The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-01
ADDRESS TO OXFORD CLUB
BISHOP YINCENT no THE YILE
METHODIST SOCIETY,".

rIethodism Is Catholic but Denomina-
lions Are Necessary, Says the Bishop
Spiritual Diversity Better Than OUT
ward Unity-Three Doctrines Emphn-
sized by Methodism.
Bishop Vincent occupied the pulpit in
the First M. e. church, of which he
was formerly pastor, last evening. He
addressed his words to the members of
the Oxford league, Methodist society
that has just been formed among some
of the students at Yale The society Is
q social organization and also aims to
assist the Y. M. G. A. in any way pos
sble, although it is not intended to in
terfere In any way with the work
now being accomplished by the Y. M. c.
a. During the year addresses will be
delivered by three prominent Methodist
ministers, who will speak upon sub
jects to be selected later. The socie-
ty was started a few weeks ago at a
meeting in Dwight hall and a constitu-
tion having been drawn up was signed
by about thirty students last evening.
Bishop Vincent addressed himself
most earnestly to the young men, and
explained the relation of Methodism to
the Holy Catholic church He spoke in
part as follows
Methodism is nothing if not Catho
lie. When l profess tonight to rep
resent the Holy Catholic church I am
loyal to the denomination I represent. +
believe that there should be denomina-
lions. The history of the world shows
how bad it is for the church to control
the state and fer the state to control
the church. Spiritual diversity is there
fore better than outward unity. What
is Methodism but emphasis upon the
do>trine of freedom What is Method
ism but emphasis upon the doctrine of
personal experience. Methodism has
been the representation of what is
known as perfection, and this am sor-
ry to say has been the cause of many
misunderstanding between the church
and those who would seek the light.
Having always associated the name
with perfection they could not under
stand the seeming difference of doc
trine and practice among many of it's
subjects
Methodsm has always emphasi
first the doctrine of universal need
second, the doctrine of provision. and,
third, the doctrine Of surrendering every
faculty of mind and body to the divine
will Our mission should be the pro-
motion of all.
But Methodist who lives merely to
build up his own church, all the time
looking askance at other denominations,
does not fairly represent his faith. A
Methodist, in order to be of service to
his church, must have broad concep-
ton Of the common good. None real
lied this better than John Wesley, the
founder Of our faith
The Oxford league existed in the be-
ginning of the Catholic movement |
known as Methodism. 1t started in
what was known as the Holy club, a |
term Of derision, at Oxford college. |
Here a. number of kindred spirits, I'm
der the leadership of John Wesley, as
ISOLATED together to pursue the one coll |
lege life. Together they delved into the |
classics, together they formed their own
ideas and together in the slums of the |
town they praeticed their acts of char
ity. In their leader they had man ac-
knowledged as such by the whole coll
lege. From home in which the high
est culture prevailed he had entered COLI
lege with a preparation that he consid-
cred Indispensable for the aspirant to
the ministry. But later this did not de-
ter him from establishing a lay min
istry of men who, while competent to
preach, had not the advantage of an |
education. In doing this he felt that
men who felt the truths of the gospel
in their soul were competent to preach,
and these men, without the advantage
of a college education, studied the word
of God and were instrumental in bring
ing thousands to know the word Of God.
But Methodists early insisted upon the
necessity of college education in cam
didates for the ministry, and founded
their own colleges and seminaries. In
this they did not forget nor disregard
the good accomplished by those of the
lay ministry; but as the time rolled on
the changing times demanded 1t. To-
lay the man who lacks the energy and
patience to acquire the education lacks
the requirements of the Christian min
ster.
T am clad that in connection with this
great university, Catholic spirited as it
8. there is a club devoted to the study
If the word of God. This is Catholicy,
his is denominationalism, and through
t the world will gain men who will pro-
claim the word of God in worthy
manner.