Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-28
Mast EuTONS TALKS
CONDUCTED BY
ftRs WI. FELTON,
Cuu &c "a - NA-4G AND MON al"
TENDANCE

TENDANCE
There are three distinct classes Of
people who go to church, and there
are as many distinctive classes who
have decided to stay away from reg
ular attendance under present con-
ditions.
or those who do attend we may say
without question that they are elderly
folks who have been trained to the
habit in the days of their youth, the
days when cold dinners were the
rule in nearly religious households be-
cause Of the commandment, to do no
work thyself or thy hired servants on
the Sabbath day. Having nothing
else to do and nowhere else to go,
they all went to church with general
Sabbath observance. Another class
are those who feel 1t a sense OF duty
to appear in the house of the Lord
on the seventh day. and no matter
what sort of preaching Is given
them, they are in the Lords holy
temple and nearer to God than at
home, where secular duties are in
evidence. The third class of church.
goers are those who have Sunday
clothes TO put on and who like to
see and be seen by their neighbors.
This Is a very large class. AS a
rule they go to every convenient
place where crowds are seen or as
semble, and there is a large admix-
ture of curiosity in their mental &C.
tivities-seeing and being seen in
churches.
Also 1t is understood that going
to church Is received somewhat as
a letter of credit. A railroad or a
bank will not employ a man who
drinks or CANDLES for prudential rea-
sons. People who inquire into their
employees are more easily satisfied
when man Is seen at church regu-
larIy. 1t Is respectable to go to
church. These people are generally
liberal because they are thus get
ting something for their money. The
rich ones are liberal in club dues
also. They may be said to pay as
they go and get results accordingly.
II the preacher omits any mention
OF card playing or worldly amuse-
ments In his discOurses, they are evil
IDENTIFY well satisfied. The modern
pastor understands their wishes; they
are mutually agreeable.
There % another class and q large
one, that decline to go because they
are disguised with church politics
as well as party politics. They say
they see these church politicians in
tho front row, on the amen benches
and they decide TO let them run the
business without their aid. Whether
they are correct or otherwise the
opinion largely prevails that the
church is being boSsed for maniFest
al well-defined purposes.
Lastly, the class that fatty re-
fuses to go, have been left to their
own devices. Once upon a time
preachers were active against sin
and vice whenever and wherever en-
countered. AS a rule the sinner has
as high a seat in the synagogue as
the saint, II he contributes literally.
These people never attend church.
notice that Bishop Gambler re-
buked the preachers of the confer.
ence during the present week, for
their restlessness, their desire for
continual changes and their craving
for gossip. He also scored the evan
gelists who went over the lard
reaching for money. He denounced
revival tn year held In Atlanta
that cost $4,000. He said he could
find no trace of 1t now. 1 can testi-
fly. however, that the very best and
most Understanding Sc mons | have
heard this year in my town were de-
livered by Rev. Arthur Moore. a
Methodist evangelist, who got less
for his two weeks pay than the reg
ular one gets with no revival that
can be seen or located elsewhere.