The Portland daily press., 1885-02-13
WESLEY AND GOETHE.
The CoMcerr and Dr. Bashford's Lecture
at Pine street. Church East Night.


A large audiencs was present at Pine street
church last evening, and showed much
pleasure in the entertainment. The concert
by the choir was excellent. Mrs. Morrison
was recalled and sang "Swanee River" The
last number by the choir also received an en-
core.
At the conclusion of The concert Rev. Mr..
Williams, the pastor, introduced as the lec-
turer OF the evening Rev. DR.. Bashfurd.
DR.. Bashford spoke as follows:
The eighteenth is considered a barren cen
targ Tor the historians. The Puritans we're
dead and the Methodists unborn. But the
century which produced Wesley and Goethe
canno' properly speaking be called barren.
The aim OF Wesley and Goethe was the
same but there were many specific differences.
Goethe aimed at the conquest of the world
and the soul by culture and education.
Wesley sought the same end by means of con-
secration aud-peTfection Roth men we're re-
pFesentatives Of the Teutonic Race but they
came of different branches
The father of Goethe was an imperial coun-
sellor his mother was related to persons in
oftieial positione. II was under her influence
that Goethe was mostly thrown. AS boy, he
displayed all tbs precocity and activity that
beiong TO genius. After he had reached six
teen years OF age, he spent ten years in study
aod travel, the remaining portion of his life
ne spent In qnist, occupied in meditation and
literary work.
Goethe's life with its varying beliefs and
questions are portrayed in his four great works.
In the hrst are the thoughts OF the sanguine
youth upon the great question Of the aim of
lie Later the question is given up in despair
only TO be once more resumed at the age of
forty-fge.
Christ taught the love Of God, neighbor and
self Goethe made grave mistake and placed
the last as first. This error was due to weak
ness OF will power, uuder which he was led
into making false statements
Goethe was SO years old wien the first part
Oh taust was published This, his great work,
10 too wei known to call for any extended
rsference TO the plot. Faust, studious man.
makes contract with the devil in guise OF
Mephistopheles, under which for one moment
OF perfect happiness Faust will relinuuish his
life and enter the service of Satan. Although
at the conclusion OF Part l, Mephstopheles is
seemingly successful, ia Part III Faust comes
TO realize that perfect happiness can come only
through the grace of God.
Faust is Paradise Lost and Paradise Re-
gained applied to thu individual soul.
Goethe vas firm believer in the power OF
mind over matter. His faith in the Bible was
strong and sincere, M. Taine's assertions to
the contrary being refuted by Geothe's own
writings. Future centuries will study Faust
not as model Of virtue but as an epitome of
the age which he represents.
John Wesley was born in 1903 and died in
l19l, his life governing nearly all of the eigh-
geenth century, He came of gooa family
bis father was an intellectual man and an au-
thor, his mother was noted for the remarkable
influence for good she exercised over her chill
entious.
john early displayed firm will. He was
educated at the Charter House School and Ex-
ford, and unlike Goethe he sowed no wild oats.
At the age OF % he entered tho ministry.
Study OF the Bible led him to reject the doc
trins OF predestinaton. That he at this period
believed in salvation by works is shown by his
going as missionary TO Georgia in order to Sc
cure his SOULS redemption
He returned to London to enter upon the
critical period Of his life. Harrassed by doubt
and questioning, he one day entered the little
Adersgste chapel and whila there 1t flashed
upon him that salvation was to come by the
grace OF God. From that time his course was
clear. He took the world for his parish. His
laboTs were indefatigable and he left behind
MN an organization which now reaches 25,-
100000 people.
Ia view OF his life and work, Wesley must
rank high both as a thinker and reformer.
lie applied Bacon's methods of experience
and observation to spiritual science. Intel
lectually, he was not as great as Goe the; NOR
ally and In force Of will power, he was greater.