Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-11-10
"PRAISE the LORD"

NORWICH, Conn, Nov. q, 1882.
We feel much better to-day than we
did last Monday. As the newspapers ven
tilated the whole thing, ! may as well give
you the straight Of the late theological
tornado, that, one short week ago, threat
ened to uproot the meeting and blow us
bodily out Of Norwich. My brother Tink-
er got on Methodist rampage and stormed
awhile, but finally settled down, made the
dmende honorable, and has behaved beauti-
fully ever since. After the affair occurred,
learned OF strong pressure put upon him,
which greatly extrnuaies :his conduct. In
fact, all things have been 40 fully atoned
for that there is not trace OF i'll feeling
ON either side, to-day, and the devil only
threw a boomerang, when he stirred up this
contention, that has "come down on his
own pate" M Scripture has il.
The occasion Of the rupture WA my
supposed Calvinistic teaching as 10 what
the BLOOD does for sinner. taught
here with my usual plainness, that when
the LORD absolved poor sinner, file did
il on the basis OF finished work on the
Cross, that settled every thing, past, pres
ent and future; and on the basis Of per
feet knowledge Of every thing he had done,
was doing, or should do in future This
il the old Pauline doctrine OF justification
by faith alone, that has always stirred the
human heart to opposition, aud the devil
has always asserted that il gives license
TO sin with immunity. In PauPs time, he
rebutted the malignant inference that false
teachers strove 10 fasten TO his doctrine,
like mill-stone, and submerge il forever,
thus "And not az we be slanderously re-
ported and as some affirm that we say, let
us do evil that good may come, Whose
damnation is jur."
When | came to Norwich, one Of the
first announcements made was this, "This
il not Meth odist. but an independent
Union Meeting, that only happens TO be
held in Methodist meeting house" On
that basis ! went on, simply preaching the
doctrine that has been 90 fully discussed
and criticised in the newspapers, and which
supposed was so fully understood by Bro.
Tinker, when he invited me, that il would
not be a novelty when preached it, | do
not think now, that he would have kicked,
had il not been for threats from outside
influential parties, TO take steps before Con-
ference 10 have him dealt with for bring
ing in such preacher Of Calvinirm into
Methodist Church.
Last Saturday, sermon on the sd
Psalm brought on a crisis, and my explo-
sive brother went of with fearful report.
He gave me a tongue-l9shing before leaving
the church. followed me TO our boarding |
house, and when / had beaten a retreat to
my own room in the second story, stood |
in the hall, and in loud, excited utterances |
abused the "damnable nonsense" OF my |
tag end Of Calyinism." Wife CALAMITY |
covered my retreat and bore the brunt Of
this last onset, but / heard il all from my |
place Of safety, as | made my accustomed |
change Of clothing, after preaching. ] hope
! shall never again see parson on theO-
logical tear. The memory Of il, Az ] write,
gives me the shivers.
You may imagine that last Sunday was
a trying day to all ofus. The pastor Rlum
"a midnight; the people, some looking
cared, some savage, some gTieved. Al the
children service, in the afternoon, there
vas a blessed diversion, and ! really be-
ieve the little fellows, as they 40 often
rave done, turned the tide Of battle. SO
confessed the Savior. ten Of them more
han half grown. / praised the LORD,
ook courage and said TO Bro. Tinker M |
lAssed out Of the house, THAT takes all
he theology out Of me; doesn't il settle all
lIficnlties" l went home jubilint,
raising the LORD that the storm was
'ver. Imagine my horror on going la 10
he night service 10 ind Bro. 4. in the
most impassi0ned manner declaiming
galnst my gospel" 10 crowded cOngre-
alton and row OF bis sympathizers seat