The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-23
Who il Greatest in the Kingdom:

It has been said more than once that
while the Methodist Church has the
best form of government in the world
for accomplishing the ends of the gos-
pel, it has thisintelicito, viz: 1t slim
ulates personal ambition in seeking the
honors of position. Connectionallsm,
with its Offices and their emoluments,
affords o perpetual temptation and
stimulant to that disposition among
the disciple which our Savior rebuked
bv washing the feet of the apostles, as
we'll as by other methods on different
occasions. 1t was the native disposi-
tion to covet the highest places OF
authority, stimulated and supported ny
the opportunities Of a strong connec-
tionalism, that made the Pope OF Rome,
while on the other hand the strong
boud of connectionalism has kept that
church from going to pieces, notwlth-
standing its own absurdities and the
fiercest opposition. But it would have
been better for the world and the
cause of true Christianity had that
system been broken into congregation
alism than that its connectionalism
should have preserved so much corrup-
ton in doctrine and life. That Which
is strongest for good, whenJServerted,
may become the most fruitful source OF
evil: etsiif
The ambitious spirit which caused
the original twelve to quarrel among
themselves about the honors of the
kingdom did net die at that memorable
foot-washing in Jerusalem. 1t is still
alive in the land. Ever and anon
Cha LOTT (Nnnnral fOn-
ference it was not once only that
some delegate complained that his
speech or name was omitted from the
daily Advocate. Another question
which bobbed up there frequently was
who was due the greatest honor for
saving the Publishing House. And
now there is dispute about the honor
of having originated Vanderbuilt Uni
versity. These little incidents are only
mentioned as indications that when
Lucifer was cast out of heaven the love
of honor was not completely destroyed
out of the universe. Here is one of
the dangers to which church with a
strong correctional system like ours is
exposed. The desire for the honors
and demoluments, and the system which
affords them, are reactionOry one upon
the other. The system offers the op-
portuni les and advantages for the
qualification of the ambition, while the
lust for power, for honor, and for pecu-
mary reward tends to tighten the sys-
tenn by Capitalization in government,
with the enlargement of the emolu-
ments thereof.
Here is a point for watching and
prayer, and especially prayer, for no
amount of picketing nor any manner
of breastworks can secure us against
this enemy. All possible precaution in
legislation cannot protect the system
against the evil. 1t is the best and
strongest, but for that very reason the
most dangerous, when it becomes the
instrument of ambition.
There is one remedy and one safe
guard, aud one only, viz: Religion.
Nothing can be more pernicious to per-
sonal piety, nor hinder more effectively
the real mission of the church, than the
love of glory. The Master said : "How
can We believe which receive honor one
of another. and seek not the honor
that cometh from God only?" Again
il is written: Prefer one another in
honor, and many among the chief
rulers believed on him, but they did
not confess him lest they should Le put
out of the synagogue, for they loved
the praise of men more than the praise
of God. 1t is universally true that a
glory-seeking ministry is barren in
spiritual power and soul-saving.