Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-28

earnestly resisted. OF few Of the great
evils which admit in some degree of public
treatment we cannot be silent. Intemper-
ance, the fruitful mother of brood of evils,
is largely created by legalized temptation.
Snares are planted in almost every street for
the uuwsry and unsteady. Is it too much
to ask that our peop!e will combine to use
all legal instruments to abaSe this wauton
solicitation of men to vice and crime?
Let us discourage, in every way, gam
bling and betting, which spring from the
love of excitement and the Inst of gain, two
of the besetting evils of the modern world,
and let US abstain from all reckless epecula-
tion in business which cannot be distin-
guished from gambling. Excessive and un-
fair competition, which is secreting SO much
bitterness in the breasts of men and deposi-
ting 30 many Of the materials of convulsion
in society should be steadily avoided and
discountenanced. And shall we not do all
We can to mold public opinion and establish
courts of arbitration, so that the complicat-
ed crime of aggressive war may be avoided?
We need to employ with the utmost econo.
my all our resources. One secret of the
strength of Methodism has been the free
play which it allows to the gifts and ener-
gies of its laity. The pastoral work of our
olass-leaders has been Of the highest value.
Local preachers, both in England and Amer
lea, were Of great service in the early his
tory of our churches.
1t is to be hoped that the multiplication
OF ministers may not tempt us to think that
lay preaching is unnecessary. We thank
God for the young men and women in our
mission bands, who are carrying the gospel
to remote villages and into the alleys and
courts of our crowded cities. Among the
wasted measures to the churches are the
delicate sensibilities to attract the tender
uess, the persuasive power of holy women.
We are all agreed that the needs of the
world require and that the conditeons Of the
age allow that such women should take
more prominent place in the work of the
church. The social means of grace in
which Methodism is so rich are congenial
sphere for their best talents.
In social and benevolent work, which is
springing up on every hand and is one of
the most hopeful features of the time, their
gifts are indispensable and invaluable. We
distinctly approve of associations in which,
unfettered by any VOW, godly women may
be organized for ministry to human need
and sorrow, but we hope that with their en-
tightening opportunities women may not be
tempted to undervalue the sphere in which
they are not only supreme, but alone The
children of our church have occupied the
the attention of the conference.
In the formation and wonderful progress
of the great societies on the American con-
tipent, such as the Epworth League, we
greatly rejoice. We should be glad if
similar societies adapted to other conditions
would be established in other parts of the
Methodist world. 10 bring young people
together under it's hallowing influence, to
watch over their reading and recreation in
which 30 many pefils lie, to combine and
direct their ardor and energy to suitable
forms of benevolent work, is surely one of
the highest duties of the church. We feel
that our Sunday-schools have not as yet
realized their vast possibilities. But the
home is the great nursery Of religious faith
and life. We would that parents should
feel that they can hardly look too early for
the faint beginning of the spiritual life in
the hearts of their child rem, nor too careful
ly foster them.
At the same time We must insist, as we
have always done, that the mature religious
life should be definite and conscious. It
may arise as gradually and gently as sum-
mer morning breaks, it ought to become as
clear, as self attesting as the summer noon.
The education of our young people is of
great concern to US. We should never cease
to oppose every system of national educa-
tion which unduly favore any particular
church. In these days, when out of science
is perversely forged weapon to attack our
faith, one of the foremost duties of every
church is to guard her sons against the dan
ger and enable them to do something to
vindicste for true science its high place as a
handmade of pure religion. To this end we
rejoice in the formation of higher schools
and in every step which tends to give US
our right place in the university system of
the vsrious lands in which our people dwell.
Among the foremost objects of our inter-
est are the foreign missions of our church.
The motto of our founder, "The World Is
My Parish" has never ceased to echo in the
hearts of his spiritual children. Some OF
the brightest pages in our annals tell the
story of the patience, the sacrifice and the
triumphs of onr brethren on the mission
field. In the present day, when our num-
bsrs are increasing and our resources grow.
ing; when, through the inquiry of scholars,
the adventure of travellers, the enterprise of
traders and the spread of the Anglo-Ameri-
can peoples, the world is becoming known
and open and the call of God is loud in ev-
cry listening ear, impossible for our mis-
sionary ardor to decline.
We acknowledge with joy the increasing
activity of some Of our churches, and espe-
cially what our women are doing for their
hea,hen sisters.
Against the trade in spirits and the trade
in opium, which are doing SO much to de-
feat and discredit our missions in Africa and
China, we shall never cease to raise our
voice.
While loving all them that love God, and
desiring closer cooperation with them in
His service, we renew our protest against
any ecclesiastical system which invades the
rights of conscience, and which claims to be
the only channel of the infinite grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and sets up human
priest as an indispensable mediator between
the soul and God.
Let US beware of taking narrow view of
our mission and our resources. Let US car
ry on our work with equal earnestness, in
crowded cities to the rich and to the poor,
to the cultured and to the illiterate. Let
us consecrate our wealth by building
which shall be constant witnesses
in our busy streets to the repose and dignity
of our religion, and let US preach in the
open air. Let us use every means, the pull
pit and the press, the school and the uni.
versity, science and art, social influence and
the ballot-box. Let the clear intellect and
the loving heart and the strong will have
their rightful place. Let order.be harmonic.
ed with the play of individuality, and let us
impose no limits on reverent inquiry. The
increase of our people in number and wealth
aud power has laid US under great re-
sponsibiliy. 1t seems probable that before
long Methodism will constitute nearly
a fourth of the people who use the English
tongue. We are factor of growing i'm
portance in that great race, which by rest
less impulse is spreading its dominion, its
trade and it's civilization over vast regions
of every continent. Let us rise to the height
of our calling. We ought to 60 wherever
our race goes. to multiply our churches, to
increase our communications and so become
bond of union among the widespread peo.
pie of English blood, and we should strive
to check that dangerous temper into which
adventure and governing races so easily fall.
So shall we do our duty to our fellow men
and pla, Our parC in the great plan of God