Alphabet of Backslidders

Rev. Atwood H. Percival, pastor of the Normal Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago, presented to the Chicago Presbytery, recently, the annual report on the state of religion in the churches. He offered a variation from the ordinary report in giving the reason why church members grow lukewarm in their zeal, giving what he called an "Alphabet of Backsliders," as follows:

A—Ambition to be on equal terms with others in style of living and dress, and if possible outstrip them.

B—Blaming others for coldness. Apathy after giving energies to outside organizations.

C—Covetousness, card-playing, craze for pulpit novelties.

D—Debt, divisions among Christians, dancing, dyspepsia of spirit, so that neither the milk nor meat of the Word can be assimilated.

E—Erroneous views of God's Word.

F—Frivolity, formality and false teaching.

G—Gambling and gossip.

H—Haste to be rich and scarcity of homes.

I—Intemperance, indifference and inconsistency.

J—Jealousy in the ranks.

K—Knee drill neglected.

L—Love of gain, low moral tone of politics.

M—Mistaking means of grace for grace.

N—Neglect of family religion.

O—Ordinances irregularly attended.

P—Pleasure seeking, political corruption and poverty.

Q—Quack evangelists.

R—Rivalry between denominations.

S—Sabbath desecration, scepticism and slander.

T—The trinity of evil—the world, the flesh and the devil: the theatre.

U—Uncharitableness, universalism.

V—Vanity in individuals and churches.

W—Worldliness.

X—Extravagance; exodus of good families.

Y—Young and old dominated by the principle 'Enjoy yourself and don't get hurt.'

Z—Zeal wanting for the glory of God and the salvation of souls."