The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-26

to whom, under God, is peculiarly due
the Methodist movement and the great
church which resulted from that move
ment. 1t is fitting that the celebra-
ton be held in this city, his only
American home, the scene of his la
bors for nearly twenty-five months. the
place which witnessed, to use his
words, the second rise of Methodism.'
/ welcome this large gathering. l trust
that the celebration will mean more
than mere Methodist jubilee, and
that its inspiration will be incorpora ted
in the lives of his followers to the end
that they exhibit increased steadfast-
ness and zeal in the good work started
by our founder.
Il use the word founder deliber-
ately, and yet / realize that the ques-
ton as to who is responsible for par
ticular church is vastly less important
than the question as to what that
church is doing for God and huma nifty.
An individual who boasts often of his
pedigree is not usually the person to
whom his descendants will refer with
pride. Unless we are walking worthily
of the founder, we publish our I'M
worthiness when we stress the fact
that he is our spiritual head That
church is the best church which best
illustrates the teachings and spirit of
Christ, the great Head of the church,
which does the best service in His
name and best helps its members to
be what they ought to be, whether
the church knows it's earthly founder
or not.
Il appreciate, too, the fact the word
founder when applied to a true scrip
tural church, is not felicitous. nor en-
tirely accurate. When we use it we
speak after the manner of men.
recognize, using the language of an
other, that no man nor set of men
can create a Christian church. Its
underlying principles and sacraments
are of God. Its ends, its sanctions, its
authority a2d its power are all divine.
God made the church; it is His But,
under God. the organization of the
Methodist Church was due chiefly to
John Wesley and to the principles re-
vived and stressed by him. 1t was the
inevitable and by him the anticipated
result of the movement commonly
known as the Methodist movement
started, sustained and developed by
him.
No Mere sectarian.
II discuss the theme assigned me
in no controversial spirit. ! do not
object to any church honoring him.
He was too big a man to be the ex-
elusive property of any denomination.
He was no mere sectarian. Because,
here in Savannah he was a priest of
the Church of England. intensely de-
voted to its rubrics and never. tech
nically, withdrew from the National
Church of England. there may be spec
ial reason for that church. or one of
her daughters doing him honor. We
all ought to be glad to have him hon
ored by any church. or by any peo-
pie, and of the reflex blessings result
ing to those hOnoring him.
THE Church of England was Won
derfully helped in it's spirituality ty
the Methodist movement, fact which
some of its greatest men have. in late
years. gladly recognized. The recog-
milton of the obligation. while in the
main tardy is now complete. The
| Church of England ought TO build him
towering monument, not as church
man. in that capacity his title TO IL
/ cannot be established. but as a prince
I'm Israel. who put the church under
! the highest possible obligation, be-
cause he stirred the dying members
Of its spiritual life and helped TO save
/ IL from utter spiritual death.
BY MethOdism We mean the doc
trines and pOlity Of the Methods
church This definition, taken from
the Century Dictionary. Is sufnci mt
for our purpose This same authority
I defines founder as follows. An orig
insfOr; one from whom anything de-
/ rlyes lis beginning; an author. as the
founder Of a sect ~ philosopher fhs
I founder q "A family This definition
does nOt ignore the fact that the pf1D-
I ciples Of every true philosophy existed
before the founder wac born, just "a
/ the principles u every true hurct
must have been taught ~ God anc
must b. based upon Ble revelation
I3uf John Wesley revived, ffresse1 end
( fKed fbe doctrines ~ sac Mefho1iF
( Church Sc originated ~ polly
Those Doctrines ane tifef p0lify to-aaB
are essentially Wesieynu $50 ser.
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