The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-07
FAMILY PRAYERS

r. ROM a dozen pulpts during the past few weeks a S many promi
4 nent ministers in various cities have voiced the conviction that
= "only a return to the old fashioned family prayers and the home
altar can save the American home from destruction.
While we do not know of any new menace to the American
home, and while we do not believe that it IS in any immediate danger
OF destruction, the demand from the pulpts OF the country Tor a g
turn TO old standards Of religious practice in the home and for the
re establishment of the home altar as a family institution Is dis
tiDctly hopeful Of a return to customs too long abandoned.
We have been led TO consider our religions and our evidences
of religious belief and practice chiefly as AN abstract thing, to be up
held in the mass and neglected by the individual. Nor can all of this
tendency be blamed upon automobiles the movies, Sunday diversions
and distractions, a. a certain type of preacher Is disposed to do.
This same type Of preacher, of whom we have far too many, must
share responsibility for the trend away from family prayers, from
a normal, healthy observance of the Sabbath and for the abandon
is accustomed to blame upon "the times - Too many Of this type
Of preacher, everywhere in our country, are engaged IN 'organiza.
Of various kinds for various causes and in many efforts other than
the awakening Of the individual conscience TO the Importance OF in
dividual practice OF religious beliefs.
Money is necessary to the maintenance of the modern church
organization and some one must provide IT, but 1t should not be the
principal activity Of such an organization Mass movements or
ganized publicity, broad methods of appeal. all are important phases
of religious effort Not one nor all of them wHl take 1hf pues VI
direct action; meaning the personal appeal TO the individual. Better
pay for ministers Of the Gospel should he provided; also pension,
for retired preachers But these may well remain incidental instead
of being made major activities. II is far easier and much more
mission for something or other, the head of a lobby, secretary OF
a survey Of some sort, or director of a drive for funds than to full
I'm the exacing duties of a pastorate. 1t is not surprising that so
many ministers seek the broader fields of usefulness until those
fields are threatened with overerowding. But the only successful
whoIesaling of religion that has ever been done has been accom-
ulsAed by those inspired preachers with the power OF direct per
sonsl appeal and individual conviction. 1t has never been accom(
plisbed by law, or by a commission OF amy KIND.
Il is encouraging 10 find ministers appealing for a return TO
family prayers and the restoration Of the home altar. The AmerE
can home ism in any grave danger OF destruction and wl not he
~ long as religion is enthrOned as il is in the hearts of the mothers
of America. But the restoration of family prayers and the VS.
ible home altar will do more to remedy a lot II the worst Hs ana
meuaces of our particular period than all the surveys and drives
and national movements that can be devised by the most skhtm OF
religious efficiency experts