Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-05

Of the talk. But something or an
other sort does come of IT, BY it the
consciences of the promoters and at
tendants of THESE meetings are some
what paralyzed; they have a sense OF
duty discharged by the glow with
which they have heard the talk and
held the meeting. Nothing Is really
done. but so far as they are concerned
they are done with the matter.
Moreover the speakers also in many
cases are Unaffected by their own talk
They have talked so much they feel
nothing more than talk should be asked
Of them. They are ready to talk some
more, if anything further is desired at
their hands. They become infected al
so with an evil itch of speech. They
conceive passion for talking in meet
ings, and they will compass sea and
land to get chance TO address a con-
vention and snow the by-standers how
we'll they can speak. They become ar
lists in accent and manner. and they
train even their lacrymal glands to se-
crete timely tears to suit the occasions
on which they are called to serve.
A less evil result. although one not
wholly unworthy of consideration, is
the amount. of money wasted on these
needless convocations In expenses or
travel and entertainment, and in the
outlay incident to these superfuous
meetings there is often expended an
amount of money quite sufficient to ac-
complish the good ends they profess to
serve, If the funds were bestowed d.
rectly upon the work Missionary Con-
ferences nave consumed resources
which would have sustained hundreds
of efficient missionaries on the foreign
field If men and women really care
for Christ's command to go into all
the world and preach the gospel to
every creature, why do they need so
much addressing to move themselves
to obey the commando? Are their con-
victions of duty like half-worn pumps
which require much water to be poured
into them before they will draw any
out?
Nothing said by the British Weekly,
and nothing contained In this article, Is
designed to deprecate or discourage the
regular conversations of the churches.
The Baptists can not do their work suc-
cessfuIly without their associations and
conventions, In like manner the Press
byterians must maintain their presby7
teries. synods, and assemblies, and the
Methodists their well>ordered system OF
conferences. So also must the other
churches preserve their conversations
which are authorized by their laws and
necessary to their progress. Against
none of these regularly constituted as
semblies can be brought word Of just
objection.
Criticism is submitted against the
superfiuous gatherings which are re-
sponsible to nobody and which begin,
continue and end in talk and resolutions
only.
1t is possible, however, that some OF
the churches have themselves to blame
for making provision for some needless
meetings of denominational character.
Their people, perhaps, are meeting too
much for the best results in pious living
and useful service. They may waste all
their force In religious dissipation.
Are not the women and young people
of some churches running about too much
for the best things in the home,l which
is Gods most sacred assembly, The
prophet speaks of time when many
shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall
be increased But many may run to
and fro, without increasing anything but
shallowness, fiippancy, irreverence, and
talkativeness Attendance on meetings
which overthrows family affairs ran not
please God or promote the kingdom OF
heaven.