Article July 31, 1915 Issue

There is chronic complaint concerning the chronic emptiness...

Sunset-The Pacific Monthly

There is chronic complaint concerning the chronic emptiness of the pews in the American churches. "What is the matter with our churches?" is the theme of never ending controversy. Efficiency experts have advised scores of remedies, from consolidation to advertising, yet the number of vacant seats does not become less.

Is it true, then, that man's spiritual nature is being smothered under the increasing size and pressure of his physical needs? Late in April a New York attorney and a Baptist minister debated for three evenings in one of the largest of the Los Angeles auditoriums, the subject being the state of the dead according to the teachings of the Scripture. The attorney's interpretation denied the existence of a state of everlasting torment; the minister interpreted the Bible to prove that the wicked and unbelievers would find eternal punishment in hell.

During these debates the vast auditorium was crowded to the doors. There was no music; motion-pictures were not shown; no white-robed choir lifted its voice. The program consisted merely of an interchange of opinions concerning the proper interpretation of the Bible. No one appealed to the emotions; no magnetic, well advertised evangelists painted lurid word-pictures, yet the auditorium was crowded to its capacity. Does this attendance show a lack of interest in things spiritual? Or does the interest in the debate show that vast multitudes of thoughtful men and women are deeply concerned in the fundamental truths underlying every religion; that they are sincerely seeking light on the path that leads into the darkness beyond the grave; whereas imitation vaudeville shows and the mere expounding of hairsplitting differences in sectarian doctrines fail to move them?

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