THE CHURCH OR THE YOUNG PEOPLE?
By W. N. G.
The various young people's societies that have been fostered in the churches are manifesting such a spirit of self-importance and independence that many of the older members of the churches are becoming alarmed for the prospective results. The Examiner (Baptist) gives the following correspondence showing a prevailing custom which, it says, is deplored by the pastors, but which they are “powerless to remedy”:— “Preaching service in the morning, followed by Sunday-school. In the evening, at 6:30 or 7, Christian Endeavor meeting for one hour, preceding the regular social meeting of the church in the same room. Endeavorers—some Baptist, others Methodist, and still others Congregationalist—straggling out at the close of their own meeting, and middle-aged and elderly folks coming in. Few, if any, young church members at the week-day evening church appointments.” This same correspondent goes on to say that these young people show a great lack of interest in the important appointments of the church, but are more absorbed in their own appointments, which are often managed by persons not members of the Baptist Church at all. The same complaint is made by ministers of other churches, and often prominent persons in these societies, which detract so much from the regular work of the church, are not members of the church at all. The trouble is that these young people's societies have been encouraged and9puffed by the very ones who complain of their headiness and high-mindedness (2 Tim. 3:4) until they have been made to feel that they are the all-important factor of the church. When these things are spoken of there are apologists for them right among the complainants. For instance, the Examiner itself admits that such a condition is an “anomaly;” that “it is a condition that ought not to exist.” But it apologizes by saying, “We believe that the spirit both of the Christian Endeavor Society and the Baptist Young People's Union is absolutely opposed to it.” If that be so, how can such things prevail? The apology is an admission that a sinister spirit is at the head controlling the masses who know better, and the masses follow in the wake of the evil influence. The same principle is manifested in the attempted manipulation of the Christian Endeavor Society by a certain class of religious politicians. There is a large number who disclaim any desire to turn the association into a political reform society, and are ready to affirm that such is not the spirit of Christian endeavor; but, as in the case of the pastors of churches previously alluded to, they are “powerless to remedy” it. So they fall right in, and, instead of protesting, they keep quiet and thus give the illogical movement their quasi indorsement. It is the action that counts in such matters, and not the professed spirit. It is truly an alarming condition to see pastors and older members of the churches falling into line and following after an acknowledged evil, because they have placed themselves in a position of subserviency to the young people, many of whom are not members of the church. No wonder the apostle says that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” See 2 Tim. 3:1-5. Is the church to be superseded by the young people's societies? W. N. G.