Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-05-07

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From the Southern Christian Advocate.
PEws IN METHODIST CHURCHEs-LErTER
FROM BISHOP PIERCE.
Mr.. Editor An incipient evil of no small
magnitude is creeping into the Methodist Church,
and BY plausible and even pious pretexts, is seek
ing to modify and change great and vital system
In my wanderings, see and hear many things
to depore, and propose, if other labors will
allow, an occasional article for your paper on
existing evils and the true remedy. To begin
with one as yet incpient in the Southern Con-
ferences, but which, like all other evils uncheck-
cd, is destined to grow, and spread, and ruin
our city churches, and by-and-by, to set up it.
self in wealthy neighborhoods, even in the coun-
try mean pewed churches.
object, first, as Methodist. 1t is a graft
from another tree-more distinguished for bar
renness than fruit. The graft always bears
after is own kind and not after the stock. Sc
condly, because it separates the church into clas-
ses-creates castles, odious to the genius of the
country and the spirit of Christianity Thirdly
because being m exception to our common plan,
the intrusion of strange and foreign element, it
produces alienation, strife, discord among the
bretheren.
object as Preacher, because it diminishes
% my ngregation-restricts me to" a select few"
when my business is with the crvwd-ihe people,
1t curtailes-defeats the ministry TO great ex-
tent in the work of saving souls. For proof
read the history Of christian denominations in
the United Satisfactorily, because it brings
the influence of wicked men into the manage
ment of what ought to be spiritual organiza-
ton. The pew-holder claims the right, if not
Of debating at least of interfering and advising,
and the apprehension of losing his money, gives
him weight-power, where lie ought to have
none.
object rs Christian Because the system cx-
alts my rich brother and morti6es my poor one.
Seats for the rich and seats for the poor in the
house of God! The one bought with money
the ether allowed rs favor. "For if there
come into your assembly man with gold ring
in goody apparel, and there come in also poor
that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him
sit thou here, in good place, and say unto the
poor man, stand thou here, or sit here under my
foot stool; are ye not then partial in yourselves
and become judges of evil thoughts? Hearkeu,
my beloved brethren. Hath not God chosen the
poor of this world-rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom which he has promised 10 them that
love him? But ye have despised poor"
believe the whole policy of pewing churches
is wrong-unscriptural. do not mean 10 say
that the intention of those who favor the plan
is wicked. BY no means. But do believe
that they are in Judgment, under the influence
Of views and feeling, undeected by themselves,
which, if rigidy analyzed, would be found far
more carnal than pious. Very religious reasons
are urged sometimes, but these concern all con.
dtions Of men, and are as likely to be felt by
one class as another. But do the poor, the hum
BILE, the supplemented, over project those
schemese Is not the aristocracy of money at
the bottom of it! knew a wicked man once
tourge his friend to help him build pewed
church, saying, Let US 60 to heaven like gen.
tlemen." Is not this the spirit of such enter
prises?
"A1y house," says God, "shall be called a
house of prayer for all people," but these pew
people build houses only for those who are able
10 pay for seats, and the very few who will do
them the homage of acknowledging their own
inferiority, children of wrath even as others"
bought with the same precious blood-all un.
worthy, needing pardon-et US sit, kneel, pray,
Sing, worship together without distinction.
Query What right has anybody to speculate
upon the house of God! Is it to raise money
with moro ease! Is it to briag one-some
great one, over to our sides Is it to shield
~ hact
herd No matter why-when the house is
parcelled out-soId in fractious-men and wo-
men invested with legal exclusive rights-how
much of the building belongs to God! Very
much of tits private property. Call me fogy-
fool think the new system very little short
of sacrilege.
But it is said to be good plan to raise money
for the support of the Gospel. True, but then
there is no principle-no Gospel benevoence in
the plan.-These men do not give money 10 sup
port the church, they pay for their ocn accommo-
dation. 1t is bargain-a trade-not christian
gift-a pious contribution.
It is possible that some persons may be
Brought to attend upon the Methodist ministry
under this arrangement, whose pride of prejudice
might else keep them away. To secure them
in this way-to drive off their betters-a bad ex.
change Diminished usefulness is terrible
price to pay for increased responsibility. After
all let it be remembered that men may be 'uon to
Christ-they cannot be bought Whether the
church concludes to sell her simple christian econ
omy for the sake of any mans f.vor-the pat
ronags of any class she ought to ask more than
the mere premium, which they are willing to
give for their selfish indulgence. However high
the rate-the trade is always bad one.
might multiply objections and exceptions
but NV only object is to nip the nasceut noxious
hnd. which have seen here and there in the
Garden of Methodism. To our people, it ought
70 be nm invincibe argument against the pew
vvstep, that it arrests and neutrnlizes material.
~ the aggressive power of the Gospel. This is
demonstrated in the fact, that in those churches
where it is the common plan, whenever anything
ia TO be done-a revival to be begun or sustain
Cd the kingdom of heaven to be taken and the
neonle allowed to press inAo it-then the sys-
tem is suspended. The house is thrown open
--she .eabargo is lifted. The scriptural invita-.
t;on. G.eotre let us 60 to the house of God to-
cether," is upon the lips of preacher and men,
hers. But when they mean only to 60 through
ihe motions of battle with sin and the devil,
then the old restrictive, exclusive system comes
in AGAIN and truly nothing is done. All is stag
nat;on-fermalisn, death
The great piea-d had almost forgotten. 1t
"a that parents may have their children under
their own eve. This is more plausible than