The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-08

there is a marked difference. l have
no competency to ply the critic in this
field of thought AS an experience
am conscious of it's reality, 1t comes
home to me with an impressiveness too
strong to change 1t to an over-viVid I'M
agination,
But again to those that have gone.
GIVE me souls or l die" was the
deep toned agonizing cry that rang as
an undertone through all their pulpit
ministrations.
The subject matter treated, even If
doctrinal, and the last mutterings OF
that mighty theologic battle around the
fine points of Calvinism were even then
distinctly heard, was permeated with
an intense spirituality. The hortatiVe
predominated, threatenings and prom
ises, rewards and punishments, heaven
and hell, love and fear, law and gos-
pei each had their place and received
impartial treatment.
The manner of their delivery was
imbued with an energy that ever at
tends an aroused conscience, deeply
awake to the vital Importance of the
message delivered. You were Impress
ed with the fact that these men believ-
ed what they preached. Their work
was not perfunctory, but vital.
The theological schools have raised
| the standard of culture. The spirit or
| the times has broadened the field OF
| thought, science philosophy, Biblical
| criticism and cold skepticism have en-
| tered the arena and the conflict mas
| been, and is to-day, one OF severity
But has the old style become obsolete,
and the new imperative? Is it not pos
sible to graft the new on the old? Have
| the results justified the change? Has
the grasp of the pulpit on the people
been so firm? Has it held the church
to its duty? Has it held up the cross
so persistently?
"Methodism in those days held the
masses, drew them with the force OF a
magnet to the cross of Christ and re-
| joiced over the salvation of the poorest
| There was no respect to persons in the
| fulfilment of her high and holy mission
and her success was pre-eminently
glorious.
IT have wondered if the preaching
| of those days so grandly successful
were promulgated from the pulpit OF
the elegant structures of to-day WITT
their tinted windows, fire organ anc
operate quartet would have the same
effect as it did then. If not, is the
cause to be found in the inevitably
changed condition of society? Is there
an inevitable antagonism between thu
thorough evangelical minister and
high order of culture, or IS it true tina
with the increasing of a higher intel
lectual life culture, the natural out
growth, material wealth and socia
power, there has ben satanically de
vised new and slkillful methods of re
sistance to spiritual power.
The time was when the separating
line between the church and the worl'
was distinct. Each occupied its owl
ground Each had it's own distinctly
pleasures, its social life, its line 0
moral action and each respected tn
right involved But there was no mis-
taking the one from the other.
"Methodism of the old style is j
large demand. Pure gospel quinine
the spiritual soul tonic needed, allc
pathically dispensed. We, my dea
brethren, are to give it. In Gods nam
let us preach the gospel, not science
not philosophy, not colorless mora
ity, not art or literature. The heart
the citadel to be assailed. Scriptul
tells us it is deceitful and desperatel
wicked; also that out of it procee
evil thoughts, etc. Get the heart rigf
!. and the head, whether strong or veal
will not go far astray. Let me as
here question for future thought.
Is Methodism now or to be a spen
, bali?
THE reply to that question is large