The New York herald., 1874-12-27
THE METHODIST BISHOPS.
PASTORAL ADDRESS ON ADJUSTMENTS AND SAB
BATH DESIGNATION.


PASTORAL ADDRESS ON ADJUSTMENTS AND SAB
BATH DESIGNATION.
The Methodist Bishops have issued their usual
pastoral address to the Church, In which. alter
calling attention to the spiritual prosperity OF the
denomination during the past year, and referring
TO the increased need OF holy living because OF the
growing tendency to dissipation OF all sorts, they
touch the sabbath question aud amusements on
that day as follows:-
We have reason to fear that the growing de-
moralizatlon In the public sentiment touching tae
sacredness OF the Sabbath has crept in among US.
and, especially in the larger towns and cities, IS
on the Increase. The Sabbath instituted in the
beginning and confirmed again and again py
Moses and the prophets, has never been abro-
gated. part OF the moral law, not one jot or
little OF It's sanctity mas been taken away. The
Bible abounds in admonitions and exhortatons
and warnings concerning 1t. Nature and religion
potn teacn tnat 1t Is necessary 10 mans phS slca.
intellectual aud moral well being ana history
shows tnat IL Is equally necessary 10 the well
being OF society ana the permanent success OF
the Church.
1.-THE Sabbath Is made Tor man, and not man for
the Sabbath only works OF mercy and necessity
made such by provldential circumstances, not by
ourselves-are excepted from the general pronibi.
ton TO do no labor ON this holy day. Dlsc0unte.
nance aud discourage, then, all unnecessary work
in the family all social visiting, ali sunday ex
cursions all travelling Tor business or pleasure;
so that the entire day may be given to meditation
and prayer, TO social and puolic worship, to the
Saboath school, and to such other means and op-
portunitles OF religious enjoyment and usefulness
as may be within your reach. Thus shall the Sab
bath, as was intended, be day OF rest and peace.
day OF holy abor-a blessed ioretaste OF heaven.
We have cause Tor apprehension concerning
another growing evl-the fondness for social and
public amusements-to which we ask your prayer
ful thought and attention. Christians should not
seek their pleasure In those things to which the
vain and wicked resort for their chief delights.
''Whatsoever We do, do all TO the glory OF Cod" is
man will be my disciple, let nim deny himself aud
take up MS cross and follow me-" Is the requlsl-
tion made by Christ. We do not refer to the
theatre, the circus, the ball room or the WINE
party. These confessedly lead to spiritual death.
But there other more strictly social and
less offensive modes OF amusement which
offer, especially TO the young, the entlce.
ments to those worldly pleasures (which war
against the SOUL" These occasion waste
OF time, cause dissipation OF mlnd and unfit us
not only for the duties OF religion but Tor the prac
tical duties OF liie We would not desire to lay
upon you burdens heavy to be borne. But the
world Is so full OF innocent pleasures, and religion
opens many foun tSns OF enjoyment, that you
can well afford to deny yourselves OF those which
are of dangerous tendency, or, at oest oil doubtful
propriety. The highest style OF pleasure springs
from personal, purity and holy and benevolent
living. Strive, therefore, for the sake OF your
Christian character and usefulness, and ior the
sake OF 1.-THE weak conscience of, your brother for
whom Christ died." Ito abstaln," in this respect
as in others, "from all appearance OF evu, and
cleave to that which Is right and good"