Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-09
"WHY GO TO CHURCH?":
A Symposium Of Replies
from Augusta Men

ward upon the world and its pros
poets as a result of the war gamble.
What are we doing in our civil life
that shows the inspiration of big
times" In every avenue of business
and social affairs the influence of the
tremendous swing of things is felt.
Even in the churches the war Is hav-
ing an influence not only upon layman
some of them are dealing emphatic
ing with war aspects and duties. But
not all pastors are taking the quite
common trend. In a local church on
Sunday the pastor dealt with vital,
fashioned, new-fashioned, ever
present and always-to-be subject in
new way. He wrote to sixteen of
the best known men in the community
and asked their answers to the ques
ticn, why Go to Church," He re-
ceived replies from twelve Of them
and these replies constitute a SYM
postum worth preservation and should
be valuable to every home.
The innovation was in Penney Memo
rial church, by Rev. W. NJ. Wood, but
applies to any and every other church
and more particularly, to those VINO,
for any reason or excuse, do not go
10 church. We recommend not only
the words of the minister but these
replies from business and professional
men, to our readers:
WHY GO TO CHURCH?
Heb. 1ols-25,
Having therefore, brethren. bold
ness to enter into the holy place by
the blood of Jesus, by the way which
He dedicated for US; 49, let US
draw near with a true heart in full
ness of faith: - - NOT FORSAk-
GETHER, AS THE CUSTOM OF
SOME IS
There is indicated in this passage A
CLOSE CONNECTION between THE
ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP OF AL
| MIGHTY GOD and THE REGULAR
ASSEMBLING OF PEOPLE AT A
| PLACE APPOINTED for such worship.
! The origin of this idea. that people
should assemble to worship a Divine
Being. goes back of all human records.
When the race energies from the shad-
ows of prehistoric times, and appears on
the pages of the most ancient records,
we find that this idea was universal No
race, Or nation, has been found who have
not at certain times gathered together
by regular appointment for the public
/
| Here is phenomenon that demands a
cause. Whence came the impulse that
! has moved the human race to write a
great part of its history about the fact
of Divine Worship? 1t is most reason
able to presume that this universal fact
of human experience is based on some
fundamental human need.
! Whatever else he may be. man is a re-
ligious being. However wicked his life,
however benighted his lot. there is a
dsathless impulse within him that urges
him to associate himself with others in
acts Of worship; either TO adore a God he
loves and trusts, or to placate a God of
whom he is in terror.
This impulse may be resisted until it no
longer moves a man to action Contrary
| impulses may be obeyed until this divine
/ impulse is lost. 1t may be covered uI'
and completely hidden by A veneer of
false culture. 1t may be utterly lost in
| the maze of sensual indulgences but so
may every divine impulse be eliminated
from mans life.
! If we turn to the Bible we find that
there the public worship of God is regard
| ed as a matter of primary importance to
mankind.
! The greater part of the writings Of
Moses is devoted to this matter.
/ AS we go on through the Old Testament
! we find that during all the years while God
was preparing them for their supreme
mission, the religious. social and political
! life Of the Hebrew People centered in
! their tabernacle and temple-that is in
! their common worship of Jehovah.
+ The New Testament likewise lays great
emphasis upon this question.
Jesus always attended the appointed
services for public worship. and the
Apostles followed in his steps to the
house of praise and prayer.
The church was instituted by our Lord
Himself and commissioned to carry on
and complete the mission which He be-
gan.
| From that day to this the regular as
sembling of Christians in place ap-
pointed for the worship of God and the
praise of Christ has proven an indispen-
sible condition of the highest success in
the life and work Of the Church.
| The text indicates that even in the be-
ginning some members of the Church alb
sented themselves from the meetings for
worship. and 1t further indicates that
such conduct Is unChristian and harmful
| to the individual and to the cause for
which the church stands.
It implies that an obligation rests upon
every member and friend Of the church,
and Of the cause for which II stands. to
attend faithfully the services appointed
for the worship OF God.
| NOW. WHY?
| That is the question / asked Is promi-
nent business and professional men Of
Augusta, including the Governor and the
/ Mayor 1 will read their statements:
/ /. II believe that one should go to
church because church going makes for
better manhood and better citizenship.
bringing one in weekly contact with an
influence that can make only for good
e..