Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-17
CHAPTERS IN HISTORY.
Rev. r. w. Williams Tells of Method
ism rs " WIZ mud Is.

u MS course OF lectures on 'Churcn history
last night. the subject being "Methodism as
II Was-Methodlsm as It Is" The lectures
have attracted considerable attention among
all classes of church people and the church
was crowded last night to its capacity. Fol
Lowing is a synopsis Of the lecture:
The origin and originator Of Methodism
are tco wei known to need a recital here.
John Wesley was the father, the established
church its mother. England its birthplace
and America its home, endorsed by the
lowly, christened by the enemy and opposed
by those who, should have been its friends.
John Wesley was born in Lincolnshire. Eng
land, June II, 1903. He was q member of
the Church of England and was promoted
to priests orders in 172S. The following
year he became possessed with a desire for
personal righteousness and more spiritual
growth in the church. Wesley never con-
templated the organization Of a separate sect
or church. All the authority he ever
claimed for his work was that he received
In his Episcopal ordination. When chal-
lenged as to his authority by a Mr.. Nash
he referred him to the archbishop of Canter-
berry, who ordained him. He contended that
they were a band of believers, having the
form. but seeking the power. In all his
work he recognized the supremacy of the
Church of England and endeayored to do
nothing that would conflict herewith. When
DR.. Coke and Francis Asbury were ordained
as superintendent over the American go
cieties 1t was because Of the needs that
forced action and not that it received divine
or ecclesiastical direction. There were few
regular clergy in America, not enough for
the demands; the people clamored for more
and he acted accordingly. Wesley always
adhered to the general teachings of the es-
tablished church. He lived and died a
member Of the Church of England. 1t was
his successors who organized the Methodist
church. The organization of the society
into a church created much discussion at
the time, and even now many question the
authority Of those who did. Charles Wesley
in post tic strain expressed the desire of him
self and brother John when he pleaded:
almighty God of love,
Set UP the attracting sign;
And summons whom thou wouldst approve
For messengers divine.
From favored Abraham's seed
The new Apostles choose,
In isles and continents to spread
The soul-reviving news
"He herein confesses that God as yet had
not organized His church: that they were
not yet called in Gods appointed way. They
felt that no one could act for God unless
to the Church of England what the Epworth
league is to the Methodist Episcopal church.
1t is evident that a stream cannot rise above
it's source and as Wesley received his au-
thority :rom the Church of England he had
no greater than those who gave it and If
legal it we're better that they remain as
they were and not organize a separate
sect by carrying on their reformation
in the church. This was the intent and
plan of Wesley. In the Methodist soc ETY.
they admitted a man regardless of his faith
as one standard historian Qnskip) says.
They do not impose in order to their adm!s-
sion any opinion whatever. Let them hold
a particular or geners! redemption-absolute
or conditional decreSs; let them be church
men or dissenters; Presbyterians or indie
pendents, it is no obstacle. Let them choose
one mode of baptism or another; it is no bar
to their admission. The Presbyterian may
be a Presbyterian still, the independents or
Anabaptists use his own mode Of worship.
So may the Quakers and none will contend
with him about it. They think and let think.
One condition. and one only, is required
a real desire to save souls They
lay stress on nothing else, They hey
specification. Wonderful changes have taken
place since then and while those changes
have been gradual, they are nevertheless
marked and striking. Wesley believed In an
enjoyment Of the spiritual gifts, such as
healing, casting out devils, ETC., for at one
time he said: The spiritual gifts were not
done away because no longer needed, but
because the Christians had turned heather
again, and had only a dead form left The
church now has a discipline which the mem
bers are requested to accept as second only
to the Word of God They teach free saliva
ton, that salvation 10 a gift from God, that
I good works aid nothing in this but are the
results OF salvation rather than the means
for its securement. They let the candidate
use their own will in baptism, and main
tain that the laying on of hands for the
reception Of the Holy Ghost Is done away
as well as the spiritual gifts and bless
ings which were enjoyed in New Testament
times. The carly Methodits were plain in dress
and department, they practiced humility and
self contrition; their camp meeting was
an ideal Christian reunion. Wealth and pow
erty, learning and ignorance, high and low,
mingled without any distinction. There was
a fervor and esrnestness which could not but
beget admiration. That extremes obtained
and excitement caused many to do unwise
things !. their Shouting and ecstatic condi-
tions, even Methodists admit. A general
change has taken place, and there are no
Asburys and Cartwrights today. While i'm
many lines, yet fer religious
devotion and whole-souled conservation the
Nicholson of today will not compare favor
ably with that Of 1875 years ago. Wesley
was a great writer and II his writings are
an index to the true man and his hopes and
aspirations, l would think that IL Brother
Wesley could but wend his way earthward
without knowing who 1t was who claimed
the name of Methodist, he would come to
the people that worshiped in this church.
Approaching the noble work OF my Metho-
dist brethren. commencing them for their
zeal and devotion, yet the only ill | can
wish for them is that they retrace their
steps and stand on the platform established
by their leader. You have renowned your
mother, the church Of England; you have
departed from the way and instruction OF
your father. That you have righteously
outgrown your mother, i admit, yet the
character and purpose Of thy father stands
ever before and above thee. That Wes-
ley's early training in the Church of Eng
land and his subsequent association with
the Moravians led him to reject s2me things
that Christ said were necessary, yet / could
clasp hands more firmly and agree more
fully with my Methodist brethren II they
stood upon the platform of their illustricus
and nobler sire. John Wesley. Methodism
has wrought wonders. God forbid that I
should rob 1t of its good. but rather that /
may help to eradicate the dross. The bible
and the bible alone is the solution of the
vexed conditions confronting a divided Chris
t'snity. Throw away creeds. disciplines and
all things Of human origin and let God direct
and union will follow"
MORE FREIGHT THIEVES CAUGHT.
Miller ana James for Suspicious Con-
duet In the Yards.
Deputy Sheriff Compton placed two men