SERMONS RIGHT AND WRONG In almost all discussions on the
decrease in Church atten- dance one reason given is the quality of the sermons and their failure to meet the spiritual needs of today. This criticism may be just or unjust. In either case it should be of advantage to know (i) what the man in the pulpit feels his message to the man (or woman) in the pew should be; and (ii) what is the kind of message the man in the pew feels he wants to hear. With a view to shedding light on both subjects the "Spectator" offers a prize of £15 and two of £10 for the best sermons by clergy or ministers representing what their congregations ought to need, and similar prizes for the best description by laymen (or women) of the kind of sermon they want to hear. The length in either case should not be more than 1,400 words, and entries should reach the Editor of the " Spectator," 99 Gower Street, London, W.C.1, by September 30th. The final awards will be made by a committee consisting of The Rev. Edward Carpenter, Canon of Westminster, Dr. S. M. Berry, Moderator of the International Congregational Church Council, and the Editor of the " Spectator." Some or all of the winning entries will appear in the " Spectator " during October.
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