The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-03
A Fundamental Change.

The abolition by the Methodist gen
eral conference OF the time limit for
the ministry OF that church is of more
than UNCONVENTIONAL interest. 1t marks
a change OF ideas. OF methods perhaps
of function. II means more in one
sense than the revision Of creeds or
the formulation OF canons Of conduct.
1t evidences the capitalization Of
great evangelical movement into
fixed institution. As such II engages
the thought OF the sociologist and the
student OF the philosophy Of religion
more than questions OF either faith or
discipline.
The Methodist denomination il the
product and survival OF great reii-
gious revival. Men Of God. moved by
the spirit that Is In the world. saw re-
ligion formalized. society growing po-
litely indifferent. the human soul starv
ing on the husks OF everlasting truth.
They were filled with the sorrow. the
pathetic tenderness the yearnng love
that have inspired the prophet since the
world began. To them the universe
contained nothing so touching and so
terrible as this struggling mass OF sor-
did humanity that was always sinking
toward the beast. To lift II out of the
mire OF materialsm. to make to 1t the
appeal OF the mystic that has never
failed in all the ages. to thrill it with
note from the vast inner harmony
OF its being. became the all-command-
ing duty Of a servant and soldier of God
In a perishing world.
The founders OF Methodiam, II We
may use thai expression of men who
a kingdom OF God In the hearts OF men,
took their methods from their Master
They chung close to the apostolic idea.
Religious institutions In their time rep.
resented to them hindrances rather
than helps to the new life They sought
the humble home and the open field
and strongest emotions. They appealed
e. those hopes and fears that lay hold
uron the multitude. Not In the awed
hush OF the gorgeous sanctuary. not
| with pomp or ritual. not with forms or
| ceremonies or creeds. but with the elo-
| auence of earnestness. the simplicity OF
1 nj L Inn IN. al ~.
once came To fishermen and revealed
his glory for all ages, so they spoke n
the common people OF righteousness ard
mercy and Judgment 60 come.
The development OF religious move
| ments is like that OF individuals. Men
and women even at their highest lool,
upon smiling. happy infancy and feel a
vague pang that Il must pass. Though
strength Is 10 succeed beauty. and
struggle bring 20 Innocence HIGHER
and perhaps hclier dover. there is a
monetary nlutiny against the law Of
life. IL lie the law. too. OF religious
movement. Above the sources OF all
| kNHft ~ humanity thtlN N1fAFF II
scoriae ~ custom. the ashes ~ famll-
| iarity. aud veins Of hardening lava
choke the fountain u being. Then from
the vastness bursts Aery spray that
rcnews the souls baptism. set We kuow
that Il. too. must follow captive 90 tn,
law u conEclation. that tha stating of
habit aud the capitalization Of age a..
Veil as the prisu.atic play 81 youthful
carnestncss belong 10 that rhy thmica
m9N enent which We can life.
II was impossible. in a world so crud,
and aew. that the system ot prlr1sus,
McthoG,sm should escape its fate. q
does not follow that It's usefulness ha!
either departed OF lessened 1t ha.
changed with changing times The pic
turc sque figure ~ the clrcu. risei
giidcs among the shadows with that TO
the rioneer in coonskin cap aai buck
skin leggings The perIpatetlc revival
list with his hastily gathered flock a.,
fashioned into the modern clergyman
with his church whose ramifying worl
demands solidity. permanenee. continu
it>. The rowing pastorate ceases :,
correspond to the UNCONVENTIONAL evolu