Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-03
The Errors nud CorruptiOns of the Metho
dist EpiscOpul Church.

The Rev. D. Shepherd preached sermon
on the above subject in the Methodist non non
Episcopal church, Graham Avenue, wa
liamsburg, on last Sunday. ln opening ms
discourse he contrasted the simplicity, lorce,
energy and noverty of that Churcn MY
years ago, with its pompousness, Weakness
listlessness and wealth of the present tnie.
He lamented the good old days, when Tue
congregation did Its own singing, when .ne
ministers were not graduates OF COLLEGES nu'
of the Church itself and required no ordlna-
tion but that of God. Then, he said, the
Church was poor, despised and prosecuted.
Now il was the richest IN America, and yet
the poorest. It's real estate was worth S50,-
000, 900, the interest of which was W, OOV,-
600, enough, he thought, to support all me
preachers in America. We then, he SAID,
chose our trustees from the members, now
from the world, especially if they are veal
thy. These men are lords over Gods herl-
tage. They rule the people with q rou oil
! iron, and even the ministers themselves a,c
controlled by them and called by them wilh-
out The bishops approval. We formerly
| built churches for the poor, now palaces ior
| the rich; and the bishop is at his wits END 10
| find men TO fill these magnificent churches:
| To please the trustees he has 10 search an
| conferences in the United States, 10 find the
J preachers to send them. And after all they
are not satisfied Fifty years ago the preach
ers had about $100 q year, now Sa,O0U a year
and fine, well furnished house to live In,
besides many donations. Really, the preach
ers and people have got above themselves.
They neither act like Methodiss, live like
Methodists, or dress like such; they are as
proud, pompous, naughty and fashionable as
other people. Fifty years ago cur preachers
preached the gospel, repentance and remis
sion OF sins through the name Ui Jesus Jus,
tification and sanctification, holiness oil hear
and life, free and full salN tion. NOW
the fashionable preachers preach nothing Du
either politics or metaphysics. The name o.
the Saviour and bis doctrines are seldom ol
never named in the pulpit or oui OF 1t Tht
minister who never names the name o.
Jesus but in the pulpit, ought nj yer TO entel
il. and the member who never mentions his
name but in the church, is unworthy Of 1t,
or 10 20 to the sacrament. Fifty years age
itinerant plan was in full operation, now the
CONGREGATIONAL; the ministers want TO be SET
tied lor lie, without sermons enough 10 insl
them two years. Formerly the bishop sta
toned the preachers, now the trustees and
presiding elders do it. If the trustee wants
a avorite preacher he goes to the elder and
tells him the person he wants, ana he lf
sure TO have him. He may be relative OF
hiend, so that If the preacher can only gel
I
Tie people have no voice whatever i'll The
choice Of their preacher, nor any Interest
whatever in the real estate OF the Church. -
II all belongs to the conference. ., how has
the pure gold become dim, and the mighty
Nllen-"we have hung our barps on TIC
willow. We can sing the songs OF Aion n0
longer; because in strange lind. Heal
what our blessed Saviour says, "Because
thou art neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm.
| will spew thee out Of my mouth because
thou saycst am rich andincreascd in goods
and have need of nothing, and knowest moi
that thou art wrelchod and miserable, and
poor aud blind, and naked. Remember.
therefore, from whence thou arl allcn, ant
repent and do the first works over again, oil
| will come unto thee quickly and remove
the candeslick (church) out Of its place.
How shall we walk in the good old way
stWe must repent and do the first works
over again. Set out anew for Heaven. LIE
that excellent man q knew him before hi
was n pliesi), who is no novel ieadcr no
novel writer, and who has never departed
from the good old way-that is, Bishop
Janes-frst, insist ON congregational sing
ing, with tic old methodist tunes. Second
that all the preachers throw aside thei
notes, and let us have old fashioned preach
ing. Third, lei all our churches in future b
built for the poor MS well as for the rlch.-
Fourth, insist on the preachers warning
every man, and teaching every man in al
wisdom (doclrines), that they may presen
every man without excuse in the dhy o
Judgment. If not, their blood will be re
quiTed al their hands. Fifth, let him insiF
that tile discipline or rules Of the Churc
shall be observed by all, rich and poor
Sixth, let the preachers visit every membe
of the church whether rich or poor; seventh
let the preachers warn the people again'
dress, dancing, card playing, the theatre
opera and places OF fashionable amusement
away with them all, they are diabolcal
Eighth, Let him insist that provision he mad
Tor the poor and needy IN the winter, this
, none of our members may be sent TO TIL
almshouse May we remember that vi
more blessed 10 give than to receive. -
Ninth, let the preachers insist on the peopl
, "bringng up their children in the nurluI
and admonilion OF the Lord, never TO rea
a novel, or have newspaper in their house
ON Sunday, nor TO write letters or TO rea
them on that holy day. Here then, brethrel
is the good old way pointed out TO you, an
, how you should walk in ii. Do not sa.
therefore, like the rebellious Jews, "W
! will not walk IN this way" Remember the
were destroyed by the Roman army for di
, obeying Gods command; and if we refuse
do II lie will punish us also-pcrhups wit
the cholera, or yellow fever, or some oths
: epidemic disease. May the great Head
+. the Church bless you and cause His face
a shine on you. Amen and amen.