The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-05
THE METHODISTS.
Pastoral Address of the Bishops.

From the New York Herald.
The Methodist Bishops have issued
theirusual pastoral address to the Church
in which, after calling attention to the
spiritual prosperity of the denomination
during the past wear, and referring L
the increased need of holy living because
of the growing tendency to dissipation
! of all sorts, they touch the Sabbath ques-
. ton and amusements on that day as fol
| lows:
We have reason TO fear that the grow
I ing demo slization in the public sent
mcnt touching the sacredness OF the sab
bath. which has crcpt in among u. anu
especially in the larger towns and cities
!, ON the increase. The Sabbath, instl-
,utcd in the beginning and confirmed
/ AGAIN and again by Moses and the
/ prophets. has never been abrOSatcd. y
/ part of the moral law. not one jot or
little of lis sanctity has been taken away
The Bible aboundS in admonitions, and
exhortations, and warnings concerning
it. Nature and religion both teach that
it is necessary to mans physical, intcli"c-
tual and moral wcll-bcIng; and history
shows that it il equally necessary to the
weil-being of society and the permanent
success OF the church.
The Master Himself has taught Us that,
while the Sabbath is made for man. and
not man for the Sabbath, only works OF
mercy and nccesSity-made, such by prov
ideutial circumstances, not by ourselves
are excepted from the general prohibi-
ton To- do no labor on this holy day.
Discountenancc and discourage, then,
all unnecessary work in the family, all
social visiting, all Sunday excursions,
all travelling for business or pleasure, 81
that the entire day may hc given to
| meditation and prayer, To social and
I public worship, to the Sabbath School
and t. such other means and oppOrtun-
tiles of religious enjoyment and useful
ness at may be within our reach. Thus
shall the Sabbath, rs was intended, be- Il
day of rest and peace, Il day OF holy labor
"A blessed fOretaStc of heaven.
We have cause for apprehension con-
corning another growing evil the fond
ness of social and public amuscmcnts-to
which we ask your praycrtul thought and
attention. Christians should not seek
their pleasures in those things to which
the vain and wicked resort for their chirt
delights. Whatsoever We do, do all to
the glory of God is the rule by which
We are To- be guided. "If any man will
De my disciple, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross and follow me, Is the
requi-ition made 10y Christ. We do not
refer 10 the theatre, the circus, the ball
room. or the wine party. These con-
icsscdly lead to spiritual death. But
there are other more strictly social and
less offensive modes of amusement
which offer, especially To the
Young. the cnticcmcntS Of those
worldly pleasures (which war
against the soul. These occasion waste
of time, cause dissipation of mind. and
unfit Us not only for the duties Of religion
but for the practical duties of life. We
would not desire to lay on YOU burdens,
heavy to be borne. But the world l. 50
full of inno' mt pleasures, and religion
opens - mary fountains OF cnJoymcnt
that YOU can well afford to deny YOUR
selves of those which are of n dangerous
tendency. or, at best, Of doubtful proprlc-
ty. The highest style Of pleasure springs
from personal purity and holy and benevo-
lent living. Strive, therefore, for the
sake Of your Christian character and use
fulncSs, and for the sake of 1.-The weak
conscience Of your brother for whom
Christ died ito abstain in this respect
as in others from ull appearances Of evil,
. and clcaVc to that which i right and
good.