The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-06-05
WANTSCHURCH HARMONY
But Methodists, Says Pastor Eakins,
are Less Divided Than
Other Sects.

st Paurs Methodist Episcopal Church
on Third street. between Grove and
Erie streets. is one of the most prosper
Gus churches in the city, and. owing TO
the energy and perseverance, OF its pas
tor. Rev, William Eakins. a har y ouy
exists amongst It's Congregation, which
is refreshing. The Pastors interes IS
are the common interests OF
his flock ana vice versa. DE
termination to help one another. and
work BENEFICIAL results in the cause OF
Christianity is the motto OF Pastor and
congregation.
AT Yesterday mornings services the
regular sermon was dispensed with, and
Holy Communion and reception OF mem-
bers inaugurated. Al the first of every
month new members are admitted, aud
on such occasions Pastor Eakins departs
from the regular order OF services anu
uses the regular rltualistic service for the
admission of new members. Yesterday
morning six new nenbers were taken
into the church. The services were in
teresting and inspiring.
In the evening the church was rowded.
Pastor Eakius, who Is q mau OF mu CHI
ability ana endowed with true Methodist
sincerity, preached an interesting dis
course, taking for his subject, "A House
Divided Against ITSELF" The discourse
had to deal with difficulties in churches,
not arising only from differences be-
tween pastor and people, but between the
doctrinal preachers. who, by applying
different interpretations to the word OF
God, debated aud wranGled, and finally
placing sects ID dangerous positions,
making it likely to rend churches
asunder. TIT Methodist Churc h, as a
whole, he maintained, was free from
such dissensions, aud ne hoped IL would
continue SO.
One of the great reasons he maintained
tl.t raculfad in diffnranrpq arising IN
churches was ent1rsly due to lack OF dis
erection and good judgment. He said
that ali questions aud differences could
easily be settled IL Il true understanding
of g od's commandments was commanded,
ami then followed. Departures from
Biblical directions always cause differ
ences he holds. He placed considerable
blame on ministers who make vital mis-
takes, and he argued that it was always
well for the higher officials of
the church to consider well the
great question that a minister
should be sent, not where he will do the
most good. but where he will do the
He referred TO differences in the Epis-
copal Church over questions of minor
Importance, and ritualistic questions.
He thought, he said, some Baptists be-
lieyei tnat a River Jordan Shouts De
made for baptismal purposes. He main
Lt4u0i tutb SuSiA
not be allowed to gain any root. and
cause any church to become shattered
and torn because of a slight diff srence Of
opinion. He referred to tile case of that
famous Scotchman, John WiseheArt,
who, for preaching his W be-
liefs, was prosecuted and burned
at the stake. After having
been driven from Aberdeen a plague fell
upon the city and Wiseneart returned
aud at the risk OF his own life ministered
TO those who were able to listen TO him.
For his he was hurried into eternity by
being tied to a stake, surrounded by
bags of %gunpowder and slowly burned to
death. a thorough conservation of a
church's doctrinal service, the Pastor be-
lieved, would prevent causes for dissatis-
faction. Lack of piety. hs also said.
caused d~issention. He suggested, IN con
c~lnsion, that all churches live up to enc
old teachings and customs and this
would forever put u stop to u house being
divided against i~sself.n