The Penn's Grove record., 1891-07-17
DOCTRINE and
DISCIPLINE.
The Reason for Methodism.

Sunday evening Rev. d. W. C. McIntire
i preached the second of his series from the
following text:
Then they that feared the Lord, snake
often one to another. Malachi 3:16.
In seasons of general religious indifference
when the form of Goodness is substituted
for the spirit, and when worldliness invade
the church and deprives the services of the
sanctuary of their power, then those who
do not partake Of the prevailing indifference
and worldliness seek a close intimacy
among themselves. Failing to find in the
regular channels of grace the help their
souls long for, they seek and obtain it by a
closer fellowship with one another.
The picture of the church of God as
drawn by this prophet, is a dark one. See.
Nal. 9: s-17; 1872. Etc.
In the midst of this general apostacy
there were some who feared Cod and
these, finding no sympathy among their
worldly minded and unbelieying brethren,
held frequent conferences for the growth
of grace in their souls. The history of the
Christian Church, reveals several such pc
RODS as described by the prophet, and in
every such period we find the faithful few
drawn closer together. 1t is in one of these
periods that we find the Reason for Meth
odism''.
l. Methodism was not a rebellion
against the governmental policy of the es-
tablished Church of England. Neither was
it a revolt against the doctrinal standards of
the Church. Methodism had no new doc
trine to preach to mankind. All of her doc
trines are found in the Articles of Religion
of the Church of England. When the lead
ers of the great Wesleyan movement were
accused of teaching heresy they successful
ly appealed to these articles for their yindi-
cation. 1t was q revival of the spiritual
doctrine of the primitive Church: viz, Re-
pentance, Regeneration, Witness of the
Spirit and Sanctification. One reason is
found in the
II. Moral and Religious Condition of
that age.
/. The writers of that period testify to
the low state of public morals. This state
is reflected in the popular literature of that
age.
2. The Bishops of the Church of Eng
land testify to the low character, general
unftness and Ignorance Of many who were
presented for ordination to the priesthood:
3. Bishop Butler ~testifies to the prevailing
infidelity of the age.
A. Outward forms were exalted above a
moral life, and the spirituality of the Cos
pei.
8. The ignorant and toiling masses were
neglected.
III. The Character of the Weslsy's an
other reason.
l.. They studied the Greek Testament
for their form of Goodness, which led to a
Methodical religious life.
2. They sought and obtained a clear re-
ligious experience.
3. Preaching the doctrine of a new birth
and the witness of the Spirit so fixed the
prejudices of the clergy that they were for
hidden the use of the parish churches, so
they took to the fields and homes of the
people.
a. The multitudes thus reached and
saved desired further instruction, which led
to the organization of societies, over whom
were placed the most intelligent and pious
as leaders. These developed into churches,
recognizing Mr.. Wesley as a general pastor
and Methodism, providentially led, gradu-
ally assumed form and took her place
among the sisterhood churches, realizing
that it was her mission to Spread
Seriptural holiness over the land.