The Mankato free press., 1911-09-08

f9.sTT9 -,1i5s5.Of sion outShlneS all
lRAsl0R RUsSELg the in,season AS,
semblies Of many
years. The program is an extensive
one.
During the ten days of the Con-
vention addresses will be given by
sixty ministers and instructors Of the
Associati ton. The teachings are inter
denominational unsectarian. 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 Methodists, Pastor Rus
sell took for his text what he claimed
Spirit and the Bride say, Come: and
whatsoever will, let him take the water
Of life freely Revelation xii, 10.
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 Calvin's theory of the cleo
tion 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
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 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 be
for the elect, but for 'whOsoever will
l take my stand upon that text
Brother WesIey's battle-cry-"GOd is
Love and will surely give every men,
ber of Adams race an opportunity for
ringing down to our day. And al
though Christians have become sick
and tired Of their endeavOr 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
Calvin's. The vast majority Of Pres
byterians. Baptists, CongregatioDalists
etc, protesting Calvin's tenets, really
believe Wesley's-that God is Love and
will surely give every member Of our
race a 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
which shineth more and mOre--rnto
the perfect day" We are nearing the
perfect day. and hence should under
stand the Bible better than did or
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 be! 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 tc
the Bible, the most wonderful Book
In the world 1t is only beginning tt
be understood: It's true light is shining
today as never before. We are in the
time mentioned by the Prophet. wher
the wise shall understand Danie
XII. 1O).
Brother Calvin was right in part
to the extent that he was in harmony
with the Bible. which teaches us tC
strive to fulfil our Covenant with the
Lord. that thus we may make oul
calling and election sure" It does not
teach the predestination which Calvin
taught and which Wesley objected tt
the predestination of the wicked t.
an eternity of torture. The only pre-
destination mentioned in the Bible i.
connected with the Church, the saints
God predestmated that none could bt
of the Church class. the Bride clAss
except such as would become copie.
Of His Son. the Redeemer. That pre-