The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-12-23
pvTERIANISM NOT ADAP-
PRE9%rD TO THE MASSES.
-a.noe OF tne N. g. PIesbyterian.

II proposing 10 wttV0 y"
ape l did not expect to
for Wv Immortality through annihila
Fescn Bnt Judging from he editorial
uOp. badowings, such seems to be the
or0S%nsnding. Now l do not desire
tpS Immortality, and do not feel very
tDS afra1d of humiliation. At any
nu0H shall write what it vas my
Fss, purpose to write. II error is
onsbr it ought to be demolished -
sa .sy,th is taught it will take care of
lST T,IIv aware that it is a dangerous
to fall into the hands of an
m p1er turn to the SGnctun with a
S"octfnl bow, and then ask the reader
Pbserve first: That l am discuss
+no Presbyterianism of this coun
rs and especially of North Carolina
W. Ebsn We 20 to the Pan Council, we
vi discuss Presbyterianism in its
'.amical relation, with Drs. Blake,
Cams, Dawson, and the Dutch doc
tors We do not propose to be
"svitched off," but to attend strictly to
brsipess and look after our owa farm
and oarden. We can study the Scotch
and Dutch at another time.
Secondly, observe: That | am dis
,nssing the proposition, THAT Pres
bvtarlsnism is not adapted to the
masses" Whether it is adaptable to
the masses is quite another question,
one which | have not touched, but
bope to reach after awhile
Again: IT'S true hat the evangelis
tic arm of the Synod has not been
rsed, and was parGlytic until it was
subjected to treatment by galvanlc
battery, in a health convention"
held in Colds 0oro two years ago.
Since that time it is developing some
strength. But the Presbyteries have
been using the "evangelistic arm"
for forty years, and have never found
it long enough, nor strong enough to
DO the work. When my Presbytery
vas erected in 1868, the first thing
that it did al to get on the trail of
one of these ancient evangelists, who
was said to have operated in our est
srn border, along the sea coast. We
found that he had not left his foot
prints on the sands of time" He had
not even 6Jaze9 the trees. The trail
vas as cold as a | asst winters fox,track.
The files of the Sanctum will reveal
the fact that evangelistic work is no
new thing with North Carolina Pres
bYterians. 1t is older far, than all of
our railroads. 1t has lately secured
new vitality AMI power, and this has
been accomplished by free discussion,
and a little honest looking into the
heart of things. Thus much for the
work behind US, now for that ahead
Of US.
The mission of the Church in the
world, is to give the gospel to the people
to all the people-to "preach the
gospel to every creature" And the
Church which cannot, or will not do
this, ought to surrender it's charter,
and quit the field in favor of some
church, which will obey the divine
command.
Now | have shown in a former
article, that the Presbyterian Church
in North Carolina, is not reaching
the masses OF men. This is Undeniable.
And there is no reason to hope, that
with the present structure of the
Church, it ever can reach them. If
this be true, it becomes us, BIS loyal
servants of Jesus Christ to inquire
into the cause, what great barrier
stands between our Church, and the
great heart of humanity ? Why is it,
that the common people do not hear
Us gladly, as they heard the Master ?
This great question will meet US at
the Judgment if we do not answer it
now. Let US strip ourselves of church
pride and The influence of traditional
oOgmas, and look this thing full in
the face, and try honestly to get at
tne bottom of it. And may God
help us.
What then is the cause of this state
OF things? Is it found in the doctrinal
eachlng of the Church? Is there any
tnlng In the doctrines bel LEVIED and
@ught oy the Presbyterian church,
snat makes it peculiarly unacceptable
70 Ine masses of men? Let us see.
me Shorter Catechlsm is the exponent
VI our doctrines. The Larger Cate
TnlSm Is a fuller statement, and the
westminster Confession is a further
oSoofatIon, and a dogmatic statement
" me truth contained in both cate.
Snsns. The Shorter Catechism is the
tOuI OF al, and contains the doctrines
Su6u' oy our ministry. Now this
su Catechlsm is a most remark
aG'9 oook-for two reasons First,
~"S0'y' 1t contains one hundred
Iu seven acknowledgements to
110S'lons. The statements are very
'' making in all a little cook, that
a. 90 carried in the vest pocket.
'nls little book contains an &C
NOunt OF the Oreat schamo of human