The Dearth of Conversions

THE British Weekly of 10th

December had a leading article with the title, “Mark Rutherford on the Dearth

of Modern Conversions.”

After quoting from the novelist, the writer

endorses his opinion that conversions of the old fashioned type are becoming

rarer: “In churches that are both prosperous and enterprising, and whose praise

is in all the land, conversions, of the old order at least, are unknown.”

In answer to the

question, “Can any explanation be rendered of the fact?” he reminds us of the

influence of the Christian home, as leading men into the Christian life without

any abrupt transition. He speaks of the shadow of Darwin resting upon the

messenger of peace, and leading men to expect more from slow evolution than

from a sudden change. “The spiritual expectations of the Christian Church are

restrained by the accepted idea, or at least the expectations, of those who

give the keynote to the temper and religious enterprise of our times.” Materialistic

views of sin have a share in hindering both effort and expectation.