Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-10
Gardner Local Nems.

The fourth meeting in the semi centennial eS-
etcses AT the Methodist church, was held Satur-
day evening. The church was well filled. An
address on the IRREGULARITIES of Methodism "
was delivered by Rev. C. b. Pibado of Ports.
mouth, y. II. The preacher is a fne orator, pos
sessed Of large dramatic powers, capable of hold
ing an audience. and making them feel as be
feels, and see he the ludicrous OF pathetic
side of any word picture which he presents. MIR.
i Phbado is Scotchmsn by birth and education,
and recent hut valuable acquisition to the Meth
odist church OF New Euglaud.
lie began by saying that he was born and bred
a Presbt ttiian but became n Methodist by choice
before he thought to be q preacher hence he could
present hi theme without being hsmpered by
those pr, JUDGES which supposed to influence
ia i've born Methodist. Methodism, he sand. &C
cordinR to Chalmers, was "Christisnity in ear
nest II was the most vocanic form of religion
musiciui, hietu and martial Ii rolls up It's sleeves
aud puts Its arms isr dOw1 into the mire of moral
cor ruptiou, and pulls up jewels for the NJ ster 1t
possessed ITS peculIaliies. some OF which should
be maintained.
Song singing and reading of romsnce should be
left TO the conscience aud good sense of the ndi-
vdus sly lie of dress to the tase and depth of the
purse OF tue wesrer-becsuse one mans wife wore
gray It did not follow that another's wife should
do the same. he wearing OF long hair by min.
ls,cr like Wesley, or OF u moustache; kneeling
when entering church, or at prayer; standing
while singing, fasting, or preaching with
without notes, should he left to H., jud me at and
wishes Of the individual.
these pecuiiarIties should be msntaned-Itin-
eracy. The three years limit worked well pop
uaf preachers might like to hold large church
with TAT salary tor long time. In the far flu
ture the limit might be heightened; he thought it
better to let well enough alone.
Admlltance to the Lords supper as prescribed
by tue rules, should b emsintaIned. Bapti- M by
spriDkling should be maintained The sentiment
OF the Methodist church should be rs it ever has
been solidly and squsrcly against participation In
balls AID public dances.
Speaking in meeting must be insisted upon til. ir
church had ever allowed women that privilege,
but had discouraged the practice OF womans
preaching. He would hail the day when woman
should be welcomed to the pulpit as men now are.
lie would maIDtain emotional and vocal liberty,
let the hearty Amen" and Praise the Lord be
siven. They should not be hushed up for fear
somebody would be walked up-a prayer meeting
was no place to sleep. 1t should be an awful
death for q church TO die OF too much "respecta-
bihly," starch on the braiu, or straight Jacket.
Class meetings. and love teats should be nam
tanned. He Was sorry that the old fashioned love
feast was dying out. Special services, camp meet
ngs, &c, should be kept up; these had been de-
rided penItent benches had been laughed at.
The life of the church depends much these.
MethodIsm WAS born in revival. Do not fear
excitement, the world cannot get on without 1t,
nor can christians. Local preachers should be
continued. They had fallen into dsrepute some
what of late. The fault was their own. They do
not stud, enough. God will not fill their noaths
unless they use their brains The people also
we've too ia.tdious. We want eloquent men. col
lege men, but all should be baptised with the Holy
Ghost.
The style of Methodist preaching was peculiar
1t was not philosophical, not nletaphy seal, MT
TIE atises on moral ethics. Deep UNIONS often
muddy. The Me bodisis preach Jesus Christ as
Il savior Of sInneIs-Iieaven for the converted aud
hell ior the unconveited. Paul, John, Chrysaston,
Lutber. John Knox, Jonathan Edwards and 9th
eIs preached OF these two classes. Pefectipg
holiness should be maintained. Eenelon Modern
Guyon, D'Aubigne, believed and advocated il, and
il WAS potential IN Methodism.
Opposition to intoxicating liquors must be main
Timed. eate drlukiDg preacher Is n pitt
able object-a moderate drinking member should
have the rules cad to IN until he knows then.
We must be standard bearers in the temperance
army.
The mission Of the church is to wake up the
word England was asleep aud shroud, IN spir
lual and moral darkness when Wesley aroused
them with his war cry against the hosts OF Satan.
Meihodi-m lie God sent and God given power
to day. 1t i, aggressive, AMI Ito mission !. to over
come ali sorts oi u tcu,ties and 10 reach all sorts
OF men.
The preacher held the attention of his hearers
to,the close of the address. and many ripple of
laughter ian over the audience al the wittIisnIs
aud "tat Illustrations Of the speaker. Every
body went away convinced thai tue orator had
pecuar GENERATION for the peculsrties of Meth
ooism, aud did not fear to advocate his exalted
opinion of the same.
10 report of the chuch reunion Thursday
evening, we uusdvlsedly stated that Rev. Mr.
Slower the only clergyman of other denomi
nations in the city, who was present.
We not present at the supper,
and seeing only Mr.. Stover on the platform IN the
evening, without lnquuy, took 1t for granted that
others could not DC present. We cheeifuly cor
rect our eIior AID state that Rev Mr.. LIE ingwell
was present at the supper and shared IN the good
cheer Of that occasion. Mr. Lindsey also received
u polite note from Kew. Mr.. Hayden, excusing
himself from attendance on account of previous
engagement, but not being At the mail In the al