The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-20

| vOcated last Monday as means OF COM
peting with the liquor saloons were once
denounced as even moro deadly than the
evil he seeks to combat.
Yet in those older days Methodism pro-
crossed among the poor and down-trodden.
while now the sympathies Of most OF them
have gone from it. in the great towns at
least When it made no concessions TO the
spirit OF the world it prospered more than
IL does now when It yields to them. 1t drew
tho people away from the allurements OF
| this mortal existence when 1t presented In
competition not such carnal amusements as
! he proposes but glowing pictures Of the In
comparable joys which await the redeemed
| in the life to come. It attracted the world
| by sp,,rning its delights and disdaining Its
| pursuits. Its mission was not to increase
the enjoyment OF time, but to make sure
the unspeakable transports Of en- eternity
Of blessedness.
Under that flag Mcthodism has won all Its
brilliant victories: and is there not reason
to doubt whether It could triumph under
any other standard? Does not the suGges-
ton that it should change its colors and
adopt those Of its original enemies AFFORD
occasion for questioning whetheritis not los
ing its vitality and falling into the exhaus-
ton Of whose indications WESLEY gave
warning Mt the time of Its birthP It began
as protest against the spirit OF the
age. and as such 1t must continue until
the millennium has actually come II IL Is to
fulfil its mission. The philanthropic
scheme of this Methodist Of to-day may be
consistent with contemporary altruism.
but it Is totally different from the Method
ism OF WEsLEY's foundation. Nor do We
believe that 1t could ever be successful as
the original assault on the worldly occu-
pations 1t would seek to encourage by its
alliance. The Methodist campaign must
be in different field.
Moreover. the plan is only an imitation OF
methods which have become fashionable
since the warmth OF faith has been reduced.
AS doubts with regard to the world to come
have arisen, the desire to make this world
Of the sense more enjoyable has increased,
and religious faith and conviction have
given place to spirit Of mere philanthropy.
Many such buildings as he proposes are
already in existence. The Young Mems
Christian Associations furnish amusements
Of about the same kind. and yet their pros
perity is not remarkable. It Is as nothing
cOmpdIeu Will Ino piooPoAACy VI onAAJ
Methodism. Several OF the city parishes
have established similar or analogous
institutions for the purpose Of attracting the
poor and competing with the rum shops;
but the great mass Of those for whom they
are intended pass them by to attend Roman
Catholic churches. which offer no rival al
lurements Of the same character; and the
multiplication OF the rum shops Is only re-.
stricted by the requirements Of the Excise
Commissioners.
The amusements which this Methodist
would provide are innocent and healthful
for the body, undoubtedly: but it is the soul
with which Methodism has its concern. the
immortal part, not the perishable body and
its appetites. The more closelyit has stuck
to that single function the greater has been
its success. II the heavenly inducements 1t
offers have lost their power Of attraction.
it cannot revive its influence by adding the
allurements of sports and games. It must
go on in the old way or not at all. Not
more conformity to the world. but revival
Of genuine religion Is the real and urgent
need OF Methadism. f......,. ...yI.,,