The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-08-24
SKEIgHES
from THE LIFE or a WEST VIZ
cTnrA PREACHER WORTHY OF
Rev. d.. Fnuerton Reviews Through
the Columns Of the Telegram His
Thirty Years Work m the West
Virginia Ministry


SAGLCn Ia
A large and influential church having
4 strong membership and placing q high
estimate ON its intelligence and
fetandiuu was at one time discovered by
Nr Fullerton without one copy Of the
Methodist Episcopal book of discipline OF
modern date. When the astonished pas
tor heard Of this surprising fact he at
once ordered a supply of this necessary
little volume and as q good place 70
make a beginning he presented the dis
ciplfne of the latest date TO his ofaciai
members at a regular board meeting.
The books were placed on The table for
sale, and not one copy was sold, though
the cost was but small and there were
several members of the legal, medical
and teaching professions on that board
Some of them doubtless thought it was
a reflection on their general knowledge
to have it suggested that they did moi
know the law of their own denomination
This is no fairy tale, nor freak Of the
imagination, nor Is It intended as a crit
icfsm. 1t is simply to indicate what IS
too often heard-that many persons un-
derstand but little of the law OF their
own church, and are Methodists in a
general way, by habit or by personal
surroundings, or from family associa-
lions, or some other intangible reason
(which they themselves scarcely under
stand. Possibly they are none the less
to the church of their choice, and
grounded in honest conviction that
they are right, but 1t IS always more or
Iess Of n reflection upon them that they
cannot i~ntelligently put forward the
leading educational and historical facts
of the book of discipline in conversation
with Others who might wish to learn.
There are ministers, not a few, who neg
Iect bhis part of their work and sell
dom mention publicly or privately the
Importance of acquiring a knowledge OF
the law of the church or urge upon their
congregations that this knowledge might
prove helpful to them in their religious
life. This is no side issue in h work
of pastors. and is mentioned here that It
NAV not be overlooked altogether and
because at this period in his pastoral life
Mr.. Fullerton saw the great need OF such
suggestions.
During his ministry in Wheeling, Mr.
Fullerton had a busy life. His hbors
were not confined to his own church
alone. He had a large number OF calls
for outside addresses, lectures, funerals
etc. For the Ancient Order of United
workmen tof (which order he has long
been a member) he preached two annual
sermons and gave several public I'd
dresses. The same is true for h Junior
Order of American Mechanics. He also
delivered public sermons for the Odd Eel
lows. Grand Army of the Republic, Ma
sonic fraternity (of which he IS also a
mcmberl, Brother hood of Engineers, and
other public and secret orders. He was
then. as he is now, of the opinion that a
minister of the Gospel should identify
himself with bhe public and general So
ciaI life and enterprises of the toWn or
citv where he lives. He is not to be
hidden in a corner somewhere, or sim
ply brought out for exhibition on the oc-
cnsfons when he conducts Divine wor-
shin. His life should mingle freely with
that OF the people, and especially IN
LARGER towns he should take his place rs
n man WHO feels an interest in everything
THAT contributes to all proper enjoyment.
Nor should he be afraid to venture ms
opinions on public questions when those
opinions are fairly called for. 1t IS cow
ardIy for n man simply because he Is a
minister to hide himself and refuse to
express himself justly and moderately on
the leading issues Of the day.
For this and other reasons Mr.. Fuller
ton frequently used the opportunity pro-
vided by his Sunday evening services.
and large congregations at Thomson
church to deliver sermons and religious
lectures on important matters and ques-
lions not often discussed in the pulpit
The result was satisfactory both as to