The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-01-27


Notwithstanding the tendency above
referred to, and we believe the extent
of its influence can be UNNECESSARILY
increased by the adoption of wise
policy relative to the subject We are
considering. The power to retain the
youn" in the fullest and compIetest
communion in the church resides. to
great extent, in the example and per-
sonal influence of the clergy. When
these are fortified by the well-directed
semi-social organizations Of church men,
bership, operating in the different fields
Of church labor, the pastoral power is
necessarily largely augmented Such
is the fact, particularly in the cities and
larger towns. The accessory enter
prlseS there employed. The church
social humane and charitable societies
and circles are al! means Of recognized
power to attract and retain the Young
within immediate church influence. and
as such are io>trred and encouraged.
The personal example Of the minister
has much to do IN establishing church
loyalty and devotion to religious inter
ests. Ministers, being human. are apt
to overlook and underestimate this fact.
When the Saviour was upon earth,
He never laid down Il religious or moral
prcccpt that He did not enforce it by
the power Of His own example He
ACTED every lesson lie taught. There
was, in His life. strict coincidence be-
tween prcccpt and practice The Young
find license for Indulgence in the incon
Sjstencies of their religious teachers.
The force Of example is inca!rulajIc
Apply this axiom OF general truth to
the question OF social iululgcucrs-
The Methodist Church, more distinctly
than any other Christian denomination,
proscribcs dancing as sinful in it, ten
denny As the line of discrimination
between sinc>S and sinful indulgence
is to be drawn somewhere, it is fixed 1T
dancing and the theatre Under the
head Of frivolous amusemcuts may be
fairly included c.oquet, cards, and kin
dred games, although they are not
named or referred to as especially sin
tuI. In themselves, rroquot and cards,
iominocs and dancing. all occupy the
same level. Ii they are BOT inherently
sinful indulgenccs, they are all certainly,
lii religious scusc frivolous amusc-
ments, since they occasion Il sinful
waste Of time that might otherwise be
proitably employed. Yet, strange to
say, cicrgymen may indulge AD LIB
TuM IN crouuet without lncurrlng the
displeasure of the laitv, while the very
anathemas of the pulpit are hurled at
the unconscious sinners. church mem
bers though they be, who prefer the
music OF the piano and the motion of
the limbs to the music of the wooden
spheres and the melody of the maIltt
Again, iutempcrance "a general term
covering the use of Intoxicating bever-
a@cs) is vice of hidcuus mien Re
Ijgion is the only power to combat ii
successfully. aud the church alone the
medium of final victory. Yet. in this
pressing church work, can ministers
compromise their personal influence
With the Young, the easiest victims of
rum, by the incorporate or even mod
rate Use of tobacco. its USUAL associate
and companion? The emotions once
| ,Xciicd in the breast Of he late la
m"nied Bishop James who, on ascend
NJ the platform of Methodist Church
10 Baltimore, on the occasion OF a uiS-
~ionary anniversary. found tie spit.
tOonS arranged around it in graceful
lines hy the church sexton. more con
-iherate Of his carpet than the clergy
:nen of their personal examples, are
well remembered Although that was
many Years ago. the sentiment tha'
hen condemned the use of Tobacco"
inds more otfrn,e in its Use now But
is it technical sin! Must clcrgvmcn
Wait until the rules Of the church pro-
scribe it, It would appear so. for the
brcathS of some Of our most eloquent
preachers are fragrant with the odor
Of this filthy weed Stated more sue
rinctiv: The Rev. Mr. A. Justly |
anathcmaiize, alcohol and lis use as
beverage, but Inconsistency commits |
be lesser sin of tobacco chewing. The ,
Rev Mr. b properly dcnounces
iaacing as prescribed by the rules Of
he Methodist Church. but does not
object to croQuet in season. The Rev
Mr.. C cautions the Young converts
of his church against the attraction.
and allurcmcnts of the theatre, vet in |
consistently encourages taste for the
dramatic art by entertaining displays OF
"Ioculion a. prcludes to the Sabbath ser
vice The Rev Mr. D insists that
lie will not remain on the picnic grounds |
II ten-pins be played at, but conpla- |
Gently pitches game of quots with a
brother The Rev Mr. f abom- |
mates horse racing, but on the road, or
at the agricultural show, does not Oh
icct to "A test Of speed" And so
through the entire alphabet are wit
messed in daily life such Inconsistencies |
On par with the little sins Of the young |
when, under the pressure Of social com
paniOnS, they compromise their church |
integrity 10y participating i'll prescribed /
amuscments The sins Of the laiIv find |
no excuse in the faults Of the clergy |
True. Obedience to church rules. and |
regard for covenants pledged it, are rs
much a religious du,y as any that the |
profession Of religion enjoius But min
j>ters should remember that the Young
are, i'll matters Of religion, close inta- |
tors Of the personal habits of those |
from whom they receive the teachings |
Of 1.-THE faith" Besides there never /