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Practical Thoughts 



FOR 



THE OLD AND THE YOUNG 



BY 



REV. F. M. HAMILTON, 

u 



AUTHOR OF 

A Conversation on the C. M, E. Church," 
A Plain Account of the C. M. E. Church, 
A Hand Book on Church Government." 



" Think on these things.''— St Paul 



JACKSON, TENN.; 
PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE C M. F. CHURCH, 
H. BULLOCK, AGENT. 
1904 



-v 



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LIBRARY of CONGRESS] 
Two Copies Heceiveu 

DEC 9 1904 




COP 



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Copyrighted 1904. 
By Publishing House of the C. M. E. ChureX 



DEDICA TOR Y. 

To the coming host of Epworth Leaguers 

of the C. M. E Church, this 

volume is dedicated 

by the Author 

(3) 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Ministers of the Gospel g 

Carrying the Crowd 21 

The Pastor : Heed to Himself and care for his 

Flock 35 

Young Christians 51 

Young Converts 65 

Second-class Conversions 69 

Church Obligations or Conditions of Church 

Members 79 

The Love of the World 99 

Chastisements 112 

Partakers of Christ 125 

Sunday-schools and Sunday-school Workers 133 

A Deeper Meaning of Sunday-school Conven- 
tions 144 

Keep to the Right 254 

Our Racial Needs 179 

Lines Dedicated to the Memory of 

Bishop W. H. Miles 196 

A Friend Indeed 199 

(4) 



INTRODUCTION 



It would be very difficult for me to answer 
the general question being asked by the world 
whether or not books grow in usefulness and 
power as they multiply. This one thing we 
doubt not, that books influence our lives. They 
educate us for good or bad. 

Some books teach us how to live, while 
others teach us how to die. Some give joy 
and solace to the bereaved, the down cast, 
and sorrowing ones; while others bleed hearts 
where hearts need no bleeding. Just think of 
the gold mines of thought that are hid behind 
the lids of thousands and thousands of books 
that drop from the press each year, and yet 
thousands and millions of people walk over 
and around, and through these gold mines of 
thought without ever being stirred to look 
for a single grain of wisdom. But over and 
above them all, the books that we find full 
of the essences of true freshness are the sweet- 
est and best books to and for us after all. 

Some may think that after so many books 
have been written that there can be no tour 
de farce of freshness hung on to any subject; 
but not so when you stop* and think for a 

(5) 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

few minutes. So the truth seekers will say, 
"Let me read all books that will help me to 
be wiser, nobler, and better." 

"Practical Thoughts" is a book just finished 
by Kev. Dr. F. M. Hamilton, one of the min- 
isters of the Colored Methodist Episcopal 
Church in America. The author in his own 
amiable, clear, terse, and forceful way dis- 
cusses several important subjects in this work. 

I will say to the Christian people and the 
world generally — read all the book, re-read it, 
but if in the multiplicity of duties and the 
press of business you should be forced to omit 
any part of it, do not fail to read the author's 
explanation upon the following subjects, viz., 
"The Ministers of the Gospel," Carrying the 
Crowds," "Young Christians," "Second Class 
Conversions, ' ' Church Obligations, " " Keep 
to the Eight," and "Our Eacial Needs." 

Dr. F. M. Hamilton was born near Washing- 
to, Ark., Sept. 3, 1858. In early life he con- 
nected himself with the C. M. E Church in 
America. He has, on account of his poignant 
insight to business and accuteness of intellectual 
power, risen like magic from the earth. He 
has cut and cleared his way through stubborn 
opposition to some of the most prominent po- 
sitions in the gift of the Church. He joined 
the Conference at Little Eock, Ark., Nov. 27, 
1878. After pastoring in Arkansas and 
Alabama, he was transferred to the Virginia 
Conference where he presided over the Wash- 



INTRODUCTION. I 

ington District for five years. At the General 
Conference held in Augusta, Ga., May 1886, 
he was elected Book Agent and Editor of the 
Christian Index. He held these positions for four 
years. At the General Conference held in Little 
Kock, Ark., May 1890, he was re-elected Editor 
of the Christian Index; but resigned Jan. 16, 
1892. Bev. Dr. Hamilton has pastored and 
presided over some of the most important 
charges in the connection. 

Dr. Hamilton is a man of resources. He has 
plenty of knowledge, and if knowledge should 
fail him he has a full supply of invention. 
Moreover, if invention should fail him, he has 
a poetical chord on which he plays admirably. 
His stock of knowledge grows apace. 
His appetite for information is insatiable, and 
his ardent soul pants for deeper and deeper 
draughts at the fountain of knowledge. He 
is well known in the Church as our first histo- 
rian — I mean by this, that he was the first to 
collect the history of the Church into book 
from — hence his lt Plain Account of the C. M. 
E. Church." He is also author of the "Hand 
Book on Church Government/ ' a book that is 
widely read on the account of the information 
it gives on Church Polity etc. And now he 
gives to the Church and EaCe his third 
book, "Practical Thoughts." 

In reading this book, the thought that will 
cling to you most will be the absence of the 
Ego in the author's Cosmos and his liberal 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

views. Yet he is to the point on everything 
that comes within the scope of his subjects. 

The author does not take any neutral grounds, 
nor does he ring any bells of compromise when 
it comes to pointing out the right course we 
should take in life. He is lofty in his advo- 
cacy of the right, strong in breadth of pro- 
found thought, and beautiful in unity and sim- 
plicity. He is a close reasoner. Readers, read 
' ' Practical Thoughts, ' ' for in it you will find 
the pith and marrow of gospel truth. 

May the blessings of God Almighty and of 
his Son Jesus Christ rest upon the author and 
his book. And may the truths herein contained 
cause all who may read them that are not in 
the good old way, to turn their feet to the 
testimony of the Lord, make haste and delay 
not to keep his commandments. 

May these practical thoughts be a source of 
great joy and comfort as well as thrilling and 
uplifting to all within whose hands and minds 
they may fall. 

May the author live to see this book win a 
great victory for righteousness and truth and 
meet with a glorious sale. 

Barnesville, Ga. A. J. Cobb. 



MINISTERS OP THE GOSPEL. 



"So let our lips and lives express 

The holy g-ospel we profess; 
So let our works and virtues shine 
To prove the doctrine all divine." 

— Isaac Watts, 

•'See where the servants of their God, 

A busy multitude, appear; 
For Jesus day and night employed, 
His heritage they toil to clear. 

Their love of Christ their hearts constrains, 
And strengthens their unwearied hands; 

They spend their sweat and blood and pains, 
To cultivate Immanuels lands." 

— A. G. Spangenberg. 

" 'Tis not a cause of small import 
The pastor's care demands; 
But what might fill an angel's heart, 
And fill a Savior's hands " 

— Phillip Doddrigde. 

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a 
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and 
vain babblings : for they will increase unto more un- 
godliness."—^. Paul to Timothy. 

It is quite evident that no class 
of men have a better and freer ac- 



(9) 



10 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

cess to the masses of the people of 
all classes and conditions, than 
does the minister of the gospel. No 
man has a better opportunity to 
learn the real condition and needs 
of the people than the minister. 
Being among them from time to 
time — in their homes, on the public 
highways, in the streets, lanes, al- 
leys, byways and hedges, he has 
the privilege of learning more of 
them than any other man. There 
fore, if he be a conscientious man, 
he will at once recognize his oppor- 
tunity for doing good, and proceed 
forthwith to take advantage of the 
same. It follows then that a min- 
ister of the gospel should be a con- 
icientious man. He should be a 
truly converted man, a holy man. 
He should be sensible of the fact 
that he has been called of God and 
sent to the work of the ministr}^. 
Then he should enter upon his 
work with no other determination 
than to do his best, and to "know 
nothing among men, save Jesus 



MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 11 

Christ and him crucified." He 
should let the world see, feel, and 
know that he is a man of God call- 
ed to an important work and that 
his whole heart is in that work. 
He should feel the burden of the 
souls of men upon him ; endeavor- 
ing to do all in his power, God 
helping him, to bring the lost ones 
to Christ, and strengthen those 
who are already in the faith. He 
should be a man of candor, jus- 
tice, mercy, and truth. His 
thoughts should be engaged in 
seeking the best methods for 
saving men and women from those 
vices and immoral acts which not 
only stigmatize them in this life, 
but will keep them from the king- 
dom of God. 

It is his privilege and duty, and 
should be his pleasure, to endeavor 
to make society better and purer. 
He should seek a higher and purer 
moral atmosphere, and then put 
forth earnest and persistent efforts 
to lift others to the same plane. 



12 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

He should not satisfy himself 
with preaching a half-studied and 
less prepared sermon on Sunday; 
for this often does more harm than 
good ; but he should seek to under- 
stand the truths of the Bible, and 
preach them unmixed with error, 
so that men may see and fully re- 
alize the great importance of right 
living and of striving to enter the 
kingdom of God. 

He should not, under any cir- 
cumstances, compromise with the 
world, or give up one inch of his 
holy ground to satisfy any person- 
al feelings he may chance to have, 
or to gratify the whimsicalities of 
any of his hearers. 

He needs to be a brave man. 
"God will not have his work made 
manifest by cowards." 

The world and the Church are 
separated and must remain so. 
One is for God, the other is against 
him. One is engaged in the work 
of God, the other is serving the 
devil. One is striving to lift men 



MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 13 

to a higher moral and religious 
standard, the other is endeavoring 
to plunge them into the lowest pits 
of crime and disgrace. One is en 
route for a better land — "a land 
that is fairer than day;" the other 
is bound for the regions of dark- 
ness and despair. One is for ev- 
erlasting life, the other for eternal 
death. So they must forever re- 
main separate. 

The gospel minister must realize 
this fact, take a bold stand for God 
and the right, and labor assidious- 
ly for the promotion of his cause in 
defiance of the world, the flesh, and 
the devil. 

If the world is to be made better; 
if society is to be more refined and 
purified ; if men and women are 
to be elevated to a higher stand- 
ard of truth, justice and morality, 
the gospel minister must, with his 
power and influence, accompanied 
by the word of God and the Holy 
Spirit, take the lead in the work. 

Hence, the necessity for a closer 



14 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

union among gospel ministers, re- 
gardless of race or denomination- 
al proclivities. Their "hopes and 
aims and fears are one ; their com- 
forts and their cares. " They 
should not hesitate to lift their 
voice in unison against all crime 
and wrong doing from whatever 
quarter. Brotherly kindness 

should existamong them. They 
cannot reasonably hope to accom- 
plish much lasting good so long as 
they stand apart and fight each 
other. 

Just here another thought pre- 
sents itself which doubtless, is wor- 
thy of consideration. It is this: 
The moral and intellectual fitness for 
the work of the ministry. That the 
churches general^ have been too 
careless or thoughtless about this 
matter is too plainly seen to be de- 
nied. This fact has been observed 
by both the Church and the world. 

The true value of intelligence and 
morality upon the part of the min- 
istry has not at all times been 



MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEE. 15 

properly estimated. If so, it has 
not been fully known and appreci- 
ated as it should be by all concern- 
ed. The ministry ha^ been guilty 
of too many almost unpardonable 
blunders, and subjected to not a 
few harsh criticisms on account of 
the mistakes of those in authority, 
thus giving the world an opportu- 
nity not only to become cognizant 
of the misgivings, but also to lose 
confidence often in those who are 
expected to make of themselves liv- 
ing examples to the flock of Christ 
and the moral and intellectual 
leaders of the people. 

What is needed now is a speedy 
reformation of many of the habits 
and practices of both the clergy 
and Church. There is no need of 
trying to eschew the plain and sim- 
ple truth ; the Church and ministry 
have drifted too far from the "old 
paths, the good old way." They 
must come back and inquire for 
"the way the holy prophets went," 
and after finding it, "walk there- 



16 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

in." They must take a decided 
-and unquestionable stand on the 
side of the principles which the 
Church claims to teach and prac- 
tice — especially those taught in 
God's word. They need to come 
to a fuller realization of the truth 
as it is taught in the Bible ; for un- 
less they conform to the teachings 
of that blessed Book, their profes- 
sion of religion will not amount to 
much for themselves nor anv one 
else ; neither can they hope for any 
saving efficacy in their mere profes- 
sion when they possess not the 
spirit and life of Christ. There- can 
be no genuine religion without 
morality. This fact should be 
kept before us. 

The man who expects to be a 
teacher of the religion of the Lord 
Jesus must be acceptable with 
God. He must be sure that he is 
right, and then with great bold- 
ness may he assume the role of a 
leader. 

Ministers of the gospel should 



PRACTICAL THOUGHTS: 17 

see to it that they '" walk circum- 
spectly " before men; endeavoring 
to be "as wise as serpents, as bold 
as a lion, and as harmless as 
doves." Their speech should be 
with grace and moderation in all 
their conversations. As little as 
may be thought of it, the careless 
or thoughtless conversation ; the 
"funny remarks" before the congre- 
gation and elsewhere by ministers 
often have a most wonderful influ- 
ence in leading many who hear 
them to thoughts of immorality. 

Because a man is a preacher is 
no guarantee that he should trans- 
cend the bounds of decency or pure 
chastity in his conversations and 
sermons. He has as much right to 
conform to the rules of common de- 
cency and politeness as any one 
else — even more so ; for he is to be 
an example to others. 

Ministers of the gospel should 

"walk in wisdom with those who 

are without; shun the counsels of 

the ungodlv, and keep out of the 

2 



18 MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

way of sinners." They should > 
first of all, take heed to themselves, 
and then to the flock over which 
the Holy Ghost has made them 
overseers. 

The work of reformation needs 
to begin in the pulpit. That sa- 
cred place should be kept clean. 
No man who is known to be mor- 
ally unfit for so high a position 
should be permitted to enter the 
sacred confines of God's altar to 
preach his word. If there be suffi- 
cient reason to believe one is dis- 
qualified morally for the work of 
the ministry, the matter should be 
thoroughly investigated ; and if 
there be no grounds for such sus- 
picion, let him go free. If, on the 
other hand he is found to be cor- 
rupt, and its nature of the charge 
warrant it, he should be extirpated 
as soon as possible, and the 
Church saved from the scandal of 
harboring unholy men. 

Ministers are surrounded by 
many influences, good and evil. 



PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 19 

Their position, highly exalted and 
clothed with great dignity, is a pe- 
culiar one, and, not infrequently, 
attended with more or less danger. 
Their peculiar work often throws 
them in strange places and very 
singular positions. They are the 
servants of the people, and, there- 
fore, have a variety of minds, no- 
tions and whims with which to 
contend ; so that often they find 
themselves in great straits. Some- 
times they are at a loss to know 
just what to do. Because of these 
things watchfulness is very neces- 
sary. They should be very cau- 
tious, ever watching the seductions 
all aroud them. They should also 
watch themselves. Many a man 
has been deceived by himself; for 
"the heart is desperately wicked 
and deceitful above all things." 
Then, too, they should watch over 
each other, not with a view of in- 
juring one another, but in order 
to help overcome the seductive 
powers and influences of society 



20 MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

and the world. Let them be 
strong in the Lord, showing them- 
selves men of God ; and let them 
unite their efforts to break down 
the strongholds of the devil. 

They must not wait to obtain 
the consent of the devil before they 
attempt to do good. The devil 
never will consent to such a work. 
It is his business to keep down ev- 
erything which tends to goodness, 
antagonize every effort to make 
men beter, and to make all people 
his servants. Hence, the ministers 
of the gospel need to come out 
boldly and openly defy everything 
that would in any way give the 
adversary of men a stronger hold 
upon them. They must preach the 
gospel and live according to their 
profession. 



CARRYING THE CROWD, 



The Church of God was institut- 
ed for a great and good purpose. 
Its object first, last, and all the 
time, is the salvation of men. 
"Jesus came to seek and to save 
that which was lost." As a means 
to the accomplishment of its great 
work, the Church seeks to amelio- 
rate the social, intellectual, moral, 
and religious status of mankind 
everywhere. The Sunday-school, 
Epworth League, Missionary, and 
other departments are all intended 
as auxiliaries to this one great 
work. The preaching of the gos- 
pel, reading the scriptures , the sac- 
raments, fasting, abstinence, the 
class-meeting, the love-feast, and 
the prayer-meeting are instrumen- 
talities employed to promote prac- 
tical and experimental Christianity 
in its purest form. Real, earnest 

(21) 



22 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

Christians are much needed now 
everywhere. Soundly converted 
persons are the ones the Church 
should seek more earnestly to ad- 
mit within its pales. 

More conscientious and God- 
sent preachers would prove a great 
blessing to the world. 

It seems that, to a very great 
extent in some instances, the 
prime object of the Church has 
been lost sight of, and the people 
have joined in with the world to 
have a "good time". In some 
quarters very little is said about 
the status of church members these 
days. But little is said about how 
they are living up to their vows, or 
having within them the principles 
of the Christian religion. Onh^ a 
few pastors read and explain the 
" General Rules" to the mem- 
bers and congregations. Sunday- 
schools and other institutions of 
the Church are sadly neglected in 
many places. 

The leading thought at this time 



CARRYING THE CROWD. 23 

seems to have respect only to num- 
bers and finances. It is not an un- 
usual occurence to receive as an an- 
swer to the question, "How are 
you succeeding with your work or 
charge ?" (These words or some- 
thing similar,) "Well, I am doing 
very well ; had a big crowd Sunday 

and raised dollars." It seems 

that the idea is extant that a "big 
crowd " is essential to real success. 
Hence the search for the man who 
can "carry the crowd." If such a 
one can not be found, a failure is 
the inevitable result. Such men 
have often been denominated 
■ 'coal-burners " " swamp angels , ' ' 
"flying eagles,' 1 etc., which terms 
seem to a careful and thoughtful 
person to have no real significance, 
unless it means one who can make 
a great deal of noise, "cut many 
shines,' ' work many "schemes," 
have a "rousing big time at any 
cost," and accomplish but little, 
of any real or lasting good. 

The intention here is not to raise 



24 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

any- objections to the man or men 
who can i 'carry the crowd , ' ' pro- 
vided that "crowd" is "carried" 
in the right way. But right here is 
where the great difficulty conies. 
Here is where the trouble lies : By 
careful observation for a number of 
years, it has been learned that they 
who " carry" the largest "crowds," 
in most instances do less in the 
general advancement of the people 
along the distinctive and peculiar 
lines of Church work. They sel- 
dom do much more than "carry" 
their "crowd." 

Most of these "coal-burners," 
"swamp angels," and "flying 
eagles," fail to enlighten their 
"crowds" whatever in those things 
which are essential to their well be- 
ing here and there permanent felici- 
ty hereafter. The most they^ have 
to tell is what their "crowds" are 
going to do and wear when they 
get to heaven. Sometimes they 
manage to remind them of the fact 
that they are having many "hard 



CARRYING THE CROWD. 25 

crosses, trials and tribulations in 
this low ground of sin and sor- 
row. M It is with these imagina- 
tions that the '-crowds*' are "carri- 
ed" away without ever, or at most 
very seldom being told hj their 
leader of what they must do to get 
there and enjoy those good things 
so beautifully pictured to them. 

It is true our people are a religi- 
ous race, but there are only a few 
of them, compared to the great 
mass who have a proper concep- 
tion of the Christian religion, and 
fewer still who live up to their pro- 
fession of Christianity. 

