Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-29

FAMILY srrrrres,

FAMILY sIrrIEGs,
Mr. EDITOR IL have lately been yer,
much gratifed to learn that a movemen
made by Yankee influence to introduce in
to that old cradle Of Methodisn Sin Indian
apolis = Wesley Chapel - sundry innovs
tons upon the plain and simple usage
Of our forefathers such az family or pro
miscuous sittings, &c, has been put dowI
at the very outset The society ought Il
feel great reverence and respect for ii
early and devoted members, such as Foud
ray, EBrenton, A. w. Morris, Given, and I
number Of other men at rest and from
this sentiment, as well as regard for thos'
who survive and continue to entertain to
wards the old church and the consecratct
spot on which it stands, that kind Of devo
ton the Jews entertained for their home
when they exclaimed, If forget thee Oh
Jerusalem, let my right hand forgeti its Gun
ming" it is to be hoped hatall,modern fash
ions, such as choirs, organs, and family sit
tings-which are butan capitalization pew
will never be permitted to desecrafe tn,
old chapel While have no objection il
the world to churches adopting such usagel
as have been in .,accordance with their uni
form policy ! protest againsttheir introduce
ton into the Methodist church; for what
ever they may be elsewhere, among Metho
dsts they can only be the offspring O.
pride, and nothing else.
Every ono Of our people, who is disposed
ITO be honest and give his conscience fail
play, must admit that the Methodist church
was originally designed to reach the masses
to search out the poor, the ignorant, and the
illiterate, and preach free gospel TO them
Its success proves the divine character ofit'
mission. And whenever our people begin
to depart from its old fashioned modes Of
worship, and to ape other churches, because
few rich and proud among both members
and ministry, think il would be moro gcnteel
to have family sittings than to lsit beside o
poor man in vile raiment and prefer a
gentleman with "gold. rings and goodly ap.
parel and ladies with dresses inflated 10
the Dimensions of hogshead, --you are
sure to see Methodism decay. am sure
the time must como when should you find a
Methodist church in what is called the
fashionable part Of the city, with a very
intelligent and genteel congregation when
the singing and sitting are done upon the
modern scientific principles, the leader Of the
,hoir will have TO wear some kind Of uni
form, say conspicuous gold rings on his FIN
gers, or some other ornamental badges, to
distinguish him. You may laugh. at this
idea, but shouldyou go to the different choirs
of this city, you may see something like it
already. Many churches permit menand wo-
men having no membership and making
no pretsnsions to religion to monopolize a
very important and delightful part ofdivine
worship,-the exercise Of thanksgiving and
praise in song,-while the membership, con-
sisting of serious and devout persons, re-
frain altogether from joining in this bcauti-
full part of the service, and consent that
their duty TO worship God shah be perform
ed by proxy.
Now let me tell you something of my no
tons Of how things ought to be done in a
congregation of worshipping Christians 1
like 10 see people meet in the house dedica-
ted to the worship Of their Creator in quiet
and good order, taking any seat they may
find vacant l like no reserved seats, unless
it be few near the pulpit for the aged and
infrm. No finely cushioned seats; no seat
trimmed differently from another; no mans
name engraved on his scat, as if place in
Gods church could be engrossed in fee sim
Pile; no softly cushioned stools for sister A
or brother b. TO save their silks or broad
cloths The seats all alike, equally plain,
commodious, and comfortable for the accom-
mediation Of all, where the rich man can sit
patiently for an hour and forget the. brscade
and gliding the Brussels carpets and cary
cd furniture Of his parlor; and whore the
poor man sit independently without feeling
that he is intruding into fnery no is not
accustomed to enjoy Then like to see
the minister man Of plain manners, gen.
teelly dressed, in apparel neat, well fitting,
and clearly, without any such petty display
as indicates an inclination 10 follow after
the vain pomps and vanities Of the world.
l rather think one pocket handkerchief will
do; 1t may be white, as good silk .handker-
chiefs are almost out Of date, but | presume
il can be managed as handkerchief should
be, and at least without making more than
six or seven proud displays with il during
one sermon. Such prodigious fourishes
are aptto lead people into temptation am
sure when SEQ them the devil tempts me
to think il is done to be seen Of men. And
also | love to see Methodist preacher line
his hymns in clear, distinct voice so that
all can hear and join in the singing, if wo
can only escape those extremely fashiona-
Bile tunes which am told are stolen from
the opera or the negro melodists. Such arc
some of my notions of worship and rejoice
that they are not to be disturbed by turning
Wesley Chapel into a modern Sunday fash
ion able resort
AN OLD-FAsHIoNED METHODIST.
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