Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-02
WHAT AVERAGE MAN
FINDS IN CHURCHES
Rev. G. c. Williams Discusses
Another Phase of Question
naire Answers.

Can not the average man find
among the many churches of today
one whose ritual service he can en-
joy and profit by participation there
ing"
This is one of The questions I'm the
list sent out by Rev. George c. Will
liams In his effort to discover why men
do not attend church in large NUM-
bors. and the answers he received
from a number of men ON this ques-
ton formed the basis OF n sermon at
MoCabc Memorial Church ON Sunday.
In the course OF the address the
speaker said the majority of men who
had answered this question had given
an Affirmative answer. In fact very
few words OF criticism had come TO
him concerning the church as IL
stands today. A few men, however,
raised objection 10 church creeds and
complained that the heart of Chris
tianity had been sacrificed i'm the. in .
terest of denominationalism. One map
OF some influence, and OF great in
telligence, SO strongly demanded a
simple statement OF the Gospel as the
creed of the Christian church that
this subject is worthy of considera-
tion.
one man says: why go 20 church
when so many conflicting creeds are
held up before us as all important,
that we come away from the services
In a state OF mental confusion as 20
the proper mode OF baptism, and as
TO the true apostolic form of church
government sc? Can not the leaders
see the wisdom of abandoning the
purely technical points in theology, in
which the masses of men are not now
never were, and never will be interest
ed. and compromise their differences
OF opinion ON minor points, on this
forms Of church government. and wip,
out 'denominational lines and brint
the church together in one great NOV.
Ing conquering army?"
'The Mason Dixie line is still TO,
prominent a landmark in the life o
some so-called Christian churches o
identical creeds; and the division sucl
as We observe between the various
Christian bodies is inexcusahle in tn
Twentieth century" says one writer.
There is too much denominations
competition I'm the church. Co-opera
tion should take the place of com
petition everywhere. We are all aim
h,g for the same goal. and II will re
tard the progress Of none il each vii
render helpful service TO others"
another observat.Jn
Mr. Williams said "the seemin
III ion between the various branche
of the Christian church are more ap
parent than real. The church toda
Is not stressing the points of differenc
between her branches. Denominations
differences, as TO creed and govern
ment both. are fading away and EN-
phasis is being placed upon the simpl
. Gospel OF Jesus.
"Thc church is nearer one in pur
pose, than at any time since the Re
formation and the Gospel in its sim
! plicity and power was never present
ed clearer or stronger than it is bein
presented today. The creed Of IN
universal church now is the simpl
: Gospel Of the Old and New Testa
ments.
1t is true that each denominatio
Of Christians has its own standard ia
church membership, yet among m
Protestant churches Of America ther
is fraternal spirit that supports
lFederakCouncA of Churches. Throug
this clearing house Professionalism ha
for years been able TO move togetht
as one against the saloon, social in
purity. industrial injustice and polit
cal corruption; and 70 stand togeth,
as one for the free public schools I,
the education OF the masses. and T,
/. Justice for all men. The church L
4 day is not insisting that men shg
/ merely conform 10 man made cree,
and rules. but that men shall app
+, the Golden Rule TO life. and accept Il
\ mandates af the Ten Commandment
= The parable OF the prodigal son
i the Fifteenth chapter Of the Gosr
a according 10 Luke, contains a splend
+ illustration Of the simple Gospel 4
n church is preaching today.
70 Not even the men who do not go
h church viii attempt 10 deny the ia
l. that there are many lost boys in [
n world. II the church shall tell [
n truth on this subject she is only dol
q her duty, even though il may not
D. what some men want TO hear. A
Ike her Lord and Master she may {
pect criticism for 50 doing But VIII
the church is telling the world abe
the lost boys. who are straying aw,
!; she is also laying stress upon the (;
y. that the door Of the Fathers Hot
w is wide open and the Father Hims
s. is waiting and ready to receive I
wanderer, and give him the best 70
n and restore him 10 sonship. This
- the simplest Gospel Of the uniyer
te church today.
Men have been asking and are S
asking What must j do 10 be saye'
a. The church has been and is still I
!. swcring that question, IN simple,
=, rect words. And the answer is I'll
n Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, {
~ thou shalt be saved Does some
ask What is salvation2 To ans'
this question we must ask first w
is sinT The answer 10 this query
simple. and can be given in one ",
- Sin is selflshness.H
He told how the obstacles can
- overcome through repentance
faith, citing many Biblical instanc
--<~------~-