If a preacher can "carry the 
crowd, " it is alright so far, but it 
is the writer's humble opinion that 
it is far better for the pastor to ^a- 
bor to have those who hear him 
put in possession of the spirit and 
power of Christ ; let them learn to 
possess the mind that was in Jesus, 
be partakers of him, and thus pre- 
pare themselvs for those pleasures 
and enjoyments of which they so 
fondlv dream. 



26 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

However much they may be 
warmed by the "coal-burner;" how- 
ever much the "swamp angel" may 
move them by his singing; however 
much thejr may be swayed by the 
"moans" of the "moaner in Zion," 
or "carried" away on the wings 
of imagination hy the "flying 
eagle," not one can rationally hope 
for glory who has not received par- 
don for sin and is endeavoring to 
live a consistant Christian life. 
God is opposed to all unrighteous- 
ness, and those engaged in such 
deeds are in great danger of his 
wrath being poured upon them. 
It is the duty of the preacher to 
warn the people, show them their 
danger, and instruct them how to 
avoid it. Hence, the importance 
of the work of a gospel minister, 
"warning every man, and teaching 
every man in all wisdom." Not 
the "crowds" for great pomp and 
worldly fame; not he who simply 
heareth, but he that doeth the say- 
ings of Christ shall receive the bless- 
ing. 



CARRYING THE CROWD. 27 

No pastor, however large or 
small may be his audience, should 
be satisfied with anything less 
than the social, intellectual, moral, 
and religious advancement of those 
under his pastoral care. All his 
emergencies should trend in that 
one direction. Should he fail to do 
"great things, " as the world re- 
gards greatness, he may have the 
satisfaction of feeling- that as God 
has enabled him, he has endeavor- 
ed to do his best. He has done 
what he could. 

Let the pastor then, whether his 
"crowd" be large or small, wheth- 
er he has the high sounding title of 
"coal-burner," "swamp angel," or 
"flying eagle," ask him the ques- 
tion, "Which way am I carrying 
my crowd?" Much depends upon 
this. 

In this world the Christian life 
has a beginning, a course, and an 
ending. The beginning must be 
right. It must be sure and certain. 
Sin is the great enemy of man. It 



28 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

is his most deadly foe. He was 
concieved in sin. Death -is the 
-"wages of sin, ' ' Since no man can 
walk in the newness of life while 
under the bondage of sin, with its 
power and influence being con- 
tinually exerted over him. the first 
thing necessary is a deliverance 
from the bondage of this great 
enemy. Sin must be renounced in 
all -its forms — hated, loathed, left, 
behind. The chains that hold the 
individual must be broken, the fet- 
ters loosed, and the shackels made 
to fall off. These must be done be- 
fore one can enter fully upon the 
Christian life. The preacher who 
can succeed in getting, if no more, 
only one to see the great need and 
importance of this, and stop not to 
rest until it is done, shall have 
done a great work. He has 
brought the man thus far, and 
may with much satisfaction pro- 
ceed to "carry' ' him farther in the 
good way. The scriptural exhor- 
tation is, "Work out your salva- 



CARRYING THE CROWD . 29 

tion." Work implies service of 
some kind and for some one. As 
the Lord Jesus is the Christian 
Master, he is to serve him. One of 
the chief characteristics of the 
Christian is that he is a servant of 
God. He follows the command of 
his Master. Seeks to do his will 
with a glad heart and willing mind 
devoid of slavish fear. 

The writer once heard a member 
of the Church say, "The reason I 
serve God is because I am afraid 
if I don't do so I will go to hell.' ' 
That was her simple way of ex- 
pressing her feelings or giving her 
reason for trying to live a consis- 
tant Christian life; perhaps, how- 
ever, she meant otherwise. But 
there can not be much doubt that 
she expressed the sentiment of not 
a few Church members, many of 
whom have been following the 
leader of a "crowd," and have nev- 
er had a right conception of the 
Christian religion. The man or 
men who had been "carrying" that 



30 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

"crowd," perhaps had never 
thought of teaching the followers 
along this line, or inculcating with- 
in them the principles of the Chris- 
tian religion. It may be that they 
were too busy burning coal. 

The real Christian serves God be- 
cause he loves him — serves him 
with only a filial fear, such as a 
loving and obedient child has for 
his father. "Perfect love casteth 
out fear. St. Paul tells us, "We 
have not received the spirit of 
bondage again to fear." But 
there are manv who listen to the 
enchanting music of the "swamp 
angel," or soar away with the "fly- 
ing eagle" on wings of imagina- 
tion, without once realizing the 
force of these beautiful lines : 
"To serve the present age, 

My calling- to fulfill ; 
O, may it all my powers engage 

To do my Master's will." 

Christ must be served by direct 
worship and obedience. Those 
Church members whose highest 



CARRYING THE CROWD. 31 

aim is to get to the house of wor- 
ship and have the inimitable "coal- 
burner" fill them with the soot of 
imaginary happiness, must learn 
that only they who do God's will 
are truly happy. "Blessed are they 
who do his commandments." 
Whatever the Lord wills must be 
cheerfully and readily submitted 
to. 

The preacher must teach his 
hearers that they must without 
reluctance or hesitating steps walk 
in the ways of God. Upon his law 
must they meditate day and night. 

The Christian life is progressive. 
We are exhorted to "Grow in 
grace, and in the knowledge of our 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
The possessor of the Christian re- 
ligion does not stand still. He 
does not remain at one stage all 
his life. He grows. He moves on 
toward perfection in holiness and 
righteousness. .He learns to hate 
sin wherever found, and will en- 
deavor to rid himself of it, and 



32 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

urge upon his friend and neighbor 
to do likewise. The golden rule 
will be his motto. His aim wall be 
to live conscientious^ before God, 
and lead a consistent Christian life. 
These and many . other things 
might be mentioned which are true 
characteristics of a possessor of the 
Christian religion. But how many 
do we find practicing them ? How 
many of our "crowd-carriers" are 
really interested in the unmistak- 
able evidence of the development of 
the people along these lines ? 

What do we find as the result of 
the drawing qualities of the 
1 'crowd-carrying preacher ? ' ' Are 
the lives of his hearers made bet- 
ter? Is there a closer walk with 
God? Do the Church members 
carefully observe the rules and reg- 
ulations of the Church, or are they 
really endeavoring to do so by the 
help of God ? Are they careful to 
observe with reverence all the 
means of grace? Do they know 
and understand with some degree 



CARRYING THE CROWD. 33 

of intelligence the doctrine and pol- 
ity of the Church to which they be- 
long? Unless there can be clearly 
observed a manifestation of inter- 
est and improvement along these 
lines, the work of such a pastor 
must theretofore have been, to 
some degree at least, a failure. 

A careful student will observe 
that in most instances the "crowd 
carrier/' or "coal-burner" does less 
to improve the social, intellectual, 
moral, and religious status of the 
people than any other class of 
the ministrjr. There is but little 
stability in what he does. As a 
rule this class of preachers are 
quick to yield to popular senti- 
ment, or to appeal to the emotions 
or feelings of their hearers. They 
do not give sufficient thought and 
prayer to the duties and responsi- 
bilities of their calling as gospel 
ministers. 

While the carrying of the crowd 
is not condemned, it must be insist- 
ed that whoever carries the crowd 
3 



34 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

must labor for the best possible re- 
sults, and feel "Woe is unto me if I 
preach not the gospel." 



THE PASTOR 



HEED TO HIMSELF AND CARE FOR 
HIS FLOCK. 

Tehre can scarcely be any doubt 
that there is no class of men 
upon whom so much depends 
as that of the ministers of 
the gospel of Christ. The office of 
a gospel minister is fraught with 
many and grave responsibilities ; 
tho it is the highest position that 
a man can fill in this world, yet, on 
account of its peculiar duties, it is 
one that requires much sagacity, 
humiliation, and foresightedness. 
None but the faithful preachers and 
pastors know of the many and se- 
vere ordeals, trying circumstances, 
inconveniences, toils and strifes 
through which God's embassadors 
must pass in order to successfully 

(35) 



36 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

accomplish the task assigned them 
by him who is Lord of lords, and 
King of kings. 

The work of the pastor is pecu- 
liar. It is peculiar because of the 
very nature of the thing to be 
done, its many intricaces, its vari- 
ety, the stubborn opposition with 
which it has to meet and contend, 
and the different classes and indi- 
viduals with w'hich it has to deal. 
Notwithstanding these, it is a 
work that must be done. Every 
preacher, local or itinerant, dea- 
con, elder and bishop, is held re- 
sponsible to God for the faithful 
performance of the duty assigned 
him. It matters not how irksome 
the ta^k, nor how great the sacri- 
fice to be made, the work must be 
done. 

The true gospel minister is called 
of God, sent to preach the word, 
to declare the truth to the people, 
to "teach all nations, and bap- 
tize," to testify of Christ, to feed 
the flock of Christ, "warn all men, 



THE PASTOR. 37 

teach them in all wisdom, and pre- 
sent every man perfect in Christ 
Jesus. " To do this work success- 
fully and pleasing to God, much 
care must be exercised. 

In our Methodist economy, the 
ministers have charge of conferen- 
ces, districts, circuits, stations, and 
missions, and are called pastors. 
On account of the character of 
their work, some are called "chief 
pastors," some "presiding elders," 
others "pastors in charge." Each 
class having a certain work to do, 
the aim of* which is the advance- 
ment of the kingdom of Christ on 
earth, and the full salvation of men. 
Being charged with such great re- 
sponsibilities, it is very necessary 
that the pastor take heed to himself. 
He must mind himself; properly 
regard himself, and give special at- 
tention to himself. Thoroughly 
consider his calling, position, and 
occupation. "For ye see your cal- 
ling, brethren, how that not many 
wise men after the flesh, not many 



38 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

mightv, not many noble are call- 
ed. " 

The exhortation of the apostle 
Paul to the elders at Miletus is 
very appropriate in our day. It is 
timely, and very important. 

"Take heed to yourselves. " No 
pastor who disregards these words 
of advice can reasonably hope to 
do good service for the people, for 
the Church, or for God. 

Carelessness and indifference as 
to one's self will always prove a 
barrier to success in the work of 
uplifting humanity and. ameliorat- 
ing the condition of mankind gen- 
erally. While one may succeed for 
a time in some kind of "make- 
shift" way, some clique or scheme, 
he must ultimatelv fail ingloriouslv 
in all the finer qualities and nobler 
purposes of the Christian minims- 
try. 

"Take heed to yourselves." If 
there ever was a time when this 
exhortation should be regarded, it 
is now, and an earnest appeal is 



THE PASTOR. 39 

made to the pastors of to-daj^ to 
give earnest attention to it. 

TAKE HEED TO YOUR THOUGHTS. 

This is mentioned first, because 
thoughts as a rule are the source 
of words and actions. Often as a 
man thinketh, so is he. Thought is 
a power within itself, and may be 
used for good or for evil. It may be 
directed to things high, noble, and 
heaven-inspiring, or it may take 
the trend of things which are de- 
basng, and lead on to misery, ruin, 
and death. It may lead on to 
deeds of kindness, or to acts of 
treachery. It may be fixed upon 
the vain and perishing things of 
this world, or it may be set upon 
" things above where Christ sitteth 
at the right hand of God.' ' 

Take heed to the ideas you en- 
tertain. Let your thouhts be 
pure, lofty, and inspiring. 

" Whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, 
whatsoever things are just, what- 
soever things are pure, whatsoever 



40 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

tilings are lovely, whatsoever 
thinings are of good report ; if 
there be any virtue, and if there be 
an y praise, think on these things ." 
The work of the pastor, among 
other things, is to lift men up and 
lead them to the Savior ; tell them 
of his power to save — even to the 
uttermost — till they can sin no 
more ; to seek for the straying, call 
back the wanderer, and comfort 
those who are weary. If therefore, 
the thoughts are in this direction, 
fixed upon such a noble work and 
constantly engaged therein, good 
results may be expected and the 
labors crowned with abundant 
success. But if the thoughts be 
upon the vain, flashy, trivial, and 
debasing things of the world, if 
they be absorbed by the sinful pur- 
suits and pleasures of this world, 
there can not be any hope of doing 
faithful service for the Heavenly 
Master. 

Impure, unchaste, and unhol}' 
thoughts will, as a rule, lead to 



THE PASTOR. 41 

bad and shameful results. This is 
one of the many reasons why the 
work of the Church and ministry, 
in some places, is almost a failure. 
Doubtless it may not be going too 
far to say there are those, perhaps, 
engaged in the work of the minis- 
try whose only thought is upon 
the base and wretchedly miserable 
things of this world. They are 
self-called to the ministerial ranks. 
Called for a selfish purpose, and 
the whole trend of their thought is 
toward the accomplishment of 
some deed that would probably 
bring disgrace and disaster upon 
themselves, some unthinking per- 
son, and upon the Church and min- 
istry. They may have but little 
thought of the high calling of God, 
the mission of the Church and of 
the salvation of men. 

The gospel minister must be a 
man of thought, but he should 
take heed how he thinketh. He 
should think of his high calling; of 
the many and grave responsibili- 



42 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

ties which rest upon him ; of the 
church that demands his pastoral 
care ; of the souls of men that are 
perishing, and withal, of how he 
may best meet these several re- 
sponsibilities and acceptable serv- 
ice for God and his Church. 

CONVERSATION. 

A gospel minister needs to take 
heed to his words and conversa- 
tion. The conversation should be 
chaste, pure, wholesome, and re- 
freshing. Wild, rattling and ques- 
tionable conversations should be 
discouraged and condemned every- 
where and among all people, but 
especially among those of the min- 
isterial rank. In the home, on the 
highway, in the city, in the rural 
districts, in the Church, in the 
pulpit — everywhere, the preacher 
should make of himself a whole- 
some example of pure, delightful 
conversation. 

The call to the ministry is not a 
license to engage in all sorts of 
slang and words, the ver} r men- 



THE PASTOR. 43 

tioning of which suggests impure 
thoughts, and perhaps would lead 
to conduct, wholly immoral. Such 
jokes and sayings, as well as con- 
versations which tend in the least 
to lead to impure thoughts, should 
be regarded as dangerous, and 
should be avoided. Indeed they 
are dangerous. There is no telling 
of the number of persons, old and 
young, male and female, who have 
gone astray and ultimately ruined 
and lost, whose first thought of 
impurity was suggested by the 
careless or thoughtless remarks of 
some one, perhaps a preacher in 
the pulpit or elsewhere. The 
preacher, therefore, must take heed 
to his words and conversations. 
He needs to guard himself, in these 
as well as in other things. 

ACTIONS. 

It may not be out of place to re- 
mark that the gospel minister 
should take heed to his actions. 
In this, too, he should be an exam- 
ple to his flock. The old saying, 



44 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

"Like priest, like people/' is often 
true, and sometimes in a way that 
is not highly commendable to 
either. Men's actions often tell 
what they really are. The\^ may 
profess one thing with their tongue 
while their actions will almost in- 
variably prove them to be other- 
wise. The unguarded tongue, the 
falsifying lips, the treacherous 
hand, and the constantly wander- 
ing feet are not evidences of a good, 
pure and righteous life, neither 
are they any proof of a call to 
the gospel ministry Yet, from all 
appearances, they a those who 
profess to be called to this high of- 
fice and work, whose actions are 
constantly impressing people — es- 
pecially those who are looking for 
better things, that something is 
wrong somewhere and some how. 
A mistake has surely been made. 
Angry passions, sinful tempers, 
wrath, malice, prejudice, bickering, 
and animosity are not, to my mind 
consistent with a pure Chistianity 



THE PASTOR. 45 

and the gospel ministry. They 
should, as much as possible, be 
avoided at all times, and under all 
circumstances. 

My brethren, in the name of God, 
let me urge upon you to take heed 
to yourselves in every particular. 
In your thoughts, words, conver- 
sation, and your actions. Watch 
them ; attend to them, and guard 
them well. See to it that nothing 
be thought, said or done, that will 
in any way prove detrimental to 
the cause of our blessed Savior, 
and the growth and spread of pure 
Christian religion. Let your de- 
portment eve^where be above re- 
proach. Live above suspicion. 
Prove by your conversation and 
actions, yea, your life, that you 
have been with Christ and learned 
of him, and that you have been 
commissioned to preach the gospel 
of the Son of God. 

THE FLOCK. 

After properly attending to him- 
self, the preacher's next duty is to 



46 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

his flock over which the Holy 
Ghost hath made him overseer. 
The call to the ministry is not of 
men, neither by man, but by Jesus 
Christ, and God the Father. Some 
times it is said, " Moved by the 
Holy Ghost to preach.' ' 

The work of the ministry is not 
a profession, but a calling — a com- 
mission to do a certain kind of 
work. The commission is, "Go ye 
into all the world and preach the 
gospel to every creature.' ' If one 
has been 4 'called" ?nd "commis- 
sioned" or "moved," he has certain 
duties to perform. He should take 
heed to his pastoral duties. These 
are many and varied, and require 
great skill, tact, and patience, and 
a determined resolution to success- 
fully perform every one as they 
come. There should be a high re- 
gard and love for the work, as well 
as a conscientiousness of the re- 
sponsibilities resting upon him. It 
should be entered upon with great 
courage and boldness, in the fear 



THE PASTOR. 47 

of God, with implicit confidence in 
Christ's authority and power, and 
steadfast reliance upon the Holy 
Ghost for instruction and guid- 
ance. 

Visiting the sick, helping the dis- 
tressed, and careing for the needy 
are all the work of the pastor. In 
the discharge of these duties, much 
time and care, as well as discretion 
should be exercised. For at the 
best, there will be some who will 
complain of neglect, slight, and dis- 
crimination. As little cause for 
such complaints should be given as 
possible. 

There may be some pastors who 
give but little thought to these 
matters. They may at times neg- 
lect the poor, sick and needy, and 
spend the most of their time with 
those who are in the best circum- 
stances and who are the least in 
need of their presence, help, words 
of comfort, advise, consolation, 
and encouragement. 

They are not appointed over a 



48 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

favored few, but over the entire 
flock. Hence they should be faith- 
ful, earnest and true to their call- 
ing. Watch over all the flock of 
Christ. Let none escape. 

There is other work to which 
the pastor must take heed, care 
for. In order to schematically 
and successfully carry on the work, 
the Church is divided into several 
departments, each having a certain 
work peculiar to itself. These are 
more o r less essential t o the 
growth and prosperit\ r of the 
Church. They serve as potent 
auxiliaries in carrying out the 
great design of the Church. The 
Sunday-school, Epworth League, 
Missionary and Publication De- 
partments, all are of great impor- 
tance to the Church. They are 
calculated, by proper management, 
to do a great and lasting good for 
the cause of Christ. Therefore 
proper care should be given them. 
The pastor who neglects any of 
these, either wilfully or through ig- 



THE PASTOR. 49 

norance, is to that extent a source 
of weakness to the Church and 
ministry. He should see to it that 
as far as practicable, the people 
shall be properly instructed in ev- 
ery thing pertaining to the work, 
growth and prosperity of the 
Church. 

Doubtless there are many per- 
sons who join and live in the 
Church for years perhaps, without 
any conception of the Christian re- 
ligion. Many take the baptismal 
vows without knowing what those 
vows mean. 

