SHOULD CONGREGATIONS APPLAUD?

Evening Star, Issue 19444, 30 December 1926, Page 8

SHOULD CONGREGATIONS APPLAUD?

Should we applaud in church? Some American congregations have shown their appreciation in this way, and an English periodical has collected a symposium of opinions on the point from various prominent clerics. Prebendary Carlile, (J.H., D.D., of the Church Army: Surely, so long as the Sanctuary is kept sacred, few can complain it an icy silence is by ejaculatory praise, which is in effect the highest form of applause? If the pulpit is on fire, must we all become extinguishers to put the fire out? Why not rather fan the flames? If wo may not clap our hands or cry aloud as in the days of David, must we be ejected for brawling if we express our feelings? In some churches “Hear, hear,” “Hooray,” and even “Shame” is sometimes heard, and no one seems distressed. It wakes up the sleepers and makes for reality! Bettor too much life than death.

The Rev. Dinsdalo T. Young, of the Central Hall, Westminster: In the days of Dr Parker at the City Temple I have frequently heard the congregation burst into applause. And 1 have heard similar demonstrations in several places recently. I would not encourage such applause, but I could not repress it. When the heart is warmed it will sometimes be signified by applause. If it is merely applause following political or social" hits in the pulpit it is less than nothing. But if it is evangelical applause I could not check it. In these days of dull and tame church services L welcome signs of vitality and fervor. General Bramwell Booth, of the Salvation Army: I nm frequently interrupted or followed by applause in the course of my addresses and sermons, and 1 do not find any inconvenience from this. Indeed, I think it rather helps the freedom and naturalness of the service. But whether this would bo found congenial to other speakers, and applicable to tho ordinary congregations in their places of worship, I really am not able to offer an opinion. It might warm things up a little, and that would certainly be a pain. The Very Rev. T. C. Fry, D.D., Dean of Lincoln : I am dead against applause in church, as in my opinion it disturbs “ thinking,” of which people seem to do too little now. _ Also it is apt to transform a church into a semblance of a political platform, and at the same time is likely to treble a preacher’s temptation to play to the applauding gallery. What is a good sermon? Just one that makes a congregation go away deeply interested, or in conscience, or well aware _of _ their faulty ideals—none of which is likely to promote “ applause in church.” The Rev. Basil Bourechier, vicar of St. Jude’s-on-the-Hill: I can conceive of nothing more ruinous to a preacher’s soul.