Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-03-19

Washington. 3 c., March l3.-Pas
tor Russell of the Brooklyn Taberna'
Gle, New York. preached here twice
today to splendid audiences one OF
his discourses was entitled, The over
throw Of Satan's Empire We report
the other one from the text above
quoted. Pastor Russell said
As Christians in the light Of this
wonderful Twentieth Century we stand
at the parting of the ways n III
decide for right or for wrong, f"i
truth or for f%alsehood, in respect to
our religious convictions. Without
questioning the sincerity Of u fore
fathers, we all object to their theology
Ii is in vain that ministers aud
Bible class teachers longer deny lhe
facts of the case. Nor Will intelligent
and honest people agree that 1t is
right that through their creeds they
should profess II thing. and IN their
lives and general conversation they
should ignore or absolutely deny the
teachings of those creeds. Yet this is
the position of practically all the think
ing people of Christendom. Their con
sciences will not stand for this much
longer. II they refrain from telling
the Truth and taking their stand for
il, they will not only scar their con
sciences q Timothy iv, y and CORE
spondingly separate themselves from
Gods favor. but additionally their
course will sooner or later bring upon
them the disapproval and contempt of
all honest people For although the
masses are not yet aroused Oh the sub
ject. they are rapidly getting awake.
DO you wish me TO illustrate what
| mean? Do you wish me 10 show in
what respect all denominations are
ashamed of their creeds and anxious
10 hide the fact that they ever pro
fessed them or were anxious to give
them some new Interpretation more
consistent with the broader thought
and more generous sentiment common
TO civilized man in this Twentieth
Century? | will do IL.
Our Methodist friends are ashamed
of that feature of their creed which de
clares that the Almighty is now doing
everything tina Divine Wisdom and
Power can accomplish on behalf of
u poor race to bring all TO a full
knowledge of Christ and to opportu-
nifty of faith and obedience. They real
ize that there is a weakness in this
argument. And when they protest
that God must work through means.
IN hence that the responsibility lies
at the door of Christian believers to
carry the Gospel TO the heather, they
realize that this is an illogical argu-
ment too. For why should our Great
Creator send 10 eternal torment mil
lions of his creatures, because of an
insutficiency of zeal on the part OF
some of their more enlightened fell
low-creatures? Acknowledging the
Inconsistency of such Il theory our
good Methodist brethren tell us that
they hope hat God has some other
way Of saving the ignorant of heather
lands and, perhaps, Of civilized lands.
We appreciate the loving heart
which prompts this answer and we
agree that it is true-that God has
another way for these. But when we
attempt 10 point out what that other
way is. some Of these dear friends in
quire. Is il Methodism? Did John
Wesley preach itE our answer is, No.
Brother Wesley did not preach it and
did not know Of it. Not because it is
new, but because it is 50 very old and
was lost sight ~ during the dark
ages" for fifteen centuries before
Brother Wesley was born. He was
feeling after it. yearuing for it. hun
gering aud thirsting for ii, but the
due time for il to be made known
10 Gods people had not yet come in
Brother Wesley's day. He preached
the eternal torture of all mankind. ex-
cept the sanctifed believers in Jesus
the Savior. But In his preaching OF
the love Of God tie was used of the
Almighty 10 wordrously prepare the
hearts Of Chri~tendOm for the broader
message Of The Bible now due to be
seer and understood. Wesley's Cos
pei of the love OF God has mellowed
the heart Of ChriStendom, which once
was frigid under the cold teachings
OF generalization, Predestination, etc,
Of the Westminster Confession OF
Faith-once the basis of nearly an
Protestant Communions.
II we and our Methodist brethren
could maintain the same degree Of
spiritual warmth that Wesley and their
forefathers enjoyed we might do with
nj further instruction. But we can
not do this, None can stand still!
Christians today are losing their hoh
ness, their sanctihcation-their zeal for
God is giving place TO zeal for a sect.
The light Of the Millenuial morning
which for a century has been gradual
iy breaking upon the world, stimulat-
ing thought in every direction, makes
it necessary for our Methodist breth.
ren. as well as for us all, TO awaken
70 the wonderful privileges OF our day
FOR Bible study to ascertain the reel