The development of a true Christian life in the church depends much on the social influences which, like an atmosphere, pervade and envelop it. These, therefore, the pastor should seek to inspire and control. As far as possible, the membership should find their society within the church—not in a spirit of clannish exclusiveness, but on the principle that the higher bond of spiritual affinity, which binds them as a church to one another and to Christ, involves, as a natural consequence, the lower [p. 100] bond of social affinity, so that the church is the natural sphere of the soul’s activities, social as well as spiritual. To make the social life of the church strong, healthful, enriching, such as render it a magnet to attract other souls, is of primary moment in a pastor’s work. I suggest two ways in which this may be done.  
1. Personal effort to promote mutual acquaintance in the congregation by introducing strangers, and by securing for them those attentions which will naturally draw them to the church as a home. See that they meet a cordial welcome at the public meeting, and also socially by the calling of members at their homes, and by extending to them social courtesies and kindnesses. A watchful pastor may do much to secure this by personal suggestion.
 
2. Social gatherings in the church, in which the people shall have opportunity for acquaintance and for the exercise of the social feelings. These differ in plan. (1.) They are sometimes purely social, in which the object is conversation, music, and such forms of recreation as may be innocent and healthful. The tact of the pastor will here be required to give the right tone and spirit to the gathering, to promote general acquaintance and sociability, and to guard against doubtful forms of amusement. (2.) They sometimes add to the social the literary element, and a part of the time is occupied with readings, recitations, essays, poems, and the discussion of subjects in history, biography, general literature, and science. These, when carefully managed, are often of great value in advancing the general culture and intelligence, and in calling out, especially in the young, talents which would otherwise be undeveloped. The successful working of such an organization of course presupposes broad intelligence in the pastor and not a little careful [p. 101] thought and labor. (3.) Sometimes the object is not only social and literary, but also missionary, and ............