The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-06-25
PASTORAL address.
To the Members of the Methodist Episcopt
Church South

DEAR BRErHREN-We have been re-
quested by the General Conference, now
in session, to address to you brief pas
toral letter on the subject of Worldly and
fashionable amusements. The design
of this is to set forth an earnest deliver
ance as to the danger to spiritual religion
arising from lax views of moral obliga-
ton, at this point, and the peril to the
soul incurred by any removal Of the an
cient landmarks which separate the
church of Christ from the spirit of the
world. To the thoughtful, religious mind,
the tendency of society in the direction
Of unrestrained indulgence in all forms of
sensuous qualification is alarming. Whe-
ther this is a result of reaction in the
public mind from restraints necessarily
imposed by years of devastating civil
war, or of an advancing civilization
which ministers mainly to material ends
and luxurious tastes, it is certain that
the eager wish Of Southern society after
amusements of one kind and another, is
one of the startling signs of the time.
We feel assured that a religion Of mere
forms aud dogmas, whatever its boast
may be, cannot arrest this current, or
counteract its tendency to ruinous social
degradation. Nothing less than gen.
uine godliness, in the power of it's regen-
Grating influence, can meet the necessi-
ties of the case. So powerful, indeed,
are the fascinations of pleasure, so
abounding the iniquity, in high places
and low, that "the love of many has
waxed cold" Young persons of cultiv-
ated minds and elegant manners, who
may desire to be sincerely religious, are
specially open to danger from the tone
Of surrounding fashionable society, and
from the plausibllities of the worldly
spirit. But the law of qualification
which rules the world, and offers the
present and immediate, is, and ever must
be, opposed to the unbending law of duty
which conscience and God impose.
There can be no compromise here. There
can be no inward experience of grace,
no valid religion of the heart, which is
not preceded by full, unreserved, irre-
vocable commitment to the Lord Jesus.
| This commitment involves self-denial-
taking up the cross and following Christ.
It is the surrender of the will to a su-
preme governing purpose--of the affec-
tions to supreme governing love. A
religion of mere culture, of amiabilities
and aesthetic tastes, of sentiment, opin-
ion and ceremony, may readily allow
participation in diversions which can
not be used in the name of the Lord
Jesus"--in dancing and reveling, in
theatrical, and operate, and circus ex-
hibitions, in the gambling operations of
the turf-not to mention the recently
revived excitements of the cockpit.
But the religion which is divine life
in the sou! of Christ true disciple heeds
the voice of conscience, and feels the
| powers of the world to come. I. con-
fers the dignity of holiness, the strength
of self-denial, the glad freedom of a spirit
rejoicing in the right and good. Such a
religion needs not. desires not, allows
not participation in worldly pleasures,
in diversions which, however sanctioned
by fashion, are felt and known to be
wrong by every truly awakened heart
It's spiritual discernment is not deceived
by well-dressed plausibilities, by refine
ments in taste, or responsibilities in So
cial position. It has put on the Lore
Jesus" and made mo provision for the
flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof The
influence Of this form Of religious char
acter may be silent, but it is none the
less potent, in the family, by the freside
at the watering place, or on the broat
thoroughfares Of business. What th'
church liues will alone affect The world
| In conclusion, we beg to suggest tina
/ the pastors of the Methodist Episcopa
| Church South give heed to these things
| in the administration Of discipline. In
diligence in worldly diversions Of thu
class aforementioned, we hold to be in
consistent with the baptismal vows o
our members. and with their church GOV
enant. They have solemnly engage'
| to .'renounce the devil aud all his works
Y the vain pomp and glory of the world
with all covetous desires Of the same
and the carnal desires Of the flesh" s
that they .will not fellow or be led b,
q them" The Book Of Discipline pre
vides not only against crimes and gros
immoralities, bur there is process lai
down for cases of s'imprudent conduc
, and indulging sinful tempers or words.
1--WE are persuaded that where that prt
! cess is faithfully, firmly, bat kindly 70
lowed, these growing evils may be a
8 rested.
That You all, beloved brethren, ma
be blameless and harmless-the- -childre
! of God without rebuke, lights in Il
world, holding forth the word of life
! the earnest desire and prayer Of yo1
pastors. whatsoever things are tru
whatsoever things are honest, whats
ever things are just, whatsoever thing
! are pure. whatsoever things are Lowell
whatsoever things are OF good report,
/. there be any virtue, and if there be an
! praise, think ron these things And ma
the God Of peace be with you.
Z In behalf Of the General Conferen'
and the College Of Bishops.
Il r PAINE.
Memphis, May 25. 1870.
Every.woman should be worke
Her sphere, like mans, is bounded on
III God-giiving talents. She has the rig
to do anything she can do we'll. u
8 noblest work will ever Be at the firesie
Home is the hottest temple in which 8
u t q. n II % -: stlisrrnd Z