The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-26
nATALEPTIG nRELIGION.u

OATALEPTIC RELIGION"
Self-contained and reticent persons are in
slined to Doubt the genuineness of a religion
which finds expression in groans, and tears
and shouts, regarding such physical demon
STATIONS as nervous phenomena in nowise
indicative of true religious feeling. Such
opinions often do injustice to many devout
Christian worshipers. Certain emotional
natures, when under the stimulus of any ex-
element, naturally manifest their enthusiasm
and transports by the use of extravagant
language and violent gesticulation. That
they should become demonstrative when
roused by appeals to their most sacred beliefs
and doubly-cherished convictions is not
surprising. and is no reflection upon
their earnestness. That the individual,
technically known in theological circles as
SINNER should be thus moved under the ex
hortations of revivalist should be accepted as
proof that bis deepest sensibilities are stirred,
even though 1t be true, as sorrowfully main
tanned by the unsympathetic, that the deepest
depths are shallow. Whether this spasmodic
excitement is productive of enough permanent
good to justify the methods used by Mrs.
Woodwork and her class to bring it about is
question which disturbs many conscientious
persons whose Judgment cannot approve of
The meetings, and yet who fear that by a
word of criticism they may lay stun
bling block in the way Of any posi-
BILE Convert" This hesitancy to denounce
what they honestly believe to be wrong is an
excess of caution and timidity. If the Chris
tian brethren disapprove of the perform
ances at the rink which pass under the name
of religious revival work sufficiently to with
hold their open sanction why should they not
boldly declare their opposition? If the meet
ings are an injury rather than benefit to the
community, is it not their duty to denounce
themY If they are beneficial then why not
encourage and assist the revvalst instead Of
holding aloofG That they are injurious to the
cause of true religion seems, to those who
have studied the management of the meetings
and it's results to admit of no question.
In ITSELF the fact that large number of
attendants at the gatherings are of class
which seldom, if ever, is represented at regu-
lar church services is recommendation for
Mrs. Woodworth. When it is understood,
however, that these people do not come for
what good may possibly be cleaned, but for
amusement and as they would follow after
any new dime-museum attraction, different
face is put upon the affair. No heart, how
ever depraved, but what has some in
stinct for the right; but is there an ything in
the wild and frantic adjurations of the reviv-
(which has even tendency to lead such hearts
TO thelight, which makes for righteousness in
the smallest degreeg Is there aught in the ex-
hortations which teaches that christianity is
not thing Of clears and strong crying" of
bodily commissions or even Of ecstasies, but
that it endureth all things hopeth all things,
and means peace, and joy, and life only after
long struggles and bitter tribulationsg Mrs.
Woodwork urges the sinners before her
60 make sure that their souls are
saved. If the mysterious transaction
involved in conversion" included
al the rest, this advice would be we'll enough;
but it is by no means the case that call
things are added" to the man who has made
his calling and election sure after the Wood
worth instantaneous process. Those who have
observed the workings of this brand of religion
carefully will testify that it is not of the sort
which makes man kind to his family or
causes him TO reform his idle or dissolute hab-
it,; that it does not lead woman to walk in
The straight and narrow path after the excite
nent of the conversion has died away. On
The other hand, it is too often found
that the final result is worse than
The original state Of sin. The one
9onvert, disappointed that the ecstatc state of
gaind is net permanent becomes morose or
seeks greater depths of dissipation; the other
loses mental balance or lapses into deadly
Indiffer ( ce which no revivalist can again
Tout II seems to be forgotten by those who
hesitate to condemn the Woodwork methods,