Why do Men 3tay Away From Church ?

Southland Times, Issue 19034, 30 April 1903, Page 4

Why do Men 3tay Away From Church ?

(To^ihe Editor.) Sir,— Though it seems to me that there is in these days a great neglect of duty ia church attendance, and that your leader of 17tb April is appropriate and timely, it is doubtful whether the evil is greater now than in former time*. It was my intention to quote from the writings of Robert Hall to show that the same deplorable neglect prevailed a century ago, but Mr Muirhead has forestalled nic in his letter of 22nd April. I will, however, quote from the same sermon of Mr Hall's, preached on 19 th October, 1803— the subject being " Th» sentiments proper to the present crisis " — ■rfJome passages in which he sets forth the true remedy for the evil he deplored. In my opinion the remedies proposed by yourself and Dr Strong are worse than the disease. You sas : " And these new conditions which this progress of civilisation- has evolved demand that the churches shall readjust themselves totho peoplg. There is a feeling- that the churches are out of touch with the people, that they do not understand their new requirements, the new wants of their nnture. This is the reason why. we hciir men say that they would go to hear a minister who was right up-to-date." As to Dr Strong, it is quite plain that he ia a blind leader, of the blind, from his denouncing faith in and reverence for the ' Holy Scriptures as " antiquated theology and enslaving bibliolatry." As a matter of fact the neglect of public worship is very much owing to the prevalence of sceptiaism, which has characterised the last half of the nineteenth century and Much all the churches are now more or less leavened. Instead of the pure gospel, many people in these days, having itching ears, would fain have the ministers speak smooth things and prophesy deceits, and to water down the primitive gospel or adulterate it is what they really desire. Recognising that but little weight will bo given to the opinions of an obscure writer I will, with your permission, quote from Mr Hall, who was not only the "prince of preachers," as Mr Muirhead says, and, as I may add, the most eloquent and accomplished writer of his day. but also a main of great genius, learning, and piety. Mr Hall deplores the gradual departure from the peculiar truths, maxims and spirit of Christianity in his times — and in our times the evil the evil is still worse. He says : "Christianity, issuing perfect and entire from the hands of its Author, will -admit of no mutilations or . iihpr.ovements. When, under the pretence of simplifying it we attempt to force it into a closer alliance with the most approved systems of philosophy, we are sure to contract its bounds and to. diminish, its force and authority over the consciences of men. It is dogmatic, not capable of being advanced with the progress of science, but fixed and immutable. . . * . We shall ill consult the true interests of revelation by disguising its peculiarities in hope of . conciliating the approbation of infidels and of adapting" it more to their taste. Let us not lor a moment blench from its mysteries ; they are the mysteries of- godliness, and, however" much they may surpass human reason, bear the distinct impress of a Divine band. We rejoice that they are mysteries, so far from being ashamed of them on that account ; since the principal reason why they are and must ever continue such is derived from their elevation, from their unsearchable riches and undefinable grandeur. In fine, let us draw our religion and morality entirely \from the Word of God, without seeking liny deeper foundation for our duties than the will of the Supreme Being, an implicit and perfect acquiescence in which is the highest virtue a creature ;_ can attain. . . . Let us return then to the safe and sober paths of our ancestors, adhering in all moral questions to th 6 dictates of conscience, regulated find informed by the Divine word ; ha<>py to enjoy, instead of sparks of our own, kindling, the benefit of those luminaries, wMch, placed in the moral firmament by a potent hand, have guided the church from the beginning in her mysterious sojourn to eternity. Stand in the way and see ; and ask for the old path; which is the good way, and walk therein ; and ye shall find rest for your souls,"— l am, &c,

OLD PATH

27th April.

To the Editor.

Sir,— ln your resume of my letter which appears in this morning's issue there is one point that needs a little explanation. You say Mr Harrington enters at length into the blessings that Christ conferred, and proceeds to dispute the proposition that " the advancement of science has rolled away from men' 9 minds clouds of spiritual darkness and superstition." This was not the point I discussed in my letter. No Christian would deny, the face of this proposition. What I discussed was Mf Buxtons unfounded charges that the Bible contained a great many statements that are utterly incredible And -at direct variance with recent discoveries. It waa at pity, Mr Editor, you' did not publish my letter in extenso as it dealt with Mr Buxtons letter as a whole, and was, I think, a complete answer to' the same. We glory, with Mr Buxton, in the advancement science has made, and pur quarrel is not with science and its advancement, but with the vain babblings and theories of science "falsely so-called." — I am, &c,

THOMAS HARRINGTON

28th April

(To Tht Editor)

Sir,— ln your issue of to-day Mr Buxton acknowledges my letter. It cannot toe said that he does more than that, for he makes no attempt to contradict jne. He seems, indeed, to admit what I wrote. If, however, he had stopped at that, I should, not have troubled you with another letter. But, failing to find arguments with which to contradict me, he becomes cynical. " Business people and shopkeepers," he asserts, "go to church to be seen of men and women and win customers to their shops." How does he know that ? Has he got power to analyse motives ? In any case, I repudiate Jthe base* assertion. It; is a gross libel upon a large, and the most respectable, class in the community. There is no business more satanic than attributing selfish or base motives to , another man or body of men. And there is no man less worthy of trust than the cynic— l am, &c, JOHN MUIRHEAD.

April 28th.