The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1916-05-18
Sleepy? Church Is
GoodPLdce to Sleep

The Rev. William F. Pitts, Pastor
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
this city, in addition to many ardu-
Gus duties of his large pastorate, in
cidentally looks after the publiea-
ton of a very interesting church
bulletin which he originated and
which appears weekly. This little
bulletin which is eagerly read by the
members and friends of the church
often contains items which are wor-
thy of wider circulation. 1t is refresh
ing to find ministers and leaders in
the church who do not become mo-
rose and grouchy because the world
does not always go as one might wish,
but who take life as they find it and
make the most of it.
In the last issue of the bulletin,
Mr. Pitts, speaking of some condi-
tions in general that prevail more or
less throughout all denominations,
humorously said some things which
we think contain points that might
be we'll for people everywhere to
consider carefully at least, if not
prayerfully. We quote the following;
"Is the world growing better or
worse? Pessimists say worse. We do
not believe it. Here is a little proof.
The Pastor of city church of over
500 members remarked concerning
the mid-week prayer meeting: why,
don't you know, sir, l stood in the
church door and watched the people
throng toward the prayer meeting
they kept coming and coming-busy
too, they were-yet, sir, they con-
tinued pouring into the church from
different directions until by Is min
utes after time prayer meeting was
announced to begin, they were liter
ally packed and damned until one
little pew was nearly half filled, and
were so devout and interested they
were all praying necessarily and most
earnestly FOR THE BENEDICTION
TO BE PRONOUNCEDp"
"In another city church with $50
members, the Pastor said that on any
beautiful Sunday night, he could al
ways count on every single one of the
556 being present to hear his sermon
except about $40, and that of the
entire $50 members, you would be
sure to find at least every one pre-
sent at the prayer meeting except
about SAT. All, no, the world is not
growing worse-it is fast getting
better all the time, and if the pre-
sent great religious enthusiasm pre-
vailing throughout the Christian
Church continues, the Saints of God
are sure to take the whole world
for Christ, and that within less than
ten million years from now. Cheer
up - for surely the Millennium
nigh!"
"If you know anyone nervous and
troubled with insomnia not able
to sleep advise going to church
the church is one of the finest places
this side the cemetery to take a good,
restful nap it is so quiet you know
Once Jesus and three of His most re-
ligious disciples were holding prayer
meeting and all three of the disciples
were so interested they went to sleep
the Master woke them three times
during the meeting. Then cometh he
to his disciples, and saith unto them,
sleep on now and take your rest Matt.
26:45. That's right, sleep all you
wish, and if the minister gets into
the brush or speaks too long, you
will pass the time blissfully without
knowing the difference. Remember
that Christ himself did nat forbid
the Apostolic church. Tired natures
sweet restorer, balmy sleep For so
he giveth his beloved sleep Remem-
Der another thing, too, that Henry
Ward Beecher, the greatest preacher
America ever produced, must have
had even his congregation persons
who, under the matchless strains of
his eloquence and oratory were watt
ed away into the sweet, blissful gar
dens of fair Morpheus; for he said
If anyone is ever caught mapping in
my church while I'm preaching, please
ask the janitor to slip up into the
pulpit and wake up the preacher
So mote it be! People seldom sleep
at a moving picture show, or at a
game of baseball-there's something
doing SO wake up your preacher
wake up your preacher. Sleep, that |
knits up the ravel'd sleeve of care;
the death of each days life, sore
labor's bath; balm of hurt minds;
great natures second course; chief
nourisher in life's fest Shakes
peare.
ONE ACRE OF GINSENG