The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-03-12
Two Works of Grace "
y ~ and Gods
* II Hand in it All
BY w. c. ANDERSON
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Doubtless, just at this period of our
skeleton, it will be we'll to bring in an
other witness to testify to the great
question now before the world, as one
witness too long on the stand becomes
worrisome to judge, jury and the whole
court. For the past three months we
have avoided quoting other men except
Christ and his apostles, but we now
wish to quote from one who says that
he has both in public and private testi
fed to two distinct works of grace, and
that in all manner of ways. We have
two reasons for bringing in this witness
at this time. First, that the truth oi
the subject may be more clearly estab
lished, as out of the mouth of two OF
three witnesses every word shall bt
established, and especially if they are
holy witnesses. And secondly, that
each protesting christian may know
what religious body or sect they belong
to. Sometimes we hear expressions
like these: =" l am Baptist, teeth anG
toe NALL" 81 am a Methodist, warp anC
filling, woven with five treaddies anC
thrown up in the middle" l have M
idea that any one using these express
sions know what it takes to constitute
true Baptist or Methodist. The whole
truth of the matter is just this-as il
politics, so in religion; just what oul
fathers and mothers were so are we
and this rule will hold good nine time
out of ten. Will such a following a
this save men and women from deatl
and hell =? No, never, for it is written
"And he spake a parable unto them
Can the blind lead the blind? Shal
they not both fall into the ditch? Th,
disciple is not above his master; bu
every one that is perfect shall be as hi
master" duke 6, 39-4O) The disci
pie here means every christian who i
born of God. Every christian shoul,
be faithful witness for Christ and t,
his saving power, but no one can wit
ness to gift of God till he gets th
gift. Then we have every reason t
believe that Mr.. Wesley had the gift
as he is the most elaborate witness tina
we have ever read after. The witnes
that we propose putting on the stand
| dead, yet he lives. His spirit not onl
lives with the God who gave it, if b
practiced what he preached, but hi
sermons, his exhortations and testimC
MES in many volumes are still spiritu'
deserts on which thousands of men an
women are feasting today, regardless {
name, sect or order. What holy me
and women want is truth, and lik
, Bunyan, they would buy it and sell
not. Why does Mr.. Wesley still liz
III the hea is and lives of men and W.
men all over this wide world? Becaus
: he had the faith, courage and zeal
seek full salvation and then preach
fearlessly to the world. What abo-
the modern so-called Methodist of Il
present day ? How long will they lii
= in the hearts and minds OF the people
About as long as did the ten spies wi
said 1--WE can't take the land" (S'
Jude 5.) But Mr.. Wesley and all 9th
men of such faith and zeal will live lii
Caleb and Joshua, forever.
John Wesley, the so. called found
y of the Methodist church, is the prime
pal witness in this chapter. Histol
e says that the word Methodist was Civ,
to Mr.. Wesley and his followers b
Mt cause he, his brother Charles, and sor
S others were so very strict and zealo
in their christian methods. So IL
name started then and there, becau
of their faith and devotion. Mr.. w
ley no doubt felt proud of the name |
cause it was thus given. He had
= idea that at this age of the world IL
the one Methodist creed would be
vided into seven, all claiming the Q
u daddy, We will now see, by followi
Mr.. Wesley's life, whether he taue
such division or not. When we out
Mr.. Wesley we will give you volul
= and page so that you may turn and {
whether we misquote him or not.
It is said that from the Holy Scr
lures he early formed an exalted st,
dard of the christian character
must have had mother like PAT
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