Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-09-02

VIseslSZN k0S2LLlJ the in-season As
semblles OF many
years The program is an extensive
one.
During the ten days of the Con
vcntIon addresses will be given by
sixty ministers and instructors Of the
Association. The teachings are inter
denominational. unscctarian. Pastor
Russell " Brooklyn Tabernacle. and
now also Of London Tabernacle. IL the
President of the Association. His was
the principal address OF today. The
auditorium was crowded. Probably In
compliment 10 Methodists. Pastor Rus
sell took for his text what he claimed
was John wesley's favorite-"And the
Spirit and the Bride say. Come: and
whatsoever viii. let him take the wnter
Of life freely" Revelation xii. IL.
He said
What Wesley Could Not Believe.
Our Methodist friends who own this
spacious Auditorium have generally
forgotten the special teachings OF
Brother Wesley. which brought them
10 the front of his denomination at a
time when Calvin's theory of the cleo.
ton of saints 10 glory and the predcs-
tination of all others 10 eternal torture
was the basic thought of Professionalism
Brother Wesley's voice rang out clear
and full cannot believe that God
predestinatcd to eternal torture the
masses Of mankind before they were
born I must believe that God Is Love
and that His love and His Justice
would give to every sinner full OPP
portuniy for return to Divine favor
and To everlasting life through Christ.
Brother Calvin. indeed. has certain
Scriptures difficult to apply. respecting
election and the elect. but / have one
Scripture at least which tells of free
dom of Divine grace. The river or
| the water of life Is not declared TO he
for the elect. but for whatsoever Will
take my stand upon that text.
Brother Wesley's battle-cry-"Go Is
Love and VIII surely give every mem
Der of Adams race an opportunity for
eternal life through Christians come
ringing down 10 our day. And al
| though Christians have become sick
and tired Of their cndeavor TO harmo-
nize the doctrines Of Election and Free
Grace and are now trying 10 forget
doctrines altogether nevertheless John
Wesley'S theory has overwhelmed John
Calvin'S. The vast majority Of Pres
byterians. Baptists. Congregationallsts.
etc. protesting Calvin's iencts. really
believe Wcsleys- that God is Love and
will surely give every member OF our
race full opportunity for salvation.
and that He predestinated none OF
them to eternal torture.
Truth In Both Theories.
There are elements OF truth in both
theories. as we now see: THE path
Of the Just Is rs the shining light.
which shineth more and more-unto
the perfect day" We are nearing the
perfect day. and hence should under
stand the Bible better than did our
forefathers. who did not have the won.
derful Bibles Christians now possess.
with marginal references, concordances
and other helps Ability to read also
Is universal today. Oh. what m1nncr
of Bible students we should be. Many
| Christians. however. discouraged by
the Inconsistencies and contradictions
OF the various crceds. Catholic and Pro.
tcstant. have abandoned their crecds
and abandoned their Bibles also. erro-
neously believing the latter 10 be the
| basis Of the former. We must not
share this mistake. While doing all In
our power TO remove all the creed
fences which divide Gods people into
sects and parties. let us hold fast to
the Bible the most wonderful Book
in the world II Is only beginning 20
he understood: its true light Is shining
today as never before We are In the
time mentioned by the Prophet when
the "wise shall understand" Daniel
XII. i0D.
Brother Calvin was right In part
| to the extent that he was In harmony
with the Bible. which teaches us 10
strive TO fulfil our Covenant with the
Lord. that thus we may make our
calling and election sure" II does not
teach the predestinatiOn which Calvin
taught and which Wesley objected 10
the predestinatlon Of the wicked 10
an eternity OF torture. The only pre-
destination mentioned In the Bible Is
connected with the Church. the saints.
God predestinated that none could be
OF the Church class, the Bride class,
except such as would become copies
] Of His Son. the Redeemer. That pre-