The Washington herald., 1914-03-01
Rev. Dr. Mark Allison Matthews Crticsng Lazy Preach
ers." Repeats to James B. Morrow Statement Of His
Views on Duties Of Clergy.

But the country is full OF dead churches,
and I place the responsibility ON the
ministers and the elders. where 1t be-
longs.
"A stagnant business goes by the board
The saving of souls is the Lords busi-
ness and Is the most important business
OF ALL But II is being shamefully neg
iected. and the plain truth ought to be
told.
.sThe Interview I gave you has stirred
up the church from one end of the co1n-
try 20 the other. II I may Judge by my
correspondence. l hoped that II would.
You met me at a moment when the con-
victions within my mind sought wide
and forcibfe expression. wanted the
whole nation, II possible, to get a mental
hold on the facts. Since the interview
was printed have received letters and
visits from hundreds of ministers aid
elders. They approve Of what I said.
Can Easily Rule the Country.
Thank God. there are plenty of in
dustrious clergymen. Were it not for
them, the high Office which We I'LL would
be brought into reproach. The preachers
of all denominations, even though great
many of them are lazy and Indifferent.
are willing, 1 am sure, to be led into
the path of the largest efficiency. They
are men OF culture, refinement and con-
science and. when aroused, will become
the mightiest force in the nation.
There is no reason why the Chris
tian people of America cannot rule
America absolutely and In everything
rule II in Washington and in all the
capitals of our States and in all OF our
cities The host is big enough for the
purpose, but IL lacks in captains with
fighting blood In their veins-in the right
kind of ministers. elders, and deacons.
''The idle brethren Of the eldership also
needed to be rebuked. Taken as whole
they belong to the highest type of men
in the United States Among them are
great lawyers. great physicians, great
bankers, great merchants and great
manufacturers. They are winning pro-
fessional renown and making money, but
they are piIing up mighty little fame or
treasure in heaven.
And by and by, in a very short time,
they will go to a place. a real place,
where they will remain through all end
less cons of eternity. I should think they
would like to stand well when they get
there. They are big men on earth. 1 am
afraid they will find themselves on the
outskirts, mere onlookers, in short, when
they begin the long. long citizenship of
the hereafter. Their gardeners, coach
men and shoemakers may be in the high
Offices and stations.
Nor should the deacons escape CEN
sure. Each church that Is properly or
ganized and managed should have a
board of deacons composed Of the most
spiritual men in the congregation. II
overlooked them in my former interview;
shall not do SO now. The fund for the
poor is controlled by the .deacons. II the
deacons of the country were watchful
and industrious fewer widows and Or
phans would be robbed of. their property
by cheats.
Could stop Robbers and Cheats.
1T is the duty OF deacons to protect
the widows and the fatherless and to
help the poor in every church. They
should make il their business to see that
women are not swindled out Of the life