The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-09-05

lltAslSk k0ostlly the In-season As
sembiies OF many
years. The program IL an extensive
one.
During the ten days OF the Con-
vention addresses will be given by
sixty ministers and instructors of the
Association. The teachings are inter
denominational, unsectarian. Pastor
Russell Of Brooklyn Tabernacle. and
now also of London Tabernacle, IL the
President Of the Association. Els was
the principal address Of today. The
auditorium was crowded. Probably in
compliment to 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
whosoever will, let him take the water
OF life freely" (Revelation xxi, ~.
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
TO the front of his denomination at Il
time when Calvins theory OF the cleo
tion OF saints to glory aud the predes-
tination OF all others to eternal torture
was the basic thought Of Professionalism
Brother Wesley's voice rang out clear
and full-"I cannot believe that God
predestinated to eternal torture the
masses of mankind before they were
born. / must believe that God is Love
and that His love and His Justice
would give to every sinner full 0p-
portunity for return to DivIne favor
and to everlasting life through Christ.
Brother Calvin, indeed. has certain
Scriptures difiicult TO apply. respecting
election and the elect. hut have one
Scripture at least which tells of free
dom of Divine grace. The river OF
the water of life IL not declared to he
for the elect, hut for whatsoever will
I take my stand upon that text"
Brother Wesley's battie-cry-"God IL
Love and will surely give every mem
ber OF Adams race an opportunity for
eternal life through Christ'-has come
ringing down to our day. And al
though Christiaas have become sick
and tired OF their cndeavor TO harmo-
nIze the doctrines OF election and free
Grace and are now trying to forget
doctrines altogether. nevertheless John
Wesley's theory hns overwhelmed John
Calvins. The vast majority OF Pres
.byterians, Bapists, Cougrcga tlonallsts,
etc. processing On,vln's teneis. really
believe Wesleys-t God IL Love aud
win surely give every member of our
race n full opportunity for salvation.
and that He prcdcslinated none Of
ahem TO eternal torture.
Truth In Both Theories.
There are elements OF truth in both
theories, as we now sec; THE path
~ the Just IL ns the shining light.
which shneth more and more-unto
perfect day, aud 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. cOnc0rdances
ana other helps Ability TO read also
In universal today. oh. what m1nucr
OF Bible students we should bel Many
Christians. however, discouraged by
he Inconsistencies and contradictions
OF the various crccds. Catholic aud Pro
fcs'Hni have abandoned their crecds
nrd abandoned their Bibles also, ecro
USously believing the latter tb be the
hasis Of the former. We must not
share this mistake While doing all IN
onr power 10 rcmoye all the creed
fences which divide Gods people int
sects and parties. let us hold fast tC
he Bible, the rnpst wonderful BoOl
IN the world u X only beginning I,
Toe understood; Res true tight IL shininl
today as never before We are In th,
Flme mentioned by the Prophet. wlIel
she "wlse shalt understand" OunIe
XII. I0).
Brother Calvin was right In part
40 the extent that he was In harmon!
with the Bible, which teaches us Il
strive to fulfil our Covenant with tn,
Lord, that Tins we Ioay make on
calling and election sure" II does no
teach the predestination which Calvil
taught and which Wesley objected b
the predestination Of the wicked B.
an eternity OF torture The only pre-
destination mentioned In the Bible
connected with the Church, the saints
God predestinatcd chat none could h
of the Church class. the Bride class
except such as would become cople
of HIS Son, the Redeemer That pr