Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-05
MUST PROVIDE SUBSTITUTE.
FDR SALOON INFLUENCE

Many go 20 the drinking places more
for the warmth and excitement than
Tor 'nto*icants, for man is q social
creature and needs comprehensive
There must be substitutes for the sa-
loon which shall attract men, and they
should be under the auspices of the
church. with church members as hosts
and have welcome extended to the
church frankly and lovingly
All the accessories OF social life can
be called Into service. Picnics. par
ties. good picture shows, music and
many other features OF healthy com
nunlty life are quite in accord with
The Christian fellowship They are re-
cruiting stations as II We're, for the
Lords army And where many poor
people are found, these pleasures have
value far In excess OF the trouble
taken TO forward them. think there
were more OF these entertainments in
former days than there are now. Mod.
crn lie Is so complex and money max
ing projects are so frequently on the
ground that II is not easy to secure
people as our guests. Lectures and
singing schools were once an mpor-
tant part or social lifc while now they
are hardly sknown. But difficulties
work miracles, and we need not be dis
heartened. We must learn valuable
lessons from 'naInmon." l think that
was what Christ meant when He said:
Make to yourselves friends by means
of the mammon OF unrighteousness."
81. Luke xvi. 50 ] am sure that if
shrcwd men can draw crowds by sun
dry methods, the cause of Christ can
do tho. same by being open TO sym
pathetic suggestions. ~ being free
and broad In methods and, above all
else. by being consecratcd in tho de-
sire to save men from sin and death.
PURPOSE MUST nj TO
DRAW MEN TO CHRIST
Whatever We do must be done with a
single purpose. namely to hing men
into the sunshine and JOY OF Christian
ity. II men Of the world have ever
in mind the making OF money by means
of satisfying human passions. surely
we should have this end before us
to bring people to Christ in purity OF
living and in peace Of mind and heart.
None OF these suggested cXpcdientS can
rightly be counted as means in them
, selves. but rather means to an end.
The great end is bringing men to
Christ. Therefore. we should try i'm
every way Ia preach salvation. Cot
;aSe meetings in many cases may well
take the place OF the church prayer
meeting. I'm some house, TOO far for
the children to go to ttc church. we
II. ~ start n little Sunday school which
in time will lead to church service
in that house. We arc often too eager
20 build church buildings: why not
follow st. Paul's plan, which was to
hold worship In peoples homes? (phil-
cmon. - Mission services in an cmp-
ty store viii attract men more than a
church at first. street preaching has
been found by the Salvation Army a
good way to bring men 10 repentance.
Theater services held late ut night i'm
the wicked parts Of Il city have led
many wanderers to their Fathers
home.
soxre, ron SOILS JS
INSPIRATION 70 WORK
AnGt then. that word "comper"-the
compu sion OF love. the taking a from
bling hand and drawing the man TO
the waiting King-have we done that
ever? 1t is easy to say. go to church."
but to say. Come with me-" means
effort. and effort has II browning. Why
not hold a little service on The church
steps to attract people, Why not ar
range to call on a man just before
church time and bring him with you:
why not leave cards OF invitation at
every house? All these are methods
? Of homo. mission work. IF only there
? is n love for souls, If only the greatest
thing In the world is to bring a man
to Christ Jesus. then there arc multi