, 1881-10-09
THOMAS ADDRESS
Delivered at Sycamore, Be-
fore the Council Of
Fifteen.
Will the Methodist Church Tol-
crate the Doctrines He =
Teaches?
Unquestioning Belief in the Living
.~ God and the Divinity Of
Christ,
God Satisfied, by His Own Sutterlngs,
the Sense of His Own
Justice.
People Tho Die in Their Sins Till Be Punished,
but in Lake Of Erimstene-Mtn,
Hardly.
- Is to Endless Punishment, DR.. Thomas
Only Hopes 1t May Not
Be So.
People Tho Die in Their Sins IT'LL Be Punished,
but in Lake Of Erimstone-l{tll,
Hardly.
Is to Endless Punishment, DR.. Thomas
= Only Hopes 1t May Not
Be So.
Sin, However, Is Terrible Thing, and
It's Consequences May Be Beyond
Power to Conceive.

Special Dispach to The Chicago 1sfotns-
SYCAMORE, ILL.,, Oct. S-Following is the full
text of Dr. Thomas address to tho Counci1 OF
Fifteen:
BRETHREN: If to you this unpleasant con-
troyersy is matter OF regret to me 1t is more' IL
Is. and ba pec,, from the first, positive grief
love peace and harmony, and not strife ano
debate.
I}ut misunderstanding and possibly real ol1-
ferenccs OF opinion have arisen, anu 1nsteao ol
.mnrching side by side, as in other years, VIC ara
engaged in q trial involving no less issues than
the liberty of the pulpit, and my 11ent 10 hse
and labor aud die In the Church in which was
born. aud in whose ministry have spent many
OF my best days.
That in the end VIC mag be enaolea 10 reacn
IN Intelligent and just judCmcnt> VIC should be
anxious to have the clearcsr possible under
standing Of all the facts; apd hence what de-
sire to say shall he more In the nature OF state
meuts ana explanations than of fortnnl argu-
u,ent. That am content to leave to my able
counsel.
-Ientcred the Methodist ministry when very
young, and from a deep conviction tha& doo hao
called me to that sacred work; and TO tn1s o'ss
that conviction remains unchanged. na'o
never sought nor desired any position but thae
Of the pastorate, and it has been dur
ing those loug-continued. labors aud eA~
pericnccs that l have pnrsueu Us
best could the study Of theology. not SO mncn
theory as with special reference 10 tne
work Of prac tical ministry. Whatever VIEWS
= therefore. now hold, or whatever changes nase
come to my mind. have come NOT so nucn ifoW
the cioistereas from the field OF toll.
HAVING ,1y BIRTH AND EDUCATION IN THE
METHODIST CHURCH,
I was carly Impressed with two thtnes-tl,as ~
Methodisn placed its chief cnphaS!s epJ p",1,nn.
life. tho experience, the hcart-Work OF FcHH w.
and that in matters cf opinion 1t Mio"eo 1ne e
largest liberty. These Impressions game ltoH W. =
careful study of the works OF Nr- wesley. 1Hu =
have always thought that these were tue W W
tnciive positions, and this the glory u oui ~
nomination. ,4.oa-
Relieving thus that the great WORK OF sietuuu
Ism was to reach und save Tho Worto' auu NJ" ,-
lug that WIS in perfect accorQ WIZ 1nat ~, -;
Ano that accepted the teachings OF CnIlsI. ~
Methodist doctrines, l have felt ut periect nv
erty to deal with the forms or statements m spt ..
those doctrines. and far as possiole 10 nn a.
monze them with reason and rcveln1loH auu - :
deepest intuitions of the soul- lndceu: HI ~
minister have felt this to be dn5 5t !, ,'tr to
make easier and not barber tho way OF aat ~
and II possible by prudent modihca9inon1 ~
some Of the sevcrer dognas 70 hsriisr lysisr-
rather than :, by Il too rigid 'nsaI nsai.a
heavier the uurdens Of belief. have fell thnt
me Church has. perhaps, not pcen u o;,;d he:
considerable of honest d0ubters as It fnouu
tnat we owe kindier duty to these st1uesee e,tne
minds than has been thought auo tnat 3ot the
points in controversy may be conccded. ana ~ nf
non-vital doctrines rclcsated to the DOMAIN 9 u u
private opinion; and that by nll tne loeH ~ and
We Should welcome and help these %nMos % 49, e
1earts to the life Of religion ana 1ee4t1k ~ - r.
<aes that 1t vas the mission Of Ms1aVa'e" ~