The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-23
| pending calamity in contemplation of
which Methodists should tremble ex-

| onao uoeS HOT please tnelr 1ancy or suit
their convenience, who repudiate with
out conjunction their most solemn
oaptismal vows, who confident In the
influence of their money or position,
trample on the teachings of their church
with undisguised contempt, who, with
out being ashamed themselves, put
Methodism to open shame before the
uncircumcised Philistines-is it meant
tnat such people as these are can break
up the Methodist Church? In such e
case let us welcome tho cataclysm; the
sooner the better.
There is one OF three things, and no
fourth: /. These law breakers should
reform. 2. Or, they should withdraw.
3. Or failing either course, be expelled.
by every consideration of love for
their souls--not their money or intlu-
ence-the pastors, with such help as
may be possible to them, should OK
baust resources to bring these disobe-
don't, unspiritual, backslidden children
to repentance and reformation. Else
wise they are lost for both worlds. In
such world all wisdom, patiepcs grace
and prayer are needed. No surgeon of
sense cuts a leg off when no can save it;
no true surgeon leaves it dead and
rotting with -gangrene, to the death of
the whole body.
What do men and women do with
their honor, to say nothing OF con-
science, when they persist both in vic.
lating law they are solemly sworn to
obey and in remaining inside the pale
OF the church? One of tho M ost promis.
ing churches on the Pacific Coast fur
nishes an illustration we'll worth con-
sideriDg. number OF prominent
families that is, prominent in societv
| and in wealth-fell into tho habit OF
| dancing, theatre going, card PLAYING,
and the rest CT it. 1t grieved the de-
voted and gifted pastor. He knew that
his church was being paralyzed by these
inconsistent, worldly minded, law
breaking Nom hers. Crying to God for
help that he might savo both the disc
bedient children and the body of his
church the pastor began earnestly, pru.
IDENTIFY, Enthusiastically and scripturally
to teach and to preach the truth as
ming. He did this pu olicly and pri-
vately. He never lost either his temper
or his courage. The result was: thew
did not repent or reform, but when
brought face to face with the law of
their church--not waiting for charges
to be preferred against them very
considerable number of the very fore
most ones, as the world measures men
and women-by bank accounts and
social status-withdrow They acted
honorably, if unwisely. Tho moment
they fully made up their minds that
they would not observe the law of their
church that moment withdrawal was
the only honorable course left to them.
His conference sustained this faithful
pastor without question or SO much as
to hinching. That church is not broken
up. But had it persisted utterly for
such cause that conference would have
been stronger from centcr to circum.
ference.
How many such law breakers arc
in the Methodist Episcopal Church?
Not nearly so many, as this writer sup
poses, as those predict ruin if the church
should be faithful in dealing with her
disobe dent and obdurate children. But
suppose there are 1oO,O 900 or 3OO 600 such
people, and every ono of them should
go out in ono day, what of it? The
''old ship" would not start a seam nor
spring leak. They would not take
from the church one ounce OF spiritual
energy. There might be a momentary
nervous shock" in timid pastors and
people. but in an hour after deliyerance
the church would be stronger for their
leaving it, The sailors were safer when
Jonah went overheard. What makes
the church of use to the world is not it's
members or cash. It's saving power is
in it's spiritual life, it's faith, its
purity. church of God may
win victories by many or by few, rich or
poor; it cannot win without the new
birth and holy living, the witness of
the Spirit and 10y in the Holy
Ghost"
Tho law breakers have nothing in
themselves that the Church needs; they
have nothing they can take from the
Church but their names, their money,
their influence, which last is moral
malaria, bringing disease and death to
the whole body
"Ah. but we need their money!"
whispers one of tho pastors of such o
chul CHI as High Stecple.
God pity the preacher of tho gospel
OF the Son OF God" who can think such
a thought when the purity and life of
his church and tho honor OF his Lord
are at stake! Before this time the
glitter of gold has blinded the prophets
eyes. Poor, weak, avaricious BALKAN!
the CLEAN Of Balak's gold so blinded his
eyes that he could not see what the
dumb ass saw: tho angel of God with
flashing and avenging sword.
This fear of losing IN ney by losing
the diso6edient rich is delusion and
snare Such people never give in pro-
portion to their ability. # they we're !
gone. the poorer members, who take |
the pitch of the tune" from the rich,
would give more. Rich people cannot
bankrupt tho church br leaving it.
But let the worst come. Suppose the |
Church does lose cash by the with.
drawal or expulsion of the we'll to do
who will not obey law? Tnen let the
Church get on with less money, as we'll
as with fewer names. She will, at all |
events. have more religion.
The underhusbandmen who have the |