The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-21
DIR. Il. NJ. PALMER
On the Invasion of the prerogatiyes Of the ehufeh
BY the Y. M 9. a.

yepr or go ago there AppehTeu ~ one %
mr. religtn,,s periodicals q powerful article
avainst the workings Or the Young Mems
ffh,iatlau Association Of the United States II
THAR religious aspects, and severely condemn
,nu The Invasion Of the prerogatives of thu
Church by lay evangelists and ouch men af
Moody and others. who were responsible tt
nobody for their acts and utterances. Thif
article was either from the pen Of pr Palmer
or was attributed to him, we are not quite
certain which. Howbeit Dr. Palmer aS,re
scented himself last evening at the rooms O
the Young Mems Christian Association Of this
city, (which, by the way, Was thronged by
ladies and gentlemen eager 10 listCn W thu
eminent divine). at the invitation of Preei
dent Uardie.
After the preliminary exercises DR. Palmer
took the stand and made q brief yet complete
expose III bis attitude towards the Young
Mems Christian Organization, under the title
Of "The Legitimate Work of the Young Men 6
fled chat the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion had encroached upon the duties OF the
regularly ordained ministers of the gospel
representative the church Of God, and had
loat sight Of and neglected the true Intent Of
the organization. fla dd not propose To de-
liver lecture rs many miRhtespeet from che
announcement made In the public prints, but
simply I'd indulge In n callnguial expression
Of his views on the subject He begged his
listeners to bear In mind that he felt not a
little embarrassed IN appearing TO reprove
the Young Mems Ghristian Association he
did not mean thIa particular branch, but the
general organization. He would, however,
speak frankly, and although he did not as
sumo the part OF mn aCciser, he would be
critical; his criticisms would hc kind, such a.
he had been invited To do. After saying that
he, like all the other ministers Of his denomi-
nation, had refused his active cooperation to
the organization on thu general ground men
toned above, DR.. Palmer reviewed the orl-
ginal constitution of the Y. NJ. q. A., whose
object was 10 bring moral influence to bear
upon the young men in large cities like THE.
to throw around them the shield NJ Christian
guidance and Christian protection. This was
to be done by establishing rooms and open
Ing them to young men ~ The same age. pro.
viding them with newspapers and books and
healthy social intercourse. Young men COM
Ing from other places were TO be assisted In
finding employment. IN was n noble work.
IL was further proposed that they should b.
directed to suitable boarding houses anu
ssreetlp drawn to the saDctuaries of
the Lord Oh the Sabbath. lDr Palmer now
INDUCED In extended reflections upon the
abuse of the Sabbath, rnhnking Sunday eS-
r,lrsions. the Reorganization Of beer saloons.
ete.l 30 long. said Dr. Palmer, as that was
the cole definite object Of the Young Mems
Christian Association 1t did not raise single
expression of dieeontpntment or dlfapproba-
LuH OUT on INC contrary IL Wis Htdi bill WEI
come. But IL Is singular how all things
human degenerate through the intention OF
doing good, how the mistakes OF this asso
citation grew out of its own goodness. The
Young Mems Christian Association became SO
good and 80 piUua that they undertook the
evanRelizatIon Of tho whole world. In meas
ure adding a new sect to the already too
numerous sccts within the church OF God,
and naturally aronalnE the jealousy q tho
church" We cannot allow. he said, irrespon-
en- ia. hfA
of God. II Is true that the answer might be
that the Young Mems Christian Association
had no intention Of doing 50. yet In practice
they did SO. He then rrbukcd the association
for their organization of Sunday schools. cot
tage meetings and other practices which be-
ionged strictly 10 the regular Church. to the
sending forth of lay evangelists who de-
manded that every thing should be subordi-
mated to them. He did not impeaeh tho mo-
tives III these practices. but he empbatically
declared that they were irregular. Three
times within n few years he had been applied
to by these evangelists Tor the use Of his
church tha First Presbyterian Church,
whose only title was d commission
Association. The distinguished lecturer now
dwelt IN some length on the study, schooling
and preparations requisite " qualify pastors
of the Church In eontradistinc,ion with the
qualifications OF these lay evangellst9 who
confront regular pastors and ask them TO
step into their places, ana no drew VIVID
picture of the degradation of Senators IN Con
gress announcing themselves as the advo-
Gates of parties instead Of the representatives
of the people. Communism, social and puit-
ical blasphemous rationalsm We're also
touched upon as among the outhursts OF ir-
regular proceedings. Even In good Scotland
the work at diaintngration was apparent.
He had denied on account Of what Id had
said, the use of his church to lay evangeIists
who, II successful. would undermine religions
This Ii the position he hau taken. He would
state u strong paradox, because lie believed
In 1t: "the greatest harm was done In this
world by the best of men by going to work tn
do good In q bad way, aud here followed
scripturai illustrations Of the proposition,
comprising the folly of a biblical character
who paid with his lie for his presumption in
attempting TO uphold the ark that preceded
the chosen people Of God.
The legitimate sphere Of the Young Mems
Christian Association: 1t Is not to preach BY
preaching they will fail to overtal>e the class
they wish to reach. Bring them into your
halls and carry out the meaning OF your con-
stitution. said Dir. Palmer, who then referred
to the excellent work done by the New Or
leans association during last year 8 epidemic,
rs belonging to that class ~ lahprs which
they could assume Whenever, he concluded,
you touch work which the Church does not
assume you will succeed, but the ::soment you
invade the prerogatives Of the Church you
will raise jealousies and dscontentment. He
could not allow the functions of the Church
10 De invaded anu everything tltt dlldy5
itself against the Church must perish
President Hardie. at the close Of the adj
dress made few explanatory remarks. He
said that knowing the views entertained by
DIR. Palmer, he had waited on him for the
purpose Of ascertaining whether he would
condescend to address the association on the
legitimate duties Of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. He agreed entirely with
DIR. Palmer, and certainly II was not the
intention of this association to invade the
functions of the Church or array itself
against the Church. but 10 be enlightened
and To work In harmony with the Church.
MIR. Hardie incidentally announced that inn
provements would be Introduced in the rooms
of the association to meet the eXigencies OF
their mission.
The exercises were closed with benedic-
ton by DR.. Palmer.
CONVENTION GOSSIP.
The Committee on Elective Franchise held