HOW TO "CHRISTIANIZE THE MASSES."
By Editor
The Philadelphia Times has the following pertinent remarks relative to "Christianizing the Masses," a question which is now being generally discussed by both press and pulpit:— "The first and essential step toward Christianizing the masses in our centers of population is to Christianize the Christians. Until that is done, nothing else can be done that will be effective. While the churches remain pleasant and fashionable, Sunday clubs, whose sittings are sold to the highest bidder, and in which the worship is conducted in a fashionable manner, that says to the poor, 'These are no places for you,' the poor will stay away. Until Christians are willing to make their religion one of self-sacrifice—willing to worship on equal terms with the masses—they will have little influence in the way of inducing them to come into the churches. . . . The great wall which riches and social distinction have raised between the Protestant church and the masses must be broken down, or, in spite of all, the proportion of church goers to population in our large cities will continue to decrease." The Times is not, we believe, a religious journal, but it has stated this matter much more aptly than even many of the ministers who have discussed it. Unconverted churches can have but little power for good, and before they can reach the masses they must gain the experience for which David prayed. "Restore unto me the joys of thy salvation," he cried, "and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." Truly, "the first and essential step toward Christianizing the masses, is to Christianize [convert] the Christians."