Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-28
FEW MEN ATTEND
CHURCH SERVICES
Rev. G. c. Williams Writes to
Two Hundred. Asking Them
to Give Reasons.

For the purpose Of sscerc,uirg |
why few men attend church services
Rev. George c. Williams. pastor of
McCabe Memorial Methodist Episcopal
Church. has written TO 200 men. ask
ins scvsn questions. These men re-
siie near McCabc Church. but they dc
not 10 10 any church or are nominal
church members. They represent
various classes. including business
man. professional men, railroad men.
shor men. etc. A copy OF DIR. Will
liams letter follows:
Wilmington. Del. Sept. 20. 1921
Dear Friens and Brothers Ii is
matter OF common knowledge that
women are largely in the majority in
| the membership OF the Christian
i church. and that many men habituall.
absent themselves from the servic *
% ths church on the Sabbath day,
le sing thereby the refining and eievat-
ing influence of Christian association
and the spiritual uplift of Christian
2 worship.
Il Earnest and sincere ministers OF
$ the Gospel OF all creeds hav.- tried
\ honestly and persistently, to find and
r remedy any defect that might exis,
G in the forms OF worship and In IN,
style OF preaching that might tend tc
discourage men from attending the
services OF the church.
I'VE have carefully studied socia
and industrial conditions. We hav,
sought 10 make the church rea
, help to the common man in his effori
!, to better his condition in life, and tn,
church has been powerful factor II
: bringing the blessings OF liberty. edu.
cation. social and industrial justic,
: within the reach of the masses.
I'VE have sought also to make tn.
church services attractive to mea
But I'm spite OF our effort, larg,
portion of the male citizenship >
. America does not go to church on tn,
. Sabbath day.
y I'm order 10 get better under
s standing OF this problem, Il is m,
Is purpose TO approach the men direc
- and ask a few pointed questions. w
% re prompted to make this step tha
. we may find the obstacle in the VA,
\. and remove II IL II is possible TO do SC
n And we hope 20 receive from ever,
a man who reads this letter a frank
? swer t. the questions We are asking
If your answer is sharp criticism o
e the church or the ministry. we Wi
e take il in The right spirit, and W
) will regard every answer as strict.
: confidential and will not give you
name to the public in any discours
l. on this subject.
l. 81. Is the church TO blame that s
l. many men fail to attend the Sabbat
te day services? IL SO, in what respect
rs -. Ia the fault to be found In ia
In present day presentation OF the Gosp,
ID from the pulpit7
"s. Has the ministry failed to mea
sure up to the expectation or the DIV
mands of men7 II 50, in what I'd
spect?
"4. Are the subjects discussed
:, the pulpit OF today such as have n
interest for men7
IS. Can not the average man fiu,
~ among the many churches OF toda.
~ one whose ritual services he can er
rs Joy and profit by participation therein
IS "6. Are men less religious by natur
~ than women? Has not Christianity IN
: same charm for men as for women
q. -. Why do men habitually abseI
% themselves from church?
!, "In connection with your answer
n to the questions above. W, will
glad IL you give us 10 subjects yo
- would like US to discuss in the pulpi
We will give your subjects caref
~ consideration, and If they are sui
~ jocts that can be taken into the pulr
We viii study them fully and give~o'
opinion upon them without reserve.
Yours very truly,
George c. Williams" /"