The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-08

Methodist convert member Of great gospel university in which their are hun dreds of thousands and millions of mem- bers and 1t gives to that convert the enthusiasm which truly comes from great numbers, and, secondly, 1t separ- ates the Metahodist convert from the masses. It places him in a gospel fam fly for which some one is responsible. It gives to him a separate gospel gar den in which to labor. It says, "old con- vert, you look after that young man and that young woman. Visit them in 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 and telled them that they are missed" Individual responsi bilities for individuals-that is the great multiplying slogan of the Methodist "class system. For whom, o Christian man, are you responsible, in Christ's name?
 The Methodist church, in, the next place is singing church. whose songs are nearly always keyed to the tune of hope and joy and the glorious harmonies of a blessed hereafter It is a church whose music is filled with hallelujah choruses and battle hymns and inspiring march, ing melodies. It is a church which be- lieves that our thanks and gratitude for blessings received can be retprped to God as well when standing upon our feet and, in the words of the psalmist, singh up- to the Lord" as when on pended knee we offer them in 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 a dirge, but they cannot imagine his moving lips as joining in wedding march or in the joys of a social gath ering.
 Webster's Tribute.
 Daniel Webster once said: ""Phe proof to me that the church was established by God is found in the fact that'sit has existed in spite of the begowned min isters who have been caged up to preach their sermons behind their repellent pull pits. Any lawyer would be ruined if he were compelled to plead for his client behind wooden box, as the minister by custom is compelled to plead for his Christ" Whether that statement is true or not I am not here to discuss, but one of the great facts that convince me that the church Is a divine institution is that it has existed for hundreds of years in spite of the sepulchra and awful hymns with which the choirs used to lead In the song worship. These hymns, for the most part, were all gloom, all darkness, all breathing fire and birthstone and death. When one sang them he could al- most feel the hot hissing flames of eter- nal punishment scorehing his lips NO such singing as the ancient churches ln- dulged in could do aught but terrorize and make the worsipers tremble with fear. Do you wonder that the churches of old. which sang for the most part tn" songs of death, should have worshipers who gave only half hearted voices to their singing? But while the Methodist church has it's songs In the minor key, for the most part the Methodist songs are songs of life and joy and hope. Go If vou will with me to any of the great Methodist camp meeting resorts of this country and you will know of what speak The mightiest shout ever raised by conquering host upon battlefield was never more triumphant than are the camp meeting songs of Desplaines or Ocean Grove. When the Methodists sing 'We are marching to Zion" they sing it in such way that it seems to fling wide open the gates of the heaven ly city. Songsi Songsl Songsl Aye. the Methodist church is singing church, but greatest of all 1t is singing church of joy and hope. o men, no matter to what denomination we may belong let us learn to sing as the Methodist sing! John Wesley's God was a Saviour. Let us sing as though Christ had indeed re deemed us from our sins.
 Repent! Repent! Repent!
 Lastly, Methodism has had it's mar velous and miraculous multiplying power because it has had an infinite field in which to labor. It has worked for the most part among the common people. Certain churches in this world have been known as churches of class. Some churches have been known as churches which appealed to the greatest amount of brains Ia e,most every Christian com