The Detroit times., 1912-01-15
BLAMES ADJUSTMENTS
FOR EMPTY CHURCH PEWS
Rev. M. P. Fixes Says. Too. Non
Christians Should Be Kept
Out of Choirs.

That great crowds visit the
theaters and moving picture
shows Sunday nights.
That non-chrlstlans should be
kept out OF church choir lofts.
That pastors should make more
Of their Sunday night services
than those Of the morning.
That sermonlc material should
be timely; that pastors should not
tie themselves TO an ecolesIastie
post.
The foregoing were some OF the OBJ.
servations made by the Rev. Maurice
Penheld Fixes, pastor OF the Wood
ward-ave. Baptist church. In an adj
dress on The Evening Service-the
Aim, Message, Music and Results" be-
fore the Baptist Ministers confer
ence, Monday morning. The topic
was assigned TO Mr.. Fixes by the pro-
gram committee OF the conference,
because OF the remarkable success
I, which has attended the evening SER
vices In the Woodward-ave. Baptist
church since Mr.. Fixes became the
pastor, a few years ago.
Mr.. Fixes explained at the outset
that there was nothing OF "legerde-
main" character about the methods
he employed to get his large Sunday
evening congregations; that he mere
! ly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ
and made the services as practical as
possible.
Times are changing nowadays
said Mr.. Fixes, and, of course. a pas
tor must change with them. People
no longer bring their lunches with
them TO church in the morning and
remain all day In order to attend the
evening services. Sunday evening is
now more a time for family reunions
than IL used to be: In fact, IL Is the
only time many husband has TO see
his children. People are also coming
from different parts OF the city and
country to see their friends on Sun
day. II Is time OF keen rivalry in
business circles, a regular complicat-
Ing whirlpool campaign for accumula-
ton OF dollars, In view of all these
conditions. II is little wonder that
many churches lose ground in not
having the people at their Sunday
evening services.
Then, there are the Sunday night
amusements to take into considera-
ton. Great crowds may be found in
the theaters and moving picture
shows on Sunday night.
There IL also opposition to the
churches on the part OF outside Chris
ton organizations. I don't say this
In spirit OF criticism, but Just to
show that the churches have opposi-
ton from their own field. The Y. NJ.
G. A. used to be an offender in this
respect, but II has desisted to large
extent, having been spoken to about
the matter.
"One OF the greatest causes of the
failure OF Sunday night services is
lack OF preparation on the part of the
pastors themselves. They 60 on the
theory that they should make their
best EFFORT in the morning, letting the
evening congregation Craze on shrub,
grass or sand. Personally. believe
In reversing conditions. want to
reserve my best effort for the even
ing, when there Is cosmopolitan
crowd to hear me. feel that | must
strain every nerve at the evening ser
vice. want my own people on hand
In the evening, as well as the
strangers.
Mr., Fixes at this juncture took up
the idea OF church advertising, and
said he approved 1t. Speaking OF
music in the churches, Mr.. Fixes said
II ought to be dignifed, and that only
Christians should be allowed to sing
In choir lofts or play the organ. 1t
was wrong for pastor to advertise
his music. because the congregation
would be disappointed when he got
up to speak.
Mr. Fixes thought that If the plans
he suggested were followed, the even
ing services would be success spir-
itually and financially. AS an evidence
OF the latter feature in his own
church. Mr.. Fixes said that the con-
tributions at his evening services,
that Is, the loose money on the plates.
amounted to $4,000 last year.