The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-04

kinds of nerfection There is absolute
perfection that belongs only to God. We
can always be approaching that, but we
cannot become God. There is perfec-
ton obtainable in life. 1t is perfect
Love. 1t casteth out fear. 1t keeps
the commandments. If a man says he
loves God and keeps not His command
ments, he is a liar. We ought all to
have love that casts out fear and we
ought to keep Gods commandments.
Are you grooming after Perfect Love
and expect it in this lifeT'
''Are you resolved to devote yourself
wholly to the work Of the Christian
ministry? That is what your consecra-
ton implies. You will not have time
for anything else. Some men greatly
embarrass themselves and almost make
shipwreck of their ministerial useful
ness by their secular pursuits. Avoid
this danger.
"Are you willing to conform to the
discipline of the church? 1t is very
broad thing. 1t provides for legislation
You must not resolve yourself into
General Conference and add fifth
wheel to the church. You'll never at
tempt TO organize a holiness association
out of the church. The whole business
of the church is to spread scriptural holi-
ness in these lands.
1.-The Discipline is n safe guide. You
should follow the order of service. 1t
is a very embarrassing thing to Bishop
to go to a place where young brother
has set up new order OF service. and
the Bishop cannot keep up with it.
Il would like to see all Methodists all
over the world have one form Of worship.
so that when you go into a Methodist
church you will know the character OF
the service.
"Will you diligently instruct the child
rem in every place? Children have re
lation to the church of God that sons
If us have never dreamed OF. The
Great majority OF the population OF
Heaven will be those who got there in
infancy and most Of the rest through the
lessons learned in their infancy.
Twill you visit from house to house:
1t does not mean that you are to spend
all your time that way, but you are GO
ing to use your social gifts to bring men
under the influence Of the Gospel.
Twill you recommend fasting and abb
stinence by precept and by example !!
am afraid some of us have forgotten
his obligation we assumed at the altar.
don't know q better theme for the
pulpit than fasting. There are grea
moral reasons for fasting. Study the
18Th chapter of Isaiah and see what
fasting means and what its objects are.
Some of us haven't been busy enough to
be thankful for our food. We cannot
,ympathze with those who are hungry
y necessity. We haven't learned nov
nuch our spirits are under the dominion
{ our body because we haven't tasted.
Some excuse themselves from fasting by
saying: IF ! do without a cup of cof
q before breakfast have headache.
What right has "A Christian to be so far
tnder the dominion of mere appetite:
During the war ! was urging fasting in
/ sermon upon my congregation. Place
n allegiance every artificial appetite.
That is your duty. If you use tobacco,
quit on the day of your fast. Should
not drink water. 1t is to put the whole
body in subsection. | keep my body
under lest after having preached to
others. ! myself become a castaway.
During Confederate times, in that ser
mon, | convinced one brother that he
ought not to use tobacco on a fast day.
We began to observe the day at sunrise
with a prayer meeting. This brother
was present at the sunrise PRAYER meet
ing. After the prayer meeting was
ended he went into my study with some
others and said: Brother Hargrove, you
have put me in an awkward dilemma. /
believe you are right about giving up to-
bacco on fast day. / started out with
out it. l went to sleep at prayer meet
ing because | did not have my tobacco
/ fa hac oh
how far you are under the dominion of
an artificial appetite. You can't worship
your God except by tobacco He said,
BY the grace of God I'll quit and he
did There is great deal in this ques-
ton.
'Are you in debt so as to embarrass
you? 1t is important to begin and re-
main that way. Some men who would
have been eminently useful have Deen
embarrassed and failed in the ministry
by reason Of debt. Avoid it.
''Be diligent. The preachers ought to
be active and alert, AMI watch every in
terest of the church. Rise early and
sit up late and study the best methods.
Yours is the highest work Do not be
unemployed or tri1ingly employed. Be
punctual and save the time of the COM
munity. Begin your service at the time
appointed, but don't be so straight as to
lean backward. Don't assume the in
fallibility of your watch
Il don't like an extremist of any kind.
He is a dangerous man.
do not mend our rules, but keep
them.
Study and follow the directions of The
church. Do things in their proper time.
Especially visit the sick Read, iredi-
tate, pray.
'A:4d may Gods blessings be upon
you. May you all be faithful ministers
of Christ"
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
The conference having decided to go
into the election of delegates to the
General Conferenc at IL o'clock, the
Bishop announced that the special order
had arrived. The lay delegates met on
thn .ifIt Of ot, {l.<>n nj sao1