The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-02-19

| - wow VI tic FoaDDdln Is
r representation. do not believe that y
| r the world was actually created In y
r the length Of time given.-Profes- 4
II fessor II. w. Mitchell as quoted r
4 In press dispatches.
4 4 4 Il X 4 Il n h X 4 4 X n
Tbs above interview caused a consld-
cradle stir among the Methodist ministers
| Of Atlanta, coming as II did from Pro-
lessor HinckleY w Mitchell. OF the Bos-
| ton University School OF Theology, OF
the Methodist Episcopal church. north,
| and one of the best known theologians In
| the east.
The interview was given by Professor
| Mitchell after repeated requests for an
| answer TO the charges made against him
| by the disaffected students OF tho SCHOOL
| The professor stated his position clearly
| and leaves no doubt as TO his beliefs con-
corning Methodism and its doctrines.
| The Methodist ministers OF Atlanta haVo
| expressed themselves In plain terms IN
| regard TO what they declare to be the
revolutionary views entertained by Pro-
| fessor Mitchell What they have 70 say
| concerning him makes interesting read
ing
| They all agree that as an eIpounoer OF
| Methodism. Professor Mitchell Is stu
pendous failure and they announce that
| no does not ODldln ms lucas iANiii ti''
| founder OF the Methodist church. John
Wesley. and they apparently believe that
Professor Mitchell properly belongs In ths
Unitarian church
! The views OF the Methodist ministers
| OF Atlanta upon Professor Mitchell ana
hts doctrines were obtained by Tho Con-
stitution.
Or. w. P. I.ovetoy says: "one is niied
with amazement at such misrepresentS-
at
DR.. r. j. Bigham Gays; "He 10 what
Is commonly called n hereto"
Dr. W. Il. Stradley says: ''Merited oon-
| tempt will rest upon tho craven.
Rev j. Il. Dawes says the views OF
the boston man will not permanently
Dr. Walker Lewis says: He is not
Ni DR. r. F. Fakes says that Professor
! Mitchell will say his say. die ana be TOT
gotten and the old Book VIII ABIDE ana
continue to bless the world
DIR. Lovejoy Defends Wesley.
DR.. w. p. Lovejoy. presiding elder OF
the South Atlanta district, 70 firm In
his belief that the Views OF PROFESSOR
Mitchell are not IN accord with those OF
John Wesley.
DR. Lovejoy expresses himself as fol-
lows:
~ f. very easy matter 10 Tnasunder-
! stand q writer IN such a brief statement
Of what he believes.
"Ir the 80 ton professor means by the
language attributed TO him, that Mr.. Wes-
/ lev taught that a belief in the deity OF
I Christ Is not necessary FOR salvation one
is filed with amazement at such misrep-
resentation OF the founder OF Methodlsm'
Tho bat.le which Mt Wesley fought IN
defense OF the truth ragged with fierce
ness around two points u doctrine, name
ly. tho divinity Of Christ and salvation ny
faith only.
"That he believed IN and contended
earnestly for the divinity OF Christ cannot
be denied by any ono who has read his
sermons. Nor do I understand this doc
trine denied by Professor Mitchell. What
Is affirmed Is that faith IN the divinity OF
/ Christ was not held by Mr. Wesley 70 be
necessary for salvation. His own writings
Will settle the question
Il auoto a few passag es-his sermons
are flIll OF them. IN answer to the ques-
ton. What faith IS 1t through which We
are savedY his reply. in part, T. Not the
faith alone OF devils who believe that
chris, IS the Son Of Cod that lie was
. God manifest I'm the hesh but Il is faith
+ I'm Christ in the Lord Jesus and acknowl-
( edges Ills death "a tho only sutilcient
. means for redeeminS man from DEAN
eternal. 10 IS not only an assent 10 the
. whole gospel of Christ. but a redundancy
upon HIM rs our atoncment and our ne
as given for us God, VINO IS Iich IN
/ mercy. even when We were dead In sins,
I hath ouickeucd US together with christ.
for by grace are ye saved
I through faith.' 'Dost thou believe IN the
. Lord Jesus christ. God over all. blessed
/ forever Then. thou art crucined 10 the
world and thy life IS hid with christ in
las TO whether Mr.. Wesley believed
I that the six days OF creation were each
. tWeuty-four hours long, / do not remem-
1 Der 10 have seen any word from MIN on
: that point Professor Mitchell in his be-
lief mat the days OF creation were not
six of our days does not claim to follow
Mr. Wesley. lie simply gives MS own
opinion.
/ neve with Mr.. Wesley. namely. IN stress
/ ing salvation through Christ and not
J alone through his death. Here, again, Is
] danger OF Juggling with words. salvation
/ from the guilt and condemnation OF sin,
I air. Wesley taught. is the result or
4 Christ's Htoning death alone. but the UNI
. folding of the new life is the fruit or the
. life Of Christ, Just as the living branch
grows by virtue or its connection with the
7 living vine
DR.. Bigham Says He Is a Hereto.
Or r. J. Bisham. presiding elder OF the
North Atlanta district. says II Professor
/ Mitchell has been quoted correctly he is
what IS commonly called a hereto. DR..
( Bigham says that Methodism IS greater
than John Wesley, and that the latter
was not infallible because he believed in
( witches.
Dr. Bigham's communication follows:
when Professor Mitchell says that n
belief in the deity OF Christ is not neces-
/ sary 10 salvation he states proposition
which might be true Of man who had
never heard of Christ; for the Bible
teaches that the heathens will he Judged
10y tho light they have. and the Method
] %