The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-03-03
DR.. FORD EXPLAINS
OPEN FORUM SERIES

After careful study of conditions II
4 Hood River, aud COM ultHtinn Wit
4 men associated with me in Christian
and church work | have decided t.
turn my pulpit into an open torun
tor Il - ries OF Sunday evening plat
torn meetings tor the discussion o
Christianity, churches and ministers
and have invited number OF gentle
men ether than Of my own faith, o
prUte len, to do he speaking.
/ find that Christianity does not
receive the recognition and support
by laboIiDg. business Ind professional
men of the community it should it u
stands for whnt We suppose it stsDd'
tor ses that all kinds OF business
real estate, horticulture, building,
merchandise, banking, fraternalism
and education have larger, but not
too great recognition and consider a.
tion.
IL seems to me the churches as the
supposed representatives OF Christ
ianity, though by no means the eX'
elusive expOnents and expressions
of Christian truth, life and philan
thropy, have not kept pace with the
growth OF our population, schools,
lodges and business enterprises nor
with the material development OF the
town and vicinity. They do not have
tine strong hold on the thought, con =
| fidence and life of the men of the
community they should nave II they
stand for what they are alleged to
stand for. They have to struggle tor
an existence, and few 'elect
women" have to "serve tables" and
run bazaars'', and their ministers
must act az part of the lackey In
order to make a little money with
which to meet the necessary expenses
and carry on church work." They
continue to worship In inferior edi.
fees, with aa inadequate equipment
for wide awake churches.
And ministers what OF themP
They are looked upon as "A sort of
we'll hardly necessary evil, some
thing tn b3 tolerated, as having little,
or nothing to do with the affairs of
men in world or red blood, activity
and progress-a KIND Of third sex,
whose business Is one OF eaae and
luxury, having nothing III common
with the men aud women who are
doing things worth while; with no
concern TOR mundane interests, sing
ing only OF their heavenly home,
bright and fair" and regarded by
some rs an intolerable nuisance,
burden upon society whose support
is to be charged up to charity.
l have therefore made up my mind
to try to find out where the trouble
lies. ls it in Christianity Is 1t III
the churchesY Is 1t in the ministers?
DO not our men believe III Christ
ianityY Do our churches fail to just
ify their clalmsY Are ministers eX-
elusive, "buttOn up" and show no
interest in the things of the kingdom
of this world? DO they deal In alb
stractions that have little or no CON
nection at all with present day prob
lens with which the laboring man,
the business man, the professional
man, and the man OF science ere
graphing? Is the preacher "behind
the times" and trying to feed the
people on cold straw" Is he lack
ing In ability to speak clearly, cor
rectly and entertainingly? lie ought
to know something about everything,
and everything about something. Or,
ls 1t because men are 80 taken up
with their own secular affairs that
they have no time to give to the con
sideration of the claims of Christian
ity, and the work of the churches?
Or, because their methods OF business
cannot be brought to the light?
| am unwilling with my present
light, to express an opinion on these
questions. | might Eight into"
them, and "pass them up" as back
81 sliders." 'renegades, " linen OF the
baser sort, :" given ever to hardness
of heart" and "Ieprobacy OF mind"
with 'oonsoienees scared, but do
not feel warranted in doing so, aud
will not. prefer to hear trcm
Others, and have not only requested
prominent gentlemen in protest. onal
and business circles to speak but to
speak freely and tul y, aud let the
"ehips tall where they may" | want
to know whPt the laboilng, business
and professional men of this COM
muuity think OF Christinity, the
churches and ministers. Christinity
is entitled to recognition, or It is
not. Churches are worthy of support
and OF being on plane with other
organizations and enterprises, or they
are not. Ministers merit respect aud
confidence, OF they do not. Let ~
see. Let us go to the bottom of this
business Let US have the toll ruth
wherever the reflection msy be.
Christianity must sLanu the severest
test, or 1t can not stand at all. The
churches must stand the seveIest test,
OF 60 into some other pursuit, or
take to the woods - Come, let US
reason together.
invite the general public, end
laborinR, business and professional
men III particular, to hear the gentle
men who have kindly consented to
speak. We ought not to he afraid
for the truth, nor OF the truth.
The particular topics, the names of
the speakers, Will ue announced in
special bulletin, and through the
local press from week tC week.
/. b Ford,
Pastor Asbury M. b. church. !