The Greeley tribune., 1910-08-18
REASONS FOR CHURCH GOING


REASONS FOR CHURCH GOING
The following taken from the
Literary Digest shows the various
reasons which impel people to
church:
People who stay away from
church seem always prepared to
make an eloquent defense of their
inaction." observes a writer In The
Woman's Home Companion. The
challenges that they often meet pre-
pare them with reasons good or bad.
but the churchgoer is rarely asked
to account for his action. Reasons
inspired more or less by malice are
often imputed to him: but this jour
nal has instituted an inquiry, with
results that are interesting religious
ly and psychologically a. well. The
question why is answered by one In
saying: Because 1t seems to me
that the churuch bears the same re-
lation to right living that the flag
does to patriotism-it upholds an
IDEAL" A lawyer. who says that
perhaps he should not be expected
to go to church at ALL" replies that
he also in church observance fol-
lows an ideal He writes:
Briefly, l go to church to wor-
ship God and because know that
can live a higher, broader. and a
better life as the result. am in ac-
ton a busy man and my religion Is
rational rather than emotional. But
know that ideals are the lever
which moves the world. that behind
every ideal lies religious inspira-
ton, and that churchgoing is the
practical support OF all religion"
Another has three reasons:
81. Because of what it stands for
With all of its human imperfections
the Christian church stands for the
best elements of life and the highest
conception of God known to man
kind.
"2. Because of it's Offspring
Nearly all the institutions and agen-
cies interested in the uplifting OF hu-
manity are the product, directly or
Indirectly. OF the Christian church.
And most OF the people who give
their time. talents. and money to
the support of these beneficent in
stitutions are members OF, or results
of. the life and work OF the church.
want to have a part in this general
uplift
"3. Because of its enemies. If a
man is to be judged by his enemies
| why not the church? The foes OF
the home. marriage. and righteous
ness are also the foes of the church.
All forces which seek mankind's de-
struction seek the church's vilifica-
tion'
| A farmers wife gives q mingline
OF religious and worldly reasons that
bear q very human stamp:
! II am the wife of farmer living
in a thinly settled section OF the
country. go to church services
held in a log shack. to hear sincere
II not always brilliant, sermons; to
sing; to wear. my best clothes. and
to see other people"
One who answers the question ad.
mits that (his or her) reasons fol
going to church are un-Christian Al
can well be imagined. Thus:
II have been reared to think that
all we'll bred people go to some
church. It doesn't take very much
time out of your Sunday-two hour
or so-and you leave an impression
taht you are distinctly high toned
and perfectly proper.
mo cold cream or hot Aesh evel
produced such soothing sensation q
this churchly application will to your
soul
Now, Mr. Editor. that is thu
square, honest reason why thous
ands of people 90 to church. But Il
you are hunting for . true religi
Gus uplift, you'll squirm and b,
afraid to publish this"
Fifteen letters were sent to fifteel
young men. known to be church
goers. These we're the question
, asked:
Name? Age! Married or single
Occupation? About how many Sun
days of the year do you atten,
church! Why do you 90 to church
Please confine your answer withil
one hundred words Fourteen ou
of the fifteen replied. Seven expires
desire to exert good influenc
over others by the rightful obser
: vance of the Sabbath. Ten believ
that church attendance IL duty
and eleven speak Of church attend
ance as privilege. Only four spec
Of the sermon. and one touches
keynote whom he says: I never g
away without blessing. 1t matter
not who the preacher Is, whether b
be an eloquent or scholarly orator O
not. II he be Christian at hear,
he will bring W the blessing that "
: need"