Many take upon themselves the 
obligations of the Church without 
intelligently understanding them. 
Many promise to be governed by 
the rules and regulations of the 
Church, without knowing what 
they are. Many pledge themselves 
to support the institutions of the 
Church, without a knowledge of 
any of them. How necessary for 
the pastor to see to it, as far as 
4 



50 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

possible, that these things be 
known and understood. It is a 
part of his work. God has com- 
mitted the Church to the care of 
his ministers. They are to watch 
over it, protect it, and instruct its 
members in all that pertains to 
their growth in grace and in the 
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
They are to be faithful servants, 
filling their mission with glad 
hearts and willing minds. Labor- 
ing constantly and assiduously 
with a determination to do all in 
their power to lift men and women 
to a higher, nobler, and purer life. 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS, 



This is indeed a busy age. Ev- 
erybody is trying to do something. 
Nearlv every one is on the "look- 
out" for some great opportunity 
(?) to something great. In every 
department of life, whether private 
or public, personal or general, ev- 
ery one who possesses any degree 
of energy, and has any aspiration 
whatever, is giving some attention 
to passing events ; and as coming 
events often "cast their shadows 
before them," many are watching 
to catch the first glimpse of some 
future happenings so as to turn 
them to their benefit in some way. 

To "keep up with the times" 
seems to be the desire of not a few 
among the heterogeneous masses 
of people of all races. Efforts for 

(51) 



52 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

improvement are being made in ev- 
ery calling and profession. Profes- 
sional men are laboring to improve 
their tallent and thus become more 
skilled in their professions. They 
continue to grapple with hard and 
difficult problems of every kind. 
Hence, new discoveries from time 
to time, as well as wonderful im- 
provements over old methods. 

Perseverance is a great thing. 

This desire for improvement in 
their professions or business does 
not stop with the better class of in- 
dividuals. It may be found in ev- 
ery grade of society. Thieves and 
robbers, fraudulent men and im- 
posters of all ranks, ages, and class- 
es are studying to become more 
successful in their respective busi- 
nesses. The farmer, the carpenter, 
the blacksmith, the machinist, the 
shoemaker, the lawyer, the physi- 
cian, each is endeavoring to become 
more skilled in his trade or profes- 
sion, and thus be the better prepar- 
ed to meet all exigencies. 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 53 

What of the Christians, clergy 
and laity, old and young ? Those 
I mean who, though in the world, 
are not of the world. Are they 
trying to make any improvement 
in their manner of life ? Are they 
trying to be more Christ-like? Are 
they trying to be more successful in 
their ministerial and. Christian ca- 
reer? Are they trying to make 
themselves more useful in the 
Church, and by their manner of 
life be able to exert a wider and 
greater influence, so that some, 
through them as God's instru- 
ments, may be saved? Are they 
living according to their profession 
— living a life devoted to the fear 
and worship of God, and striving 
to grow in grace and in the knowl- 
edge of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

These are questions worthy of 
consideration. They should engage 
our attention frequently and pray- 
erfuly. They certainly demand our 
careful and earnest thought. 

Christians need to know more 



54 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

about themselves, more about God 
their Father, Jesus their Saviour, 
and the* Holy Spirit their guide and 
comforter. 

They should learn more about 
their profession, its requirements 
and responsibilities, its trials and 
difficulties, its present as well as its 
future advantages and blessings. 

They should endeavor to have a 
clear conception of the Christian 
religion. They should put their re- 
ligion into daily practice. It is im- 
portant also that they learn the 
necessity- of "holding fast" to their 
profession. It is needful that they 
exercise godliness, for it is great 
gain. .All the above are essential 
to a spiritual growth. 

What about the young Chris- 
tians? To them, practically all 
things are new. They have enter- 
ed a new sphere. New ideas and 
thoughts spring up within them. 
They are as new-born babes, ''hav- 
ing been born again." They are 
now the children of God. All 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 55 

about them seems joyous an pleas- 
ant, and they are happy in the 
Lord Jesus. There is scarcely any 
thought of trials, temptations and 
difficulties which await them. In 
the meantime the adversary of 
their souls is only awaiting a 
chance to begin his work. He is 
arranging his plans and schemes, 
laying his snares, setting his traps, 
stationing his men, and getting ev- 
erything in readiness for the first 
opportunity to make an assault 
upon these young Christians. 

It is during this stage of their 
"new life" that they need to be 
warned and instructed, so as to be 
mindful of their subtile foe and pre- 
pare themselves to war successfully 
against all his cunning craftiness. 
Watchfulness is essentially neces- 
sary. Perhaps one of their first 
difficulties will be with some kind 
of temptation, and it will require 
quick forethought to keep from 
yielding to it. Appetite, passion, 
ambition, presumption, self-indul- 



56 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS, 

gence, are some of the things with 
which the young Christians as well 
as the older ones will have to con- 
tend. All of which must be over- 
come. 

" Yield not to temptation, 
For yielding is sin." 

From whatever source it may 
come, the devil is the prime mover 
in temptation. Evil associations 
are not infrequently the instru- 
ments of temptation. It will be 
well for the young Christians, 
therefore, to learn early to "shun 
evil companions. " "If sinners en- 
tice thee, consent thou not." "A 
violent man enticeth his neighbor, 
and leadeth him into the way that 
is not good." Keep out of the 
way of sinners. 

A distrust of God's providence 
wall often lead to temptation. The 
devil undertook to tempt Christ 
by bringing about distrust when 
he said to Jesus, "If thou be the 
Son of God, command that these 
stones be made bread.' ' The Sa- 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 57 

viour met him, however, with this 
prompt and important reply : "It 
is written, man shall not live by 
bread alone, but by every word 
that proceedeth out of the mouth 
of God . ' ' Young Christians should 
learn to trust in God at all times 
and rely upon his promises. 

" Watch, lest ye enter into tempta- 
tion, " is a wholesome exhortation, 
and by heeding it, not only the 
young, but the older Christians 
may be able to overcome all temp- 
tations. 

The blessed Saviour said, " Who- 
soever will come after me, let him 
deny himself, take up his cross and 
follow me." It would seem then, 
and it is true, that self-denial is es- 
sential to being a true follower of 
Christ. The act of self-denial em- 
braces many things, and is not so 
limited nor flexible as some may 
think or desire it to be. Young 
Christians must learn to deny 
themselves of all those pursuits, 
habits, and practices which are for- 



58 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

bidden in God's word, which have 
no tendency to the praise and wor- 
ship of God, but instead thereof, 
will impede their own religions 
growth and lead others away 
from Christ. While serving the 
Lord "with gladness' ' themselves, 
they should let their lights so shine 
as to cause others to glorify God. 
They should take to all their 
thoughts, words and actions. 

There may be many practices 
and amusements which they think 
are harmless and therefore feel un- 
willing to give up. Many little 
"no-harm" sins they may cling to 
tenaciously, but in order to be con- 
sistent Christians, they must deny 
themselves of these so-called "little 
sins." It is true some one may re- 
mark, "There is no harm in this; 
it is only a trifle, nothing bad in 
it." But, 

"Little drops of water, 
Little grains of sand, 
Make the mighty ocean, 
And the beautious land." 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 59 

These little ''no-harm'' things 
when summed up, very often make 
great mottntains of sin towering 
between us and our Heavenly 
Father. It may be only a little to- 
day and a little to-morrow — grain 
after grain, drop after drop, step 
after step, but the mountain will 
rise higher and higher, the water in 
the. cistern will rise nearer to the 
top, and the end be surely reached. 
The safer way is to leave all those 
questionable practices and pleas- 
ures alone. Come out from 
among them. 

Young Christians should be care- 
ful in the selection of their compan- 
ions. Failing to do this may 
cause one to be lead into dangers 
perhaps of the worst kind. "Are 
they Christians?" "Do they love 
God's Church?" "Are they in sym- 
pathy with the cause of Christ?" 
"Do they love to read the Bible 
and converse upon religious topics 
and other important subjects?" 
"What of their moral standing?" 



60 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

etc., etc. These are important 

questions and the answer to them 

should determine who shall be our 

associates. 

"My soul, be on thy guard ; 

Ten thousand foes arise ; 
The host of sin are pressing hard 

To draw thee from the skies." 
There are so many traps set and 
snares laid to catch a young Chris- 
tian that he can not be too careful 
and watchful at all times, and 
withal he must continue in prayer 
to God for strength to overcome 
all the surrounding influences that 
tend to lead him astrav. 

Young -Christians should be care- 
ful in the selection of their reading 
matter. There are numbers of 
books, papers, and periodicals 
which they might well afford to 
leave alone. Many of the novels 
and family story papers serve only 
as broad avenues to ruin and dis- 
aster. In these many are caught 
and lead to destruction. Remem- 
ber the exhortation of the Apostle 
Paul: "Hold fast to your profes- 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 61 

sion." Do not be ashamed nor 
afraid to confess Christ your Savi- 
our before men; for he has said, 
"Whosoever shall be ashamed of 
me and of my words, of him shall 
the Son of man be ashamed when 
he shall come in his own glory, 
and in his Father's, and of the holy 
angels/ ' 

Again, "Whosoever therefore 
shall confess me before men, him 
will I confess also before my 
Father which is in heaven. But 
whosoever shall deny me before 
men,, him will I also deny be- 
fore my Father which is in heav- 
en/' The matter of confessing 
Christ is a very important one, 
and upon it much depends. 

Whatever it may cost ; whatever 
may be the deprivations or suffer- 
ings, it is good to confess Christ 
boldly everywhere before men. 
For there surely will come a time 
when all will feel greatly the need 
of having him own them. If you 
are ashamed of Christ now, if you 



62 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

deny him now, in that most needy 
time he will be ashamed of and dis- 
own you. 

The young Christian must learn 
to hold on to his profession tena- 
ciously. 

The Apostle Paul urges a great 
and good motive for Christian 
firmness: "Seeing then that we 
have a great high priest that is 
passed into the heavens, Jesus the 
Son of God, let us hold fast our 
profession. " This passage leads us 
back to the law of Moses which 
provided for a priest and a high 
priest. The Jews were separated 
from all other nations ; the Levites 
were separated from the rest of the 
Jews ; and the family of Aaron was 
separated from the rest of the Le- 
vites, and the high priests were 
chosen from among the decendants 
of Aaron. 

Why were these separations and 
distinctions? Doubtless they were 
designed to teach the people their 
distance from God ; their utter un- 



YOUNG CHRISTIANS. 63 

worthiness to approach their Ma- 
ker ; the holiness and greatness of 
Jehovah, and the great need fo a 
mediator. Who has not felt the 
need of a mediator — some one to 
stand between him and God — to 
present him before a throne of 
grace, and present his offerings of 
devotion ? 

But let us return; we have a 
great High Priest. The high 
priests under the law of Moses dif- 
fered, doubtless, as men do now 
from each other. Some were more 
distinguished for learning, wisdom, 
and piety than were others; their 
personal character carried more 
weight and influence than that of 
others ; therefore, more confidence 
Was placed in them. 

The greatness of Jesus Christ is 
beyond measure. Think of his wis- 
dom — he knows all things ' and 
reads men's hearts as we read 
books. Think of his power — winds 
obey him, water followed his in- 
structions, diseases fled at his fiat, 



64 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

death was vanquished by him, and 
the grave yielded to his command. 
Think of his greatness ! the Creator 
and Preserver of all things; the 
Ruler and Judge of all. 

Another thought: We have a 
great High Priest that is passed 
into the heavens. The high priest 
under the law of Moses went into 
the most holy place once a year 
with the atoning blood to make 
atonement for the sins of the peo- 
ple. When the Jews saw him en- 
ter, it was a moment of deep and 
solemn interest. But our High 
Priest has passed into the heavens, 
gone with his own blood, gone to 
offer the incense of his own inter- 
cession. 



YOUNG CONVERTS. 



"Not all the blood of beasts 
On Jewish altars slain, 
Could give the guilty conscience peace, 
Or wash away the stain." 

"But Christ, the heavenly Lamb, 
Takes all our sins away ; 
A sacrifice of nobler name 
And richer blood than they." 

Our High Priest is "Jesus the Son 
of God." His being Jesus connects 
him with ourselves — the Son of 
Mary, therefore, bone of our bone, 
flesh of our flesh, partner of our na- 
ture, sharer of our griefs and 
brother to our souls. His being 
the Son of God connects him with 
the divine Being. He is one with 
God, the eternal, immutable Jeho- 
vah. Thus he forms the link which 
unites to God. 

Here then is the motive address- 
5 (65) 



66 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

ed not only to the young, but to 
all Christians. We have a Mediator 
who has made atonement, who 
presents our offerings of devotion 
in his own name, who knows our 
weakness, our sufferings, our trials, 
our temptations, and can feel for 
us — who intercedes for us and who 
can furnish all needed grace. A 
present help in time of need. See- 
ing that you have such a one as he, 
hold fast your profession. 

To profess Christianity in the 
days of the apostles was no small 
matter. It invalued the most seri- 
ous consequences. Home and 
property, reputation and life were 
imperilled, and the Christian was 
exposed to danger, torture, and 
death. He knew not when he 
would be seized and dragged before 
magistrates to be imprisoned, exil- 
ed, or put to death. With these 
consequences before them, men 
counted the cost, and deliberated 
well before they made an open pro- 
fession of Christianity. Even after 



YOUNG CONVERTS. 67 

having made such a profession, 
these things often gave rise to the 
temptation to give up their faith. 

How strong the appeal then to 
the early Christians! "Hold 
fast. Everything is against you. 
The people are against you. Your 
friends and relations are against 
you. The rulers are against you. 
Your peace and liberty are gone. 
Your property is liable to be taken 
away any day. Your life is in hour- 
ly peril. Notwithstanding all these, 
hold fast y Is it any wonder that 
some fell away ? Is it a matter of 
surprise that the apostle had to 
urge the most powerful motives in 
order to induce them to remain 
firm? 

But we live in a different age and 
are surrounded by different circum- 
stances. Legal restraint, armed 
opposition and the perils of the 
first Christians no longer exist. 

No such reasons appeal to the 
Christians now to abandon their 
profession of religion, to deny their 



68 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

Lord and Saviour and turn back 
again to the beggarly elements of 
the world. The young Christians 
of this age have no such things to 
confront them as did the young 
Christians in the days of the apos- 
tles. Still they are in great danger 
and numbers turn away from 
Christ. There are certain contami- 
nating influences surrounding them 
which tend to draw them away 
from the holy commandments. 

Let every young Christian with 
a fixed purpose and resolution, 
with determination of heart, cleave 
unto the Lord. Serve him with 
gladness. "Worship him in spirit 
and in truth. " 



SECOND-CLASS CONVERSION. 



U I want a principle within, 
Of jealous, godly fear ; 
A sensibility of sin, 

A pain to feel it near ; 
I want the first approach to feel 

Of pride or fond desire ; 
To catch the wandering of my will, 
And quench the kindling fire." 

— Charles Wesley, 

I remember conversing with a 
pastor sometime ago who had just 
closed a "revival" or series of meet- 
ings which resulted in no conver- 
sions. After talking for quite a- 
while, he said, "One thing I notice 
in the churches these days ; there 
seems to be so many second-class 
conversions." He explained that 
he meant to say, "There are many 
persons who, though they were 
once members of the Church, for 
some cause have been expelled or 

(69) 



70 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

have left it of their own accord. 
During the revival they come tip 
and make another profession of re- 
ligion and join the Church again. " 

The term is a new one and seems 
rather peculiar. Nevertheless, it set 
me to thinking. I find there are 
many persons who are given to 
this kind of proceedure or practice. 

Whether the term "second class 
conversions" be a good one or not, 
I shall not attempt to say. But I 
do know that it is often the case 
that the pastors in many places re- 
port "great revivals" during the 
year; that a number have been 
happily converted and added to 
the Church ;" but when they report 
to the annual conference , the mem- 
bership is no larger than that re- 
ported at the previous conference. 
Sometimes it is smaller. 

I am lead to believe that a great 
deal of this so-called coversion is 
simply a delusion — a great mistake, 
caused by the most intense excite- 
ment and unusual amount of noise, 



SECOND-CLASS CONVERSION 71 

and little or no reasoning which 
prevails during some of the so-call- 
ed ''revivals.' ' Many persons are 
received into the Church before 
they are converted or have fully 
made up their minds to be Chris- 
tians, because of the great sensa- 
tion around them. 

Sometimes persons who know 
they are not converted are begged 
and urged by the pastor to join the 
Church. Being thus influenced, 
they connect themselves, take the 
vows, etc., but are not in there long 
before they are longing for their 
old habits and practices, and ere 
long are back to them, and soon or 
later out of the Church. 

It seems to me that great care 
should be exercised in receiving per- 
sons into the Church. They should 
not be unduly persuaded to join. 
If they have religion they should 
have sense enough to know it. If 
they wish to become members of 
the Church, certainly they know 
that fact better than any one else. 



72 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

I do not believe that truly convert- 
ed persons are ignorant of the 
"great change' ' that has taken 
place within them. Surely they are 
able to realize that, 

"I once was lost, but now I'm found, 
Was blind, but now I see." 

As i?o their joining the Church, I 
believe they know when they desire 
to do so, and need no unusual per- 
suading. 

Again, there are persons truly 
converted who join the Church and 
at that time mean to live right; 
but on account of carelessness, in- 
attention to the rules and regula- 
tions, failing to give heed to the 
teachings of God's word and walk- 
ing in his wa^^s they fail to obtain 
those Christian virtues mentioned 
by the Apostle Peter, and soon be- 
come "blind and can not see afar 
oif, and forget that they were ever 
purged from their sins." 

Is there no remedy for this grow- 
ing danger? Can we not have 
more first-class conversions ? — per- 



SECOND-CLASS CONVERSION 73 

sons who are truly awakened, firm 
ly convicted and soundly converted 
and such as have been born again ? 
Can we not get more people into 
the Church who will not have oc- 
casion to join the second, third, and 
fourth time ? 

There are two thoughts I would 
like to suggest which might be of 
some benefit at least. 

First, the preaching. I would 
not for one moment think of one 
disparaging word about the good 
old time revivals. Too much good 
has been accomplished by them; 
too many souls have been happily 
converted in them ; and even now 
too many good results emenate 
from them to be slightly spoken of. 
Many a man and woman are now 
in the Church doing good service 
for God who were reached only 
through the medium of the good 
o^d time revival. Many happy 
souls are now in glory, dwelling in 
the blessed sunshine of God's Holy 
presence who first heard his word 



74 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

effectively in the good old time re- 
vival. 

No, no; I would not say one 
word to discourage the revivals. 

Nor would I undervalue the ear- 
nest efforts put forth by some of 
God's faithful servants who have 
labored assiduously for the sound 
conversion of men and women. 

Many of them have been earnest 
and faithful for years. They have 
labored untiringly, and God has 
graciously blessed their work. 

Many souls have been made hap- 
py ; many convinced of the error of 
their way, and have turned to 
God and been soundh" converted 
through the simple, but powerful, 
preaching of God's word by these 
good men. But there are some 
who are not so successful, who do 
not feel the real burden of souls, 
who are rather seeking numbers — 
careing more for quantity than for 
quality. Hence, they will do more 
for an increase in the number of 
their membership than for the real 



SECOND-CLASS CONVERSION 75 

conversion of men. They are the 
ones who cause so many second- 
class conversions. 

During a revival, as well as other 
times, the preaching should be done 
in such a manner that it would be 
sure to reach the heart, and not the 
ears only where the fancy alone of 
the hearer would merely be "tick- 
led." Let the words come from the 
heart of the preacher and go to the 
heart of the hearer with the spirit 
and power of God. 

The reason should be appealed to 
more. A man should be made to 
think of his condition and feel the 
necessitj^ of a Saviour. When this 
has been done, the conversion is 
not likely to be of the spasmodic 
kind which lasts only for a season 
and makes a "second-class conver- 
sion" possible; but being sound, 
there is a greater probability of its 
lasting. 

