SOCIAL LIFE AND THE CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2549, 9 July 1909, Page 5

SOCIAL LIFE AND THE CHURCH.

A PRACTICAL SCGGESTION

The old question: “Why don’t the men go to Church?” seems to have remained unanswered, while the fact still remains that the churches show only a small sprinkling of the masculine element within their precincts. Of late I have noticed (says a w’riter in the “Sydney Morning Herald”) that even women keep away from the church to-day. And the query naturally arises: “What is the cause?”

I think it might well be answered, “Because the church lacks human sympathy. The hand of friendship is notextended to those who would assemble to worship. I was transferred from another State, together with a special chum. We had both been brought up in Christian families, and had, since childhood, attended one church, and of course, entered into everving in connection therewith.

We arrived in Sydney, and took up our abode in one of the suburbs. Following the custom set by our respected parents, we attended the church of our fathers, and enjoyed the sermon immensely.- After service we wended our way homewards, feeling rather lonelv. We had been accustomed to the enjoyment of a little friendly intercourse with our fellow-worshippers, and missed it rather. But, we argued, we could scarcely expect anyone to speak to casual visitors, and as such we might appear to any who had noticed our presence. We attended the evening service. and after that regularly found our way to the church, and for about three months we scarcely missed a service. Not a man, woman, or child gave us a word of welcome or recognition. We stayed away at last, and evidently were not missed. No one sought us out, and I suppose the two stray sheep were not wanted there. We didn’t mention it; to our parents, hue we gave up churchgoing, and stayed at home, reading books till we were sick of them, and last made off to Manly, and spent our Sabbaths in the surf. Does any one blame us? Do I hear some say, “What weak characters we must be?” All I have to say is, “Try it, and see if it won’t- hurt- you.” And please don’t- argue that you don’t go to church to meet people. I admit that, but surely one likes to speak to those he meets round him every Sunday. As a remedy to the evil (for such it is) I would suggest more social life in connection with our churches. Why not have committees—l do not care by what name they are called—but let them have for their object the bringing together of both young and old. Form a committee of young men and women, and let- them carefully look out for the “strangers within their gates.’ ’ Let the young men seek their fellow-men. and the young women their fellow-women., and then bring both sexes together.! Why should the sexes be kept apart,: in heathen fashion? I believe the idea, formed into a workable plan, would be the means of keeping both young and old in the churches, and that the churches would show far more vitality than they do at the present time. I would place this before the womea specially, for I believe that they would be the ones to work up the scheme I have suggested.