The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... ON WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS. The General Conference of 1890 ordered the following resolution to be inserted in the Appendix to the Discipline, as a preface to the Address which was reported by the Committee on the Spiritual State of the Church and adopted by the Conference: II 497. Resolved, That inasmuch as the deliverances of our Bishops, as contained in their quadrennial addresses to the General Conference from time to time, and as quoted at length by the Special Committee of Fifteen, have declared dancing, theatergoing, card-playing, and the like worldly indulgences to be contrary to the spirit of Christianity, and violative of the General Rules and Moral Discipline of our Church, as also of the vows of our Church-members; we, therefore, heartily indorse the aforesaid deliverances as containing the just and correct interpretation of the law in the premises, and as such this General Conference accepts the same as having equal force and authority as if contained iu the body of the Discipline. THE ADDRESS. The address reported by the Committee ot Fifteen on the spiritual state of the Church: To the Ministers and Members of the Methodist JSpiscopal Church, South. If 498. Brethren: The General Conference of 1890 is sorrowfully constrained to believe that the description of the spiritual state of the Church employed by the Bishops in their pastoral address of 1874, and republished by order of the General Conference of 1882, is in large measure true of the Church now as then. After reviewing the causes of devout gratitude to Almighty God, for his signal mercies vouchsafed to our Zion, the Bishops mid: "In this gratifying review, however, we find nothing to natter our pride, but much to foster our humility, to awaken senti ments of repentance, and...