The preacher should not labor 
merely to excite his hearers by 
some methods often resorted to, 



76 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

and which are questionable, to say 
the least of them, for often in such 
cases the "conversion" and relig- 
ion of some who are "converted" 
under such circumstances will, like 
the preaching and the revival with 
all their undue excitement soon 
pass away. 

Second, the principles of relig- 
ion. If these were taught more 
from the pulpit and elsewhere, 
doubtless there would be better 
Christians and better churches ; 
more first-class conversions and 
less of the other kind. 

When once the principle is fixed 
within the heart of a Christian, he 
will almost invariably feel the ne- 
cessity of ever living according to 
his profession, and as a result, he 
will grow in grace and in the 
knowledge of the Lord Jesus. He 
will not think himself something 
when he is nothing. He will be 
possessed of a "zealous godfy fear, 
and will engage all his powers to 
do his Master's will." 



SECOND-CLASS CONVERSION 77 

The Apostle Peter after "confirm- 
ing the saints in the hope of the in- 
crease of God's grace/ ' adds, "And 
besides this, giving all diligence, 
add to your faith virtue ; and to 
virtue, knowlege ; and to know- 
ledge, temperance; and to temper- 
ance, patience ; and to patience, 
godliness ; and to godliness, broth- 
erly kindness; and to brotherly 
kindness, charit\ r . M If this exhor- 
tation be heeded and the process 
followed by the Christian family, 
there will not be many more "sec- 
ond-class con versions/ ' 

Second-class Conversion ! Doubt- 
less this is the cause of the Church 
being so poorly attended by its 
members in many places; the pas- 
tor kept busy with investigations 
and Church trials finds it very diffi- 
cult to please his members. Per- 
haps this is why there are so many 
poorly arranged and uncomfort- 
able church buildings, poor Sunday 
Schools, the pastor is hardly half 
supported, the General Funds go 



78 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

unpaid, and everything is in gener- 
al disorder. 

Let us all pray and labor and use 
all our influence for a better state 
of affairs — for good, wholesome 
and lasting first-class conversions. 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS OR 

CONDITIONS OP CHURCH 

MEMBERSHIP. 



"Put thou thy trust in God, 
In duty's path go on ; 
Fix on his word thy steadfast eye, 
So shalt thy work be done." 

— Luther. 

"The stern behests of duty, 

The doom-books open thrown ; 
The heaven ye seek, the hell ye fear, 
Are with yourselves alone." 

— J. G. Whittier. 

"Whate'er thy race or speech, thou art the 
same ; 
Before thy eyes, duty a constant flame, 
Shine always steadfast with unchanging" 
light, 
Through dark days and through bright." 

— The Ode of Life. 

"Do noble things, not dream them, all day 
long, 
And so make life, death and that vast 
forever, one grand sweet song." 

— Charles Kingsley. 

(79) 



80 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

"Every man has obligations which belong- 
to his station. Duties extend beyond obli- 
gation, and direct the affections, desires 
and intentions, as well as the actions." 

— Whewell. 

At this busy stage of the world's 
existence when everybody is en- 
gaged in doing, or trying to do, 
something to benefit himslelf, when 
in the social, civil, and political 
spheres of operation there is great 
activity, when the Church and the 
world seem to be on such good 
terms, when Christianity seems 
not to be exerting as much influ- 
ence and power over men as is 
needed, and there is a lack of deep 
spiritual • interest in the affairs of 
God and his Church, it does not ap- 
pear to be out of place to call the 
attention of Church members and 
Christians generally to a matter 
which seems to have been almost 
entirely forgotten, or at least sadly 
neglected by not a few of them. 

This forgetfulness or neglect is 
not confined to any one particular 
Church, but extends through them 



CHURCH OBLIGATOINS. 81 

all, more or less. There is a want 
of real genuine Christian activity 
everywhere. Church members need 
to be aroused to a sense of their 
obligations and duty. They should 
be urged upon to "in quire for the 
old paths, and walk therein/ ' A 
line should be drawn clearly and 
distinctly between the Church and 
the world. 

There has been, in many places, a 
shameful neglect of many Christian 
duties, a great falling away from 
the spirit and practice of true 
Christianity, and a wonderful com- 
promise has been made with the 
world. Of this fact the world has 
a very lucid knowledge, and takes 
advantage of the situation daily. 
Such a drift of affairs, unless stop- 
ped, will ere long bring the Church 
into disrepute. 

Christians need to get nearer to 

Christ. Thejr should live in such a 

manner as will not fail to cause 

more prominence to be given and 

6 



82 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

due respect paid to the Church and 
the teachings of Christ and the 
apostles. 

Jesus said to his disciples, 'Ye 
are the light of the world. " He al- 
so commanded, "Let your light so 
shine before men, that they may 
see your good works, and glorify 
your Father which is in heaven." 

Again, "Ye are the salt of the 
earth: but if the salt have lost its 
savour, wherewith shall it be salt- 
ed ? it is henceforth good for noth- 
ing, but to be cast out, and to be 
trodden under foot of men." This, 
doubtless, is the condition of those 
Church members who fail to live 
such lives as are in keeping with 
their profession. 

Though there may be numerous 
faults, and consequently dangers in 
the way of man\^ professed Chris- 
tians, it is not always an easy mat- 
ter to get them to give a patient 
hearing to those who pre in a po- 
sition to advise and offer them 
words of warning and admonition. 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 83 

They are often unwilling to receive 
such instruction as will do them 
good . The faithful servant, of God 
may stand in the sacred desk, or 
during his , pastoral visitations, 
warn and admonish, but little heed 
is given him. Let it be hoped that 
those who read these lines and 
ponder over them will receive such 
an impulse as will at least cause 
them to think of their obligations 
to God and his Church. 

This is an age of utility. Men 
care to do only those things and 
follow those practices which in the 
end will prove beneficial to them- 
selves. There is much to be hoped 
for by those who with a fixed and 
honest purpose, live in strict con- 
formity to their obligations to God 
and to his Church. 

But what is an obligation ? It 
is "that which binds; the binding 
power of an oath, vow, dutj r , prom- 
ise, or contract ; it is dutj^ imposed 
by law, human or divine, to the ful- 
filment of which one party is bound 



84 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

to another." I think it was a Mr. 
Flemings who said, "Moral obliga- 
tion of a free agent implies a law, 
and a law implies a law giver. The 
will of God, therefore, is the true 
ground of all obligations strictly 
and properly so called. It is an 
act which binds a man to some per- 
formance, a contract, a bond." 

Now, if every Christian — every 
member of the Church will rightly 
consider his relation to God, and 
remember that his will must be done, 
he will readily understand his obli- 
gation to him. 

Perhaps there are but few per- 
sons who fully realize their position 
when joining the Church. They 
either do not understand the vows 
they take, or are not careful to re- 
gard them. There are many per- 
sons who join the Church without 
any knowledge whatever of the 
rules and regulations thereof, and 
they place themselves under obli- 
gation to live up to their obliga- 
tions as best they can, God helping 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 85 

them. They go in blindly without 
knowing just what is to be expect- 
ed of them, that is, without having 
carefully considered the duties and 
responsibilites of a church member. 

I have always thought (I may be 
wrong in my opinion) that no one 
should join a church, take the 
vows,and.pledge himself to a strict 
conformity to its rules and regula- 
tions without first carefully and 
prayerfully considering the many 
duties which may devolve upon 
him, and as far as possible, know- 
ing the rules and regulations of the 
church. Making such preliminary 
preparations he will be the better 
prepared to assume the duties 
thereof. Persons wishing to join 
the Church are required to give the 
pastor satisfactory assurance of 
their desire to "flee the wrath to 
come," and to be saved from their 
sins 

There must, also, be evidences 
given of their faith in God. These 
are preliminary steps. After this 



86 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

they are brought before the Church 
and received according to the pre- 
scribed form. 

Baptism is an outward sign or 
token of an inward and spiritual 
grace. It is the entrance into the 
Church. No one is regarded as a 
full member of the Church until he 
has been baptized. Before receiv- 
ing baptism, he must make certain 
promises known as the Baptismal 
vows. He must promise to "re- 
nounce the devil and all his works, 
and to constantly believe God's 
holy word, and obediently keep his 
commandments." This, indeed, is 
no trifling matter. It is a prom- 
ise made, not onlv to man, but to 
God. 

Just imagine a man standing be- 
fore a congregation of living wit- 
nesses whose eyes are fixed upon 
him, listening eagerly to catch the 
answer to every question. Realize 
that God , our Father, with his 
all-seeing eye is looking upon the 
scene, and also listening. Think, 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS* * 87 

too, that he knows the purpose of 
that man's' heart, knows every 
thought as it comes forth in his 
mind. He watches the whole trans- 
action from begining to end, and 
the whole is recorded in the "Book 
of remembrance." Here the appli- 
cant stands and the pastor inquires, 
"Dost thou renounce the devil 
and all his works, the vain pomp 
and glory of the world, with all 
covetous desires of the same, and 
the carnal desires of the flesh, so 
that thou wilt not follow or be led 
by them ?" This is, indeed, an im- 
portant question, and demands a 
great deal of thought and prayer- 
ful consideration. 

There should be a strong deter- 
mination, a fixed purpose, and the 
applicant must feel that he is pre- 
pared and has come to a steadfast 
resolution, to give himself and all 
that he has to God, and as far as in 
him lieth the power, to do only 
such things as are pleasing to God. 

In this vow he promises to dis- 



88 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

solve all friendship with the devil, 
to disown him, to engage no long- 
er in his services, to come out from 
the world, and to crucify the flesh. 
All the works of the devil are to be 
rejected, disclaimed, relinquished, 
and abandoned. A few of these he 
must know are falsehood, larcem% 
evil thoughts, evil speaking, drunk- 
enness, or the drinking of spiritu- 
ous liquors as a beverage, fighting, 
quarreling, brawling, returning evil 
for evil, or railing for railing, need- 
less controversies, hypocrisy, doing 
to others as he would not they 
should do to him, doing what he 
knows is not for the glory of God. 

Ostentation, gambling, all ques- 
tionable resorts and practices, av- 
ariciousness, selfishness, unchaste 
conversations, wrathful tempers, 
angry passions, sinful words and 
actions, must all be given up. 

Now, if after a careful and pra\'- 
erful meditation, the applicant de- 
cides that by the grace of God he 
will cast off all these things, he is 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 89 

prepared to answer from his heart , 
"I renounce the7n all" . 

The above is only the first step, 
the first question, the taking of the 
tow. There immediateh r follows 
something else. There must be giv- 
en an expression of his belief. He 
must acknowledge his belief in 
"God the Father Almighty Maker 
of heaven and earth; in Jesus 
Christ, his only begotten Son, that 
he was conceived by the Holy 
Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; 
that he suffered under Pontius Pi- 
late, was crucified, dead and buri- 
ed ; that he rose again the third 
day ; that he ascended into heaven, 
and sitteth at the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty, and 
from thence shall come again, at 
the end of the world, to judge the 
quick and the dead; the Holy Ghost, 
the Church of God, the communion 
of saints, the remission of sins, the 
resurrection of the body, and ever- 
lasting life after death." 

In this faith he must be baptized. 



90 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

But one more promise must be 
made — a promise upon which so 
much depends, and which must be 
kept, else all will come to naught, 
and the soul be lost. The applicant 
must promise to obediently keep 
God's holy will and command- 
ments, and walk in the same all the 
days of his life. What a promise! 
What a responsibility ! Will it be 
kept? 

We may speak of faith, hope, 
mercy, and love; but unless there 
is a compliance with God's com- 
mandments, a submitting to his 
authority,'. and that, too, with a 
willing and ready mind and a glad 
heart, no one need expect to be 
saved. 

Faith in Christ, hope of heaven, 
the mercy of God to us, and the 
love we have for him prompt 
us to obey his holy will and com- 
mandments. . True saving religion 
is a religion 6f obedience. It is not 
a slavish obedience which is almost 
invariably wearisome and galling, 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 91 

but filial and loving:; "He that 
hath my commandments, and keep- 
eth them, he it is that loveth me: 
and he that loveth me shall be lov- 
ed of my Father, and I will love 
him, and will manifest mvself to 
him." 

David was able to say to God, 
"I have chosen thy precepts * * * 

* tlrv law is my delight." There 
were other precepts besides those 
of God, but David seems to have 
reached the conclusion, after mak- 
ing a trial, that there were none 
better or more suitable than those 
of God. Therefore he chose them. 
The law of God was his delight ; 
hence he was cheerful in his obedi- 
ence. So with every true Christian 
— "his delight is in the law of 
the Lotd ; and his law doth he 
meditate day and night." So then, 
the promise to ; keep obediently 
God's holy will and command- 
ments, and walk in the same all the 
days of our life, is a great one and 
God holds us to it. 



92 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

But this is not all. One more 
step is to be taken before the ap- 
plicant can be fully recognized as a 
member of the Church, and be in 
position to enjoy all its benefits 
and privileges. After receiving bap- 
tism he is again brought before the 
Church and informed that, "none 
who have arrived at years of dis- 
cretion can remain within its pales, 
or be admitted to its communion, 
without assuming its obligations.' ' 

It is demanded of him whether he 
is resolved to assume these obliga- 
tions. He is asked, "Do you sol- 
emnly, in the presence of God and 
this congregation, ratif\ r and con- 
firm the promise and vow of repent- 
ance, faith and obedience, contain- 
ed in the baptismal covenant ? ,: To 
this question he answers, "I do, 
God being my helper/ ' 

He is then asked, "Will yon be 
subject to the discipline of the 
Church, attend upon its ordi- 
nances, and support its institu- 
tions?" Again, he answers, "I wall 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 93 

endeavor so to do, by the help of 
God." He is then recognized as a 
member of the Church and bidden 
welcome to all its privileges, and 
the right hand of fellowship is giv- 
en him. Thus he becomes a recog- 
nized member of the Church, hav- 
ing assumed its obligations. 

Will he fulfil these ? Have all who 
came before done so ? Are all mem- 
bers of the Church doing so now? 
As to the first question, it remains 
to be answered. But we need only 
search the records of the Church, 
visit the Church, or live in the com- 
munity to find the answer for the 
last two questions. All have not 
been faithful to their obligations; 
all are not firm now in their adher- 
ence to the promises made at the 
altar. Many grow careless and un- 
concerned, and become blind and 
forgetful that they were purged 
from their sins. Religion to them 
has become more of a duty and less 
of a privilege, more of constraint, 
less of choice. The Church is not 



94 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

attended early and regularly now 
as it once was;. . .'.<-. 

The liberality and zeal for the 
cause of Christ and t t he Church are 
but little seen. The Church and its 
obligations have become a burden 
too hard to endure. The world 
with its pleasures and amusements 
is more in favor.. The parlor social 
is preferred to the clq.ss-meeting, 
and the theatre is more interesting 
than the. prayer-meeting. Duty has 
become a load, worship a great 
task. God's house has lost its at- 
traction. 

0, Christian ! you who read these 
lines, is it so with you ? Have you 
forgotten your obligations ? Have 
you fallen from your high, holy, and 
blessed standing? Have you for- 
gotten that singular and happy pe- 
riod of your life when you had a 
bright prospect of gloiw ? Are 3^011 
now in the desert waste far away 
from God ? Remember and ponder 
over well the obligations you took 
when joining the Church. Think 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 95 

of how you prayed ; of the prayers 
and anxiety of your friends. 
Change your mind, come back 

and prav for 

" *' * • * a closer waik with God." 

Return unto the Lord. "Thus 
saith the Lord, Stand ye in the 
ways, and see, and ask for the old 
paths, where is the good way, and 
walk therein, and ye shall find rest 
for your souls. " 

""Tiie way the holy prophets went, 
The road that leads to banishment, 
The Kings highway of holiness." 

Get into that way and continue 
to travel therein. Strive to live 
with Jesus. Let him dwell in j^our 
heart by faith. "If thou forsake 
him, he will cast thee off forever. " 
If the Holp Spirit depart from you, 
nothing will be left but sorrow, 
wretchedness, discomfort, despon- 
dency and ruin. Resolve now 

4 'So shall my walk be close with God, 
Calm and serene my frame : 
So purer light shall mark the road 
That leads me to the Lamb." 

One more thought. All Chris- 
tians are under some special obli- 



96 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

gation to put forth every effort to 
avoid evil of every kind, and en- 
deavor to practice that which is 
good and pleasing to God and ben- 
eficial to themselves and their 
neighbors. They should feel that 
they are bound to pursue a right 
course throughout the whole of 
their life. 

By the providence and grace of 
God they have been greatly favor- 
ed in so many ways. Truly God 
has been good to them. In mercy 
he has heard their prayers, forgiv- 
en their many offenses and short- 
comings, and richly endowed them 
with many things which are so 
necessary for their peace, joy, hap- 
piness, comfort and pleasure in 
this life, as well as to fit them for 
the happy life beyond. A thought 
of these things should inspire us all 
to seek a closer walk with God. 

The preacher and all Church offi- 
cers are under special obligations 
up to which they should feel them- 
selves bound to live. 



CHURCH OBLIGATIONS. 97 

Like the great apostle the preach- 
er should feel, "Woe is unto me if I 
preach not the gospel-." He is un- 
der obligation to "preach the 
word; be instant in season and 
out of season ; reprove, rebuke, ex- 
hort with all long suffering and 
doctrine." To do this at all times 
requires a very strong determina- 
tion, much zeal, and great courage. 
Without these a preacher may fail 
to do his whole duty. 

There are people who may be un- 
willing to hear the pure unadulter- 
ated word of God. "Sound doc- 
trine" may be too much and too 
pointed for them. Their evil prac- 
tices and habits may be too often 
exposed and condemned by the 
plain and simple preaching of the 
gospel of Christ. This they are un- 
willing even to try to stand. 

The gospel truth is too mighty 

for them. Hence they "turn away 

their ears from the truth." They 

seek for a "popular Christianity," 

7 



98 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

and a "popular preacher." One 
who will not be u so severe, " and 
whose efforts in the delivery of his 
sermons will be to meet the "pop- 
ular approval' ' of the masses, rath- 
er than to please God, properly 
warn and instruct the people; and 
thus cause them to strive to "press 
toward the mark for the prize of 
the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus. " 

No preacher should turn away 
from his obligations to God, and to 
those to whom he has been sent to 
preach his word. 

So with all Church officers ; they 
have certain duties to perform, and 
their obligations bind them to the 
faithful discharge of the same. 

Nothing should be permitted to 
keep them from putting forth every 
possible and reasonable effort to 
act their part well. 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 



Where am I now? from what a height 

Of happiness cast down ! 
The glory swallowed up in night, 

And faded is the crown. 

Through the wild world of sin and woe, 

A banished man I roam ; 
But can not find my rest below, 

But can not wander home. — C Wesley. 

The past has bequeathed many 
things to the present. Among the 
many things it has left there can 
be found no richer inheritance than 
its lessons of wisdom. 

Every branch of science and 
knowledge, and all enterprises are, 
more or less, indebted to the past. 
It furnishes science with the foun- 
dation stone upon which to rear 
her magnificent temples. It gives 
to art the models and principles 
for her grandest achievements. It 
supplies the statesmen with the 

(99) 

Lore. 



100 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS, 

chart by which to guide the ship 
of state. It opens to the student 
flowery fields of knowledge, richly 
rewarding his toils. 

