In recent years we have witnessed a definite trend away from God and away from religion both in our country and throughout the world. Several years ago the Supreme Court handed down the decision that it was unconstitutional for teachers to read the Bible and to have class prayers as a religious exercise in the public schools. The reaction across the nation was both widespread and loud, but the result has been that devotionals have almost entirely disappeared. In one of the eastern states efforts were made to delete the phrase "so help me God" from courtroom oath. This phrase would be deleted from the question asked to witnesses in a trial: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole 'truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God."

A few years ago it was the common practice of most colleges and universities and high schools to have- a baccalaureate service at the end of the school year. In effect, a preacher was invited to bring to the graduation class a final message based on the word of God. This also has almost disappeared. A few years ago it was quite common for colleges and universities to have a "Religious Emphasis Week", but this practice, too, is becoming rare.

One wonders how long it will be before the expression "in God We Trust" will disappear from the face of our coins. One wonders how long it will be before someone, under the principle of the separation of church and state, introduces a bill to eliminate the chaplaincy from the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. One wonders how long it will be before some, under the principle of the separation of church and state, proposes that we no longer have chaplains serve in the military forces. One wonders how long it will be until the presidential oath of office will be administered without the use of a Bible. One wonders how long the tax exemption status of religious property will be continued. In fact, efforts have been made in recent months to tax church property. Although this effort failed this time you can be certain that they shall not give up. The drift away from religion is apparent, and in many instances a minority voice has proved sufficient to do may with many time-honored practices.

We are told that only 7% of the British people go to church as much as three times a year. This means that 93% of the people of England do not attend church as much as three times a year. For the first time in over one hundred years the percentage of church membership in the United States has shown a decline. After more than one hundred years of rising, the percentage has taken a downward turn. Figures are not easily available as to church attendance in the United States, but it is of general opinion that percentage wise church attendance is declining. The 'image" of the church in the minds of most people has declined in the past 10 to 20 years and certainly in the last generation. The "image" of the preacher has likewise declined, so that in any prestige chart comparing the desirability of various vocations, the work of the ministry is far down the list. Lot us hope and pray that this drift away from God and religion does not continue.