There is one aspect of this question that is of vast importance, but
which, so far as I know, has not been recognized. I mean its bearing on
the relation of working men to the church.
It has to be admitted that working men in general are shy of the church.
Yet almost every expedient has been resorted to in order to make the
church attractive to them; and still they do not go. Some ministers
think that working men are to be caught by secular preaching, and so the
Gospel of success has in certain instances almost displaced the Gospel
of salvation. Other ministers, and earnest ones, give a Gospel talk in
workshops and factories during the dinner hour. The men civilly attend
and listen, but they do not go to church. Other ministers assume a
forced familiarity of manner with the men, in order to create the
impression of equality. Some actively engage in sports in order to come
into closer contact with working men; and still the working men do not
go to church. Why?
I believe that a candid and outspoken avowal of a belief in a process
of purification beyond death would go a long way in solving the whole
difficulty. For sensible working men see very clearly that such a
process of purification is necessary for all, whether they are Christian
or non-Christian. Working men know beyond all doubt that there are in
their own ranks many men of far higher character than the average
nominal Christian.
Pages:
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344