The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-07-04
What Confronts EvangelIsts.

In an address before the Congregational
ministry Of Boston recently, Rev. DR.. Geo.
F, Pentecost made some statements which
deserve wide and serious consideration. The
new evangelistic movement he considered as
important in its effect on pastors as in send
ing out evangelists Pastors should be evan
gelists. DR.. Pentecost defined his position as
that Of hopeful pessimist. Eyangelists
must look obstacles in the face; and the first
difficulty Is great lack Of clear, distinct
presentations Of the great doctrines OF re-
figion. There has been an unholy crusade
against doctrinal preaching. We want re-
vival Of righteousness; but, we cannot get
righteousness till we get it through Christ.
That which binds man back to God Is the
cross Of Christ. -
Another obstacle Is worldly church, that
Is, a church which Is worldly In its methods
and life. A man cannot get spirituality un-
till he breaks away from the old Adam lie
and gets the new Jesus life. We have relied
too much on worldly means. We begin In
the spirit and go on in the flesh. We rely on
such attractions as new meeting house or
fine choir, but people who join the meeting
house are barnacles ever after, and cnoir ls
hindrance to spirituality right straight
through. A worldly church grows more
worldly every year. Our churches are dying
and dead by reason of resorting to one hun.
'dred and one catch-penny tricks to get
money to pay parish expenses. Fairs
and all such things dry up both be-
nevolence and spirituality. Ministers shut
their mouths because afraid Of driving OF
generous but irreligious pew-holders I'D
never appeal to unconverted men for money.
but I'd take their free offerings. Inc world
patronises the church, but this Is not fellow
ship. Our wealthy church members are not
active in spiritual work. (Of course, there
are noble e1ceptions) They pay 80 much
money and then quit coming to the prayer
meeting; or, If they come, have nothing to
say. Their minds are all on business, and
we take their money and let them go. The
rich Christian says: "Heres one hundred
dollars to help on your meeting, but you
the evapgelistic services, nor are his en-
ployes. Why should they go2
We need revival Of church members. A
man says, We must have some new con-
verts right away, or our church will die;
but we should remember that converts are
not for the church, but the church Is for
converts The first question asked me con-
tinually is, "How many converts2" not,
What is the state Of religion9 There Is al
most an insane idea to get in converts. I'm
getting conservative in this matter 1t Is
not so much converts as revived churches
that are needed. The Spirit works through
CD6 UuU, IL Luo CuulSh WA NJ
then He has to work through outside agen-
cies. Hence Wesley and Whit
field; hence the Salvation Army.
There is great indisposition
to personal work. Pastors are to blame for
this. They make social visits and do not
seek souls They do not go in and out say
ing, 'Now is the accepted time; now is the
day of salvation" DR.. Pentecost gave an
affecting incident Of business mans coming
to Christ, whose pastor tor twelve years had
talked everything else but religion with
him. Souls are waiting for close personal
talks. The church Of Christ must humble
itself before God.-[Chris. Watch.