The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-05-31
EVERY PASTOR
A CONFESSOR.
That's What Or. Sheldon Would
Like to See.
ADVICE AND GOOD CHEER.

Author of ain His Steps" Does Not
Believe In Forgiveness of Sin by
Minister-The Confessional Not En-
tireIy a Spiritual Matter.
The Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon, pastor
Of the Central Congregational chur h
of Topeka, Kan, author of "ln His
Steps" and several other widely read
books, believes that every pastor Of a
Protestant church should have CON
fessional, where the members of his
flock could go to their pastor and pour
their troubles into willing ear and
receive wholesome advice He does
not intend that this confession should
be in the nature of that followed by
the Catholic church, where forgive
ness of sin is given by the father con
fessor. 1t should be a place where
those heavily laden with cares and
trials and tribulations could unload
their burdens.
On Trial In Boston.
"The relations of the minister to
his congregation" d" Sheldon said,
"should be such that the members
would be free to go to him and CON
fess their troubles and receive advice.
! do not in the least advocate the
doctrine of the forgiveness of sins, but
it seems to me that the minister, in
order to fulfill his full duty to the
church and to his flock. ought to make
himself so useful that the members
would feel free to confide in him about
anything that concerns them The
Baptist Emmanuel church of Boston
is carrying out this idea now. l have
been working along this line for many
years.
"The confessional is not entirely
spiritual matter 1t is a place where
people can carry their troubles of
whatever kind or nature. business,
spiritual and religious, family affairs
and purely personal matters. 1t is
the working out of the plan to give
more help to the congregation. Some
ministers work with the idea that their
connection with the affairs of the con-
gregation ends with the preaching of
the sermons and the calls and the per-
functory routine followed by al.
There is much other good work that
can be and ought to be done.
Catholic Church Underst ands.
"The Roman Catholic church has
understood human nature for centu-
ries. The Protestants have not had
this understanding. The Catholic con-
fessional contemplates the forgiveness
of sins, but it's chief hold has been in
aiding the members of the church bear
the burdens they have to carry. Hu.
man endurance will bear up under GER
tain troubles to a certain extent, and
then it snaps. If one is able to tell his
troubles TO another in whom he has
confidence and who may be able to
give advice and aid, the troubled one
feels better and stronger after the tell
ing, although the trouble may not be
solved or lightened in the least. That
is human nature.
at is the duty of the minister to be
the close friend of every member of
his flock. He should do a real service
and be a real help at all times. Men
and women come to me for advice.
They tell me of their family affairs,
their business prospects and reverses
and almost everything imaginable.
give them the best advice l can,
counsel with them, condole with
them, and l try to help them solve the
troubles that come to them. 1t gives
them greater peace of mind. They do
not break down. After confiding in
me and talking over their worries they
go away stronger and better men and
women and children and become more
useful to themselves, their friends and
the world.
THAT is the idea 1 have in the con-
fessional for Protestant churches. Ev-
cry church should have one. Every
minister should have certain hours
when the members of his congregation
could go to his study and tell him their
worries and be given as good spiritual,
business and social advice as any min
lister should be able to give-advice
that no lawyer and few other friends
could give"