The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-10

with singing. We sing anything that we
think will please IL may be 'Suwanee
River or Jesus, Lover OF My Soul We
sing with regard to the music rather than
the words. | kept one choir together
| three years"
The shadow OF smio fitted over tho
serious face as Mr. Shaw added: "That
is a rather unusual length OF time TO hold
a choir unbroken, you know. Our choir
was one OF the best in the city,"
'Do you make any special effort toward
training the youngP
"No; We have nothing that corresponds
TO the Sundayschool We leave education
10 the public schools.
Responding TO an inquiry about the sup
port and the attendance Mr.. Shaw said:
1--WE depend on voluntary subscriptions.
Our attendance varies. Last Sunday two
thirds OF the chairs were occupied. Some
times the attendance is not so good.
find that series Of lectures, say on evolu-
ton, which creates growing interest,
will have the effect Of soon filling the hall.
There is one thing the Church has which
We do not. Our people do not think IL
necessary TO nttond the meetings rs u mat
ter OF duty. We encourage people TO
come only when they feel that they may
enjoy the meeting Ii We do not see them
there Sunday night We don't 90 round on
| Monday and ask why they stayed away.
The churches teach people they must 20
whether they feel like II or don't; they
must 90 to please God and save their
souls"
Going on to speak Of tho matter Of at-
tendance, which has evidently been some.
thing OF a problem with the society, Mr.
Shaw said ave have found from an
experience Of nearly six years, that we do
not need meetings 40 often as the churches
do, and don't know but we will soon con-
cludo to have one good entertainment n
month, instead OF more frequent meetings.
| think people will ejoy it more than
meeting every week"
Speaking VI what might be called his
pastoral work. Mr.. Shaw said 81 am
often invited 10 speak atfunerals. never
speculate as 10 tho condition OF man after
he il dead. II he has been good man, |
take his life for my theme and draw the
lesson from IL. But ! find II uphill work
10 say much when mans life has been
evil"
From his work, Mr.. Shaw wns lcd 10
speak OF himself 81 was Methodist
preacher for twelve years" he said. az
preached In this city. Texas il my native
state. am in conflict with the donomi-
national faiths, but At the same time they
misrcpresent me when they say ! am try
ing To ilnunt my inndclity In the faces Of
Christian people. | treat them with con-
: sidcration, and | would be glad 10 DO
, treated In the same way. NV treatment
Of these issues IN always sober and serious.
don't attribute anything 30 Divine Prov.
idcnco. ! don't consider that am bias.
phcming when declare my own belief
In the various crccds. NV present views
are ~ sacred 10 mo as those held when
| believed in Christ | was an honest
preacher, and | came 10 my present posi-
ton while trying 10 prove 10 myself what
] had boon taught 10 preach. | did not
put the church 10 the trouble Of trying
me, but withdrew. The church honorcd
me, paid mo well, and appreciated my
services. have made II rule never TO
speak harshly Of the church"
Mr.. Shaw was asked how lao classcd
himrli among the unbclicycrs2 Was Inc
an agnostc7 lie replied: 81 suppose |
would bc so termed, but | don't object TO
the term atheist am an niidel and am
not ashamed Of IT,"
Perhaps the most striking declaration
that fell from his lips WIS In regard 10 his
work ~ the heal OF this organization. lie
said: 81 believe IN worship for humanity
and find the same enthusiasm in my
work that did when | was IN tho church.
| feel ~ much called Ia preach ~ | ever
did, only the call now IN different in char
acicr This call is my own nature leading
mo 10 preach"
There IA one point upon which Mr..
Shaw IN quite sensitive la discussing his
former relation with the church. lie was,
In spite OF his youth, put forward by all
mifing friends ior the Office Of bishop. lie
received quite number Ut votes, but was
not elected. some people have said his
disappointment promoted Mr.. Shaw to
leave the church. Speaking Of this insin.
uaiiou, Mr.. Shaw said with much earnest.
ness There Is much truth to the story;
! WIS member OF tho General Confer
I oncc, was present when bishops werc
elected aud received a small compliment
any vote. In point Of ministerial seniority
] was one OF the youngest, II not the
youngest. oi tile clerical delegates in the
conference, aud, therefore, could not have
expected such prcirrmont over the heads
ol older men. While was then struggling
, with skoptirism and doubt on every hand,
| had mol Lost all hope Of remaining sulli.
cicntly orthdux 10 continue In the church
aud la the ministry, too. | did not feel
that because n few personal friends
wanted % elevate me " the office OF q
bishop, ] should make known the struggle
| was maintaining In nav mind. and now,
/, after these ycns ui reflection aud retro.
u spCci ] cannot see that acted iucun,
rislcntly. | had brcn advanced rapidly
from thu beginning Of my clerical car,cr
|. AMI nt the time ! Withdrew from the
= church resigned mort important Offices
Z than any brother member II my confer.
I cuco had ever been Entrusted with. The
little vote ! had received Tor the episcopal
Office was larger than any that was ever
given to q Toxins preacher. ] need moi
cuucInl the ilrt that left that General
" Conference with as many and ns lattCrng
y prospects ul becoming a bishop ~ an,
man iB o. u y not cyDiism that prompt.
7, mo io sly thut in aIl probabilities u had
y remained In thu church four morn ycan
y would have byCn elected Ia that Office.
Y s1ruhrvd mon % gyt out 81 the church
" Than over did 90 ~ into ~, aud mon
Than my enemies would W,fcthcy a. com,
y out
y U,HiiCg acting al lecturer ~, tho Ilbcn,
J. Congregation 40 Marp. Mr SHAW pub
% lishvs monthly called No. Mf,p1pdH
Z iUYh lie points tu q circulation up iu
u the thousands us U,tlcurc that inilrlit,
+, b. growing. To- thp rpuffc Of un hour
u conversation MI Shaw never oucc de
tcrndrd 10 the Ilippant solling la which
= nhbrhcNcw ATE prone to Indulge. From
, htsi 30 last Doe wns intensely earnest Mr.
>hW.u flock, u the expression may h,
y u-'d, embraces some II the mofc intclli