The modern question, Why do people (particularly men) not attend church services and religious meetings more numerously? Why is there less time and interest devoted to these affairs than in former years ?- -applies to the Bible-Christian Church, as it does to the churches of other denominations. It has been the experience of this Church that the social features, the lingering after service for a little sociable chat, between those who did not meet during the week, the friendly calling in at each other's homes, the regular attendance at and interest taken in the service, at entertainments, anniversaries and exercises, and also on the solemn occasions of funerals, that prevailed years ago, gradually decreased and declined-Times indeed change and men and women change with them. If this condition of affairs indicates a change in individual thought and habit in regard to religious matters, it is not limited to the Bible Christians, but appears to be almost universal. It is all part of the secularization of modern life. Whether the temperate and vegetarian mode of life practised by the members has not yet had sufficient time to demonstrate all the advantages of such a system we cannot say, but in health, longevity, cheerfulness, mental and physical equipment, temperament and disposition, our members appear to be fully as well provided as those whose lives and bodies have been built up on a diet of animal flesh. They have produced, ministers, doctors, dentists, school-teachers, musicians, artists, lecturers, reporters, printers, publishers, editors, public legislators, railroad builders, engineers, machinists, laborers, teamsters, accountants, farmers, gardeners, picture frame makers and gilders, salesmen, saleswomen, dressmakers, in fact have been represented in most of the useful professions and occupations, but there are no butchers or bar-tenders. They have taken active parts in politics and public affairs, also occasionally in military service and have been faithful (most of them during their entire lives) to the vegetarian discipline of the Church, thus refuting the claim often made that flesh meat is necessary to a proper development of the health and strength of the human body and mind. In the matter of longevity the Church records furnish no specific table, but it is well known that many, probably the majority, of those constituting the membership passed beyond the allotted "three score years and ten." The founder, Rev. William Metcalfe, reached his seventy-fifth year, and the late pastor, Rev. Henry S. Clubb, was in the enjoyment of good health and spirits, and received the congratulations of many friends when he completed his ninety-fourth year, June 21, 1921. One factor that is responsible to some extent for the decrease in membership, apart from the natural passing on of the older members to join the "church in the skies," is the fact that many of the younger mem bers of families have been attracted to new associates by the steady growth of the city and changes in neighborhoods, and have formed acquaintances and friendships outside of the old-time church circle, which transferred their social interests and inclinations into other directions; marriages occurred, and gradually their attendance at the "Shrine of their childhood lessened or ceased entirely. It is a noticeable fact, however, that although alliances were formed with those who were accustomed to a flesh diet, many of these former members never relinquished their vegetarian mode of life, and frequently the children of such unions exhibited an aversion to the eating of flesh food. The sincere conviction of the members of the Church is that the natural and Divinely appointed food for mankind consists of the products of the soil, and therein are found not only all the elements necessary for a sound mind and body, but also an unlimited field for the furnishing of a most enjoyable and delightful menu; a banquet free of the suffering, the bloodshed and inhumanity necessary to provide the table of the flesh eater. Truly and happily do they approve and live up to Goldsmith's eloquent and humane poem, with the faith' that sometime, somewhere, the universe will sing: "No flocks that range the valley free To slaughter I condemn; Taught by the Power that pities me |