The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-25

ed to touch any question lest it
might err on one side or the other.
was a danger. What the church
needed was p:!;p!1 bold enough IL
take bold of error in any form in
which it might appear, and pious
enough to exhibit the spirit Of Christ
IN charity 10 1hose ~ho might hon
estly differ from US.
The second great danger was from
the abuse Of revival 1Aclilods TIE
doctor said he did not discount re.
viy;.is. ii,ey ha,i ieen d power in
Methodism, but he had no patience
with those ltinerant religious en-
pirics who tramp over the country and
with clap-trap methods count ''con-
verts,' as they call them, by scores,
magnify themselves. fill the minds OF
the unwa-y with a semi-religious
swash which they call doctrine, dis
count the pastorate with those who
need it most, and then take their
departure. leaving behind them set
Of phrases which pronounced in q
catarrhal rhapsody, were the sum
and substance of the pseudo piety
which they taught. The revival
methods used by our fathers were
abused by these peripatetic venders
Of cheap gospel wares.
A third danger was wrong cater
ing to the poor. Why bring the dis
tinct;ons of rich ami poor into the
Church 1t was wrong in spirit and
fatal in practice. 1t is as wrong to
patronize a man because he is poor.
as to lionize him because ne is rich.
1t is the glory OF Methodism that she
carries the gospel to the poor; but
she has a mission also to the rich.
Her churches are opened to all, and
she should make no distinction.
The fourth danger to Method;sm is
tie failure to use the h;i!3an ele-
ments Of powe-. Dr.. Vincent made
here 4 strong plea Cor the seizure by
the Church 0! every e!emH;it of
worldly power m"ney, culture, &c,
and its use for the glory Of God.
THE WORLDLY METHODS OF RAISING
MONEY.
The Rev. ". II. Yarrow, primitive
Methodist, Of Brooklyn, opened the
discussion in racy speech. Among
the dangers to Methodism he thought
was the failure to enforce discipline
and the introduction Of worldly and
unworthy methods for raising money.
He had known Of manager OF q
variety show WHO threatened to
bring action against a certain Meth.
odist Church, because he had to pay
a heavy license to do what the Meth
odists were allowed to do free in or
der to raise money for their church,
He thought the Christmas pantonime
to be an evil, g poor and cheap imita-
tion OF the theatre against which our
pulpits preached.
EsTHETICISM AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR
GOODNESS.
Among the others that now rose to
speak was DR.. Merrick, Of Ohio a
venerable man, well known in the
Conference. He caught the eye Of
the Chair, and as he was about to
speak delegate requested absolute
silence while he was addressing the
Conference, as DR.. Merrick had
rather a weak voice. Quietly, and
almost tremulously, he said: There
is a point, to which attention has not
vet been called, Of some Importance.
If am not mistaken, there is one
possible danger to which no reference
has been made. I allude to the pos.
sible substitution, to certain and
painful extent, of the love of Cod
astheticism for experimental godli.
ness. am no advocate for coarse
rusticity, or for anything that would
violate good taste, but it does not
blind me to possible danger in the
future. I am aware that it is urged
that we have these aesthetic attrac-
tons to draw people to the churches.
They may draw some, but not the
masses. Those who are impelled
simply by the love of the beautiful
will go to the theatre, the concert and
the art gallery. The universal, deep
felt want is for that which will give
peace to the troubled soul, and that
will draw as nothing else will. w no
shall deliver Ne from the body OF
this death ? The cross of Christ
needs no aesthetic additions to at
tract the sinner. and l, if be
lifted up, will draw all men unto me,
was spoken by Him who knew man
intimately.
NeSTA7, Culture CANNOT TAKE THE