Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-10-08
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
COMPLAINT OF EMPTY pEws
by J.. A. I;ubnnk.

| Il hate, dcsrse your feast days and will
not smell in your solemn assemblies Though
! We oncr Me burnt offerings and your meat
| offerings. Will not accept them: neither will
| regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
I rake 'hon away from Me the noise OF thy songs:
Tor will not hear the melody OF thy VOLS
| Amos V. u. 30.
4 have not sent these prophets yet they
| ran; nave not spoken TO them. Yet they
| hrophesicd But II they had stood in My
| counsel and had caused My people to hear
MY words. then they should have turned
mem from their evil way. and from the evil
or their doing s"-Jeremiah XIII ~ 22
iiy the mouth of His prophet, Amos the
Lord announces His adherence of the wor-
Sh'r that wi3 being offered Him. and He
| served notice That His presence could no
| longer be expected in the Solemn assem-
| blies" Of those who protesscd to he Ills fol-
lowers
The question is being widely discussed
the present day to why so many news are
| empty in our churches. and why there is
| *nch large failing away among the masses
| from the Influences of these institutions
| manif"stins Itself in u growing lack of in
| 'efest IN and respect for their teachings
II the two quoted texts are applicable to
! present conditions. the sufficient answer to
! the question may he found in either
II We regard the statements contained in
| the FIRST OF these as entitled to weight. we
| Sh"utd judge that the people do not want
| 10 attend solemn assembly where not only
| is IN" presence Of the Lord lacking. but lie
refuses {" hear the noise OF their songs and
I" receive their various other Offerings"
rendered in the name of worship
If the answer OF the first text is no, con
vincnI turn TO tho second and read: IL
have not sent these prophets. yet they ran:
nave not spoken 20 them, yet they prophc-
sled"
DO YOU wonder that there is complaint
about empty pews? And. that many of those
uaiiiy and church loyalty among the pcu-
rI" although thy fast runners" vet
are unable TO CORA. tho masses and force
UPON them the acceptance OF their meg
sage
Again the Lord is ready with the answer.
But If they had stood in My counsel and
had caused My people To- hear NV words
'h"n they should have turned them from
'Hcir evil way. and from tn. evil of their
doInrs."
with this promise staring him in the facc
what preacher can have the gaII to com
iIaiu about results In his attempt at awaken
ing the people to due sense OF their obiiea-
IONS TO themselves and to their fellow men?
Even though scifcallcd teachers proclaim
fails" doctrines. loading men with burdens
erl.vouS To be borne which they .would
not touch with one Of their fingers. m.
LORD has not left the individual in Ignorance
rs to the proper for him to pursue,
II" hath showed thee. O man. what is good
but TO Il" justly. and to love mercy and To
walk humby with thy God?"
And, bless your heart. tho people are AL.
dressing themselves in downright earnest to
me doing Of these things, bringing thes.
principles OF conduct to bear In their various
activities IN the solution OF problems whose
purpose is the betterment Of conditions mo,
'pr favored rev hut for all humanity. how
ever 'h.E may be losing interest in pcrfervld
"pieis about conviction for sim sorrowfu
. ,pR M
spirit sanctitica ton. predcstina,ion ana in
rant tion"-though. be IL said To TN.
credit OF growing intelligence that has
even penetrated the pulpit. the ,hrurnninp
on the Two last named theological chords
mas been rather subdued in recent years
The pcws are empty because the peon,o
are surfcIted ceremonial worshin-hs.
as Goa In the text says He is tired of II,
heE want to hear preached a religion that
brings MESSAGE Of hope aud encourage
ment FOR overcoming the evils that confront
'hcm IN this NE They want to hear that
message delivered by men who us evidence
al their zeal and in proof of their calling
may repeat the answer that Jesus sent TO
John In prison. TO steady his faith In tho
promises OF God: Go and show John again
those things which We do hear and see. rho
hi'hu receive their sight and the lame walk
tue iefefs are cieanscd. and the deaf hear
'he d"aa are ratsd up and the poor have
IN" Gospel preached to them" If Won
doubt that these things are being don. in
this day and time. ask some of our doctors
Inc people want to hear preached "A COS
pei mat puts bread in every hungry mouth
that cnlargcs the opportunity for se,f-sun
port Of every individual. that insprts men
TO stand together Arm as the invincible
Gibraltar In defense OF the humblcst in Iu-
manitH's ranks against the greed and seiash-
r"ss that puts them down and keeps them
down. ..t....
So long the old.style preacher harms
on hell and damnation." and the new
tangled one with pompous presence feeds
out csotcrics from the pulpit. forgetting the
.hings that pertain to profitable service In
Inspiring men to live religion ra thcr than 10
profess IT, that long will we continue to hear
complaints about empty pews In many cost
~ structures. that for all the use they arc
put TO- might better be pulled down and
the material converted into baking ovens
Health Queries by DR.. Brady