Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-05-07

Of a dirge. but they cannot imagine
his moving lips rs joining in we'd
ding march or in the joys of Il social
gathering.
Webster's Tribute.
Daniel Webster once said: The proof
to me that the church was established
by God is found in the fact that it has
existed in spite of the bcgowncd min
listers who have been Gagged up TO
preach their sermons behind their re
pellent pulpits. Any lawyer would lie
ruined if he were compelled 10 plead
for his client behind II wooden box. as
the minister by custom is compelled 10
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 4
divine institution is that il has ex-
listed for hundreds of years in spite of
the Sepulchral and awful hymns with
which the choirS used 10 lead in the
song Worship. These hymns. for the
most part. We're all gloom. all dark
ness. all breathing fire and birthstone
and death When one sang them he
could almost feel the hot. kissing
flames of eternal punishment scorching
his lips. No such singing as the an
cient churches INDUCED in could do
aught but terroriZe and make the wor
shippers tremble with fear DO you
wonder that the churches of old. which
sang for the most part the songs of
death. should have worshipers who
gave only half hearted voices to their
singing: But while the Methodist
church has its songs in the minor key
for the most part the Methodist songs
are songs of life and joy and hope. Go
il you 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 rails
ed 10y cOnqucring host upon battlefield
was never more triumphant than are
or Ocean Grove. When the Methodists
sing We are marching to Zion" they
sing il in such a way that ii seems TO
fling wide open the gates of the heav-
emily city. Songs. Songs. Songs. Aye.
the Methodist church is singing
church. but greatest Of all it is IA sing
ing church OF joy and hope. o men.
no matter to what denomination we
may belong. let us learn to sing as the
Methodists sing. John Wesley's God
was a Saviour. Let us sing as though
Christ had indeed redeemed us from
our sins.
Repent! Repent! Repent:
Lastly. Methodism has had its mar
velous and miraculous multiplying
power because il has had an infinite
field in which TO labor 1t has worked
for the most part among the common
people. Certain churches in this world
have been known as churches of n
class. Some churches have been known
as churches which appealed To the
greatest amount of brains in almost
every Christian community. Other
churches have been known as the
churches of the aristocracy. But though
John Wesley had as much brain as any
man of his generation. and though by
political prcferment he could have
reached position of influence in arts
tocratic society. yet he chose TO east his
lot among the common people. He did
not believe there was one gospel for
the rich and another for the poor-on
for the brainy man and another for
him of small mental caliber John
Wesley believed all classes should meet
as one AT the throne of grace There
fore. as the common people crowded
around him TO receive his message.
many of the rich and the aiiluent stay
ed away. lie was truly the missionary
to the middle and lower classes Are
in Christs name for the conversion of
the same kind of people:
1t was said OF our Lord that 1.-THE
common people heard him gladly"
ALI. that Is the best encomium that can
he placed upon the tomb of the found
er of Methodism. When Peter Cart
wright. many years ago. arose to
preach in Tennessee some one whis-
pered 10 him. General Jackson is in
your audience" With that Peter Cart
wright turned and said: Il hear that
General Jackson is in this audience.
But | want 10 say to General Jackson
that have no gospel for him any diff
ferent from that which offer to every
man" Then. in voice of thunder.
Cartwright cried: Except We repent.
We shall all likewise perish. General
Jackson. that message is for You. Poor
man. that message is for you So.
today. John Wesley in his old pulpit.
like Peter Cartwright in vision. is
stretching out his arms over the whole
sinful world crying: Repent. Repent
Repent And ut the same time he is
calling: Come to the mercy seat.
Come. Come
God bless John Wesley's memory!
God bless all Methodists and Metho-
dism. Delegates to the general confer
ence of 1904. in Christ's name we bid
you welcome. Aye. we open our hearts
and greet you with 10000 Christian
salutations. May You always love us
in the spirit with which we greet you
on this Sabbath day.
Copyright 1894. by Louis Klopschl