THE TENDENCY OF THE TIMES.
By W. E. Cornell
THERE is little question in the minds of thoughtful, observant people whither the religious world is drifting. The old-time piety and spirituality of the early days of many of the now popular denominations are leaking out, and in their place there are come in a formalism and pride that are plainly discernible,—a condition fully described by the apostle as a characteristic of God’s professed people in the last days, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The uppermost thought, apparently, in the minds of those in charge of what are known in our large cities particularly as “fashionable” churches, is to make the place of worship attractive, and to this end the most expensive singing is provided, the most popular pastor employed, and other attractions that have a “drawing” influence, nearly all of a sensational nature. Smooth things are preached, or if an evil is denounced it is one in which none of the congregation are directly connected, or something that to be down upon means to be on really the popular side of public opinion. Of late there has been no little discussion in certain church circles and through the religious press as to church ushers, and the idea has been advanced, and advocated with a good deal of earnestness, that ladies be substituted for gentlemen in this capacity, and much has been said upon it pro and con, about the latest coming from the Christian at Work (Independent Presbyterian), as follows:— The ushers might be selected with reference to height, embonpoint, and complexion, and apportioned equally among brunettes and blondes. It might be well also to dress these damsel ushers in skirts of red and white stripes (broad), with waist of blue dotted with stars, forty-four in number, and buttoned with thirteen buttons. In this way patriotism would be joined to picturesqueness and popularity, and the pews might fill up. It can hardly be believed that this was uttered in seriousness, yet it is so quoted by leading secular journals, and the Boston Globe takes up the suggestion, and comments on it quite fully, commending the editor as one who is “not at all behind the times,” and who “promptly catches onto ideas calculated to increase church membership.” But whether this be taken seriously or not, it does give an index of the popular demand, and it could be stated, we think, without fear of contradiction, that if the suggestion were carried out in any one church of a city, that would be the popular church of the place, and have the largest congregation. Surely the words of the prophet are true to-day, if ever they were, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work.”