The Problem of Our City Work by C. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 6, 1916

The Problem of Our City Work

By C. A. Hansen

WITH the marvelous advance in all lines of the world's work, there comes to us the problem of how to work in our large cities successfully. As we are nearing the end of all things, the population of earth is gathering in our large “centers” or cities. If I should say that Chicago, London, and New York hold more people than Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, I should but declare the truth. One authority estimates that fully one half of the earth’s population is gathered in the cities. If this be true, it is indeed a problem well worthy of careful study. Not only are these cities capitals of commerce, but they are headquarters of vice, crime, styles, education, etc. They are leaders in all modern thought, and therefore it is of paramount importance that they first hear the last message of mercy.

The walls of Jericho today do not consist of mortar and brick, but of a host of circumstances that render the city almost impregnable:—

1. People who live in cities are not sociable. They do not know their next-door neighbors. They do not make it a practice to attend church. Over one half of the city people of today scarcely ever hear divine service.

2. Wealth closes in many a family from the Saviour's love; while poverty and the fear of the wolf at the door, keep thousands from the influence of the gospel worker.

3. Superstition or fearing to think for themselves keeps a large class from study and investigation.

4. Growing out of the conditions just mentioned, comes the last, and perhaps the worst condition of all—the world-wide craze for amusements. People feel they must have some amusement and recreation. They must be relieved from the terrible strain. They must forget themselves every now and then. Not knowing the only source of true happiness, they turn to the world for help.

Some go to the saloon, hear the entrancing music, see the fine furniture, and quaff the poison that will cause them to forget their business cares for a few hours. Then, there is the mental drunkard. He looks more respectable, but he is either devouring the soul-destroying novel or seeing it acted out in the theater; or if his purse will not allow him a seat there, he goes to the five- or ten-cent moving picture show. It is really distressing to know how many are habit-bound by these cheap amusements.

The more people allow their minds to become engrossed in these amusements, the less they care for Bible truth and its exposition. The Bible, say they, is a dry book. Thus the great mass of suffering humanity cry out, and, turning from the true Deliverer, delve deeper and deeper into worldly pleasures. Nor is this all. False religions are set up for those who feel that they must have some form of worship, and lavish expenditures are made to enrich and make them enticing.

Workers must be trained for service; and literature, and money to defray expenses, must be furnished them. The people must be notified of our meetings, or, in other words, we must advertise. Jonah cried through the midst of the street. Let us plan to reach the masses. Let us pray to know how to get large audiences. Let us study every legitimate means of drawing the people.

There come times when a limited use of opera houses is a good thing,—the people know the way and are accustomed to going,—but this requires money. There are cases where large posters and extensive advertising are necessary, but the same kind of advertising does not do in all places. We must study each town, and be guided by the customs of the place. Every means possible should be brought to bear on this fort of iniquity, the modern city, that the honest in heart may be rescued from eternal ruin.

C. A. HANSEN.