Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-04-27

place in the latter's bedroom, at Bristol.
The fact that both Coke and Asbury
sought orders from the English bishops
afterwards, and were denied, proves that
they did not consider Mr. Wesley's ap.
pointment conservation to the Episcopal
office. Mr.. Wesley was greatly disturbed
IN his mind previous to taking the step he
did in the appointment, and states that
he was induced to take it by pamphlet
of Lord King, in which the latter en-
deavored to prove that the Episcopal and
priestly offices were identical in the early
church. But as Lord King acknowledged
publicly afterward that Sclater, who re-
piled to him (see "Sclater's Draft"D, COM
pletely refuted his argument, of course,
whatever support was given to Mr.. Wes-
ley by Lord Kings pamphlet, was with
drawn upon the latter's acknowledgment
Ief defeat by Sclater, and Mr.. Wesley's
later statements are proof that he 80 con-
sidered the matter. Charles Wesley ridi-
culed the idea that Coke was bishop in
the following verse:
How easy now are bishops made
BY man or w0mans whimi
Wesley, his hands on Coke hath laid:
But who laid hands on him1'
The following extracts are taken from a
letter written by Mr.. Wesley to a lady,
who had consulted him about her nten-
ton to withdraw from the church OF En-
gland, and certainly indicate his views
upon the subject at the time of its writing
LONDON, Oct. 10, 177S.-My Dear Miss
Bishop: | am not unwilling to w.ite to
you, even upon tender subject, because
/ you will weigh the matter fairly. And il
you have little prepossession (Which
who has not p yet you are willing to give
it to reason. The original Methodists
were all of the church OF England, and
the more awakened they were, the more
zealously they adhered to this very point,
both of doctrine and discipline. Hence
we inserted in the very first rules of our
society
'They that leave the church leave us"
And this we did, not as a point Of pru-
dence, but point Of conscience. We be-
leve it utterly unlawful to separate from
the church"
Here is Romish error which many
Protestants sanction unawares. 1t is an
avowed doctrine of the Romish church
that "the pure intention of the minister is
essential to the validity of the sacra
ments." If so, we ought not to attend
the ministrations OF an unholy man but
in fiat opposition to this, our church
teaches, in the 2Sth article, that "the un
worthiness of the minister does not hinde
the validity Of the sacraments." Although
therefore, there are many disagreeabl
, circumstances, yet advise all our friend
, to keep to the church. God has surel
, raised us up for the church chiefly, that
little leaven may leaven the whole lump
| l wish you would earnestly consider tina
e little tract, Reasons against a Separation
8 from the Church Of England" Thes
i reasons were never answered yet, and
believe never will be.
8 am, my dear Miss Bishop, yours YER
II afiiectionately, J. WESLEY.
If Mr.. Moore will examine the fourtl
volume of Wesley's sermons he will fin
n one preached from this text: "No ma
taketh this honor unto himself but h
a that is calledof God, as was Aaron" il
which Mr.. Wesley rebukes certai
u preachers among the Methodists for pre-
r suming to baptize, telling them that the
|. are not priests, and that when they as
sumo priestly functions they are guilty &
the sin Of Korah, Dathan and Adrian
Il He also states that he verify believed Go
" had preserved him to extreme old age
keep the Methodist society-he nevt
called it church-from separating fror
the church Of England. This sermo
" was preached near the end of Wesley
a. life, being, unless my memory fails mi
for ! am recalling it here from memor,
Oh the l29th in the fourth volume of the fol
p volume edition Of Wesley's sermon
ia Mr.. Moore can consult it for himself, as
~ is upon his book shelves.
~ II there was ever anything certain
er history it is that neither Of the Wesley
r. was d Methodist in the present meanir
"a of that term. Charles, the poet, new
=. for moment wavered, and If John d
10 IN the matter of the appointment of Il
in American superintendents, he lived
ry steady himself again, and died with tt
ns words In his lips "God bless the church
:, The comparative strength Of the tv
,, communions in America has nothing
'al do with the matter Of John Wesley
ps opinions and faith. There is no doul
bt however, that the number Of EpiscoE
/. lans (as churchmen are called in AM
ne ica), in the world greatly outnumbers a
Its other body OF Christians outside t
list Roman Catholic and Greek church
on and they are increasing at a far grea
.p rate per cent, the only fair way to c.
'As slider the growth, than any other religit
mt communion in America-especially in
~ centers Of intelligence.
,ok Howard W. MIA