TO THE CHURCH OF METHODISTS, WRITE!
The great trouble with us to-day is that the rescue of imperiled souls is our last and least consideration. Many of our congregations are conducted on the basis of social clubs. They are made centers of social influence. Membership is sought in order to advance one's prospects in society, business, or politics. Preachers are called who know how to "Smooth down the rugged text to ears polite,
And snugly keep damnation out of sight." The Sunday services are made the occasion of displaying the elegancies of apparel in the latest fashions. Even the little ones are tricked out as though they were the acolytes of pride. If the "Rules" are read, it is to comply with the letter of a law whose spirit has long since fled. The class books are filled with names of unconverted men and women. Official members may be found in box, dress circle, and parquet of opera and theater. Communicants take in the races, and give and attend card parties and dances. The distinction between inside and outside is so obscure that men smile when asked to unite with the church, and sometimes tell us that they find the best men outside. When we go to the masses, it is too often with such ostentatious condescension that self-respect drives them from us. And yet we have so spread out, under the inflation of the rich and ungodly, that they are a necessity to us. The enforcement of the unmistakable letter of the Discipline for a single year would cut our membership in half, bankrupt our missionary society, close our fashionable churches, paralyze our connectional interests, and leave our pastors and bishops unpaid and in distress. But the fact remains that one of two things must happen,—the Discipline must purge the Church, or God's Holy Spirit will seek other organized agencies. The ax is laid at the root of the tree. The call is to repentance. God's work must be done. If we are in the way, he will remove us. Our spirit needs to be,— "The arms of love that compass me
Would all mankind embrace;" "Tell to sinners round
What a dear Saviour we have found;
To point to his redeeming blood,
And cry, Behold the way to God!" Let each reader begin with himself, and rest not until he realizes that the kingdom is set up within him. We have need to be in greater haste to flee for refuge than had the poor firemen in Chicago. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But will they do it? Will they heed God's message?