The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-06

| has reached and converted more people than
any other Protestant church. and tJ-day
| outnumbers largely any OF its sister church
IS in actual comm niCants. 1t has the ap-
prevail of the Lore in that, through it, the
gospel is preached TO the poor
Emphatic in its teachings upon ESSENTIAL
doctrines, 1t leaves large room for private
Interpretation Of nonessentials. For m
Stance, the mode of baptism is not esentiai
your own mode The posture in prayer IS
not essential: say. let a man stand or
kneel. So also OF forms of service. Even
In matters Of doctrine not essential TO sal
walton, the Methodist Church is likewise
liberal. y favorite saying OF John Nes-
ley's was .lrink and let think. and MS
heritage. Trials for heresy are rare in our
church. because of our broad and liberal
platform a. 10 nonessentiais; ana YET ~
church is more closely united in faith ara
practice. Thus We have been saved from
! bigotry. narrowness and il.iberality ana ouF
hearts have been opened to free com
n.union with our sister churches.
The distinctive doctrine of LsthOdlsm Is
holiness Originally. Methodism and hoiI-
ness were Synonymous terms. for every
Methodist was holy man. We teach thSt
[ holiness of life IL a present attainment AKA
not 4 mere future possibility: that the
blood OF Christ cleanses from all sin: that
| ttis state or condition is actual and not
imputed; that this pure life IS not only a
possibility. but positive injunction Iaid
| Spirit witnesses with surs OF our perIes
| sa,vati zion, and our holy lives attest TO me
| world our complete conversion. say th!s
doctrine is distinctive, for so far as l know
| otf:er churches, while insisting upon moral
| life and conversion from sin. do not teacn
| holiness OF heart and life as possible IN this
! life.
| THE Methodist Church condemns the IL
| cuor traffic. either wholesale or retail, dliu
| will not admit any one engaged IN n I'M :
/ hitting itself to prohibition as a political
| party movement, 1t requires teetotalism OF
| all It's members.
Believing that there are good Christians
! in all churches. We invite them to JOIN WIN
| Ms in all our services and extend TO them
| will commune with them II allowed, and a.
| ways ask them to commune with US we
| invite other ministers into our pulptts ana
extend to them every Christian courtesy;
| whether they have had episcopal hands laid
| upon their heads or not. nor Go We ASK
! BY what mode they have been baptized. or
| by whom. Believing that Christ sent rs
! people into the world 10 convert sinners ana
| bring them into the church. Netno'ilSIl
/ seeks its converts out in the world. He
| ahhor the practice Of prosecuting from ore
/ church 10 another by endeavori.g to unset
! lie ne minds OF weak and ignorant Chris
tians upon matters not essential TO thai!
! salvation Believing that the devil OF sin
| is the great foe against whom all Christians
are called 10 wage unceaSing battle. we 10
! not in our own pulpits irTeigh against ou-
sister churches. nor seek to exclude them
from the kingdom Of God.
They believe not only in doing religion.
but in enjoying religion. They are rOt
afraid of healthy religious excitement. and
hence 1T is ., revival church Il vas born
in revival. and We seek 10 keep ii going
| all the time. The genuine Methodist is ney-
er satisfied unless he can feel the joys and
delights OF warm religious experience a
the presence and blessing OF God.