The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-21

1921 Episcopal Church apparently un-
even because it is so imperative
in practical life. The reason for
this is found in the fact that
the present policy of that church is
the product of evolution and is not crea-
ton. Whoever studies that polity it is
Tor a church of more than two and half
millions of members. exclusive of its mem
bership in it's many mission fields, will find
It quite different in many respects from
the polity with which it began 120 years
ago with a membership OF only 1900; and
he will be struck with the fact that the
church machinery of to-day would have
been quite as i'll adapted 10 the social, edu-
cational and religious conditions of hun
dred years ago the polity under which
IL operated successfully then would be
adapted TO the social, educational and re-
ligious conditions of the morning of the
twentieth century. In other words, he
would discover that the present polity has
been evolved from the cruder and more
primitive poIity of a hundred years ago.
showing an elasticity which adapts it to
ever-varying conditions instead of being
a hard and fast polity to which conditions
must be fitted.
For instance, one OF the most ulSIlnCaNS
features of the early Methodist Episcopal
Church was its episcopacy. as it permeated
every branch of ministerial service, from
the bishop TO the humbleSt circuit rider.
In short, the government OF the church
was an absolute oligarchy. 1t could not
be otherwise and do its work The min
lister. without waiting for call. went to
the frontier settlements, preached in the
81,
pointed leaders and went on. Later, he
constituted twenty to thirty or more of
these classes. conveniently located, into a
circuit. Necessarily this was his work.
There was no one else to do it. A dozen
or more ministers would meet annually in
conference. with bishop to preside. They
transacted no business but what related to
their ministerial work. And thus came
about a government that was purely min
isterial. The study will develop that little
by little, conditions demanded, local So
cieties became more and more automatic
until now the governing body of the church
is composed of an equal number of laymen
and ministers. This is the product of evo-
luton. not of revolution; neither is it a
creation.
THE CLASS MEETING.
early church was the class meeting 1t
was an indispensable part of the machin-
cry. 1t was borrowed from Mr.. Wesley's
Plan With him it had. however, a local
significance which was never intended here
after the American revolution and the or
ganization of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He and his early associates never
contemplated the formation of a separate
n0a
bers of the State Church and their $50
cieties'' were intended only as clubs for
mutual Improvement in their religious life
One condition of membership in these So
cieties was a weekly meeting under the
penalty of being laid aside for breach of
rules. this in no sense interfering with their
membership in the State Church. This rule
was Incorporated into the rules of the
young churcn, ana IN early times 1t was
valuable purpose during the formative
period or the country. In the absence of
the pastor class meetings were held on
Sundays and later on two or more of these
united to form a smaller pastoral charge,
until IL came to pass that a pastor was
present every day and preached twice every
Sunday and conducted sunday school
These new conditions evolved new views
and obligations as to class meetings. 1t
was no longer a class meeting no Sun
day service, but whether, with the preach
ings and the Sunday school. one could find
time TO attend class meetings also. Grad
ually the attendance at class meetings fell
on from this cause only, not, as some once
supposed. from a less spiritual religious
life. as they denominated il.
In 1S44-the early part of the transition
period-and while yet many preachers were
enforcing the rule regardless of conse-
quences, an incident occurred in Indiana
polls which illustrates some OF the details
OF the evolution which resulted in the pass
ing out of the rule. Dr. Luc;en W. Berry
was then pastor of old Wesley Chapel.
During the summer Bishop Hamline visit
ed the city. During his stay DR.. Berry
called his attention to a case of persistent
neglect OF class meetings by the superin-
tendent of his Sunday school. What can
do with him?" he asked. adding: He is
otherwise an excellent mantle best Sun
day-school superintendent 1 ever knew. /
have admonished him, but he urges con-
scientious obliga atoms. He is a very busy
man and claims that the only time he has
10 study the Sunday school lesson with his
meeting and he not conscientiously
omit this duty for all the good he can re-
ceive or impart by attending the class
There is then but one thing you can do. s.
answered the bishop. semi-officially in man.
ner. You should lay him aside for a
answered with emphasis: Bishop. II 1 can
remain a Methodist preacher on no other
conditions than laying that man aside for
not attending class meetings. you can have
versation drifted on to other topics, but
the bishop never asked for the parchments
u. y
never laid aside for not attending class
meetings. For many years some preach
ers persisted in enforcing the rule, laying
aside many and keeping many out who
became useful members in other churches
until finally the once-useful rule was elm
mated from the Discipline. and the attend
ance OF class meetings as a condition OF
membership passed. Glass meetings are
however, yet maintained for those who
find pleasure and profit I'm them. This was
the product OF evolution, not the result
OF revolution.
wEsLEY'S CODE OF RULES.
Mr.. Wesley prepared a code of rules fol-
the members OF his societies. consisting
chiefly OF things they should refrain from
such as profanity, Sabbath breaking and
drunkenness. In Difference 10 the social
customs OF his period his members might
drink spirituous liquors In case OF necessity
leaving every one free to judge when that
was, hence they were by no means total