Dangers of City Life

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 23, 1911

Dangers of City Life

Of the dangers which threaten spiritual life in connection with the great centers of population, the Christian Work and Evangelist in a recent issue has this to say:—

On coming to the city it is natural that one reared in a small community should want to see the sights. Among the sights which appeal to a religious man or woman are churches and choirs and preachers. There is a great abundance of all these in a great city, and several months are consumed in sampling them. By this time the fever of city life has got into the blood, and the pressure of city engagements has obtained its grip on the mind; and as one has no obligation to any particular church, it is not hard on sabbath morning, if one is tired, or if one has a little back work to make up, to drop church attendance for that day, intending to do better a week later. But, alas! as soon as church attendance ceases to become regular, it is in danger of going to pieces altogether. For when one has missed public worship one sabbath, it does not cause a great shock to the conscience to stay at home the next; and as soon as the habit of church attendance is broken, and becomes occasional or accidental, the church ceases to exert a controlling influence over the life.