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A Pleasure-Loving Church

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 20.

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A Pleasure-Loving Church

UNDER this heading the New York Weekly Witness of April 1, 1914, publishes the following letter from one of its correspondents:—
To THE EDITOR: In our town the Methodist, Baptist, Congregationalist, and Episcopal Churches have their ball teams, and are playing for a prize, to be won at the end of the season. There is much interest taken in their game, both outside and inside the churches.
In a city a few miles from here three churches have ball teams, also bowling alleys and pool tables, and one of these churches allows smoking.
Are not these things contrary to the teaching of Christ? Is it possible for any one that is filled with the Spirit to indulge in such things and not lose it? Is not the church that has such amusements putting temptation in the way of the Lord’s people? Are we not now in the last days, when men have become “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”?
If we turn away from the churches, where shall we go? Surely we are living in perilous times. D. W. P.
This reader of the Witness truly recognizes the spirit of the present day, and correctly estimates its influence. In its efforts to gain adherents and to maintain its hold upon the masses, the great Christian church of today has widely departed from the methods employed by Christ and his apostles. The church may gain worldly influence by adopting worldly methods, but it will be at the expense of vital godliness and piety.

Blame Attached to the Home

THAT parents are largely to blame for juvenile delinquencies in their children is the opinion of Miss Mary Bartelme, assistant judge of the juvenile court of Chicago. She says:—
It is the parents with whom we deal, not the children, when delinquency cases are brought into court. The companionship of the home is no longer what it used to be, and the parents are to blame.
She suggests that there should be more of the personal touch on the part of the parents in personal and individual interest in every member of the household; not an interest which is that of “superiors,” but the interest which brings a personal touch with the boys and girls.