The New York herald., 1878-03-25
Is Methodism Declinings

We print an interesting article on an
other page on the present condition and
future OF Methodism in America in general
and this State in particular From the
statements made therein there seems to be
little room to doubt that this powerful evan
gelical organization is in positive danger
of disintegration and decay. The causes
given for this state Of things are the
lack of bond of union among the
churches, the cumbrous governing
machinery and the frequent changing Of
pastors. The Church machinery is said to be
too costly, the interests too numerous, and
that the itineracy places Methodism at such
disadvantage with other denominations
that degree Of unrest prevails to an ex-
tent never before known in the history Of
the Church. AS an evidence OF the weak
ness Of Methodism the fact is cited that in
this city the net membership has only in
creased seven hundred and fifty during the
past thirty years, and only four new churches
have been built in fifteen years, while the
Presbyterians, with eight churches less,
have attained numerical strength
six thou sand in excess of their Methodist
brethren. These are startling facts and
must be resolutely grappled with by the
Church if it intends to hold its own in the
religious world The trouble with the
Protestant denominations is that they are
too much governed-that is, the governing
power is too widely distributed conse-
quently confusion arises, the laws Of the
Church become oppressive and the ecclesi-
astical machinery is clogged and refuses to
work. Judging from the information
at hand this is especially true of
the Methodists, and it behooves them
to take the question of organization
reform into serious consideration, for their
Church has accomplished SO much in the
past in aiding to evangelize the world that
it would be serious loss to Christianity if
Methodism should lose its foothold among
the leading sects of Professionalism. The
denomination should simplify its gov
erning machinery, strengthen individual
churches by permitting pastors to grow
up with their congregations, and so
strengthen the bond of sympathy be-
tween the teachers and their people
To expect minister to hold his community
together and increase it by years resi-
dence among them and then pass to an
other field, is q mistake which none appre-
ciate so we'll rs the Methodsts themselves ;
vet the doctrine laid down by Wesley is
stubbornly adhered to simply because it is
his, though the spread of Methodism has
rendered the practice positive detriment
to the best interests of the Church.
The Baptists Presbyterians and Con-
gregationalists have NIL avoided this
rock in the path of progress, and
their churches are consequently united in
purpose and individually strong. The
time for change has come, and the sooner
it is made the better it will be for Method
ism, for it cannot be long delayed. This is
an age of progress, in religion as well as
temporal affairs, and the signs are so plain
that even he who runs may read them. Re-
form, intelligently and honestly carried
out, always brings strength to the body pol
itic; the only question is when to apply it,
That time has now come for Methodism.
Will it improve the opportunity?