Year: 1869

Methodist churches and the excitement among the
lay members and ministers was much increased
when 1t was announced on Friday last that Mr..
Keyes mad been baptized In the SwedenbOr9an
faith Sthl later religious circles generally along
the Hudson were moved by the statement that the
reverend gentleman would address the public at the
Swedenborgian church In this city this morning. at
the usual hour for service Before the time arrived
the edihce was densey packed with human beings
from all denominations. Some Of the most enthu-
siastc Methodists were present. After the usual
preliminary service Mr. Keyes stepped forward amid
profound silence and commenced his remarks. He
esteemed 1t great privilege to meet SO
many POughkeepsle friends and proposed
to state some Of the reasons which
governed him in dissolvng mis- connection with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, Of which ne had been
member for the last twenty years, and for
putting himself in sympathy with the New Church
ana espOusing views entirely different and antago-
nistica.l He remarked that he owed it to his many
warm friends to give such statement, and he was
glad so many were present to hear such statement.
He experienced, however, no little difficulty In ap
preaching subject SO vast. He would gladly
make no personal illusions TO himself, as he
was not in the habit OF bringing himself before
an audience, yet IL seemed from surroundings
necessary that he should deal in some matters per-
sOnal. He affirmed that he did not go forth from
old associations in any spirit OF bitterness holding
any unkind feeling in any degree towards those
with whom and with whose doctrines he had been
aiilated in the past. He had no complaint to make
OF his treatment IN The Methodist Church during
period of nineteen or twenty years, but shall ever
cherish the associations and friendship formed In
that community. The step he had taken was palu-
ful to HIM because 1t alicts many whose friend
ship ne valued above all consideration. He
dissolved his relationship with the Methodist Church
not because he did not appreciate the Kindness OF all
but from deep, clear dellberaton, that he not
In unison and could no longer sympathize with its
doctrines. friend had said TO him, pursue the
Fabian policy 1t is true one; wait monthssiX
weeks" That friend did not know that he had been
following the Fabian policy for many years past. lie
was sure he mad made mistake. His step was
the result OF clear conscientious convictions. Were
he mistaken and still holding those con-
avowed that his motive was not mercenary. He
had nothing to gain from parting with wealthy
people feeble in numbers, feeble in resources and
hardly popular as yet with the masses. Referring
and the New Church, he said that an avowal of the
views OF the New Church, which he held, would sub
Ject him TO trial and expulsion from any Conference
therefore remain member OF the Methodist Annual
Conference and entertaip those views. Every man
is responsible to God to be true to his convictions OF
hold rightly such convictions. He claimed
even no% eTe are 1ee IN the m Met Sa


Church seeking to keep the new wine in the old
bottles thereby retaining their connectonswith the





Judge his brother. He would be charitable. He
stated that he should preach from no text this morn.
ing because he did not feel that he had any special
reason for dong SO. What he should say would be
discursive In Its character, and lie would therefore
dispense with2the formallty Of sermon. He
came to tell what he believed to be the
doctrine Of the Lord Jesus Christ. He would indi-
cate those views from experience and not by assaling
the Methodist Church. He referred iirst doc
tr1ne OF trinity OF persons IN the G0dhead. He
said IL was irreconcilabe with the doctrine of the
unity OF God. Henry Ward Beecher had said that
believes Rcinos.
Holy Ghost; yet in the same sermon he believed in
but one Cod these three IN one. That doctrine of
the Trinity had formed serious objection to the
speaker remaining longer in The MethodisG Church.
Neither dld he believe IN the doctrine OF atone
as being governed by principles contrary
to his nature and contrary 10 some ethical princi-
violated 1t must have an atonement. The reverend
gentleman styled right as bank conception as pre-
sented by the old theology and means nothing until
to some there is not word OF the doctrine OF
ment In the theology OF Jesus Christ Justice in
Cod, God ,ui,, S,syns reference % only e ~ per,
the old theology tells you God avenges His own ding.
nifty, but He VIII not let us do the same. Men rep
resent God as finding it necessary avenge His law
without primal reference which brings Him down
TO low human expedlents instead Of exatng Him.
Mr.. Keys also renounced the doctrine OF Justification
by faith. He SAID the old theology teaches every in
FAINT needs to be justified. He had asserted in the
presence OF the noted DR.. Sanford many years ago,
infants, though born in the world OF DIS
ordered nature, were not guilty Of anything;
pardoned. This doctrine Of justification by faith
was his first objection to the Methodist doctrine;
was the one which called him to commence the bat
tie which has eliminated in his present position in
the Church OF the New Jerusalem. AS for the doctrine
OF the resurrection Of the material body, Mr. Keyes
said he had satisfied himself that, with all the eabo
rate reasoning 1t was good for nothing. He had
become impressed with the utter mpossiblity OF
God putting together again the material parts
whatever
He does. IN accordance with the prin-
Epes % COO has nn daes not ,1 work
In the doctrine OF the resurrection Of the human
body all divine order Is violated. Who supposes
parts Of the body shall again together and the
whole be resurrected complete and perfect before
create for us another soul The doctrine is not found
in the Scriptures. II Is generally supposed that 1t
Is there, but IN the fifteenth chapter OF Paul to the
Corinthians there Is a natural body and spiritual
Douy. The spiritual body exists 1t will after
death, and when the material body dies the spiritual
body still lives and ascends on high. The doctrine
OF the material body being resurrected the speaker
styled as garng absurdity.


In conclusion Rev. Mr.. Keyes said that the Method
ist and all other Churches IN spite OF imperections
do yet embrace SO much truth, do yet receive SO
much Of love and light from God, that they are
doing glorious work. but could they be rid OF the
errors that are antagonstical To reason they would
silence the cavil OF rationa ism, would bring science
and religion, philosophy and conscience in perfect
harmony. and the New Church would bring out man
IN all ms glory to the full understanding OF Divine
lnJuncuons. MI. keyes, during MS very eloquent
remarks, seemed to be greatly Impressed with
the important position he had assumed Hundreds
OF MS admirers In the Methodist churches listened
TO him with the greatest OF attention. After the
pronouncing OF the benediction many loered In the
church, some arguing vehemently upon the new
doctrines. while those who respect Mr. Keyes the
honorable manner In which he mas dissolved his
connection with the Methodist Church fastened to
hun and extended their hands IN lr rendsnip. The
remarks OF the reverend gentleman have created
profound sensation In religious circles.


THE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH