Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-07-11
REPLY TO "LAYMAN.'

To the Chronicle:
That extraordinary measures are
proposed to accomplish much need
ed reformation in the, church seems
hardly strange, seeing that our pre-
Escribed rules of government are so gen;
erally ignored. Looking to the revi-
val of discipline, and finding no other
means for effectlng it, @Layman," of
Clarksvllle, in an open letter to me
in the Nashville Advocate proposed to
starye out those preachers who ,disre-
gard our laws and their vows concern
ing persistent offenders. He we'll
knows that there are those who are
ready to perform all the functions Of
their office, but who, from personal
experience and otherwise, have found
that proper efforts to enforce discipline
would but result in tumult and a
change of preachers. From these of
course he would not Withhold rations
The fact is worthy of note also, that
|
of our law, and who undertake, ao-
cording to its spirit and letter TO
maintain the integrity OF the church,
are lot to be found with rare exceptions,
among those who occupy our highest
places and control most largely the
sentiment of the church at large.
These the anti-ration policy cannot,
| suppose, seriously affect; however,
Layman, who is one of our most in
telligent and far-seeing laymen, has
doubtless looked at all sides OF this
question, and believes that his plan is
practicable. b afH
The remedy which he would apply
for the malady referred to is, after all,
but an old prescription long ago en-
ployed by disorderIy church members
for removing those pastors who would
not allow them to rest at.ease in .Zion..
Whether or not this be proper pro-
cedure is not for me to say, but it ap-,
pears to have the very high sanction
OF our appointing authorities. Having
worked admirably in securing the re-
moyal of ministers who enforced dis
eipline it may also succeed in effect
ing the e-removal oil those. who do not.
at is a.poor rule that does not work
both ways" si.s
AS regards the efficacy of this
method of dispensing with preachers,
its explanation may be found III the
fact that it runs down the finances.
This is an evidence infallible of ineffi-
cheney and unacceptability on the part
of the preacher in charge, making his
removal a prime necessity, lest the ruin
Of the charge ensue.
The legitimate effect OF this plan
upon the pastors as it has heretofore
been operated, was manifestly to COM
pei them to- abandon all efforts at dis
cipline, and employ oleagenous strate-
gems in their stead to prevent friction
and save themselves the modification
of cloudy departure. Whether or
not it will reinstate discipline when
applied as LayInan suggests remains
to be seen after fair trial has been
given it. sl,
Buth he the lawful right to thus
withhold a support from the ministry?
Answering from our book of disci-
pline and my understanding of Scrip
tural teaching / should say not; but
expediency, in modern Methodism, is
more authoritative than legal enact
ments, and its behests are more bind |
ing than vows. As to what constitutes
expediency every minister must deter
mine for himself, ''the powers that
be" not yet having furnished the in
information. To find out what it is, |
is of fundamental importance.
But is there any ground for lay
mans gloomy view OF the situation
Have we so far departed from Metho- !
dist landmarks as that there really is a
demand for the restoration, Of discip-
line Whatever may. be the reply to
these interrogatories, certain it is that |
strange things are coming to pass.
One is almost constrained at times to |
believe that the church and the world |
had adjusted their differences, and |
were now agreed. Our "Connectional
Organ admits the advertisement of
College for young ladies which has
dancing in its course of instruction,
and makes the 'Soiree Dansante" the |
most attractive feature of its Com
exercises, but declines a
communication containing a, simple
statement of these facts, offered as a
protection to our daughters against so
communicating an influence. A "Con-
nectional Office takes a pastor to task
for his pronounced opposition to the
dance and theater in his own charge
and his lawful efforts to relieve it of
them. 1t would be mistaken and
policy" says a presiding
elder to enforce discipline at our
central church, A city pastor secures
the services of the nearest bishop to
preach. down the dance and theater
among his people, but the Episcopal
is wasted, and the pastor,
being sure that he has the sanction Of
the bishop. and foreseeing the with
drawalpf the financial strength. of his
Station, deems it proper 70 agitate the.
matter no farther A brave brother
stands upanr his pulpit on Sunday and
eourageously proelaims that he is go-
ing to separate the world from the
church in his Station, but he is defed,
and backed down ON Monday by a