What of the Christians? Has 
the past no information for them? 
Is there no lesson they can learn 
from this broad field of instruction 
such as will do them good, serve 
as a warning to them as they 
journey through life, and give them 
some needed stimulus to continue 
in their chosen profession as fol- 
lowers of Christ? Yes, there are 
ample stores of useful knowledge 
for the anxious inquirer alter relig- 
ous truth. For the Christians the 
past has a voice of instruction and 
warning. There is much to be 
gained from the numerous exam- 
ples left by the past as "foot-prints 
on the sands of time." 

Examine Christian character as 
it was in the days of the apostles, 
and you will find that among the 
hindrances to its maturity is the 
love of the world. 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 101 

The apostle Paul furnishes us 
with a case which may serve as an 
appropriate illustration of the 
danger of the love of the world. 

Doubtless, all New Testament 
readers have read of Demas. He is 
mentioned by Paul as being his fel- 
low-laborer. He was associated 
with Luke in a salutation to the 
Collossian Church. Very likely he 
was a preacher of the gospel in 
high repute for piety with the apos- 
tles. But when Paul was at Rome 
the second time, and was about to 
be put to death as a martyr, De- 
mas shamefully forsook him and 
fled to Thessalonica. 

Why did he do this ? Paul gives 
the reason for this conduct in one 
of his letters to Timothy. He 
states, "Demas hath forsaken me, 
having loved this present world.' ' 

Commenting on this act, Mr. El- 
liott says, "He left the apostle in 
his trials and sufferings because he 
(Demas) loved safety and ease, and 



102 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

fleeting pleasures of this world, 
and had not the Christian forti- 
tude to share the dangers, or the 
Christian love to minister to the 
the sufferings of the nearly desolate 
apostle. " 

The love of the world seems to 
have been the only reason for De- 
mas' apostac\^, at least it is the 
only one given by the apostle, and 
from it we may readily, and per- 
haps, reasonably infer that the 
love of the world is an evil of seri- 
ous character, and attended with 
gloomy consequences. It seems to 
have been so regarded by Paul, for 
he attributes the apostacy of De- 
mas to that cause. 

St. John cautions us against this 
love : "Love not the world, neither 
the things that are in the world. If 
any man love the world, the love 
of the father is not in him. For all 
that is in the world, the lust of the 
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and 
the pride of life, is not of the 
Father, but is of the world." 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 103 

But what is implied in loving the 
world? It is the choice of this 
world and the things herein in 
preference to heaven and the things 
thereof. All are guilty of this love 
who wilfully neglect the things 
pertaining to eternal life and de- 
vote their time and talent to 
worldly objects. Whenever relig- 
ion is neglected, or made second- 
ary to something else, or its pre- 
cepts are violated in order to gain 
wealth, popularity, patronage, or 
to accomplish some other worldly 
end, the person so doing is like 
Demas — loves this present world 
more than he does God, or heaven. 
The love of the world may be seen 
in the adoption and practice of 
those tenets of society, which are 
contrary to the spirit and practice 
of true religion. 

"You must associate only with 
those of a certain class." "In fam- 
ily bereavement you must absent 
yourself from the church and soci- 
ety." "Worldly amusements are 



104 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

innocent. " "Religion and business 
are different things. They are 
^widely separated, the one having 
no connection with the other.'' 
"Do as you like when away from 
home." 

Now lets see ; "You must not as- 
sociate with those who are not of 
your class — must not be found 
with them." No matter what the 
condition of others may be, it mat- 
ters not how anxious they are to 
find peace for their troubled souls 
or to obtain forgiveness of their 
sins, you must not be seen with 
them endeavoring to show them 
the way, offering words of advice 
and consolation. 

The circle in which }^ou move 
would frown upon you, should you 
be seen doing such a thing. Just 
think of it ! Is this your religion ? 
Is it the religion of the blessed Sa- 
viour ? 

Ye bereaved, is there any conso- 
lation in staying away from God's 
Church and from among his peo- 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 105 

pie ? Can the world give any sol- 
ace to your broken heart or wound- 
ed spirit ? Is it not a great truth, 
and has it not been demonstrated 
time and gain, that 

"Earth has no sorrows that 
Heaven can not heal ?" 

Why stay away .then from the 
house of God, where the preached 
word and the songs of Zion can 
give so much comfort and joy in 
times of sorrow and sore bereave- 
ment? It is far better to let such 
doctrines go, for they can do no 
good. 

Again, dancing, gambling, and 
the drinking of spirituous liquors 
as a beverage, are the things of this 
world. The singing of songs which 
do not pertain to the worship of 
God, and the frequenting of places 
of ill-repute with no good design, 
belong only to this world. No one 
who loved God should be found 
guilty of doing such things. All 
who do these things are lovers of 



106 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

this world and its pleasures more 
than of God. 

Doubtless, there are not a few 
Church members who are pious at 
home, who lead a life of usefulness, 
are always in attendance at the 
class-meeting and prayer-meeting, 
and the Sunday-school, but when 
they happen to go away from 
home to some place where they are 
not so well known, they have an 
opinion, it seems, that because they 
are away from their home environ- 
ments they are at liberty to relax 
their religious zeal, forsake the Sun- 
day-school and Church services, 
and engage in worldly pleasures. 

Such thoughts and practices 
should be avoided b3^ the truly re- 
ligious. To serve God in spirit and 
in truth is a pleasant task for the 
real Christian. To be engaged in 
the service of the Lord is an agree- 
able occupation to him who is not 
worldly-minded. Singing, praying, 
reading the word of God, convers- 
ing about the things of God, and 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 107 

trying to live a consistant Chris- 
tian life, are all pleasing to the 
children of God 

Yet, there are many professors of 
religion who prefer those pleasures 
and amusements which are worldly 
in their nature, and bitterly oppos- 
ed to the life of God in the soul. 
Such pleasures are those of the in- 
temperate, the gambler, the liber- 
tine. These, as well as others, are 
the pleasures of the world, invented 
by the world, conducted by the 
world, recommended b\ r the world, 
and patronized by the world. 

They have always been denounc- 
ed bj' God and his Church, and are 
now. No one in the full enjoyment 
of religion desires to participate in 
them. No one can take part in 
them, and at the same time retain 
the spirit of true devotion and re- 
ligious zeal. It is a truth, "The 
love of God and the love of earthly 
things are incompatible. If you 
give place to the love of the world, 
the love of God can not dwell in 



108 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS . 

you. There must be some potent 
reason for the condemnation of 
worldliness by the scriptures. 

The effect of loving this world in 
the case of Demas was that it led 
him to forsake his path of duty. 
We are informed by John that, "If 
any man love the world, the love 
of the Father is not in him." The 
love of the world expels the love of 
God from the heart. It supersedes 
and renounces it. When one begins 
to love the world, he begins to 
grow cold in religion. When he be- 
gins to engage in the trifles of the 
world, he forgets to serve God as 

he ought. 

u Ye can not serve God and mammon." 
Paul refers us to a duty of religion 
which should be attended bj r every 
Christian: "I beseech } r ou, breth- 
ren, by the mercies of God, that 
you present your bodies a living 
sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto 
God, which is your reasonable ser- 
vice, and be not conformed to this 
world ; but be ye transformed by 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. 109 

the renewing of your mind that ye 
may prove that what is good, and 
acceptable and perfect will of God." 

The love of the world brings in a 
new system of religion which is op- 
posed to the religion of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. 

The teachings of the Bible are for- 
gotten, being partly or wholly ig- 
nored. The doctrine of God's 
Church which has been taught for 
ages is wilfully disregarded. The 
vows necessary to church member- 
ship are rendered meaningless and 
useless, and a worldly church be- 
comes the sanctuary to which they 
flee. Worldliness is dangerous, be- 
cause it violates the whole system 
of true religion — love to God — de- 
nial of self — a life of usefulness, and 
the spirit of prayer. 

In the early days of Christianity 
persecution could not destroy the 
Church ; but now worldliness often 
makes serious invasions into it and 
causes many to turn away. Let 
every Christian firmly resolve to 



110 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

" renounce the devil and all his 
works, the vain pomp and glory of 
the world, with all covetous de- 
sires of the same, and the carnal 
desires of the flesh, so that they 
will not follow after them nor be 
led by them." Engage no longer in 
them, but spend your days in the 
service of the Lord. Beware of 
every foe — every crafty and plausi- 
ble foe of the true spirit of Chris- 
tianity. "Love not the world, 
neither the things that are in the 
world. " 

Read carefully and prayerfully 
these words of Charles Wesley: 

"Lovers of pleasure more than God 
For you he suffered pain, 
Sevearers, for you he spilt his blood ; 
And shall he bleed in vain? 

Misers, his life for you he paid, 
Your basest crimes he bore ; 

Drunkards, your sins on Him were laid, 
That you might sin no more. 

The God of love, to earth he came, 
That you might come to heaven ; 

Believe, believe in Jesus' name, 
And all your sins forgiven. 



THE LOVE OF THE WORLD. Ill 

Believe in him who died for thee, 

And sure as he has died, 
Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free, 
And thou art justified." 



CHASTISEMENTS. 



" Tis my happiness below 

Not to live without the cross ; 
But the Saviour's power to know, 
Sanctifying* every loss. 

Trials must and will befall ; 

But with humble faith to see 
Love inscribed upon them all, — 

This is happiness to me. 

Trials make the promise sweet : 
Trials give new life to prayer ; 

Bring" me to my Saviour's feet, 
Lay me low, and keep me there." 

— Cowper. 

There is a beautiful analogy be- 
tween the conduct of divine provi- 
dence and the operation of divine 
grace. In the providence of God 
ample resources are free for all. 

Nature provides the sunlight, the 
dew, the rain, the air, the seasons, 
and water in such a bountifu 1 sup- 
ply that there can be no monopoly 

(112) 



CHASTISEMENTS. 11 3 

and no exclusion of any one, how- 
ever poor. These the rich and the 
poor may enjoy alike. These great 
blessings are all free and abundant. 
They may be had and enjoyed, 
more or less, everywhere. 

The grace of God has likewise 
provided a Saviour who invites all, 
and promises eternal life to all who 
believe in him and keep his com- 
mandments. The Holy Spirit who 
strives with all, and who will 
guide all (who permits him to do 
so) in the paths of peace and safety; 
the gospel which is preached to all, 
and gives glad tidings of salvation 
to a perishing world; the Church 
which is open to all, and in which 
all who will may live and prepare 
themselves for the life beyond, in 
the world where God and angels 
dwell, and the Sabbath which is 
given to all as a day of rest. 

The provisions of nature are use- 
less unless men avail themselves of 
them and labor to secure their ben- 
8 



114 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

efits. The vast resources of light, 
air, and water are all in vain when 
we cease to make use of them. So 
with the grace of God. The gospel 
offers to all a glorious provision, 
but "how shall we escape if we neg- 
lect so great salvation ? " 

Of what benefit to us is the incar- 
nation, sufferings, death, resurrec- 
tion, and ascension of Christ the 
Saviour, if we believe not in him 
and live up to his teachings ? 

What good may we expect from 
the Holy Spirit, if we refuse to fol- 
low his instructions or permit him 
to preside over our thought, 
words, and actions ? 

Again, when the spirit of God 
finally abandons a man, God gives 
him up as lost, and there is no 
hope of his salvation. But so long 
as the Spirit strives with man, 
that is, resists and opposes his 
downward course, produces in- 
ward feelings of desire for religion 
and condemnation of sin, just so 
long there is hope ; for God has not 



CHASTISEMENTS* 115 

given him up. The Lord has said, 
"My Spirit shall not always strive 
with man." 

The providence of God is con- 
ducted on the same principle. 

Saith the Lord, "As many as I 
love, I rebuke and chasten.' ' When 
God ceases his disciplinary process 
of correction and chastisement, the 
man is abandoned and there is no 
hope of salvation for him. 

There is a difference between 
chastisement and judgment A 
chastisement is a fatherly correc- 
tion by means of affliction in some 
manner. It is, according to Mr. 
Webster, "The act of chastising; 
pain afflicted for punishment and 
correction: discipline. " 

A judgment is an abandonment 
either to prosperity or to destruc- 
tion. 

By the judgment of providence 
some men are abandoned to pros- 
perity and have their good things 
in this life, and others are crushed 
or destroyed, as a warning to the 



11 6 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

living. But not until they are 
given up are these judgments sent. 
So long as salvation is in their 
reach, God rebukes and chastens 
as occasion requires 

"Behold, happy is the man who 
God correcteth. Therefore, despise 
not thou the chastening of the Al- 
mighty." "My son, despise not the 
chastening of the Lord, neither be 
weary of his correction ; For whom 
the Lord loveth he correcteth even 
as a father the son in whom he de- 
light eth." 

God "rebukes' ' by his word and 
Spirit, and "chastens'' by the afflic- 
tions of his providence. 

It should be remembered that 
these rebukes and chastisements 
are intended for the good of those 
who receive them, and serve also 
as a warning to others. 

The afflictions of divine provi- 
dence are chastisements designed 
to lead us to repentance. 

"As many as I love, I rebuke and 
chasten." These afflictions are 



CHASTISEMENTS. 117 

adapted to this purpose, because 
they discover the evil that is with- 
in us. We are told in the scriptures 
that, "The heart is deceitful above 
all things, and desperately wicked. 

Doubtless there are many sin- 
ners, unconverted men and women, 
who never seriouslv think of their 
salvation until they are afflicted in 
some way. It is then, for the first 
time, they think of accepting the 
blessings offered by Christ. Many 
people, in the enjoyment of good 
health and strength, are so diligent 
in striving for the pleasures of this 
world, that they have, as they im- 
agine* no time for the study of re- 
ligion and things of God. 

The ministers may warn and in- 
struct, exhort and counsel, but no 
heed is given to them. So with 
some professed Christians. Not- 
withstanding they profess a hope 
in Christ and express an earnest 
(?) desire for salvation, they exhib- 
it great carelessness — are really un- 
concerned, and allow themselves to 



118 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

wander far from the command- 
ments of God, Hence the necessity 
of chastisement. 

The Christians of Leodicea de- 
ceived themselves with regard to 
their spiritual condition. It seems 
that they thought because they 
were "rich and increased in goods," 
they had need of nothing. They 
did not think that they were 
"wretched, and miserable, and 
poor, and blind, and naked. " Hence 
they were charged with being "luke 
warm, neither hot nor cold." They 
did not have that religious fervor, 
earnestness of zeal, and true devo- 
tion which they should have pos- 
sessed. They were destituted of 
good works. They were indiffer- 
ent, and did not exercise as they 
might and should have done, the 
gifts which were given them by 
their Master. They seemed to be 
perfectly content with their condi- 
tion. They did not feel that an}'- 
thing whatever was needed. All 
was well with them. 



CHASTISEMENTS. 119 

Such is the condition of many 
Christians now. They are neither 
"hot nor cold " They arc alto- 
gether "lukewarm" — neither ardent 
nor zealous about the things of 
God. They are satisfied with be- 
ing merely members of the Church, 
having no interest, anxiety or care 
respecting anything in, or in any 
way connected with the w^ork 
thereof. They appear, many of 
them, to be not only indifferent 
to the welfare of the Church and 
the salvation of men, but of their 
own souls as well. 

The Pharisees made a great mis- 
take when they considered them- 
selves righteous. 

They would boast in their pray- 
ers of their goodly condition, and 
thank God that they were "not 
like other men." Jesus once said to 
his disciplies : "Ye know not what 
manner of spirit ye are of." Here- 
in exists the necessity of chastise- 
ment. It tests and reveals charac- 
ter. It lays open the heart. It en- 



120 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

ables a man to know himself— just 
what he is, and what he is doing. 

What discoveries are made by 
suffering and affliction ? Some- 
times intense selfishness is revealed 
— self-righteousness, self-confidence, 
self-love, self-esteem, self-praise, self- 
admiration, self-approbation, self- 
complacency, and self-e very thing. 
All is of and for self, and none of 
and for God. Sometimes there is 
much complaining and murmering. 
Things don't go to suit certain 
ones. They can't understand why 
such a thing should be done. God's 
will is not agreeable. Everything 
goes wrong. Sometimes infidelity 
and skeptical questioning of the 
truths ol God's word are unmask- 
ed. Sometimes an alienation of 
heart is discovered, which charges 
God with injustice, cruelty, and 
wrong. 

Chastisements rebuke the pride 
and vanity of our hearts by show- 
ing our weakness and helplessness 
and dependence. Success often in- 



CHASTISEMENTS. 121 

spires self-confidence and fosters 
pride and vanity. Such was the case 
with Alexander the Great; such 
was the case with Nebuchadnez- 
zer, and with many great (?) men 
of olden times, and such is the case 
with many of this age. They soon 
forget themselves and go beyond 
their bounds. Affliction is a great 
rebuke to self-confidence. It shows 
man how weak and dependent he 
is. 

Chastisements rebuke the world- 
liness of our hearts by showing the 
vanity and emptiness of the world. 

There is a strong tendency to 
worldliness in our nature. It be- 
gins to operate in early life when 
lovely visions of the future pass be- 
fore us. It receives strength in the 
conflict with care and want. It in- 
creases with the desire for indepen- 
dence. If not checked in some way 
it will lead on and on until we are 
lost beyond recovery. 

Chastisement shows the folly of 
a * worldly mind. It recalls our 



122 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

mind to the fact that there is a 
God, that we have souls as well as 
bodies, and that we have to live in 
eternity as well as in time. It 
proves that the world can not 
make us happy, because it can 
make no provisions for adversity, 
and yield no solace in sorrow. 

Chastisements rebuke the neg- 
ative character of our piety by 
showing the need of sympathy and 
kindly offices. How natural for 
men to forget the claims of society 
and their duty to others, and con- 
fine their attention to themslves. 
Thus they become negative and sel- 
fish in character, omitting the sa- 
cred duties of love and mercy. Or 
their love may be wanting in force, 
vigor, when it ought to be ardent, 
earnest, glowing, burning, and 
zealous. It may be narrowly con- 
tracted when it ought to be widely 
expanded. It maj r be selfish, when 
it ought to be liberal. 

Among all, Christians especially, 
there should be a disposition to ex- 



CHASTISEMENTS. 123 

ercise compassion or favor, a wil- 
lingness to help tose who are in 
need of succor. The Bible teaches 
the universal brotherhood of man 
and the duty of an aU-embracing 
love. No race, class, or condition 
should be beyond our love and 
mercy. The Saviour, while upon 
earth, illustrated and exemplified 
this duty, e. g., the parable of the 
good Samaritan, and his own holy 
life of benevolence. 

Afflictions and sufferings are the 
rebukes of our heavenly Father, are 
his voice calling us from our couch- 
es of case and self-indulgence, his 
rod smiting us until we feel the 
need of sympathy and kindness 
ourselves, his warning to us to pre- 
sent "our bodies a living sacrifice, 
holy, acceptable unto God," that 
we "be not conformed to this 
world." 

Chastisement may seem hard 
sometimes; it may rob us of many 
worldly pleasures, and perhaps, 
possessions ; it may put us to some 



124 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

apparent disadvantage ; our suffer- 
ings and afflictions may be many 
and long ; but because of them we 
may know that God loves us, that 
the Spirit is still striving with us, 
that mercy is still on our side, that 
there is still hope of salvation, and 
that, if we will only despise them 
not, but turn to God, and live as 
he would have us do, we shall live 
with him in the heavenly world, 
shall have "a building not made 
with hands, but eternal in the 
heavens. 



PARTAKERS OF CHRIST. 



