Morning journal and courier., 1882-12-09
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Doctrine of Christian Perfection. N
KING GOODRICH.

The Doctrine of Christian Perfection.y To the Editor of tho JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 In a recent issue of your paper I saw that the Rev. Dr. Todd (according to your cor respondent) had taken up the subject of Christian perfection, and said he believed that perfection was not possible in this life Another minister in this city is reported to have said in one of his prayer meetings, not long since, that he did not believe in perfec- ton, but he did believe in sanctifcation
 Now fail to see any difference between en-
 tire sanctifcation and Christian perfection There seems to be in the minds of the peo. pie generally great antipathy to the word perfect, perfection. These ministers certain ly ought to understand the difference be- tween Christian perfection and absolute per- lection, but it seems they do not by what was said in those meetings And Dr. Todd referred to the Methodists being stirred up, want to say that perfection or sanctitication is not & denominational doc Urine, but is the doctrine taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and all the apostles. But per- haps it would be well to give here one of MT. Wesley's observations on the doctrine. He says, first, ''There is such thing as Chris tian perfection, for it is again and again mentioned in scripture ;'' second. it is not so early as justification. for justified persons are to go on to perfection (Heb. 6-); third it is not so late as death, for St. Paul speaks of living men that were perfect (Phil. 3:15); fourth, it is not absolute. Absolute perfection belongs not to man nor to angels, but God alone; fifth, it does not make 8 man infallible; none is infa1lible while he remains in the body; sixth, it is pe1Ject l0ge q. John, 4:1S.) This is the essence of it its properties or inseparable fruits are re- joicing evermore, praying without ceasing seventh, 1t Is mproveable It is so far from lying in an indvsib!e point from being incapable of in- far swifter tn n he did before eighth it is incapa
 ble of being lost of which we have had instances. n Iat fn1n
 Pauls advice (Eph 4:31- -82l-"Let all bitterns and w5sth and and elsm0af and evil bs m ya kind one to another, tender hearted, fsrgivng given you" We have got to of the man and | put on the new man (Col. 3e-1o1 "Lie not one to his deeds. and have put on the man. which is renewed in Knowledge after the image of him that
 fled tR' m 6.6)-"Knowing this, that old man is oruoinsd with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth should not serve sin. Now need not expect 10 attain very high state
 of grace unsrs we have self cas out for self is
 sarnal nature, and unless 1t is cast out ene- mics against God (Rom. 8:7)-"Becaure tho carnal
 the law of God neither deed ean bs" Our Father
 wants peculiar people and in order to be we must
 ys viii obey my voice in deed, and keep my cove. nant then ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me
 us, that he mfshs redeem us from ai iniquity and
 purify unto himself peculiar p'ople, zealous of all things shall not seek to be like him, but if
 are shall obey QI. Cor. 6:17-18)-"Whersfs srs cOne ou6 lr0IA atiiOAB De ye | the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing and
 Till receive you, and will be faher unto you, and i, shall b. my sons ard daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" What glorious thought that we can be children of God. Glory to his holy name QI Cor
 7:1)-''Having therefore these promiees, dearly be- loved let cleanse ourselves from all hthiness the flesh and spirit, pesfectng holuess the fear of
 God.' Are we willing thus to comply with Gods
 word? How many of the professed followers of
 Christ still continue to after the things of this
 world; they must to the theater and all other of
 the amusements which the worlds people get up to
 make money, and yet they not Eatished No, the
 thingz of this world will never satiefy the immortal
 soul, and they spoil enjoyment in the things of
 God, fer they will not mix any more than oil aud
 water. ''Wherefore do ye spend yonr for that
 which is ot bread And your labor for that which Eatisheth not? Hearken diligen tly unto and eat
 ye that which IS good ana let Isnr soul oengn tselt tsr-Q Kings 1s21>-"How long halt ye between two
 on;nionfa7If the Lord be God follow him but if Baa1 then follow tMatt. e:24'No man can
 serve two masters; for he will hate the one
 and love the other else he wlif so me one ana
 despise the other, Ye cannot serve God Inaua-