The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-06-01
REV. KOEPSEL
HAS HAD ENOUGH
Preached Farewell Sermon to His
Congregation.
WILL FORsAKE METHODIST
LIVELY ATTACK UPON BISHOPS
AND ELDERS.

The Rev L. H. Koepsel pastor Of the
Tiff Methodist church, preached his fare
well sermon to the members OF his con-
gregatiOn yesterday. His resignation as
pastor of the church win be presented to
the board Wednesday evening. He ex-
poets to leave with his family for Ne
Some days ago Mr.. KoepseI astounded
ms congregation by announcing his in
tention of severing his connection with
the church as pastor and Withdrawing
his membership from the Methodist
/ church entirely The first has practic-
ally been accomplished. The second will
be done at the next spring. conference of
the church. After that il is the purpose
of Mr. kOepsei to take Up the ministry
IN dhother church. Last night he stated
that the Presbyterian church was his
IlrsI preference and the COngregat iOnal
his second. He had not decided which
church he would enter. However. he an
nOunced 1t as his determination TO re-
main in the ministry the remainder Of
MS life, whatever religion he might en-
brace In explanation of his action, Mr.
kOepsel states that he has found Meth
odism to be despousm; that he consid-
efS IS not Christian nor biblical In plain
words. he declares the cpiScOpate to be 4
machine that hampers true Christian
work. His sermon explains his position
in the matter.
His text was from John viii, Sc: so,
then- II the son sets You Tree, YOU viii
be free without doubt"
The government of the Methodist
church is unbiblical; that is, unchristian,
when compared with the church of the
New Testament. Methodist Episcopalian-
ism is absolutely despOtic. There was no
superiority in the church of Christ. There
were no popes, bishops, or petty desp0ts
called presiding elders, to block the mem
Der in his growth or retard him in his
usefulness. During the lives of the apOS-
I ties there was no such thing as the epis-
GOpaI government as We know IL me
Episcopal form of rule was a heather in
yentiOn- With all of its polish. modern
phraSeoiogy and apparent democracy, the
Methodist EniScOnal
turned into fieTcer despOtism
than could possibly obtain even in the
Roman Catholic church If the chief
officers were always directed by the Holy
Spirit it would be well. The lay member
is but a tail-end piece in the church. The
real burden bearers of the church can
advise but have no voice. Does the
spirit work only through the bishop or
presiding elder2 Yet that must be the
assumption if any argument is to be pro-
duced to substantiate the system of max
ing appointments of ministers What Il
lot OF nonsense Methodist preachers de
clare when they state that the Holy
Spirit leads them, when many times in
making Of appointments II is the devil,
who controls the mind of a DenuriOus,
self-conceited presiding elder for whom
it was impossible to raise the self-aS-
sessed salary. The poor pastor must be
degraded Yet it is God who makes the
appointments. What an insult TO a just
Again. why should there be any con-
ditiOn in the tenure of Officer AVhv &
bishop elected for life to live in luxury
and ease. others for a term of years, and
the pastor for one year at ume2 Are
there no mistakes made in the election
of bishops? Verify, verify, some bishops
are not even gentlemen, yet they hold
fast a lifelong position with a salary
seven times as large as the average pas
tor. Again. the making of appointments
has been degraded into a commercial
transaction Men are appointed who can
raise all the salaries.
But in the church IT is money, money,
money Money is the cry from beginning
to end. The minister to succeed must
leave the high calling of giving his en-
tire time TO the ministry and begin the
serving of tables.
Another element must be noticed in
making appointments of pastors They
are made by a clique. Get into the ring
and you are safe. You VIII always have
a good appointment Promise TO vote for
the boss. OF the conference when gen
eral conference comes around and you
will be taken care of. Woe to the man
who dares to think or act for himself.
He may never know why ne was kept
down. I do He was honorable. He held
sacred the teachings Of the church He
would not join the dominating crowd.
1T IS no easy thing TO say good-by.
There are so many admirable features IN
the church in which I have tOiled.
Through its misguided officers il brought
me from strong, robust young man into
the meshes near a physical wreck
AS for myself, the Supirit still shrdlO
LAS for myself the spirit still directs
The gospel must be proclaimed. There is
no ceas1ng until the crown is obtained.
Death only can make an end to the call
which Is now upOn me-.