The largest words are not al- 
ways the most important. It is 
often the case that the smallest 
word controls the sense of whole 
sentences and entire paragraphs. 
For instance the little word "so" is 
frequently used to convey an idea 
of something vast infinite and un- 
measured; as when Jesus said, 
"God so loved the world, that he 
gave his only begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in him should 
not perish, but have everlasting 
Kfe." 

The word so, though one of the 
smallest in the sentence, conveys an 
idea of the vastness of God's love, 
and shows to what extent it was; 
used for the world. He "so loved 
the world: that he gave his only be-, 
gottet; Son to die," etc. 

,..,"/ ': r,;. .': ass) : -..; 



126 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS, 

A similar instance of the impor- 
tance of small words occurs in the 
epistle of Paul to the Hebrews, 
where he says, "For we are made 
partakers of Christ, if we hold the 
beginning of our confidence stead- 
fast unto the end." Here we ob- 
serve that the conditional term if\ 
though a very small word, deter- 
mines the sense of the passage, and 
conveys a most wholesome and 
valuable truth. 

In the above passage the little 
word z/, marks the connectiton of 
human with divine agency, and 
points out the relation of man to 
the plan of salvation. 

The reference of St. Paul in the 
above verse is remarkably compre- 
hensive and throws a strong light 
upon other portions of the scrip- 
ture. By reading the chapter (He- 
brews iii.) it will be observed that 
the apostle first refers to the fact 
that many of the Israelites who 
started with Moses and Joshua 
from Egypt to the land of Canaan, 



PARTAKERS OF CHRIST. 127 

failed to reach their destination 
and fell in the wilderness. This he 
applies to the Christian life. 

His next reference appears to be, 
and doubtless is, to the remarkable 
discourse of Jesus to the jews, in 
which he astounded them by de- 
claring the necessity of eating his 
flesh and drinking his blood. In 
John vi. 53-54, we read, "Jesus said 
unto them, Verily, verily, I say un- 
to you, Except ye eat the flesh of 
the Son of man, and drink his 
blood, ye have no life in you. Who- 
so eatheth my flesh, and drinketh 
my blood, hath eternal life; and I 
will raise him up at the last day." 

It seems that Jesus gave the sense 
in which he used the language with 
sufficient clearness for those who 
heard him ; for they seemed not to 
care to inquire into its meaning. 

The next reference is to the "rest 
of God's saints/' The Sabbath is 
a rest and a type — Canaan was a 
rest and a type — but Christ is the 
rest itself. Whosoever has Christ 



128 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

has that rest ; and whosoever holds 
to Christ, will hold to that rest. 

Full salvation is what God's peo- 
ple are seeking for ; and what I de- 
sire to call attention to is how we 
may be sure of salvation. 

1. By beginning with confidence in 
Jesus. 

The apostle Paul agrees with the 
Saviour in his expression, but di- 
verges far from the common opin- 
ion and practice of men. It is no 
strange occurrence for seriously 
awakened persons to begin the re- 
ligious life with some preparatory 
process of long or shorterduration. 
Doubtless there are many who be- 
gin their religious career without 
first "counting up the cost" and 
meditating well upon their under- 
taking. 

Let us not forget the. fact that 
our desire is salvation ; that to. be 
saved forever more, we must be a 
partaker of Christ ; that in order 
to be a partaker of Christ, we must 
have confidence in him, and this 



PARTAKERS OF CHRIST. 129 

confidence we must hold fast unto 
the end. Paul informs us that, 
"We are made partakers of Christ 
if we hold the beginning of our 
confidence steadfast unto the end." 

Confidence is the beginning of 
true Christian religion. It is the 
first principle in all business trans- 
actions Whatever we undertake 
we must have confidence in our- 
selves or some one else as to the 
successful results. We do not enter 
into any business with a man un- 
less we have confidence in him — 
can trust him. 

Religion is a business, and in en- 
tering upon it we make an agree- 
ment with the Lord. This cov- 
enant should not be made unless 
we have confidence in him and are 
willing to trust in him for the 
faithful performance of all that he 
has promised. 

We are to have confidence in the 
ability and willingness of Christ to 
save; for we are told that "he is 
9 



130 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

able to save them to the uttermost 
that come unto God by him," We 
must have confidence in his words 
and invitation, confiding of soul 
and body to his care. 

This confidence must be held fast. 
There should be no turning loose. 
We are to hold on tenaciously. In- 
stability is ruinous to success. No 
man can reasonably hope to ac- 
complish much who is constantly 
changing his plans and his pur- 
suits. 

The person who would be a par- 
taker of Christ must not only be- 
gin with confidence, but must con- 
tinue with it. Our daily experi- 
ences of what the Lord does for us 
and how he helps us, should serve 
to increase our faith and confirm 
our hopes. 

It is to be regretted that some 
professed Christians are constantly 
on the "change. " They have no 
abiding place, and are in no partic- 
ular way. They are first in this 
way, then in that. They allow 



PARTAKERSOF CHRIST. 131 

themselves to be carried about by 
every wind of doctrine. Many are 
as often out of the Church as they 
are in it. 

To be a partaker of Christ, and 
consequently saved, we are to hold 
the beginning of our confidence 
steadfast unto the end. It is true 
that sometimes we may meet with 
serious difficulties. Obstacles of va- 
rious kinds may come in our way ; 
we may pass through strange vicis- 
situdes; but we should remember 
that "we must through much trib- 
ulation enter the kingdom of God." 

u Are you weary, heavy laden, 
With the toil of many years? 
There is joy within the present, 
Tho' we see it thro' our tears, 
Darkest clouds will quickly scatter 
If we will but chase the part." 

Daniel, tho cast in the lion's den, 
did not lose confidence in God. He 
was delivered. The three Hebrew 
children had strong confidence in 
God, so that the Lord was with 
them in the midst of the fiery fur- 



132 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

nace. Job declared, "Though he 
slay me yet will I trust him." 

We need to partake of the spirit, 
nature, graces, righteouness and 
life of Christ. "Let this same 
mind be in you which was also in 
Christ Jesus. " With these we shall 
be better prepared to pass through 
the world, and live with Jesus in 
the heavenly world above. 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND SUN- 
DAY-SCHOOL WORKERS. 



(Annual address delivered before the Fort Valley 
District Sunday-school Convention, at Fort Valley, 
Ga , July 23, 1896.) 

Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

It is, I assure you, a pleasing 
task to me to attempt to deliver to 
you the annual address of the Sun- 
day-school Convention of the Fort 
Valley District, of the South Geor- 
gia Annual Conference, of the C. M. 
E. Church. My wish is that I pos- 
sessed the ability to do so in a be- 
fitting manner, and at the same 
time say something that might 
prove to be beneficial and instruc- 
tive, not only to you, but to the 
many Sunday-school workers of 
this District as well as throughout 
the entire connection. 

I am deeply sensible of the great 

(133) 



134 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

work — its importance, its many re- 
sponsibilities, and the far-reaching 
and beneficial results of a well reg- 
ulated and a properly managed 
Sundaj^-school. 

Too much can not be said of the 
good work the Sunday-schools 
have done and are doing now, in 
the training of the minds of our 
youth, and implanting within them 
the principles of Christ and his 
Church. We look with much pride 
and great reverence to the noble 
and persistent efforts and sacrifices 
of those who have gone forth to la- 
bor, spending their means, time 
and talent in this worthy institu- 
tion and commendable work — a 
work which takes the front rank 
among all the auxiliaries to the 
Church of God, and challenges the 
admiration of all good people — a 
work which is paramount and de- 
mands our most serious and pray- 
erful consideration. 

It is totheSundaj-schoolthat we 
are to look, to a very great extent, 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, 135 

for the shaping of the minds of our 
boys and girls, so that as they 
grow to womanhood and man- 
hood they may lead useful lives, 
and thus reflect credit upon them- 
selves, their family and com- 
munity, and be an honor to all in 
whose presence they may come. 

It is to the Sunday-school that 
we must look, in a large measure, 
for the future Church. The Sunday- 
school of to-day is to be the Church 
of to-morrow. It is to the Sunday- 
school we are to look for the early 
training of our little people in the 
first principles of God's laws. 

To the Sunday-school we must 
look for the teaching of the chil- 
dren — in a simple way — the word 
of God, and the leading of them, 
step after step, until they are fully 
able to comprehend just what God 
requires of them, and see the great 
importance and necessity of doing 
his biddings with a glad heart and 
willing mind. 

It is to this school that we are 



136 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

to look for the early implanting of 
the principles of the Christian relig- 
ion within the hearts and minds of 
our youth, and the careful nourish- 
ing thereof, until they shall have 
matured. 

All the above is stupendous, and 
yet to the faithful and true, a pleas- 
ing work. 

I contend that the Sunday-school 
has a work to do that can not be 
(reasonably) expected from the pul- 
pit. Its work and methods are of 
such a character as to reach the 
youngest minds. Its simple meth- 
ods are calculated to reach and in- 
terest all, more or less, of every age 
and condition, thus preparing them 
for the teachings to be had from 
the pulpit. 

In many instances the Sunday- 
school is the precursor of the 
Church. As simple as are its meth- 
ods, it must not be forgotten that 
they are attended with grave re- 
sponsibilities, and that much is re- 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 137 

quired of those who go forth to 
their discharge. 

They ought to be earnest, faith- 
ful and true men and women who 
will with credit perform the duties 
and responsibilities incumbered up- 
on them by the Sunday-school. 

They should possess a willing 
mind, ready hands, and a keen con- 
ception of the work before them, 
and labor assiduously for undoubt- 
ed success. With these there must 
be a firm resolve to prosecute the 
work, overcome every obstacle, 
conquer every foe (if such there be) 
and gain a decided victory for God 
and his little ones. 

Having a knowledge of the great 
work before them, it is of much im- 
portance that all Sunday-school 
workers prepare themselves and 
enter at once upon it. They should 
begin with a determination to 
succeed, and never relax their ef- 
forts until they are satisfied that 
the work has been done successful- 
ly. They should see to it that 



1 38 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

proper means are adopted for the 
happy attainment of the object 
desired. 

Whether officers or teachers, they 
should be deeply interested at all 
times in everything which would 
tend to enhance the interest of the 
school, and bring to it the sym- 
pathy and support of all within 
its reach. 

They^ should endeavor to secure 
the hearty co-operation of the par- 
ents and guardians of the children; 
for unless this is done, there can 
hardly be much hope of its ulti- 
mate success. 

The objects and methods of the 
Sunday-school should be clearly 
defined and thoroughly understood 
in order to do the greatest good 
and benefit those entrusted to our 
care by leading them on to useful 
lives. Thus is proven the advan- 
tages and blessings of the institu- 
tion which profits bj^ our efforts 
and becomes a blessed boon that 
shall last through the declivity 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 139 

of ages and the cycles of eternity. 
There should be no aimless meth- 
ods, or indirect objects ; neither 
should there be any misunder- 
standing of what we are attempt- 
ing to do. But, under all circum- 
tances, there should be well direct- 
ed methods, a fixed purpose, and, 
as far as possible, a full compre- 
hension of the means to the end de- 
sired. Without these, much time, 
labor, talent, and means will be 
spent in vain. 

Uniformity of methods within a 
given radius (say a district) and 
unanimity of purpose and action 
within a school have much to do 
with the successful execution of 
the work of a Sunday-school. They 
contribute largely to the promo- 
tion of its cause, the intensifying of 
its interests, and the acceleration of 
its growth and prosperity. With- 
out these there may be rather slow 
progress, loss of concern, and de- 
terioation of all that is connected 
with it. 



140 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

It seems to me that there would 
be but little if any doubt, of more 
pleasing results of our efforts if 
there were more conformity of 
methods in our several schools, and 
greater harmony of action among 
our officers and teachers 

These matters shoud be carefully 
considered by our Conventions 
from time to time, and special ef- 
forts should be made, in my humble 
opinion, to have one system for 
the schools throughout this Dis- 
trict. The several schools should 
be in closer touch with each other. 
Their plans and modes of proceed- 
ure should as nearly as possible be 
alike. 

The schools in the more rural lo- 
calities demand our special atten- 
tion. For some cause they are, 
with few exceptions, suspended du- 
ring the winter and most of the 
autumn and spring months. Just 
why this is so, I should not like to 
undertake to explain; but one 
thing is quite certain, such action 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 141 

greatly retards the progress of the 
school and church in such places, 
and continues to cripple the work 
once begun. 

Practical means should be adopt- 
ed and earnest efforts put forth by 
all concerned to keep the schools in 
operation all the year. I see no 
good reason why this should not 
be done. Doubtless, if our pastors 
and superintendents were to give 
the matter their special attention, 
thev could make a much-needed im- 
provement in this matter. 

This Convention will do well to 
give this matter some considera- 
tion. The pastors and church offi- 
cers should go to work at once en- 
deavoring to put their houses of 
worship in good comfortable con- 
dition ; this, of itself, would go far 
towards removing the obstacles 
and insuring greater success. 

Again, pastors should manifest 
more interest in the Sunday-school. 
It is not enough for them to be 
present ; they should take an active 



142 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

part in the Sunday-school work. 
The pastor is the chief man of the 
school, and as such, it should be as 
far as practicable, under his person- 
al supervision just as much so as 
the church. As far as possible, he 
should have a fair knowledge of all 
those who teach in his school. He 
should, as far as possible, see to it 
that they are morrally and mental- 
ly, as well as otherwise, competent 
for the position they fill in his 
school. 

I almost invariably regard it as 
a very bad sign when I see a pas- 
tor setting away back in some cor- 
ner or other quiet place in the 
church, or remaining on the out- 
side during school hours. Such ac- 
tion tells some things which I shall 
not mention here. If nothing more, 
he should at least see that the 
school is properly conducted, and 
occasionally make a "round" of 
the classes in order to see how they 
are being instructed. He should 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 143 

let the pupils see that he is interest- 
ed in them. 

In every school there should be, I 
think, a training class for teachers. 
Whenever practicable, such a class 
should be taught by the pastor. 

It is earnestly hoped that during 
this convention we may arrive at 
some definite conclusion as to how 
we may better promote the inter- 
est of our schools, adopt a more 
uniform and systematic method for 
carrying on this great work, and 
form a new and more determined 
resolution to go forward, and 
spend more of our time, talent, and 
means in maintaining this institu- 
tion which is so closely allied to 
the Church of God. 



A DEEPER- MEANING OE SUN- 
DAY-SCHOOL CONVENTIONS. 



(An address delivered before the Fort Valley 
(Ga.) District Sunday-school Convention at Perry, 
Ga., July 15, 1897. i 

Ladies arid Gentlemen : — 

For the second time as president 
of this Convention, it is my duty to 
deliver to you the annual address. 
Since our last meeting, doubtless 
all of us have had, in some way, 
varied experiences in our Sunday- 
school work. To some, success has 
come as a reward for the efforts 
put forth, while there are others 
who feel that their labors to a 
great extent have proven to be 
fruitless. 

It is encouraging to us, however, 

to know that we are not always 

to judge of the good we have done, 

or failed to accomplish by the re- 

(144) 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 145 

suits which immediately follow our 
efforts; for these results may not 
be lasting. 

Sunday-school workers, like all 
others connected with the Church, 
who are faithful and true, desire 
the good they do to be lasting if 
possible. Because we fail to see 
the good results of our labors im- 
mediately bearing precious fruits 
and gladdening the hearts of many, 
we should not feel that we have 
toiled in vain. Good and continu- 
ous cultivation in the proper sea- 
son produces the most wholesome 
fruit. It is not unfrequently the 
case that great and good results, 
like large and heavy bodies, move 
slowly, but with sufficient energy 
to push every obstacle out of the 
way. So the earnest Sunday- 
school worker, supplied with suffi- 
cient energy and a desire to accom- 
plish good, will succeed in over- 
coming every difficulty and gain- 
10 



146 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

ing a decided victory for the cause 
he has espoused. 

The labor of a conscientious Sun- 
day-school worker is like casting 
bread upon the water to be "seen 
and gathered after many days. ' 
There are many useful men and 
women in the world filling respon- 
sible positions — positions of trust 
and honor in Church and State, 
who owe their success largely to 
the earl y training they received at 
the hands of good Christian teach- 
ers in the Sunday-school. The 
memory of them is dear, and to 
them they often refer with great 
pleasure. So then, however much 
or little we may think we are do- 
ing in the Sunda\ r -school, if our 
hearts are in the work, and if we 
continue to persevere, we shall 
have no cause to feel that we labor 
in vain 

It is my purpose to speak to you 
at this time on the Deeper Meaning 
of the Sunda3 r -school Convention. 
There is always greater or less sig- 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 147 

nificance given to all institutions, 
whether they be of the Church or 
world. There are people who be- 
lieve that there is no good what- 
ever in secret societies. They re- 
gard all secret organizations as a 
source of evil. They never have a 
good word to saj r about such se- 
cret orders as the Pythians, Ma- 
sons, or Odd Fellows, because from 
their standpoint they can not see 
any good in them. 

As some people see it, there is no 
utility in the Church, Quarterly, or 
District Conferences. Yet they are 

mf 

all important and necessarj- to the 
wellbeing of the Methodist Church, 
the successful accomplishment of 
its work, and the advancement of 
the cause of Christ according to 
our peculiar economy. 

Many people say they cannot see 
any need of presiding elders and 
bishops in the Church, but their 
failure to see and recognize the im- 
portance of such officers does not 
in the least destrov their usefulness. 



148 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

We are unable to tell the amount 
of sorrow and suffering there 
would be were it not for the socie- 
ties just mentioned. All of them 
serve their purpose, however much 
people may oppose them and say 
they are of no good. 

So with the Sunday-school Con- 
vention ; simply arguing against it 
does not destroy its usefulness. It 
has been said by some that no 
good comes of such conventions. 
But the saying so does not make it 
true. There are others who regard 
them as unnecessary burdens in- 
flicted upon the Sunday-schools. 

I claim that there is great utility 
in the Sunday-school Conventions. 
A great significance is attached to 
them, and if properly fostered, 
much and lasting good will result 
to the Sunday-school and Church. 

I fear the Convention has not 
been fairly and properly considered 
in its deeper meaning. It has not 
been regarded in its proper light. 
There are those who attend these 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 149 

meetings from time to time, but see 
nothing in them beyond the singing 
of a few songs, the reading of a few 
"essays," some of which are taken 
from some noted author verbatim et 
literatim. 

Many persons regard the Con- 
vention only for its "social fea- 
tures," and nothing more. There 
should be no wonder that such 
people see no real good in them. 
With such persons, the Convention 
is only an occasion for spending a 
few days in profitless pleasure of 
getting a kind of recuperation that 
does not recuperate. 

I have heard pastors say, "0 
well, the Convention does not 
amount to anything; it is simply 
an unnessary burden and expense." 
Such pastors can be far better un- 
derstood if you learn more about 
their labors (?) in the Sunday- 
school, and the interest (?) they 
manifest in the children. 

Some people regard life only as a 
great burden inflicted upon them, 



150 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

but they seem to like it yqtj much. 
However much they may complain 
of it, they seem to enjoy bearing 
its burden and suffering its infflic- 
tions. They seem determine to 
live as long as they can, and die 
only when they can not do other- 
wise. 

