Arizona republican., 1919-11-12
A PROBLEM FOR THE CHURCH
BY the Rev. Charles SteIzIe

More dangerous than any opposing religious sys-
tenn IS the churchs apparent failure to recognize the
influence OF the social and physical conditions which
affect many of those whom it is seeking to win
These conditions have more to do with their
alienation from the church than is generally sup
posed.
Do you recall that for a time the children OF
Israel would not heerken to Moses because of fhe
rigor Of their toll" even though he came with mac
sage even though it preached by an angel sent
from heaven
The filthy slum, the dark tenement the unsani-
tary factory, the long hours of toll, the breaking
labor the inability to pay necessary, doctors bills in
times of sickness the poor insufficient food the
lack OF leisure, the swift approach of old age the
dismal future-those weigh down the hearts and
lives of vast multitudes in our cities
Many have almost forgotten how to smile To
laugh is a lost art The look of care has come so
often and for so long period time that it is now
forever stamped upon their faces. The lines are
deep and hard. Their souls-ther ethical souls
all but lost.
No hell in the future can be worse to them than
the hell in which they now They fear death less
than they do sleep. Some, indeed long for the sum-
mons daring not to take their own lives
To such what does it matter whether the doors
of the church are closed open? What attraction
has the flowery or the polished grafton?
What meaning have the Fatherhood Of God and the
Brotherhood of Man? Where is God? they ask; and
what cares man? they say. 1t is in meeting the
needs of these that the church will be severely tested
in coming days
New York newspaper sent to the opera a wo-
man who has become leader among the masses Of
the people Of its SIDE particularly among
the foreign element. She then told the story of her
impressions in the columns OF that journal Here
is part of it.:
What interested most the condition of
the people. had before in public place seen
so many women in all their extravaganza of dress
their satins and silks and gold CLOTH their laces and
jewels And yet was told by who knows that
this was quiet modest display compared with that
Of other evenings; that Wednesdays assemblage is
rarely so brilliant" those Monday and Friday
Here was represented slight amount of human
labor. gown glove, Shoe jewel, a bit of
lace a fan million and women-aye and
children.-laborng for these idle sisters
IF we consider also all they possess that they
have not brought with them-a heap of gowns of
jewels, wardrobes bursting with their stores; houses
automobiles, carriages silver and gold plate coIec-
lions Of wonderful things Of the world rich carpets
tapestries, ornaments, many books fine paintings
and leisure! leisure Think of it, Time to grow.
time to learn, time to See time to hear to absorb
ment learning, knowledge. wisdom
"A million people working for them And they
render service in return. And yet no widespread
keen realization them of the deep injustice
grinding the lives and the health the hopes of
the workers into unearned profitsi
THE world that works is waking UP! and walk
ing particularly to OF its great power
Some day they will peacefully take that justice which
is denied them and not only for themselves but
for all"