Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1912 — Something For the To Think About. [ARTICLE]

Something For the To Think About.

The following comments on “Something for the Church to Think About,” We»e given by Rev. A. f£. Cross, at the Baptist church Sunday evening, and The Republican is pleased to present them to its readers: The “Evening Comment,” introduced into our regular evening service is not to take the place of the-sermon, but is meant to give some suggestions as to what true religion can do for the betterment of society and the place of the church of God in the community. Tonight I wish to answer three questions. 1. Is the church losing its hold upon the people? To answer offhand I would say “It seems so.” I will mention four reasons for thinking so. 1. The mass of people that remain untouched by religious services and instruction. 2. Many people only nominally in the church upon whom the church has lost its grip. 3. The strenuous efforts of the church and appeals made in revivals to which so few of the unchurches respond. Most people won in revivals are already under chufch influences, w\iiie nearly all non-Christians are scarcely touched. 4. If you ask an outsider why he is not in the church, his answer will invariably lead one to believe that he 'has no use for the church or that the church has ceased to have an attraction for him. That is to say, the church as an organization, is losing its power, but genuine Christianity is extending its influence and many people are manifesting the fruits of Christianity who are not hr membership with any church denomination. 2. Why is tbie church losing this hold? I believe we have been working too long to preserve a system of doctrine or to defend an organization. Christians have spent much energy in discussing theology, in fighting and devouring each other and have allowed the lost sheep to perish. Or wfe have been working too long for statistics. We often are willing to resort to any means for the sake of numbers. We want to save people by the mass. We may crowd the lost sheep into the fold, but we don’t save them. We may get the statistics but no real strength. Another reason is the church has been living in a vacuum. That is, we have drawn ourselveß away from the world and worldly things instead of being interested in every social and moral problem which affects the community’s life. 3. How shall the church regain its hold? I would say we must adjust our gospel to meet the social needs of today. State theories, sanctimonious prejudices must have the lance thrust into them and we must apply ourselves to present day needs, the problems of human suffering, social, political conditions and the like. If we are to command the respect of all men, our gospel must meet the needs of the entire personality. That is to say, the church must take into account and provide for the physical, social and intellectual, as well as the religious Impulses. The kingdom of God is a man’s job. God bleaa the faithful women whose work we cannot discount. The church has undertaken the biggest job and we need men. Some people are willing" to serve God in easy and congenial places where they can be seen of men. If a man is looking for a soft spot, he hasn't far -to go to find it. All he has to do is to feel under his hat. The church does not want shirkers, but we want people to stop playing Christianity and roll up their sleeves and do something. Neighbor, can God count on you for this work?