The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1899-05-18
Diselplini.g . Preacher In tie Early
Days,

Diselplinlng . Preacher In tie Early
Days.
Members Of q church congregation
often times think minister is too exact
ing and unreasonable in citing the dis
ciplinary rules; but many Of these MEM
bers do not know that the preacher 10 un-
der stricter discipline than Themselves.
From the Bishop down to the preacher,
the most careful propriety is used. What
is required Of bishop Is required Of .
preacher, and what is required Of .
preacher is also required of q lay.
man, but If there is any indulgence it il
favorable to the latter. Church members
do not walk as scrupulously circnmspect
a. the preacher. The leniency for mlscon-
duct is always favorable to the laynan.
Hon. Ed H. Madison tells an incident
which happened to his father, who was .
Methodist minister. Immediately after the
civil war. In those days, Ut a general
conference, the ministers were examined
critically, the same as nowadays.
Many young minister bad as much mis-
givings about passing . critical examina-
ton as young ministers do now. As to
standing spiritually, morally and educa-
tionally, these we're matters the young
ministers had dread until all was passed,
with the same anxiety that fills the mind
Of a teacher who is undergoing an exami-
nation with catch questions on the list.
At this Illinois conference Rev. Madl-
son attended in the sixties. and ministers
were As spiritually minded as they are in
these days, though perhaps some Of them
used tobacco. The young preachers were
referred to DR.. Menier.a reverend gen.
tleman who relieved the bishop of much
Of his work in examination Of the young
preachers, in those graces which fit them
for the ministry. DR.. Menier was a
''terrorr to all the young preachers, who
did not consider themselves fitted abe0-
lutely with the necessary qualifications.
The applicants for safe passage through
the conference ordeal, In order to meet
Dr.. Menisr's exactions, must have possess.
ed fairly good education, must have the
gift a well - the grace for tho work in
the ministry, and b holy In all manner
of conversation. aud many other require.
ments which called them to preach. DR..
Menier was an educated man. He was
an abstruse scholar. He was digniaed
and seemingly severe In demeanor. When
. young preacher was sent to him to be
''disciplined'' the applicant sometimes
stood 10 "fear aud trembling"
1t was Rev. Madison's opportunity to
pass the ordinary examination before the
austere doctor of divinity. On presenting
himself he was greeted with more c0rdi-
atty than other applicants had received.
To HE astoniehment the doctor asked the
young applicant if he smoked. An affir-
NATIVE response brought out some fine to-
bacco and pipes from the doctors private
desk. 1t was presumed that this habit
was acquired in the army, and 20 the cri-
teal doctor was lenisnt and disposed to
be indulsent. He said 1t was best not to
use tobacco, but the habit was not SO
easily broken off, He realized how hard
it was to quit the bad habit. or course
this was astonishing to the young preach.
er. and much to his surprise; but the
suavity and urbanity of the good doctor
put him III an easy condition of mind.
After quiet smoke, Of Golden Seal or
Home Twist, in " hich both examiner and
the examined participated, the doctor,
true to the conviction Of his position and
its responsibility, exhorted the young
preacher ''tO quit the use Of tobacco if be
could, but if lie must use it, he must be
discreet about it,
In those days the preachers used
tobacco az was customary, from habit
acquired in the army or otherwise. The
Methodist discipline did not bear down
so heavily in those days on vicious habits,
but minister in these times who uses to.
V0N~V AS ~ WI V0O AOIuus JIG use Oh
tobacco is eschewed BY the church with
the same adherence as the most degrading
vice Of drinking. The discipline enjoius
in IT'S broader meaning,
is distinctively Christian virtue, en-
Joined in the Holy Scriptures. 1t i'm
plies subOrdination of all the emotions,
passions aud appetites to the control of
reason and conscience. Dietetically, it |
means wise use of suitable articles of |
food aud drink, with entire abstinence |
from such as are known to be hurtful. " |
Tobacco is meant in the prohibition as
much as whisky or alcoholic beverages.
Soldiers Home Officers.