The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-29
PROFITABLE SERVICE.
Rev. b. III. Grier in the Associated Re.
formed Presbyterian Pulpit.

Last Sunday morning the Rev. B. H. Grier
conducted religious service in the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian church at this place In
the most acceptable manner. The preacher
Ing OF the Scriptures was good; the enuncia.
tion was clear and distinct. The prayers In
cluded petition In behalf of those Of us who
are moi quite perfect. The weak and the faint
hearted were not forgotten. Those who were
struggling against besetting sins were offered
cheering sympathy and encouragem ent In
their efforts to fight the good fight OF faith.
The fallen were not sorgotten, and 1t seemed
AZ II the preacher was ready TO extend help
ing hand 10 those who would become again
the loving children of the Heavenly Father.
, In urging US to the discharge OF our spiritual
duty. He often referred TO the Christian as II
he were in q warfare against sin Paul ad-
monished us to fight the good fight OF faith.
| must put on the breast plate of righteousness,
and grid ourselves for the conflict. This con.
test was in the spiritual and not In the physi.
cal life. While the spiritual lie elevated our
also gave to us clean hands. But, the preacher
asked, what war is good where thousands are
slainR Do you know Of any good wars? Wars
xbo mers ghng
chimes. in the physics world there Ia no such
thing as good war. II war Is waged for con-
case of individuals, merely petty robbery:
If we had been Opposed to "talk back" at the
preacher, we would have said that war is bad
indeed, hut that, as rule. substantial pro-
attained, except by the sword. AS well sing
Psalms to a dead horse as for the people to
plead for liberty at the hands of those who
hold them In bondage. Russia Will never be
would be free, themselves must strike the
blow. .. .
The conduct Of the whole service was rev.
erent, without the flppant or irreverent use
of Sh0nl6
their lips except in reverential awe.
Our people were pleased with Mr.. Grier. In
personal appearance be is presentaoe, and his
conduct was such as would characterize or
OF our people are so we'll pleased with him
that they would like to have him as their pas
tor. AS this editor is among those who would
like to have him called TO the pastorate OF the
Abbeville church, we would like to help him
on to perfection. We are glad to say that in
his prayers he referred only once to "sinners."
"people OF God" In announcing the congre.
gstional meeting, which was to take place Inn.
mediately after the benediction. he suggested
that II was desirable for "all members Of the
TO remain to discuss matters that might DO
brought before the meeting.
Upon which we would remark:
We would like for some preacher to explain
to US who are ''sinners and who are the "peo-
pie of God" ethink there is abundant au.
thorIty for the average layman 10 say that all
men are "sinners" Even 80 great man as
Paul. we believe 1t was, said that all men are
liars.
The line between "slnners" and the people
OF God should be 30 clearly described that we
could know who's who.
Another matter While the line between
''sinners" and the "people OF God" is not de-
fined. we DO not see the profit OF drawing the
line between members OF the congregation.
The congregation is made mp Of "comm muni-
capts" and on-communicants." Then, why
designate one as member OF the copgrega-
tion and designate the non-eommunicant as
an adherent?
All these matters may be Of no special im-
portance, but we do not see the benefit Of keep
Ing us in ignorance. -
References to "sinners" In contra distinc-
tion Of Goods people" II not offensive, is GER
tainly not pleasant, Who OF us has reached
that degree OF perfection that he ts COOS child
gether In His name, are they not equally
members Of that congregation, even If some
OF them be not commandments Of any church