New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-18
WESLEY'S VICTORY OYER DOUR7

WESLEY'S VICTORY OYER DOUBT
One of the most important of the papers read
at the Methodist Ecumenical Conference. that
of the venerable Dr. Daniel Curry. appeared
last week, simultaneously with its delivery in
London, in The Methodist, The Christian Adco-
cate aud The independent This elaborate and
careful essay considers The relations of the
Wesleyan movement to scepticism; and the
outside observer may profitably fix his atten-
ton upon this most cheerful aspect of Method
ism. 1t is a significant historical parallel that
Ncsleyanism was bern in the midst of n very
drcary sceptical time, and that its first Pan
Conference is held while a new and moro Vigor-
Gus school of doubt commands general attcn-
ton. All the historians are agreed that Meth
odism arrested the march of unbclief in the last
century. Every new study of Wesley's age
increases the estimates of his value rs a re-
active force; lie grows larger in tlis aspect
the more closely the condition of religion and
the downward train of speculation are exam
incd.
1t is pertinent to ask by what means
John Wesley arrested the progress of doubt.
And it is perfectly clear that his answer TO
speculation WAS not countcr-spcculaton He
was neither Joseph Cook nor IA Moody; but
while he wiser than the first and as prac-
teal as the second, his power was notscx-
pressed in the terms of either. Against doubt
Wesley appealed to the conscience. He
pointed out to the speculative people that their
world was coming down about their ears in
IL general Generalization. He struck home 10
the common mind with blows that reached the
conscience. The doubtcrs stopped to consider
the effect Of their prcachmcnts; the sinners felt
the sting Of self-roproach and rosorted to re-
u 81,
body of well meaning COMMITMENTS of the
Church of England stood ready to welcome an
evangel of experience and righteousness and TO
cooperate with the evangelist The movement
made no great noiie in the literary and political
worlds, but it renewed life in the regions from
which letters and politics draw their mspra-
ton Wesley's theme was essentially "vital
religion" "conscious cxperience,n "inward
holiness He led n multitude of people into
deyout living; anu to those men and women of
devOnt lie the consciousness of personal re-
ncwal OF heart was Il sufficient answer to all
doubts. The tide of sccptcism retired before n
wave of conSccratcd emotion
Is there any reason to believe that the Yves
leyan method is still the best method II NAV
be doubted whether there is any other reactiyo
force than the one Wesley used A "rcvivalp
of the religious force has always accompanied
a revival of belief. The faith of the intel
lect always goes along with the faith of the
heart. 1t is commonly to little profit Il at an
unbeiever is confuted and slcnced unless tbe
languid religious affections are given n tonic.
Doubt is master so long rs the moral conditions
Of its power remain in existence. We should
doubt over The whole field of our human
affections if we did not love; and after the
best answer to u scandalous charge one might |
listen to the next if love or loyalty did not
stop our ears. 1t is much the same in religion. |
The religious affections are the powerful an !
tagonists OF sceptcism. Christianity conquers |
by capturing the human heart Speculative |
doubt may have something now to offer us: but |
II we may read this new scepticism by the light |
of the past, it must rely on moral indifference.
If not upon downright wclledness, for its dilfu-
sion and success. No question that many sweet |
and almost sanity souls will drop down |
YEARLY into Agnosticism but these despairinc
few are OF no great moment in the count of |
forces. 1t is the average mans weight that |
VIII tell and this average man will. when me |
is more or less deyout, resist the progress of |
doubt; but when he is more or less dcmorali2ed |
morally Indifferent, or positively wicked, he |
will not resist-perhaps he will welcome doubt.
On the whole, the pious men are or best de-
tenders; in n hot conflict for the well-being of
society the trustiest soldiers will be found
among such men as the attendants at John
Wesleys class-meetings. A man who believes
that he has soul to be saved, and is concerned
about its safety, may not be brilliant in arpu
ment, but he will be apt to be sturdy in n Gght
for an honest and decent world to live in. At
all events, it is this man on whom Christianity
must rely for its human defence. His loyel
soul has been found to be more powerful than
The keenest edge of the dialecticai intellect
Religion is very practical matter. After
The theologian has boxed the compass. the
hardy believer must set the sails Calling
things by fine names teklcs the brain: but il is
living that has TO be attended to all the time