Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-03


these two bodies. They are all of the
division known as Protestant.
All of you will at once cry out, perhaps
"They are not of us! They have no con
nection with u.s." Perhaps not; but they
are the children and the grandchildren OF
those who built and maintained youl
churches. They are the children of those
who formed the town. Naturally they
should be yours If you could have held
them. But you have not; therefore the,
are not yours Aside from that consider.
alton, however, many of them must be
actually yours-otherwise we would no,
have four thousand. Another consider.
alton which strikes me is this The Catho-
lie church and the Methodist church are
composed of the poor. We have not a
rich man in our midst. Ergo-the elite
the wealth, and the culture of the town
are to be sought among those who go to
church when and as they please, or who
do not go at all.
Such is the situation. Is it pleasing
one? Where is the fault? for there must
be fault somewhere. The three factors in
the problem are the people, the religion,
and the pastor.
Now my theory is that If everything
was as it should be in regard to religion
and the pastor there certainly would not
be such lapsa.from duty on the part Of
the people. Our province, then, is to look
to the religion and the pastor. That, |
take 1t, is the heart Of the subject. For as
the veins and arteries Indicate the condl.
ton of the heart, so the masses in their
way indicate the quality of their sources
of religious life. What then about our re.
ligions What about ourselves:
From the evident circumstances of our
case 1t may be neither prudent nor desira-
Die that We each and all discuss the relig-
ions and characters of the various mem.
bers comprising this body. No; save
few remarks in general way. each must
make this part of the examination for him.
self. |, as the writer of this short and
imperfect article, presume to answer in
general way for my own religion.
The system OF religion which by Gods
grace hold is exact and emphatic 'Tis
vague in no important point. 'Tis the un-
enemy of doubt; for 1t has
a solid rSason for every article Of faith,
and this reason rests on proof Hence tbs
dogmatic. A system which is not dog
matte Is merely a set Of theories or opin.
ions. Such We might term system of
philosophy, if you will, but not properly a
religion. For it is the property Of philoso-
ply that it yield to new light; while reig-
ion, if il be of God, never loses particle
Of truth once held. New light in religion
means more light Development is not
change. As ages advance these particles
Of truth are crystalized.
Further, our religion Is direct and clear.
It teaches that "he who believes not shall
De damned" that without faith It's i'm
possible to please God;" but that faith
without good works is dead
As to the preacher in the Catholic
church. che speaks as one having author
ty;" for he holds the post and acts by the
virtue of the One who so spoke originally.
He is there for the needs, but not at the
,eck OF the people. Our church knows
hat its members are convinced. Hence
me uoes uot simpI, asn, ----------A
1.r oh N h., halx %
he Mass on Sundays. She. and she alone,
brushes away the old law of keeping the
sabbath holy;" and says, IL command, by
'irtue of the authority which have re-
;eived from God, that you keep the Sun
lay holy. If not, you are guilty of sin"
The result is before you. All her children,
practically all, obey.
Now how is 1t With your religions, gen
lemen! Is your religion definite? Could
Fou tell me from end to end of the chap
er precisely what you believe. Would
hat be in all points exactly what the
whole body of your church holds as its
aith: Have you no doubtl When doubt
,omes is your system Of religion such that
t always furnishes q satisfactory answer:
Are all these answers accompanied by
1rooft If each and every one of these
questions does not find in you favorable
answer, then the religion in question can
lot hold you; tortiori, it cannot hold
he people.
A Protestant minister whom once met
)n the train between here and Bangor ia
sored me with a chat on religious matters
asked him in the course of our conversa-
ton What do you believer" His answer
was, II believe in agreeing to disagree"
That | might not misunderstood his an
swer he explained that he was in favor of
allowing divergence of opinion among the
provided the congregation could
be preserved, or rather for the sake Of
holding the congregation together. Now
claim that a man holding such a view on
so important matter was not qualified
to preach definite religion. And yet he
preached in several churches in this town
A man who is not convinced, profoundly
that his religion is true, cannot
be man of faith. A man who is not GER
tain lis religion is the only true religion
be man of zeal. Without true
faith, without zeal, his place is not in the
pulpit. Fancy St. Paul in that role
His voice is but as tingling brass and
cymbals." The man who SAYS,
''away with creeds,' simply says, away
with all religious belief;" for a creed is
simply the expression Of religious belief.
If you will permit me now, would say
a word about the position of the Protes-
tant minister as pastor; for on that hangs
the question whether one is leader or not,
whatever his title may be.
Ordinarily the minister is placed on trial
for few weeks. Then, if it please the
society," he is engaged at a stated salary
for a certain term. He knows, as every
body knows, that his position rests on the
pleasure of those employing him. He also
knows that there is widespread disincli-
nation to listen to what are called the dis
agreeable things Of religion. If he be
over Jealous, if he be strong in reproof, he
is reminded that these are disputed ques-
lions and should be left to private judg-
ment He speaks to empty pews. He Is
told to take his pay and go.
Herein rests the strength of the Metho-
dist church in the matter of discipline.
n m not spooEin0 of doctrine Tho soo;at,