Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-07-07
hat COnfrOnts r., augeltsts.

In an address before the Congregational
ministry of Boston recently, Rev. DR. Geo.
+. fentecost mnIe some statements which
deserve wide and serious consideration. The
new evangelistic movement H.. considered as
important IN lts effect on pastors a in send
ing out "vanCcIietS. Pastors should b" evan
gelistS. Or rcutrcoSt defined his position MS
that of n hopeful pessImist. EvauCelists
must look obstacles III the face. and the first
difficulty isl great lack IF clear, distinct
presentations of the great doctrines of re
ligion. There has been an unhnlv crusade
against doctrinal preaching. We want Il re
vlval Of righteousness, but we cannot get
righteousness till we get 1t through Christ.
Tint which binds man bacl. to God is the
cross Of Christ.
Another obstacle is n worldly church, that
is. a church which is worldly IN its methods
and life \ man cannot get spirituality IN
III he breaks away from tn" old Adam life
and gets the new Jesus life. We have relied
too much on worldly me rs. We lpgin in
the spirit and 90 on in'tAe flesh. We rrIv on
such attractions Ms n nxW meeting house or a
fine choir, tut people who JOIN the meeting
house are harnarlrS ever after. and n choir IS
n hindrance I" spirituality right straight
through. \ worldly church grows more
worldly every year. Cur churches arr diving
and dead 10y reason OF roSorting 10 one hun
drei and one catch penny tricks to get
money To pay parish expenses. FAIRS
and all such things dry M both be
nevoleuce and spirituality Ministers shut
their mouths because AFRAID ~ driving of
generous hui irr"ligious priv holders Id
never appeal 10 nnConvertoi men for money.
tut I'll take their free offerings. The world
pAtronISss the church. tut this is not fellow
ship Our wealthy church members nr" not
nCtive IN spiritual work. ,Df course. there
are noble except un>.l They pay So much
men"N and then aunt coming T. the PRAYER
meeting. or. 1t they come, have nothing IL
say. heir minds artt nj ON hllNiu4 * and
We tax" their money and lot them - The
rich Christian SAYS Here's one hundred
dollars 10 help On Your meeting. tut Sou
must run II Yourself" He is not found at
the evangelist = services. nor are his EN-
ploye>. Why should they so'
Nv need IA revival Of church members a
man SAYS. We must have some new con
verts right away. or our church Will die,
tut We should r,m mh.r that converts are
not FOR the Churcn, but the church is for
converts. The first question asked me con
%t'uually Is, How many converts not
What Is the state of rrllgiolt There is al
most an insane idea u get III converts I'm
getting conservative III this matter. Ii i.
not - much converts IS revived churches
that are needed The Spirit works through
the church; but. II the church won't work
then HE has IL work through outside acen
fed; henr, tn Salvation Army.
there IS great ndiS 4~ltior
~ personal worn. Pastors are II blame for
this. They maxi social visits and 10 no
seek souls. They do not - IN AMI ont say.
my. Now l. the aCtapte1 TIM. now i IN.
day OF salvation nr Ien,evoS, gave AL
affecting incident ~ i business man, comm.
to Christ, WHOSE pastor tor Twelve wears ha,
talked everything els hut religion wit
HIM, Souls are wait ng for c,,Ne l~rsona,
talks. The church NJ Christ must humbl,
itself before God. Chris Watch.