FIVE-MINUTE SERMONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 19 June 1909, Page 9

FIVE-MINUTE SERMONS.

A BAPTIST MINISTER'S ATTACK: ON ATTRACTIVE SERVICES. There was deep heart-searching at !ho first session of_ tho Baptist Union'in London last month, owing to tho decrease in membership for tho second year in succession. There is no wish on the .part of. the fathers of tho Church to shirk the question. One man, Dr. Campbell Morgan (and he was the preacher-delegate from the, Congregational Church), treats the decline with comparative indifference. In the course of an-address to tho ministers on their responsibility as watcheTS for souls, he.said: I'l.wish we could get away from statistis, .for. at, , least ten years, then we should have a chancel" The Rev. J.. G. Greonough, M.A ~ one of tho most learned and influential .'divines', of tho denomination, approached tho main issue in an exceedingly able, speech on public worship. Mr. Groonough deplored somo of Ihe ohanges introduced. Services, were brighter and moro attractive, but thev had lost in sanctity. Sermons were served up-like mill: for babes, and men who needed strong meat wont elsewhere. The tendency .in many churches was to fashion .their services after the pattern of the P.S.A. They, had now pleasant Sunday mornings, pleasant Sunday afternoons, and pleasant • Stmdny' evenings. Tho.v were not so named; thev were called musical: services. : There was -iittle, if anything, for the strengthening of ifaith and the building-up of character/ Such a hold had tliese new forces that it was a'coiicession for pastors to be allowed to; speak for five minutes, so as to convey a touch of religious solemnity t6 tho lighter variety. In liis opinion such ministers.virtually abrogated the office of their high calling and their message. Christians—robust and noble—could not be made out of half-religious and half-music-hall confectionery. (Applause.) Tho best churches and tho best'preachers steadfastly refrained from patronising these popular and emasculating devices.