The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-14

everywhere and possesses more than
local interest. The circular Is as follow:
TO the Members Of Centenary NJ. T..
Church, SOuth-GrCetrg;
Grace be unto you. and peace, from
God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ"
The object OF this Letter is to put be-
fore YOU ina concise form the law OF our
church i'm relation TO worldly amusemenIs.
Many have the impression that we nave
no specific legislation on the subject, ana
that indulgence in such amusements or
giving COuntenance TO them, Is not Il
violation Of church order ana discipline
To those who desire 10 be consistent. cor
rect information on the subject is all
that is necc ssary.
Tho law of the church is contained in
that General Rule which forbids the tax
ing such diversions as cannot Toe used
in the name OF the Lord Jesus (See
Discipline. page 49, Turn TO the follow
inc. among many, passages OF scripture
and YOU will ind the authority Tor TINS
Rule: 1 Cor. X: 81; Col. iii: H.
ln their address 10 the General Confer
ouce oil 1871 our Bishops said concerning
worldly amuscments: "1neir multiplied
and insldicus forms arc perpetual source
of temptation and damage, and are de-
nounccd by the Word OF God and by that
part OF our General Rules which forbids
.fhe taking such diversions as cannot
be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
uhis denunciatiOn is explicit and cOmpre-
housive. and in the name Of the LORD
Iesus' i'm this connection is decisive
test. and we are content TO leave the
issue to it's sovereign arbitrament.
Amongst those diversions which cannot
stand this solemn test Is the modern
s.yfr
riiblic exhibition. as utterly opposed 10
Inc genius OF Christianity as taught by US.
When persisted in, IL Is justliable ground
or judicial action by the Church author
tiles. .,,..
I'm This same condemnation. as equally
contrary to the Scriptures, which declare
that the friendship OF the world Is en-
nifty against God, to our General Rules
and 10 the vows which all our members
have voluntarily assumed, are included
card-playirg. theatre-going, attendance
uron race-courses and the IKE. Ihese
ofrenses are likewise justifarlc grounds
oil discipline" discipline pages 5yl, 19v).
These words do not need explanation
Ttev are too plain TO be misunderstood.
Win US. therefore, il is not an open or
debatable question whether these things
are allowable or not. That question has
been decided BY comp etent authority.
The above deliverance Of the Bishops was
heartily endorsed by the General Confer
ence "as containing the just and correct
Interpretation Of the law in the premises
discipline, page SD.
To Repou~ce the Devil.
Every one who joins our church solemn
w ''ratifles and confirms the promise
and vow OF repentance, faith. and obcdi-
ence contained in the baptismal covenant.
That covenant obligates him 10 "renounce
the devil and al his works. the vain pOmD
and glory of the world, with all cOvetous
desires OF the same. and the carnal
desires of the flesh, 50 that he will not
follow or he led by them" Equally en-
phatic is his obligation 10 "bc subject
70 the discipline OF the church, attend
upon its ordinances and support It's in
situations"
With such VOWS upon US, how can We
indulge in these forbidden amusements
without compromising our Christian char
acter; Our VOW is unto the Lord. Its
violation is an offense against Him.. as
well as against church order. and. II
persisted In. must result in the loss OF
His favor and in a forfeiture Of our tit.e
10 a place among His people.
Watching for our souls. as one who II 81
and no; with grief | entreat you 10 dis
counterance these things that war against
the soul, destroy personal piety md use
ruiness, and bring reproach upon the
Church OF Jesus Christ.
Your servant for jesus sake.
X. n. Sl4EDD, Pastor.