So with the Sunday-school Con- 
vention ; it matters not how much 
they complain about its inutility, 
shallowness and barronness ; how- 
ever much they may suffer under 
its burdens and expenses, the peo- 
ple, for the most part, seem to like 
it, and are always ready to attend 
them. I would have you know that 
there is a far deeper meaning, a 
much greater significance to be at- 
tached to the Sundaj^-school Con- 
vention than the features mention- 
ed awhile ago. When properly con- 
ducted, and attended with suffici- 
ent interest by persons deeph^ con- 
cerned in the Sunday-school work, 
these Conventions will result in 
much good. 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 151 

Those people who are really in- 
terested and who are devoted to 
the work come to these conven- 
tions with a higher idea and a no- 
bler purpose than that of mere so- 
cial enjoyment. The programs are 
mostly arranged with a view of at- 
tracting the attention and deeply 
interesting those who attend. 

The preparation, reading, and 
discussion of papers are intended 
to awaken a deeper interest in the 
school work generally, to make 
better some special feature or plan, 
to adopt, if necessary and possible, 
some new and needed method by 
which the school can more success- 
fully prosecute its work, to enlist 
the sympathy and aid of those who 
appear not to (possibly they do 
not) have any concern whatever 
for this department of the Church, 
in order to bring about a more 
united action upon the part of 
those engaged in the work 

There is a deep meaning in the 
reading and discussing of special 



152 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS 

well-prepared papers. It all means 
something ; it is after something ; it 
reaches something; it accomplish- 
es something. Then again, there 
are the reports from the several 
schools. After the reports are 
read, the delegates are questioned 
as to the method of conducting 
their school, the arrangement of 
their plan of work, their method of 
teaching the lessons, the kind of 
literature used, and other impor- 
tant matters connected with the 
school. Then, too, such subjects 
as "The Pastor in the Sundav- 

mi 

school, " "The Relation of Parents 
to the Sunday-school, " "The Duty 
of Parents Respecting the Children 
and the Sunday-school, " "The Elli- 
gibility of Women as Superinten- 
dents, " "The Qualification of Sup- 
erintendents and Teachers,' "The 
use of the Catechism in Sunday- 
school, " and many other impor- 
tant matters might be discussed 
with much interest and benefit to 
the school and Church. 



SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 153 

The mutual exchange of ideas 
and plans is always helpful to 
earnest Sunday-school workers. 
Much more might be said ; but for 
the present this will suffice. Let us 
learn to regard these conventions 
in a different light from that in 
which some have considered it. 

Let us realize that from them we 
may expect much good. 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 



"Be sure you are right, then go ahead." 

— David Crocket. 

" Right is right since God is right, 
And right the day will win ; 
To doubt would be disloyalty, 
To falter would be sin." 

Two gentlemen once met on a 
street in a certain city. One said 
to the other in a jocular manner, 
"Keep to the right as the law di- 
rect s. M 

Suspended from a crossbeam on 
many of the bridges spanning 
streams of water throughout the 
country may be seen an index board 
on which is printed in large letters 
this note of warning, "keep to 

THE RIGHT, AND WALK YOUR HORSES 
AS THE LAW DIRECTS.' ' 

Recently my attention was at- 
tracted by the above notice over 
the bridge which spans the eastern 
(154) 



KEEP TQ THE RIGHT. 155 

branch of the Potomac river at 
Washington, D. C. As I stood and 
looked at the notice first, and then 
the bridge, the thought came to me 
that there may be some persons 
who, seeing that note of warning, 
and then viewing the bridge with 
its strong pillars, the well-arrang- 
ed and apparently-substantial iron 
and steel work giving every indica- 
tion of strength and safety, might 
be inclined to ask, " Why is such a 
warning necessary ? " 

"What harm can come of permit- 
ting a team to trot across this 
bridge ? " Why should one be di- 
rected to' "keep to the right ? " ■ The 
reasons are plain enough, and the 
answer may be given thus: "In 
order to avoid danger " 

By keeping to the right there 
will be less danger of meeting some 
one coming from the opposite di- 
rection, and hence teams may go 
and come with but little, if any, in- 
terruption. By walking, one team 
is not apt to run upon another in 



156 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

front, and probably cause some 
damage. If the teams were per- 
mitted to run across the bridge, 
there might be some danger, from 
continual jarring of, loosening the 
bars and bolts which hold the 
great structure together, thus caus- 
ing them to fall off and perhaps 
bring about some sad disaster. 

Again, one of the spans of this 
bridge is so arranged that it can be 
raised so as to permit the passage 
of vessels beneath. A careless dri- 
ver might happen to come along 
when this span is open, and before 
a warning could be heeded, he with 
his team might be plunged into the 
water beneath, and receive serious, 
if not fatal injuries. 

Hence the note of warning. It 
is much better to heed the warn- 
ing, " Keep to the right and walk 
your horses." From this we may 
learn a lesson. "Keep to the 
right, " from a moral point of view, 
is an advice that is suitable for all 
people, at all times, in all places 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 157 

and under all circumstances. It 
suggests the idea that there are 
two ways, or two sides — a right 
and a wrong— going in different 
directions and leading to some re- 
sult, either good or bad. 

Mr. Webster defines Right, 
among other things as, "That 
which is correct; the straight 
course; adherance to duty; obedi- 
ence to lawful authority, divine or 
human; freedom from guilt; the 
opposite of moral wrong; a just 
judgment or action ; that to which 
one has a just claim ; that which 
one has a legal or social claim to 
do or to exact/ 1 ' 

The admonition, then, "Keep to 
the right/' is given in order that 
every person may avoid danger or 
difficulty; for these must surely 
come to those who continually go 
wrong. 

If people will content themselves 
to go about in a promiscuous man- 
ner, first this way then that, first 
to one side then to the other, right 



158 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

or wrong, they are apt to meet 
with difficulty somewhere. They 
might get in some one's waj- un- 
necessarily, or interfere with some 
one's business, and thus cause 
trouble that might have been 
avoided. 

If \ve will keep on our own side, 
(the right) attend to our own 
business affairs, and let those of 
others alone, we are not liable to 
meet with any serious difficulty. 

By taking time, walking, watch- 
ing carefully as we go through life, 
and not permitting our teams of 
thoughts, words, and actions to 
run in all directions, we may avoid 
jarring, loosening, or breaking the 
bolts and bars of good societ}^ and 
true morality ; and should there be 
any danger ahead, we ma}^ observe 
it in time to shun it, and thus save 
ourselves and others. 

The warning, "Keep to the 
right, " leads us to infer that there 
is action, and this analogy is used 
here to point out a line of action, 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 159 

and to show that it is the duty of 
every person to do right according 
to the will of God, and to conform 
to the standard of truth and jus- 
tice. To learn and perform this 
duty is very necessary. It is essen- 
tial to the peace, happiness, and 
prosperity of all people. It is the 
one important lesson that all per- 
sons, old and young, everywhere 
should learn and practice. 

Much of this strife, prejudice, and 
misunderstanding among men and 
nations to-day is caused by the 
failure of so many men to learn 
and practice this important duty. 

It is right that a man should 
deal justly with his neighbor in all 
things. But how many there are 
who from day to day, unhesitat- 
ingly disregard this duty, and 
make it thier business to study to 
wrong their fellows. 

In order to deal justly with his 
neighbor, it is necessary that a 
man keep in his mind that " There 
is a law — a supreme law, the de- 



160 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

mand of which is, that every one 
shall do right.' ' There are no ex- 
ceptions to this law. It has gone 
forth, and all should, without hesi- 
tation, obey it. 

It may be seen then that there is 
a line — a straight line — drawn by 
which we are to regulate our 
thoughts, words, and actions. 

It has been said that " Our acts 
are the only things in our power. 
They not only form the sum of our 
habits, but out character.' ' Hence 
a person is judged by his actions, 
and the decision is rendered accord- 
ingly, whether it be a good or bad 
action. 

Although there are not unfre- 
quently deceptions, as a rule, ac- 
tions reveal the true character of a 
person, and it is not always diffi- 
cult to ascertain the true position 
of the actor or agent. 

Actions generally are the result 
of some purpose formed within, 
that is, when one has been in the 
habit of exercising his volition, and 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 161 

of willing what he does. Accord- 
ingly the action depends almost 
entirely upon the motive. If, then, 
the motive be right, (and it should 
be ) the action in most cases will 
be right. 

To keep to the right, one's inten- 
tion must be in the line of right, for 
it is not an easy matter to do right 
when our whole design is to do 
otherwise. 

Again, it has been said that, " To 
act right is the safety valve of our 
moral nature." It seems that it 
would have been better to say " to 
think right," or better still, "to 
think and act right" for the thought 
usually comes before the action. 
Good thoughts, as a rule, produce 
good words and good actions. 
Great care should be taken to have 
our thoughts in the right line ; for 
if they are right, the words and ac- 
tions will almost invariably be 
right. 

Mention was made awhile ago of 
11 



162 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

a person being in the habit of will- 
ing what he does. A man may 
have an evil will, and it may be his 
purpose to act wickedly. It may 
be the purpose of his life to disre- 
gard all that is right and just. 
Hence, the necessity of a good will ; 
yet not only a good will, this is 
not enough; for a good will does 
not always produce good deeds. 
There must be moral courage and 
perseverance. A man must have 
the courage of his convictions. 

The will must be educated, and 
this education must begin as soon 
as possible. 

"The right time," says Locke, 
"to educate the will aright is in 
youth. There is a certain time 
when our minds may be enlarged, 
when a vast stock of useful truths 
may be acquired ; when our pas- 
sions will readily submit to the 
government of reason ; when right 
principles will be so fixed in us as 
to influence every important action 
in our future lives. But the season 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 163 

for this extends neither to the whole 
nor to any considerable length of 
our continuance upon earth. It is 
limited to but a few j^ears of our 
term ; and if throughout these we 
neglect it error or ignorance is, 
according to the ordinary- course of 
things, entailed upon us. Our will 
becomes our law, and our lusts 
gain a strength which we after- 
wards vainly oppose.' ' 

We often hear the expression, "I 
speak and act according to the dic- 
tates of my conscience." Hence, 
the opinion of some that in order 
to render an action good, it is only 
necessary to have the approval of 
the conscience. But it must be re- 
membered a man's conscience mav 
become so scared that it is incapa- 
ble of dictation, or the conscience 
itself may be misguided. 

Mr. Alexander in his Moral Sci- 
ence says, " Conscience is the judg- 
ment of the mind respecting duty, 
and as no man's knowlege is per- 
fect or infallible, it follows, there- 



164 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

fore, that so far as there is error in 
the understanding in relation to 
matters of duty, just so far the con- 
science will be misguided. The 
question at issue, therefore, is 
whether an action wrong in itself 
can be considered as a good and 
virtuous action if the agent believes 
that it is right. If the affirmative 
were true, then the discovery of 
truth would be of no value, for 
obviously upon this principle error 
is just as good as truth. But as 
soon would we believe that dark- 
ness is as good as light to direct us 
in the way which we wish to travel. 

Again, this theory supposes that 
a man is under no law but his own 
opinion, or the dictates of consci- 
ence ; that therefore, which is a sin 
in one man may be a duty to an- 
other in precisely the same exter- 
nal circumstances and relations, 
which would be to confound all 
moral distinctions. 

The knowledge necessary to duty 
is within reach of every man, and 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 165 

he needs only to have the disposi- 
tion to seek after it. 

Guard well your actions. One 
wrong action often leads to anoth- 
er, just as one false step will lead to 
another. In order to avoid both 
errors, much care should be exercis- 
ed in seeking for the right. 

It is often the case when persons 
know that they have done wrong, 
and because they think it is known 
to the public that they satisfy 
themselves by the continuance 
thereof. This is a mistake. Hav- 
ing learned of their error, they 
should as speedily as possible find 
the right and keep to it. 

"Two things," says Alexander, 
"are necessary in order to deter- 
mine that an action is right : first, 
that the state of the mind of the 
agent be such as it ought to be ; 
and secondly, that the action be in 
conformity with the law under 
which we are placed ; for the very 
idea of morality supposes us to be 
under a moral law." 



166 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS 

It is not intended to urge here 
that men should not obey their 
consciences ; for they can not well 
do better. The error does not con- 
sist in the obedience to the dictates 
of conscience, but in not following 
the right rule by which they should 
be guided, or with which they 
should have a thorough acquain- 
tance. Keeping to the right has 
to do with our treatment of our 
neighbors as well as with our- 
selves ; this is a very strong reason 
why we should put forth greater 
effort to keep ourselves in the 
right. If every man lived to him- 
self, moved in an atmosphere al- 
together independent of, and shut 
in from, other men, perhaps he 
might be excused if he chose to go 
wrong But, "No man liveth to 
himself/' and being surrounded as 
he is, by his fellow creatures, he 
must of necessity mingle with them 
from time to time, and his influ- 
ence must be exerted upon some 
one. 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 167 

What, then, must be the result, 
if, from indulging in wrong prac- 
tices, his character is blotted and 
his reputation sullied ? Will there 
not be danger of his enticing some 
one else to engage in the same 
practices and meet with the same 
fate as a consequence ? The very 
fact that every man has an influ- 
ence and a following should serve 
as an incentive to all to strive the 
more earnestly to keep to the right 
so that no one can truthfully say, 
" You led me astray.' ' " You are 
the cause of my downfall.' ' 

First of all, a man must learn to 
treat himself right. He should see 
to it that he make^ as few mistakes 
as possible in dealing with himself 
He must guard his own character 
and reputation. It is folly to say 
that such a man does no harm to 
any one but himself. The very fact 
that he treats himself wrong is 
almost proof positive that he does 
an injury to some one else. 

Every man should have self re- 



168 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

spect, love the truth, right and jus- 
tice ; and these must at all times be 
foremost in his mind. He should 
be stable, not double-minded. He 
should have the right purpose, a 
line of action which alwaj^s tends 
to the right. Let a man have the 
will and the courage to keep him- 
self right, and his neighbors will 
have no cause to fear him. 

A bad man in a community is 
watched bv every one. His name 
is on the tongue of ever\ r body and 
but few, if any, speak well of him. 
He is dreaded bv all and is re- 
garded as a menace to the peace, 
happiness, and prosperity of that 
community. People without the 
will or courage to do right, or fail- 
ing to put them in action, have 
been, and are now, the cause of 
much of the strife between men, 
communities, and nations. The 
following lines are very suitable 
for those who are destitute of the 
courage to do the right: 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 169 

11 Courage, brother, do not stumble, 
Though thy path be da«*k as night 
There's a star to guide the humble, 
Trust in God, and do the right. 

Though the road be long and dreary, 
And the end be ou? of sight ; 

Foot it bravely, strong or weary. 
Trust in God, and do the right. 

Perish policy and cunning. 

Perish all that fears the light ; 

Whether loosing, whether winning, 
Trust in God and do the right. 

^hun all forms of guilty passion, 
Fiends can look like anirels bright ; 

Heed no custom, school or fashion, 
Trust in God, and do the right. 

Simple rule and safest guiding, 
Inward peace and shining light ; 

Star upon our path abiding, 
Trust in God, and do the right." 

Men are often prompted from a 
selfish motive to go in the wrong 
way in order to accomplish some 
desired end. Forgetting, or igno- 
ring self-respect, the laws of right 
and justice, they hurry along fre- 
quently without seriously thinking 
of what they are about to do, and 
thus they disobey that rule which 



170 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

says, "Always do unto others as 
you would have them do to you." 

Failure to keep to the right is the 
cause of men being guilty of wrong- 
ing their neighbors out of their 
hard earnings, making promises 
which they have no intention ol 
fulfilling, and violating the laws of 
physical, intellectual, social, moral 
and religious liberty. 

It is the cause of all frauds which 
exist in our marts, business trans- 
actions, political and social and 
all other spheres of operation, not 
excluding the Church. Instead of 
daring to keep to the right, men 
so often seek to do that which they 
know to be wrong. 

It is not b\^ action alone that 
men are apt to go wrong. Many 
are guilty of doing so in their con- 
versations. There is a right line of 
conversation to be pursued. A lo- 
quacious person is liable sometimes 
to take the wrong course, and stir 
up no little confusion. 

We are exhorted to "bridle our 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 171 

tongues/' that is to have them un- 
der such control that we can guide 
them aright, and when necessary, 
keep them still Earnest endeav- 
ors should be made to keep that 
little member to the right. 

The apostle James tells us, "The 
tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, 
* * * an unruly evil, full of dead- 
ly poison. " "The tongue," says he, 
" can no man tame " However, by 
earnest and persistent effort to 
keep it to the right, and by keeping 
a strict watch over it, it may not 
do so very much harm. 

How many hearts have been bro- 
ken, friendships severed, homes ren- 
dered unhappy, peace and happi- 
ness destroyed, husbands and wives 
separated, honorable and lovely 
women driven to despair and ruin, 
promising and worthy young men 
driven to the lowest haunts of so- 
ciety — the gambling den, the drink- 
ing saloon and places of illrepute — 
families and sometimes whole com- 
munities changed from their peace 



172 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

and quietness to a state of confu- 
sion by the wild rattling conversa- 
tion of some careless person (or 
persons) who fails to guard his 
tongue. 

It has been the cause of good rep- 
utations being tarnished, the good 
name of honest men and women 
destroyed, society in man y places 
disrupted, and the Church thrown 
into the wildest kind of confusion. 
It has estranged lovers, turned 
fathers against their sons, mothers 
against their daughters, husbands 
against their wives, and wives 
against their husbands. Truly the 
tongue is a dangerous member of 
the human body. « 

How necessary is it to keep to 
the right in all conversation! My 
friends, be careful, very careful how 
you handle the name, reputation, 
and character of any one. Remem- 
ber that your conversation should 
be guarded as well as your action ; 
for words sometimes cause actions 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 173 

which are not very pleasant, to 
say the least of them. 

It is not enough to have a will 
merely ; for men often haye a will, 
but are too pusillanimous to put it 
into action. 

Surroundings often prove an in- 
centive to men to do that which is 
wrong. To please a friend, to ac- 
complish some desired end, or to 
accommodate himself to certain 
circumstances, a man is apt some- 
times to do that which he is fully 
aware is altogether wrong. But in 
every instance where the peace, 
prosperity, reputation, character, 
and hapiness of ourselves or our 
fellow^men are at stake, we should 
have the moral courage to stand 
up like true men and women, and 
as far as possible in all things and 
under all circumstsnces, do that 
only which is right and just. 

Again, there is a right course to 
be pursued by parents in the train- 
ing of their children, and they 
should endeavor to follow it ; far 



174 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

indeed the future of all children de- 
pends largely upon the kind and 
the amount of training they receive 
at the hearth-stone in the family 
circle under the parental roof. A 
neglect here during the days of 
childhood may cause much trouble 
in the future. 

The wink or laugh at a child's 
disobedience at home may cause 
shame and tears abroad. Too 
much negligence now may cause a 
broken heart in the future. 

The scriptural exhortation is, 
" Train up a child in the way he 
should go." 

If we were to stop long enough 
to think of the waj^wardness of a 
large number of our young people 
and their seeming worthlessness, 
we might be led to the conclusion 
that either the right course has not 
been pursued in their training, or 
th ere has been a great departure 
£ ro m the instructions given when 
they were younger. 

go many young pe ople have al- 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 175 

ready gone astray, and quite a 
number now seem to be bent in the 
same direction. So alarming has 
become the drift that the question 
has often been asked, "What shall 
we do to save the young people ? " 

How many young people have 
been encouraged to go wrong by 
the careless neglect of their parents 
who were not as careful as they 
ought to have been in setting be- 
fore them right examples of proper 
living 

Fathers and Mothers, beware ! 
Be careful how you train your chil- 
dren at home. Watch over them. 
Have a right course and see that 
they pursue none other. 

