Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-05-06

tV0th VI q BAV&CrcOA uUOu tue
boy. Think not" said President Har-
per only a short time ago. THAT the
University OF Chicago Is I'm any sense n
rival OF the small college. There IL not
n professor upon our faculty who
would be so foolish as to advocate the
idea that young boys OF sixteen should
be turned loose In this great sinful city,
with no one to be individually respon-
sible for them. Chicago university Is
n postgraduate institution.
We have our collegiate departments for
the sons and daughters OF those par
ents living I'm town. ana not for those
whose homes are I'm the far distance -
Now, the "class system Of Metho-
dism has a double purpose-first, It
makes the Methodist convert n men,
Der or great gospel university In
which there are hundreds OF thousands
and millions of members and IL gives
TO that convert the enthusiasm which
truly comes from great numbers. and.
secondly. II separates the Methodist
convert from the masses. Ii places
him In gospel family for which some
one is responsible. 1t gives 10 him n
separate gospel garden In which to
labor. 1t says: "Old convert. you look
after that young man and that young
woman. Visit them I'm their homes.
See that they have the right kind Of
companionship. When they are absent
from the house OF God learn why they
are absent anu tell them that they are
missed" individual responsibilities
for indiyiduals-tha is the great mul-
tplying slogan or the Methodist "ciass
system" For whom, % Christian man.
are you responsible I'm Christ's name :?
The Methodist church, i'm the next
place, Is singing church. whose songs
are nearly always keyed 20 the tune
OF hope and JOY and the glorious har-
monies Of n blessed hereafter. II is a
church whose music Is filed with hal
leluiah chOruses and battle hymns and
inspiring marching melodies. 1t is II
church which believes that our thanks
and gratitude for blessings received
can be returned to God as well when
landing upon our feet and. in the
words Of the psalmist. singing unto
the Lord" as when on Blended knee we
offer them I'm silent prayer In the
closet. The trouble with many OF our
churches is they always imagine
Christ as keeping step TO the slow time
OF dirge. but they cannot imagine
his moving lips as Joining In q we'd
ding march or In the joys OF q social
gathering.
Webster's Tribute.
81 - s.rr-t.- q
70 me that the church was established
by God is found I'm the fact that It has
existed ia spite OF the begowned min
listers who have been Gagged ND 10
preach their sermons behind their re-
pellent pulpits. Any lawyer would be
ruined IL he were compelled TO plead
for his client behind wooden box, as
the minister by custom Is compelled 90
plead for his Christ Whether that
statement is true or not. am not here
to discuss, but one of the great facts
that convince me that the church is a
divine institution ia that 1t has ex-
listed for hundreds OF years in spite of
the sepulchr9l and awful hymns with
which the choirs used to lead Ia the
song worship. These hymns. for the
most part. were all gloom. all dark
ness. ali breathing fire and birthstone
and death. When one sang them be
could almost feel the hot, kissing
flames OF eternal punishment scorching
his lips. No such singing as the an
cieDt churches INDUCED I'm could do
aught but terrorize and make the wor-
shippers tremble with fear. Do YOU
wonder that the churches OF old. which
sang for tho most part the songs OF
death. should have worshipers who
gave only half hearted voices to their
singing? But while tho Methodist
church has It's songs, I'm the minor key.
for the most part the Methodist songs
are songs OF life and Joy and hope. Go
II you Will with me 10 any or the great
Methodist camp meeting resorts OF this
and you Will know OF what /
speak. The mightiest shout ever rails
ed by conquering host upon battlefield
was never more triumphant than are
the camp meeting songs OF Desplalnes
or Ocean Grove. When the Methodists
sing I'VE are marching to Zion" they
sing 10 In such a way that IL seems to
hing wide open the gates OF the heav-
emily city. Songs! Songs! Songs. Aye.
the Methodist church is singing
church. but greatest OF all II Is n sing
Ing church OF Joy aud hope o men.
no matter TO what denomination we
may belong. let us learn to sing as the
singi John Wesley's God
was a Saviour. Let us sing as though
Christ had indeed redeemed US from
Dur sins.
Repenti Repent Repent!
Lastly. Methodism has had its mar
Telous aud miraculous multiplying
bower because IL has had an Infinite
held In which TO labor. 1t has worked
Tor the most part among the common
people. Certain churches In this world
have been known as churches of a
lass. Some churches have been known
Is churches which appealed to the
greatest amount or brains In almost
very Christian community. Other
'hurches have been known as the
.hurches OF the aristocracy. But though
Iohn Wesley had as much brain ns any
nan or his generation. and though by
,ouucal preferment he could have
cached position OF influence In aris-
ocrare society. yet he chose to cast his
OF among the common people He did
aot believe there was one gospel for
he rich and another for the poor-one
'or the brainy man and another for
I'm or small mental caliber. John
Wesley believed all classes should meet
Is one at the throne OF grace. There
ore. as the common people crowded
around him to receive his message.
many OF the rich and the afiiuent STAY.
q away. He was truly the missionary
o the middle and lower classes. Are
We In church work ready to reach out
q CErisfs name for the conversion OF
he same kind OF people?
1t was said OF our Lord that "the
people heard him gladly"
Ali. that is the best encomium that can
'e placed UPON the tomb OF the found
II or Methodism! When Peter Cart
wright. many years ago, arose to
'reach In Tennessee some one wbis-
'sred to him. General Jackson ia I'm