more attractive than the
smaller ones if the person attending was inter-
ested. He was in favor of an institutional
church. with lectures, moving pictures, banquets
and social gatherings"
Rev. Joyner has for some time been an advo-
cate of such measures for attracting church
attendance, and has made practical demonsta-
tions of success.
Of course churches in small towns cannot all
afford these things; but there are other attrac-
tive features that could be adopted Literary
and social clubs, reading rooms, good choirs
amusements under the supervision of the church,
and some more attractive feature than the simple
sermon And it should not be such sermon
that listeners will go away with the feeling that
they are the most miserable of sinners, with small
chance of reaching degree of excellence that
would take them to heaven.
The lecture of Dr. J. n Mccormack, the dis