The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-14
It. is not uncommon for the Methodist


preach is the exception. And this the preach
Ing of Methodist books and religious papers.
1t may be we'll to note that the religious
problem OF this day is not SO much theologi.
cal, rs sociological, not trying TO understand
veXed theological questions as to solve the
problem, how the church can make the world
see and feel that God Is the Father Of ALL and
that all men are brethren-,Fatherhood and
Brotherhood, and how the church can control
society, permeating home life and social life
with her saving teachings.
Because every hour Is not given by the pull.
pit to scholastic, logical and may be earnest
discussion of doctrine, but more TO thought
full, instructive, pleading and persuasive ap.
peal for the purpose OF winning men to Christ
and truer and sweeter and better lives In
home and in society; that therefore doctrine
has been abandoned, and the pulpit has
'"gSi Wien % near are the d END of Wonderful career,
that great and good man, DR.. Lyman Beecher,
when asked OF the many things he knew,
gy, not controversy, but saving souls" Hence
happy is that teacher who knows how wisely
to blend doctrine, precept, grace ana love.
Who can show to the people that the God who
vary. Yes, blessed be he of whose ministry 1t
may be said, In 1t "inercy and truth have met
together, righteousness and peace have kissed
May the day never come when our preach
ers and people will not endure sound doc.
trine. But do not say there Is no doctrinal
preaching, because doctrine is not explicit
formulated. enunclated, and logically pressed
always and all the time
Yes. do not think am mistaken. I trust
am not, see no departure from the fathers
In doctrine. There are preacher and expert
ences now as at first
And here Iwish to stress some unfortunate
accompan!ments, to characterize them mildly
Of the doctrine Of
of 1t as I've quoted from him, I accept as
scriptural, and so as far as l know do the
Methodists Of this day. AS to his meaning
said "holiness does not consist In a glow OF
JOY" Also, add, 1t does not demand, nay, II
does not produce Individual Isolation In home
It does not say to It's possessor, you are ho-
lier than all other men who do not feel and
think just as you do. You must keep the un.
holy and profane far from you, let them not
touch the anointed Of the Lord, with soy
ereign pity look upon poor sinners, and only
go TO them as the good physician goes with
nauseous medicines. Cypress them with the
sense Of your Isolation, separateness from
them.
These things unfortunately seen. Yes, and
most unfortunate. Not so did the Master act.
He received sinners and ate with them.
When he saw Zaccheus in the tree he did not
bis publican life, but quietly told him to come
down as he would dine with him that day.
And Zaccheus was won
Do not think this Christian perfection after
the Wesleyan Methodist way.
2 The same in spirit and mission.
l. Aggressive In It's operation. Q. Missionary
in its purposes and plans. "It Is revival In its
spirit and IT is missionary in its organiza'
Why then do we often hear criticisms on
old fashioned Methodism and new fashioned? I?
submit an explanation, not in q critical spir-
and not to
tion may be had In an expression Of those
who think they see O difference, viz Meth.
odism has changed, for the Methodist do not
SO plain and simple in their home life and So
cial life."
Here we are face 10 face with question that
must not be treated lightly or passed by as
dist to be known by the dress, the coat, the
hat, or the bonnet worn, or rather by the doc
trines believed and the spirit illustrated In
Is it better to have 1t said, know that one
is Methodist. or that one Is a Quaker, or
that one of the Shaker communion, because
OF their dress, or that one is Methodist be.
cause OF his godly life, his earnest, Jealous,
self.sacrifcing spirit in doing oil the good he
can.
I ayyonder is Christian. Why3 Because
he Is Chrlstlike, not because OF bis dress or
in this delicate question. do not condemn
simplicity in dress or manners or home life,
or social life. I do not encourage extrava-
o er %ordiiness s Of spirit % in social life, hurtfa
to Christian character and usefulness, but l
must insist that these things are accidents
and incidents and will be regulated wisely by
the spirit Of the manIthey are not essentials
cut coat and dress, In the style Of hat and
bonnet Of these one who claims to be exceed
ingly simple and therefore the more right
fashionable in dress and therefore classed as
unrighteous. When Plato gave an entertain
ment DIogenes uninvited burst into the midst
dirty feet. exclaiming THUS I trample on the
pride OF Plato" The reply Of the great phi,
losopher Is worthy of special attention, "'Ohh
greater PRIDE"
OF. not only the pride, but the envious vulgar
spirit of Diogenes? We know the dress does
not always decide who the gentleman is-it
does not as TO the Christian. Such Judgment
If God adorns the earth with flowers may
they not glorify woman's hair? and she not
fall down and worship them? II Gods provi-
dence holds man responsible for comforta
BILE home and simple equipage, shall he be
charged with pride and worldliness, and
mourned over as one In lapscd, blackslidden
state?
How needful Is On honest searching Of heart
we os not only not
that avoid gossipy, hurtful, unchristlan crit
tcism which deplores the notes in the neigh.
bor's eyes, while unmindful Of the beam that
ing, which is fast dying, extravagant worldli-
ness, hurtfnl entertainments, whatever names
they bear, these and all like them cannot eH-
list In concord with Methodism. But Meth,
odism has ever known, and ! trust always Will
know, the day of its visitation, and have that
adjustible power for the ever varying social
conditions Of life which has made 1t what 1t is
under the blessing Of God; Methodism has
lived wisely; purely; humbly In homes OF
say the Methodist children have departed
from the paths OF their fathers, because In
dress and manners they are different, but ask
II they have the spirit Of the fathers and do
the works Of the fathers appear In their lives,
and II 30, do not complain and mourn say;
God has opened the ports of China and Ja-
pan to the gospel and he is rolling back the
doors Of heathendom on their rusty hinges so
that the voice of those who sit In the shadow
OF death Is ringing In the ears OF Christendom
"come over and help u.s." The cry Is one for
salvation-salvation from sin and heather
darkness.
THE BISHOPS BLESSING,
Now, God bless you In your church, In your
HON es, and In your business. May you be a
people who shall be unity.
May your lives be blameless, and your labor
for God be untirlng. May your preacher not
labor In vain. May the God of all love and
peace dwell among you, and dwell In you,
and perpetuate you in his glory, and unto his
church, and unto all men. AMEN.
This Is NONE OTHER THAN THE HOUSE
OF GOD"