This same note of warning is ap- 
plicable to those to whom the in- 
struction of our children is intrust- 
ed—school teachers. They should 
see to it that they have such a 
course as will tend to lead the 
youth to a higher social, intellect- 
ual, and moral plane. 

It has been said that, " The great 



176 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

end of training is liberty, and the 
sooner you can get a child to be a 
law unto himself, the sooner you 
will make a man of him.' ' 

But there are so many people 
who entertain the wrong idea of 
liberty. They regard it as being 
the privilege of doing whatever 
they please, regardless of the peace, 
happiness, and prosperity of others. 
The better way to regard liberty is 
"the power and privilege as well 
as a bounden duty to do right/ ' 

This is the on^ liberty worth 
having ; the thought should be 
deeply impressed upon every girl 
and boy, man and woman. 

Education is a great power. It 
has assisted greatly in the ad- 
vancement of the wheels of pro- 
gress and civilization. But it is a 
grave question, whether it has 
d ne its whole duty in lifting up 
the moral standard of all those 
who have been fortunate enough 
to possess it. 

It depends largeh T upon the kind 



KEEP TO THE RIGHT. 177 

of instructions given, the impres- 
sions made, and the principles in- 
stilled by the teacher, and the 
course pursued by the student, 
whether the influence of the edu- 
cation received will be exerted for 
good, or evil. 

The Church has done more for 
the production of good in the 
world than any other institution 
known. Yet, there are instances 
where they who are representa- 
tives of the Church have sadly neg- 
lected their duty and privilige. In- 
stead of speaking and doing the 
right, they have compromised with 
the world. They have failed to lift 
up the standard of truth and jus- 
tice as they should have done. 

As a result, there can be but lit- 
tle, if any, doubt that thousands 
of people have suffered for that 
wholesome instruction which the 
Church alone, either directly or in- 
directly, is expected to give. This 
note of warning, " Keep to the 
12 



178 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

right/ ' may with much propriety 
be given to the parent, the teacher, 
the preacher, and the Church, as 
well as to all men, women, and 
children, and organizations of 
whatever kind. 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 



(First annual address delivered at Haygood Semi- 
nary, June 1887.") 

" God gives us men. A time like this 

demands 
Strong" minds, great hearts, true faith 

and ready hands : 
Men whom the lust of offiice does not 

kill; 
Men whom the spoils of office can not 

buy ; 
Men who possess opinion and will ; 
Men who have honor — men who will not 

lie ; 
Men who can stand before a demagogue 
And scorn his treacherous flatteries 

without winking ; 
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above 

the fog" 
In public duty; and in private thinking — 
For while the rabble with their thumb- 
worn creeds, 
Their large professions and their little 

deeds, 
Mingle ia selfish strife, lo ! Freedom 

weeps, 
Wrong rules the land, and waiting 

Justice sleeps." — Anonymous. 

(179) 



180 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

Mr. President, Teachers and Stu- 
dents, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 

I think myself highly honored to 
be selected by you to deliver this, 
the first annual address before the 
faculty, students, and friends of 
what is hoped to be one of the 
leading institutions of this South- 
land. I assure you that it affords 
me no little pleasure to attempt to 
comply with the request you have 
seen fit to make. I must confess 
that I feel unworthy of the honor 
you have thus conferred upon me. 
I hope 1 may be able to saj^ some- 
thing that will at least convey 
some idea of my appreciation of 
your generous invitation, and at 
the same time awaken a greater 
and deeper interest in the educa- 
tional work of our people. 

There can be no doubt that this 
is an occasion long looked for by 
many who are here to-day. Some 
have thought that such would 
never take place in this little vil- 
lage, situated among the sand hills 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 181 

of Southwest Arkansas. This is 
the first time you have ever been 
called upon to come together for 
such an occasion in this part of the 
State. To-day-, for the first time, 
you witness the closing exercises of 
an institution of learning which 
we hope, ere long, may become fa- 
mous for its good work and thor- 
ough instruction. 

After carefully considering the 
matter, I have reached the conclu- 
sion that perhaps no subject would 
be more important and appro- 
priate for this occasion than the 
one I have chosen. 

" OUR RACIAL NEEDS." 

This may seem a little out of 
place to some of you, but I feel 
that no subject demands more 
thorough consideration at this 
time. Having started out just a 
few years ago upon our own re- 
sponsibility, it is quite necessary 
that we give some thought to the 
things needful for our successful ca- 
reer through life. 



182 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

The work of establishing an in- 
stitution of learning in this place 
has already begun ; and it is ear- 
nestly hoped that in the near fu- 
ture our boys and girls shall at 
this place receive a store of knowl- 
edge, such as will fit them for fu- 
ture usefulness. Do not be in too 
great a hurry, and consequently 
grow impatient because the work 
does not make more rapid pro- 
gress. 

We are apt to grow impatient 
sometimes when things do not go 
to suit us ; but I have learned that 
things which move off easily do 
not, in every instance, prove the 
most beneficial in the end. This 
may be partially applied to } r our 
case and relative experience in this 
school project. Many of you, 
doubtless, thought the work could 
be accomplished in a short while; 
but it has not proven to be as easy 
as you thought. But we are all 
pleased to learn that the plans are 
being arranged, and altho it seems 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 183 

slow, the future is brightening 
with encouraging prospects. 

Only have patience, exercise prop- 
er care and judgment, and you 
shall be successful in j r our attempt. 

It is intensely gratifying to know 
that after so long a time, much 
talk and eager expectation, the nu- 
cleus of this institution has been 
formed, and from what we see and 
hear, those in the lead mean busi- 
ness, and are laying a foundation 
which, if deeply and broadly laid, 
they may build well upon, erecting 
an institution of learning which 
will evoke a smile from heaven, and 
accomplish good therefrom that 
will only be fully realized in eter- 
nit}^. 

Some one has asked, " Is this in- 
stitution a necessity? 9% If we con- 
sider the number of our people in 
this State now, and the many 
thousands yet to come, and then 
think of the vast amount of illiter- 
acy there is among them, no one 
with an unbias mind will hesitate 



1 84 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS . 

to say that this institution of learn- 
ing will fill a want long felt by a 
very large majority of the leading 
minds of this section of the State. ' 

That the Colored M. E. Church 
in America, whose prime object is 
the amelioration of our people, so- 
cially, intellectually, moralh^, and 
religiously, should take some step 
looking to the establishing of an 
institution of learning of high 
grade on this side of the Mississippi 
river, is too well known and ad- 
mitted to need any comment here. 

That there are many parents in 
this State, and especially in this 
section, who are unable to send 
their children to other states to re- 
ceive an education is well known. 
Hence, there can be no reasonable 
doubt that this school is a neces- 
sity. It has been onh^ a few years 
since we began to act for ourselves, 
arrange our own plans, and under- 
take great responsibilities. We are 
to shape our own desthrv, fight 
our own battles of life, conquer the 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 185 

enemy, and gain the victory for 
ourselves. 

To do this successfully, we all 
need to learn to do something and 
to make something which the 
world will need at all times. 

A good, liberal education is 
among our greatest needs. It is a 
power, and if we would act our 
part nobly in the drama of life, if 
we would be strong and influen- 
tial, if we would make for ourselves 
a name that shall live on and on 
even after we are gone, we must 
possess that power. 

If the Negroes of America would 
hold their place as a race, if they 
wish to have their posterity stand 
side by side with the great men and 
women of other races, they must 
speedily turn their attention to the 
education of their children. 

No race in this country stands in 
greater need of an education than 
does ours. If I were asked " what 
constitutes the difierence between 
the savage and the civilized man; 



186 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

between man as the animal, con- 
cerned only about his physical 
wants, and man, the intellectual 
creature, concerned about his bet- 
ter nature," I would answer, " Ed- 
ucation/ ' 

To educate means to lead out ; it 
is a development of the faculties, el- 
evation of the mind. Daniel Web- 
ster said, " Knowledge does not 
comprise all which is contained in 
the large term of Education. The 
feelings are to be disciplined ; the 
passions are to be restrained ; true 
and worthy motives are to be in- 
spired, a profound and religious 
feeling is to be instilled, and pure 
morality inculcated under all cir- 
cumstances. " All this is comprised 
in education. 

Therefore when I say we need ed- 
ucation, I do not confine the ex- 
pression simply to a knowledge of 
books. We need to be properly 
trained in those duties which have 
to do with home life, such as are 
necessary in every family. The 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 187 

preparation of food, the adorning 
of the house, beautifying the yard, 
laundry work, raising poultry, 
the care of the sick, and many 
other domestic duties demand our 
attention. A knowledge of these 
things is of great importance, and 
essentially necessary to the com- 
fort, peace, and happiness of the 
home. 

A good comfortable and happy 
home is among the greatest bless- 
ings this world can give to man. 
Truly, " There is no place like 
home ;" but many things are neces- 
sary to make that home what it 
should be. Literary education and 
money, of themselves, will not 
make it so. 

It is a great mistake on the part 
of parents to allow their children 
to grow up without a knowledge 
of, and training in, those things 
which have so much to do with 
their success in life. Every boy 
and girl should be taught that, 

11 Life is real, life is earnest, " 



188 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

and that some day they may be 
left to fight its battle alone. It 
has been said that, "By divine ar- 
rangement the first teacher of 
every child is a woman — generally 
the mother." But how many 
mothers there are who think too 
much of their children to have 
them learn anything whatever 
about the duties of home. They 
will not allow their daughters to 
learn to do laundry work, cook, 
and do other things necessary 
around the home. Such daughters 
grow up ignorant of house-work, 
and seldom make good wives. 

The Bishop of Orleans once said, 
"The hope of France is in her 
mothers." How true of our race! 
We need good, determined mothers 
who will spare no pains to give 
their children that training which 
will not only fit them for home du- 
ties, but will lay a lasting founda- 
tion for all the active duties of life 
where honesty, faithfulness, and 
just dealings are required. 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 189 

We need good, moral education. 
This should not be overlooked. 
The races or people who have no 
respect for true morality, must, in 
the course of time, grow miserable 
and wretched, and continue to de- 
generate until they become worse 
than brutes. God pity such ones! 
It is indeed gratifying to know 
that within these few years of our 
freedom our advancement in mor- 
ality has been truly wonderful. 

But there is much more to be 
done in this direction. There is 
much room for improvement. 

Strict conformity to the true 
standard of morality should be 
taught the youth of our race early ; 
for " To act rightly is the safety 
valve of our moral nature." 

Occasionally we hear students 
and others discussing morality up- 
on the theory found in books on 
moral science. But intelligence has 
at best only little influence in 
many instances, upon the conduct. 
" Creeds posted upon the memory 



190 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

will not eradicate vicious propensi- 
ties. The intellect is merely an in- 
strument, which is moved and 
worked by force behind it — by 
emotions, by self-restraint, by self- 
control, by imagination, by enthu- 
siasm, by everj^thing that gives 
force and energy to character. 

The most of these principles are 
implanted at home, and not at 
school. Where the home is miser- 
able, worthless, and unprincipled, 
a place rather to be avoided 
than entered — then the school is 
the only place for learning obedi- 
ence and discipline/ ' 0! let us 
think about it ! Let us look after 
our homes! It is the "true soil 
where virtue grows." 

Our race needs good Christian 
education. To have inculcated 
within us the true principles of 
Christianity is of the greatest im- 
portance. This will cause us to 
reverence God and his laws. Will 
lead us to trust in him, delight in 
him, commit our way unto him, 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 191 

and rest in him. Truly, " Religions 

instruction alone imparts the spirit 

of self-sacrifice, great virtues, and 

lofty thoughts. It penetrates the 

conscience, and makes life bearable 

without a murmur against the 

mystery of human condition/ ' 

It has been said, " Education is a 

work of authority and respect, " 

and " Christianity is the greatest 

school of respect the world has 

ever seen." So, then, in all our 

getting let us make sure of a good 

Christian education, 

"Reugion is the chief concern 
Of mortals here below." 

Again, we need among us men 
skilled in all trades and handi- 
work. We need and must have 
stenographers, reporters, copyists, 
wood engravers, telegraphers, pho- 
tographers, workers in ivory and 
guttapercha, gilding and chemic- 
als. We need moulders, designers, 
lithographers and workers in ev- 
erything which guarantee employ- 
ment to the massess. Some of 



192 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

these we have; tut we need to 
have tliem all abundantly. It is 
just as necessary for the farmer, 
mechanic, and manufacturer to 
be educated and skilled in their 
trades as it is for the lawyer, phy- 
sician, and minister of the gospel. 
Negroes are just as susceptable of 
learning these trades, and, if given 
a chance, can be as successful as 
any other race. 

We need school teachers and 
preachers who are fully prepared 
in every way to perform their duty 
with credit, and to the edification 
of their pupils and hearers. The 
school-room and the pulpit are 
great forces, the greatest moral 
forces we have ; for here all come 
for instruction. With a good sup- 
ply of these and a faithful perfor- 
mance of their duty, we may hope 
for much from the race. 

If such needs as I have mentioned 
can be supplied among us, ours 
will be a race of power for good in 
this countiw and throughout the 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 193 

world. May we, with renewed and 
hopeful vigor, set out with a deter- 
mination to supply ourselves; for 
until this is done, we must contin- 
ue in the back-ground and eke out 
a miserable existence. 

Intelligence and wealth, accom- 
panied by refinement, morality and 
religion, will bring to us recogni- 
tion from others, and demand the 
highest respect from all people. 

Let us possess these largely, and 
success is ours. To the trustees, I 
would say, you have begun a work 
here which is stupendous. Your 
success depends largely upon your 
own action. There must be a unit- 
ed effort. To establish an institu- 
tion of learning here that shall 
stand throughout the ages, you 
need to lay a sure foundation upon 
which to build. You must build 
wisely. Begin right; keep right; 
and you will end right. A failure 
to do this might cause serious diffi- 
culty in the future. You have in 
13 



194 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

view the higher education of our 
youth. May you be successful and 
send out from here year after year, 
strong-minded young ladies and 
men, who, by their careful training, 
shall be prepared to enter the va- 
rious professions with honor and 
credit. 

Young ladies and gentlemen, you 
are engaged in a noble work. A 
work which, if pursued with per- 
sistence, will bring you to honor 
and cause showers of blessings to 
fall upon you. May I ask you to 
labor earnest^ to have your minds 
so trained and such principles im- 
planted as will fit you for any wor- 
thy avocation in life. Remember 
that what man has done, man can 
do. To be successful there must be 
much study and effort on your 
part. All great men experienced 
much difficultjr in working their 
way up to the top in this world. 
If it is your desire to be well culti- 
vated, virtuous men and women, 
worthy to enter any good and en- 



OUR RACIAL NEEDS. 195 

lightened society, you must assur- 
edly devote your time to your sev- 
eral studies. Never say fail. 
4 'If at first, you don't succeed, 
Try, try again." 

While these days and opportuni- 
ties are given you to obtain cul- 
ture, make good use of them. Do 
not stop for difficulties. If you 
have them, work through them. 
Meet them with courage and cheer- 
fulness. If you meet with opposi- 
tions, overcome them. The race 
is standing in great need of your 
services. Will you try to do some- 
thing to help your down-trodden 
race to a higher plane ? Prepare 
yourselves to be useful men and 
women. Say with Longfellow, 

1 l Lives of great men all reminds us, 
We can make our lives sublime, 
And departing - , leave behinds us, 
Foot-prints on the sands of time." 



LINES DEDICATED TO THE 

MEMORY or 

BISHOP W. H. MILES. 



(First Bishop of the C. M. E. Church in America. 
Born Dec. 25, 1827 — Died Nov. 14, 1892.) 

And Bishop W. H. Miles is dead ;— 
Not dead, but sleeps as Jesus said, 
In peaceful rest beyond the vale — 
This vale where human hearts all fail. 
His labors on the earth are done, 
Up to his great reward he's gone, 
With angels now he is at rest, 
To live with spirits -just and blest. 

Thirty and five long years he preached. J 
Both old and young he tried to teach, 
Of his success we all may know, 
The good he did his works will show, 
To his great calling ever true, 
His honest heart and willing too, 
His spirit and his mind, both brave, 
All bent on dying souls to save. 

The mighty word of God he taught ; 
Men of the world to Christ he brought ; 
And now of him we all may say, 
He led them in the good old way. 

(196) 



BISHOP W. H. MILES. 197 

Himself a Christian, tried and true, 
' Twas his delight to labor too, 
To point all men to God's dear Son, 
And urge them all to glory run. 

A leader of a mighty host, 
Forever standing at his post ; 
One who was ever kind and true, [do, 
Who sought the good his hands might 
Who labored here for God's dear Son, 
His work will never be unknown ; 
But f ol 'wing him, as John did write, 
His works will ever be in sight. 

Now broken in the golden bowl ; 
Departed is his precious soul ; 
To that blest land of pure delight, 
Where we are told, " there is no night," 
How sad to think that we no more 
Shall meet him on this earthly shore ! 
His spirit far from us has gone, 
Ere long we too shall follow on. 

The Church has lost a friend indeed, 
A man who always sought its need ; 
Who always tried to keep its laws, 
And ever labored for its cause. 
That we shall miss him there's no doubt 
Hifi deeds are known the Church 

throughout, 
His faithfulness we all altest ; 
We know he tried to do hi* best. 

Yes, he has gone to reign ab<- ve, 
Wher.e all is joy and peace a ad love ; 
And we to all the Church rniy tell, 
How Jesus hath done all things well. 



198 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS, 

His loving wife and children dear, 
No more on earth his voice will hear ; 
But then the Scripture doth us tell 
That with the righteous all is well. 

Altho his voice no more they'll hear, 
One thing to us doth seem quite clear, 
That in that bright and happy land, 
They all may meet and strike his hand, 
We know that it was God's own will, 
To take him home — to Zion's hill, 
Then let us all fresh courage take, 
Do all we can for Jesus' sake. 

Do all we can in Jesus' name, 
Think not of ease or worldly fame, 
Our time on earth may not be long, 
Soon we shall go to meet the throng. 
A happy meetiBg that will be, 
When we from sorrow shall be free, 
When we shall lay our burdens down, 
And then go up to wear a crown. 

Now, in the realms of endless day, 
Methinks I hear our dear Miles say 
To all his comrades on the field, 
" Come on ! to satan never yield. 
Be of good cheer, ' twill not be long 
Before you'll join this happy throng. 
Then tread the powers of darkness down, 
Come up ! and wear the starry crown." 



A ERIEND INDEED 



They tell me that a friend in need 

Is apt to be a friend indeed, 
No matter what the plaint may be, 

He is ever with you, frank and free. 

I have seen men who claimed to be 
Most friendly, kind and true to me ; 

But when they heard that I was down, 
Somehow they failed to " come around." 

Such friends ' twill never do to trust, 
Their friendship is like unto dust ; 

They'll never do to lean upon, 
For when you need them, they're gone. 

And, O, how false is friendship now ! 

To trust a man, you don't know how ; 
Like some of old they lie in wait, 

And hope to laugh at your sad fate. 

But he who is a friend indeed 
Will not forsake you when in need ; 

He will not leave you in distress ; 
But for your cause will do his best. 

Now, such a friend I like to see, 
It matters not who he may be ; 

For since he is an honest man, 
I'll gladly grasp him by the hand. 

(199) 



200 PRACTICAL THOUGHTS. 

His company I like to keep 
Of his good deeds I love to speak, 

No friend need fear him day nor night ; 
For he will always do the right. 



DEC 9 1904