Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-26
ZEAL OR KNOWLEDGE
Both Really Prerequisites to True
Success in Christian Work.
THE DANGERS OF EVANGELISM.
Some Evangelists, by Their Coarseness, the
Cause of Untold Woe.
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR CHRISTIANS

Mr.. D. L. Moody said when in this city
in 1867, sit is better to have zeal without
knowledge than knowledge without zeal, ="
and these words have often been quoted by
| enthusiastic church-workers. But Mr..
Moody has since learned that both are pre-
| requisites to true success in Christian work.
The season has now arrived when pastors
and people are planning for extra services,
and this should not be forgotten. People
are found in the churches who think no
good can be accomplished without the aid
of evangelists, and, so the work of the pas
tor is too often unappreciated. Doubtless
there have been and are grandly useful men
who have done the work of an evangelist. But
there are dangers to be avoided, as churches
have been weakened and pastors too often un-
settled in this way.
There are evangelists and evangelists. Some
by their indiscretions, coarseness, irre7erence
and sentimentalism, instead of doing good are
the authors of untold evil They put false
estimate on the pastoral work and on the
real demands OF the gospel The
converts they rejoice over are not con-
verts to Christ, but to the evangelist.
They are rushed into the church. and after a
ligfous, and their last state is worse than the
first. We have knowledge Of one church where
l30 were enrolled on its records, and after year
not one of that number could be found at its
communion table, and the pastor in sorrow had
been compelled to seek another 'call."
This kind of evangelists has no responsibility,
is self-appointed and self-assertive. To control
the engine on yon track we demand an ex-
perienced man at the throttle. Shall we ask less
of those who are to direct US on the path to an
other world. This kind of evangelist's greatest
fort is in holding churches and pastors up to be
laughed at because they have not gotten up
revival long ago. But the churches want no
gotten-up reyivals, they want them brought
down, watered by showers of grace from on
responding In the meeting In answer to the in
vitation, "All who want to be Christians stand
up"
We would not disparage for one moment
those who sincerely say: my hearts desire and
prayer to God is that they may be saved"
Surely in the long winter evenings it is emf
nently wise for churches to hold extra services,
both to stir to renewed zeal those who are
Christians and for the conversion Of those who
aresnot. But is it not the wiser plan for pastors
to help each other, and by this means avoid
much Of the friction that is often developed.
The pastor of one church can go for week or
church, and then return Of labor can be paid
in that way, and so unitedly laboring they may
have reason to hope that the blessing they de-
sire win be bestowed on their labors.
N.s
Let none hear you idly saying,
There is nothing can do,n
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let HIS work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,
''Here am l; send me, send me.n