Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-28
Geo. Haw Ably Discusses Many
Church Questions.
METHODIST DOCTRINES SET FORTH
Considers Points in Which They Diff
fer from Those of Other Churches
"reminiscences of EARLY Impressions
DIR. Herr on Cleveland Methodism.

sCSleiudy evening at tHG nome OIL Il.
II. Emery, on North Benton street.
There was large number of the
members in attendance and the ses-
sion was one of great interest. Cues
tons as to the welfare and work of
the Brotherhood were considered and
many suggestions made as to the du-
ties of the members in advancing the
interests of the church. The literary
part of the program consisted of pa
per presented by George Haw,
Sr, on the peculiarities Of
Methodism and Methodist doc
trine which distinguish it from
other denominations. "reminiscences
of early days of Methodism were CIV
en- by some of the older members and
a very pleasant social hour was spent.
Several new names were added to the
list of membership.
MIR. Haw Speaks.
Mr.. Haw, in his address, spoke in
brief, as follows:
The duty has been assigned to me
of presenting to you tonight some of
the peculiarities of Methodism that
distinguish it from other denomina-
tons and to which it's great success
as a religious organization is justly
attributable. In whatever | may say
wish to say nothing in the spirit of
boasting, and nothing derogatory of
other Christian churches as compared
with our own, but simply to give as
clear and concise {; statement of our
own doctrines and usages, as possible,
as the basis under Gods blessing of
our success as a church.
Methodist Teachings.
l will name some of the doctrinal
views of Methodists upon which we
differ from those of some other denom-
nations. The principle ones are
Free Grace and Free Will, the New
Birth, Christian Perfection, Persever-
ence of the Saints and the Sacra-
ments.
Free Grace and Free Will.
Free Grace and Free Will constitute
the two grand pillars of Wesleyan The
ology. The first enables us to draw
near to God sin the full assurance of
hope" believing that with Him all
things are ready, that there is moth
ing wanting on his part to save every
man. According to the doctrine of
free grace Christ is a compassionate
Savior, according to that of free will,
he is righteous judge. BY the first
his rewards are gracious, by the Sec
ond his punishments are just.
The New Birth.
Christ declared to Nicodemus Eye
must be born again" In other words
there must be a new creation, a
change of heart. The teaching of our
church is that this is the work of the
spirit of God uopn our spirits when
we fully surrender our wills to his will,
whereby complete change takes
place, old things pass away and all
things become new. The gracious re-
suit of such surrender of ones self
is the conversion of the soul to God.
Christian Perfection.
There is no doctrinal popularity by
which Methodists have been more dis
tinguished than that of Christian per-
lection, nor is there one for which
they have been more generally con-
demned. This may be attributed to
various causes. One is, no doubt, that
the doctrine has been misunderstood.
Others have taken the opposite ex-
IRENE and made it less than we claim
for justification, indeed rather a Ii
cense to sin than a deliyerance from
it.
We say then, tirst:-That by Chris.
tian Perfection we do not mean the
perfection of angels. Second, nor do
We mean the perfection which was
enjoyed by our first parents previous
to their fall. Third, much less do we
mean perfection in knowledge, hence,
therefore, it does not exclude error in
practice.
Fourth:-Nor yet does Christian
Perfection imply such degree of
faith and knowledge as to exclude an
increase of either, or of any other
Christian virtue. 1t rather relates to
purity than to the extent of our pow
ers. We believe that to be perfect is
to love God supremacy, that is more
than we love any other being OF thing;
to love him with all the heart and with
all the soul, and with all the strength
and with all the mind.
Christian Perfection implies also
the loving our neighbor as ourselves,
which is the second great command
ment. Christian Perfection embraces
meekness, patience, purity of motive,
and a rigid ODedlence TO all the Divine
commands, so far as they are known.
Perseverance of the Saints.
The adherents of the doctrine OF
particular election find it necessary to
be consistent, to assume that of the
infallible perseverance of the saints,
that is, tina. those whom God has elect
ed, called, renewed, cannot so far fall
from grace as to perish everlastingly.
This is regarded by Calvinists as a
very precious doctrine, and held with
the greatest tenacity. Methodists be-
.lieve and teach that person who has
once enjoyed the favor of God, may,
by yielding to sin, fall. and by con-
tinuing in sin may forfeit that favor
and finally make shipwreck of faith.
Sacraments.
The word sacrament is derived from
the word "Sacramietum" which signi-
fies an oath. Protestants generally
agree that the sacraments of baptism
and the Lords Supper are not only
signs of inward purposes and grace,
and pledges of obedience. but seals of
Gods covenant with us. We hold
them, therefore, as express institutions
of God for specific purposes, the right