Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-17
"Why ] Do 10 Attend Chnrch. ?
why | Do Attend Church"


ing ones, will be the basis Of an un-
usual sermon tonight at the Boston
Avenue Methodist church in Tulsa by
the Rev. Percyal Knickerbocke er, who
Is recognized as one Of Oklahoma 8
greatest pulpit orators,
As a basis for this sermon Rev.
knickerbocker will use letters from a
score or more prominent Oklahomans,
including number Of Tulsans, to
whom he wrote and asked for their
written opinion on one OF the two
subjects. To the well known state
figures who never attend church he
- requested an answer on their reasons
for not attending, and to the well ed
uCated citizens who do attend church
regularly he put the opposite question.
The answers Rev Knickerbocker has
received are nothing short of stdrt-
ling and should be ample foundation
for one OF the most vital sermons yet
preached by the pastor of the Boston
avenue temple OF worship.
Some of the reasons given by well
known residents of the state why they
do not attend church, somewhat
b'Htu uoNHi are hs lOlloWhs
Il do not attend church because /
have lost faith in the bible"
II do not attend church on account
OF the improbability of the future
life"
II do not attend church on account
OF the divisions in the church"
II do not attend church because the
Services are dry and unattractive and
makes II burden rather than a
pleasure"
II do not attend church because
life is so strenuous l need Sunday for
relaxation and repose."
II do not attend church because
! do not think there is any hell any
how"
II do not attend church because
get all the good | need out of maga-
zines, papers, etc"
"I do not attend church because
the church is not friendly enough to
labor"
These answers It will appear, cover
the opinions of hundreds on the same
subject Rev. Knickerbocke will
treat fully both the affirmative and
negative answers in his sermon to-
night.
Some OF the names signed to the
various communications will be made
.fnblic.
One Of the most prominent lawyers
in the state sets forth the following
extensive reasons in support Of his
absence from the church services:
II attend churches to prevent re-
turning to barbarism. Without its
civilizing and uplifting force the So
cial fabric would disintegrate. Life
here and hereafter would be uncer-
tain, all property insecure and happi-
ness only an idle dream"
II attend church because ! find
there much that appeals both to my
physical and intellectual being.
"l. 1t is sweet on a summer morn
ing, when the air Is aquiver with the
love songs of the birds, and fragrant
with the odor of roses blown, TO hear
the music of the church-going bells,
and invitation to the world -wearied to
enter Gods temple and find peace, be-
cause the instinct of worship is in the
heart Of man. and the church is the
temple of the living God.
"2. l go to church because I find
peace there. that peace which De-
Quincy described as resting from
human labors a Sabbath of repose,
respite granted from the sacred bur
dens of the heart, as If / stood at
distance and aloof from the uproar of
1ifa aa 20 tha aud faNar
strife were suspended, as if there
brooded over me, a dovelike and hal
cyon calm.
"3. / go to church because / love
the music that l hear 1lere, the
mighty roll of the great organ, min
gled with the marvellous symphonies
Of the divine strlnged instrument, the
human voice. untwisting all the chains
that tie the hidden soul of harmony.
"a. / go to church because ] de-
light to hear the teachings of the
preacher, whose soul is dedicated to
God, whose field is as wide as Gods
universe, whose theme Is the Destiny
OF Man, and whose words are the or
acles of Fate. Marvellous is the spell
of the preacher, to whom God has
given genius and conservation, and the
power Of illustration drawn from the
old, sacred immortal book, and from
the miracles of Nature, no less re-
vealed in the crlmson-tipped flower
turned up by the plow share of Rob
ert Burns upon the soil of Ayr, than
in the long reaches Of the star-girt
skies
"5. ! go to church because the
way Is dark and am far from home,
and because the church Is the Polar
star to light my pathway in the day
less night.
"6. | go to church because the
church ministers not only to the spir-
itual, but to the material needs of
Nfe. and because IT is there that the
hrities that soothe and heal and
= are scattered at the feet of man
Flowers.
= | go to church because In the
atmosphere vice and crime wither and
die.
"s. I go to church because / hear
there the teachings Of the philosophy
of Jesus, the Incompatible man, and
Il you say that his teaching is phil
nd ha