Article November 29, 1913 Issue

I have read in a recent issue the report of a meeting in your...

John M. Henderson—Seattle, Wash.

The Sun

I have read in a recent issue the report of a meeting in your city of the Methodist mission. In addressing the mission, Bishop Richard J. Cooke, D.D., is reported to have said: "I can go into any lunatic asylum in the United States and find men who can write just as sensible books, men who can preach just as sensible doctrines, and who can present just as sensible philosophies as some of the chaff that we have around us, as . . . Christian Science." We have no desire to enter into a religious or theological controversy over the remarks of the bishop. An unprejudiced and fair-minded critic judges Methodism, not from standards of perfection or efficiency sought to be established by Confucius, Pope Pius I., or John Knox, but by attainments in the regeneration of man, following the theological declaration of its own leaders.

One hundred and fifty years ago other bishops, whom Winchester in his "Life of John Wesley" characterizes as "doughty champions of orthodoxy," were pronouncing anathemas on Wesley and Methodism. Among these were Bishop Gibson of London and Bishop Warburton of Gloucester. These recognized authorities on theological questions in the orthodox church of England, denounced the Methodists as "enemies of the church," "who give shameful disturbance to the parochial clergy," and who "teach doctrines big with pernicious influence upon practise." They denounced Wesley as a "fanatic, because he claimed for himself almost the miraculous gifts of the apostles." They spoke of Wesley and of Whitefield as "bigots," guilty of "vanity, vindictiveness, and hypocrisy—the natural fruits of fanaticism." It is one of the freakish coincidences of history that in this day other bishops, the theological descendants of the great and lovable Wesley, "doughty championsof orthodoxy," should assume to pronounce judgment on those who differ from them on the interpretation of Jesus' commands to those sent forth into the work of the ministry of truth.

John Wesley's was a lovable and therefore a very loving nature, and it was seldom that he manifested even symptoms of impatience or wrath, although, because he dared to differ with the theological teachers of his day, he was one of the most persecuted men of England. But in replying to his critics, because of their vindictiveness and of the unreasonable character of their criticisms, he was aroused to the use of language that was forceful if not in keeping with his usual considerate tone of expression. He wrote: "Any scribbler, with a middling share of low wit, not encumbered with good nature or modesty, may raise a laugh on those whom he cannot refute." But John Wesley's most powerful refutation of the charges of his critics was in the following language: "In answer to all this I appeal to plain fact. I say once more, What have been the consequences of the doctrines I have preached? By their fruits ye shall know those of whom I speak, even the cloud of witness who at this hour experience the gospel which I preach to be 'the power of God unto salvation.' The habitual drunkard that was, is now temperate in all things. The licentious now flee fornication. He that stole, steals no more, but works with his hands. He that cursed or swore, perhaps at every sentence, has now learned to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him reverence. Those formerly enslaved to various habits of sin are now brought to uniform habits of holiness. These are demonstrable facts. I can name the men with their places of abode."

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