New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-13
NO BURNING EXPLOITATION.

NO BURNING EXPLOITATION.
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Halleron, pastor OF the Halsey
Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Newark. refer
ring to the discussion at the Newark preachers
Meeting says that the subject was introduced incl
dentally and was on THE Decline Of Methodism in
Our Conference and Specially In Our Cities" He
goes on to say:
Various causes were cited. prominent among
which was the claim that many of our ministers
have departed from the custom Of the fathers IN
denouncing sin. and have especially in the case OF
younger ministers. given themselves 10 tne pro-
ducton of pleasing essays which are without pro
found conviction in the speakers and consequently
cannot stir the pew. 1t was feared also that we
hear no burning exhortations after the sermon as
In other years. when men, enthused by the HOLY
Ghost succeeded in attracting crowds to the altar
need not say that the debate was warm although
exceedingly open and fraternal.
1t is the belief of many that the Methodist Epis-
copal Church has too long gloried In her members:
lived upon her past heroic achievements and failed
to grappe with the problem of sin as presented q
up to her remissness. and openly avows her deter
mination to preach the glorious, doctrines OF the
New Testament with Pentecostal fervor'
ONLY SEEMING DECLINE.
That there is a general decline in the member
ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church we do not
for moment believe. 1t only seems SO Hi. :. t.,
In the many changes of residence In our cities II Is
easy for members 10 remove from their church az
f,iations and be so recorded Some OF these per
faith as we put it. and do not want to pose in the
garb Of living piety. They are often discovered e,
by faithful pastor, who becomes instrumental III
reminding their piety and who at once succeeds in
having their membership properly transferred.
of faith thus doing away with the Formally OF a
regular Dismissal for be it remem6ereda al n@d
| Methodsts among their membership. But many
persons are waiting for
Meanwhile they are not counted Let any ot Io,r
With viii note sudden and an alarming decen-
sion. If the Roman Catholic priest shoud orn ~
All who do not regularly attend mass and never
attend confession venture the preolctoh 'lat HIS
roll would diminish one-third
FAITH IN METHODIST
For one, as a Methodist minister hail the IN;
felligent pointing out OF our weaknesses. Nor VIII
I admit It is done always with spirit Of unkind-
love of SANDER but with the sublime PUN
Of mankind. The world has right to hold uT 10
pledges for having % fTe ere
| redemption and sanctifcation of believers It IS
oSeetber With our distinctive tenets founded we
believe on the word of Revelation till the very end
that we Methodists not preaching an emascu-
lated theology nor are given 10 nivo1 t b are
preaching the Gospel in the demonstration OF the
| Spirit and with power.
NEVER MORE PROSPEROUS.
The Rev. Albert Cain, of Metuchen N j.. says:
Methodlsm was never prosperous than now tr',
IN thoroughly evangelical sections of the country,
II people do not go to the altar much as In some
former times. it is because those not already con,
verted are Gospel hardened" In seasons OF
great spiritual awakening they go to the altar as
readily os in former times. ,o
THE sacrifice demanded of those who become
Methodsts in earlier times, no doubt developed a
higher average of spirituality than prevails AZ
present when 1t is a credit rather than reproach'
10 be q Methodist. -,
What Methodsm In common with all other
Churches needs to-day, is not a revival or old
fashioned customs. but fresh baptism or the
Holy Ghost.
TOO WORLDLY" SAYS DIR. WOODRUFF
The Rev DR.. c. S. Woodruff, pastor of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church. of Dover. N. j. sees
a departure from the spirit of Methodsm. He
says:
If cannot fairly be said that Methodism is on
the decline She increases her membership ana
benevolent work year by year. but she does not
gain as largely as she used to in comparison 10
First~Because we are not holding on TO the
sn,rit Of Methodism which Is the spirit or the
Gosnel we are too worldly and are preaching
criticism and sensations instead Of Christ ana the
Second~Other denominations are using largely
to-day the methods Methodists used TO employ
TOO BUSY TO BE PEssIMIsT
The Rev w c. Snodgrass Of Plainheld. N. j.,
expresses himself tersely. He says:
7 do not think Methodism is on the decline. All
ral,oIous movements have periods or numerical
growth and periods OF readjustment Both are
Necessary to healthy organization. Methodism
is no exception to the rule. am TOO busy 10 De
a pessimst.