The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-01-15
THE METHODIST MINISTER'S,

The Kind of Preaching Demanded
by the Needs of the TImes-.Drs.
Wheatley, Brown, OsbOn, Parker,
Dickinson and COrbltt on Past and
Present Methods of Preaching.-
Mr.. Beecher the Natural Bridge
Between Unitarianism and Inf.
deity.
From the New York Herald Of Tuesday,
The discussion on the doctrine oil
MethOdlsm, which took place several
months ago in the Methodist preachers
meeting, has led to discussions on a
variety Of topics since, all tending to
bring out the best and most practicable
measures and ideas to prevent the alleged
decline and TO send Methodism on its ad.
vancipg course. Yesterday hedlscussion
took the line Of pointing out what, II any,
new features arc needed in the preaching
OF the present day to meet the wants Of
the times.
The discussion was opened by Rev. DR..
Wheatley, who gave as the prime need of
to-day more taith-a faith that natures
into the embodiment Of right IN all the
lorms OF practical life. Such faith is es-
sential TO all success. And the first ne
cesslty OF such faithful preaching is living
dogmatism. Nothing stands on 80 wide
basis OF tact as the doctrines Of the Bible.
DR.: Wheatly gave proofs and illustrations,
and then remarked that all Methodist
people were, to say the least, Deists and
are ready to hear the word of God. The
law and administration Of Gods Justice
were referred 10 by the Doctor, who re-
marked that they suit the people. We
can only gain the highest faith, he said,
by that principle working through love.
The threatenings Of Gods law are but the
manifestations Of Ills love. The view that
Our Father in heaven Ia tyrannical is a
diabolical view. The proper presentation
OF prayer is another feature that requires
prominence in preaching, and on its
spiritual effects theDoctor said we can't
be too lovingly dogmatic. The doctrine
ofthe personal agr. Ey d
RELATION OF TIE SOUL TO CHRIST ny
and that He is the Savior from all sin
should be made prominent also. Moral
gifts and responsibilities arc always CO.
ordinate THE moral responsibility of
man TO God must be insisted on also. Let
Us leach these truths, DR.. Wheatley re.
marked, in the spirit Of him who taught
Us one who had authority. Let us teach
also the inspiration and divinity OF the
noIy scriptures and that they have been
translated and transmitted that the man
VI dod may be thoroughly furnished unto
every good word and work and become a
perfect man. We must aim throuph
.Sese means at all times to lead men 10
me Lord Jesus Christ. DR.. Wheatley
met some objections to the historical re-
cords OF the Bible, on which ground MANY
persons oppose It's moral teachinpS. RI,
neshowed that many OF the obiectors are
moved to oppose the Bible because Of
Their own immoral lives. 1t did not leak
0ut till after the death OF John Stuart
MIL that he had seduced another mans
VIE 10 live with him for the sake OF her
companionship, and, Of course, he was
opposed to the morality Of the Bible. The
DOCTOR referred to intermittent piety" as
oelng better than no piety at all, and
gave couple Of humorous illustrations
!aeteoi. He next referred to the outward
sn9 inward effects Of faith in the hearts
ano lives OF men, and cautioned people
against substituting animal excitement
ntes, Iorms, ceremonies, &c, for true re-,
nglon; We need baptism Of love, he
unmarried Om, .E because It will help up to carry
Guy me Christ life always-to do that
wnicn Is right The Doctor thinks minis.
w snoald preach science SO lar, as II will
nelp 70 iailh IN God and His Word, he
y not opposed to political preaching mn
ger certain limitations, But We sSon15
uCla tenaciously, he thinks, to the 6ivn;tv
81 the written Word and Iry TO coniorE
~ teachings to every new scientific ~
pa.IGsophical theory that may be nromnl.
gated He believes there is 4 measure sHI of
truth IN every theory. measure OIL
sftRlTuAI1sM Is NOT WHOLLY I'M
ne thinks. In so far az II teaches -,,s.
e1lSsence Of Embodied or dissmho5 ;ns
SPltlg, II Is true, He believes S that ~
experience Of millions Of man ga Sl llA Ine
Doctor referred also 10 the part is' an, Inc
o. Nomanism and Ritualism 1 ~ Sat srLoEs
uons and corruption in the on aSsSice'
Saa aaid that we make great mia1SSs,