Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-09-09

VSz Vlszlszls-ls2sS5 the in-seasOn AS
semblies Of many
years. The program is an extensive
one.
During the ten days of the Con
vention addresses win be given by
sixty ministers and instructors Of the
Association. The teachings are inter
denOmlnational, unsectarlan. Pastor
Russell Of Brooklyn Tabernacle, and
now also Of London Tabernacle, is the
President Of the Association. His was
the principal address Of today. The
auditorium was crowded. Probably In
compliment to Methodlsts Pastor Rus
sell took for his text what he claimed
was John Wesley's avorite-"And the
Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and
whosoever Will, let him take the water
Of life freely" (Revelatlon 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 a
time when Calvln's theory Of the elec.
ton OF saints to glory and 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
predestlnated TO eternal torture the
masses Of mankind before they were
born. must believe TINT God is Love
and that His love and His justice
would give to every sinner a full op.
portunity 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 OF
the water of life Is not declared to he
for the elect, but for 'whosoever win
take my stand upon that text"
Brother No5ley's bnttle-cry is
Love aud viii surely give every mem.
ber OF Adams rnce an opportunity .or
eternal lie through Christ'-has come
ringing down TO our day And nj.
though Christians have become sick
and tired Of their endcavor to harmo.
nize the doctrines of Election and Free
Grace and are now trying to forget
doctrines altogether nevertheless John
Wesley's theory has overwhelmed John
Calvln's The vast majority OF Pres.
byterans, Bnptists Congregationalists
etc, processing Caylns tenets, really
believe Wesley that God is Love and
will surely give every member of our
race n full opportunity for salvation,
and that He predestlnnted none of
them 10 eternal torture
Truth In Both Theories.
There are elements of truth in both
theories, us we now see: "The path
OF the Just is as the shining light,
which shlneth 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 manner
OF bible students we should hc! Many
Christians. however, discouraged by
the Inconsistencies and contradictions
OF the various creeds, Catholic and Pro
testant have abandoned their creeds
and abandoned their Bibles also erro-
neously believing the latter to 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 to
be understood; It's true light Is shining
today as never before We are in the
time mentioned by the Pronhet, when
the wise shall understand" Oaniel
xii. 10Y.
Brother Calvin was right In part
10 the extent that he was In harmony
With the Bible, which teaches us 10
strive TO fulfil our Covenant with the
Lord, that thHs we may make our
calling and election sure" II does not
teach the predestlnation which Calvin
taught and which Wesley objected TO
1.-THE predestinNtion OF the wicked to
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-