Doctrinal standards of Methodism : including the Methodist Episcopal churches

Front matter

By Thomas B. Neely, D.D., LL.D.

8vo, cloth . net #2.00

Bishop Neely's great book on Methodism will be found an addition to Church History well worth having. Clear and lucid, it cannot fail to be appreciated by not only Methodists, but by other denominations as well. It will take its place at once as an authoritative work of reference on the great subject about which it treats.

Preface

THIS is an age of extremes in religious thought and of restless fluctuations in opinion. On the one hand some decry dogma and denounce creeds, while on the other extreme many are in full cry after what they suppose are new issues, some for one professedly new theory, and others for a host of conflicting notions, the important thing seeming to be not what is true but what is new. For many, indeed, it is sufficient and most attractive, if the notion has only the word " new " prefixed, though the thing may be as old as error itself.

Some of these " new " things, which really may be very old, grow out of legitimate, but misdirected, longings of the soul ; some out of ignorance ; and some out of a morbid susceptibility ; while some of the most popular of the "new religions," or new teachings, have demonstrated that they were, and are, unmitigated frauds by which the designing few have deluded many sincere souls.

Nevertheless, and notwithstanding these misleading novelties, the great mass of the people clings to the old Biblical teachings and leaves these restless extremists in the minority and with diminishing influence, though still doing much harm.

Another condition to be deplored is that, within the Churches, there is a lack of clear, precise, and positive

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knowledge of, and about, the religious views the persons in church membership are presumed to accept in their own denomination.

Rigid catechetical instruction in the home, and even in the school is not to-day as general as it was a generation or two ago, and denominational information is not imparted as thoroughly as in former times, so that, as a result, church people generally do not have comprehensive and accurate knowledge as to the essentials of their own denomination, and this makes for misty thinking as to religious truth and to instability in churchly adherence.

It is very important for those connected with any Church to be familiar with its history and nature, and especially to know its doctrines and to know where they can be found in an authoritative form.

Sometimes writers and speakers in the same denomi. nation contradict each other, or say contradictory things when making statements as to religious doctrine. This is confusing, and the perplexed reader or hearer wonders which one is right. In such cases the question must be : Where shall we find the authority that will determine which is correct and which is incorrect, and what is the truth ?

If the denomination has its doctrines formulated, and the inquirer knows where to find the formulation, he can turn to the formulation and learn for himself, just as one may turn to a constitution or the statutes of a legislative body and learn the law.

Methodism, with its growing millions and its almost world-wide sweep, has been one of the saving influences, among the Protestant denominations and beyond, in the matter of Scriptural teaching, and it has been

PREFACE 7

one of the great balance wheels in the world's swirl of religious thought and inquiry, helping to hold the masses steadily to the truth, and a great magnet to draw back those who have been caught by centrifugal thought forces, and yet it is to be feared that some of its members have been influenced more or less by the passing currents, and, to some extent, by the mental commotion, as well as by the doctrinal indifference round about them.

True as it has been to its old convictions, yet a time has come when the older generations who lived nearer the beginnings have passed away and a new generation, not so exactly informed as to the facts in the history of the Church and as to its doctrines, has taken their place.

This later generation, lacking the closer touch and the special knowledge of their forefathers, will be at a disadvantage in the doctrinal struggles now on, unless they can be furnished with a somewhat equivalent store of information on these particular points.

Many of the present generation not only are without the knowledge of the fathers, but they do not know where to go to find authoritative answers to the questions which arise in their own minds or which are propounded to them by others, while some who have not been rooted and grounded in the old doctrines are in danger of being swept away by the rising floods of destructive interrogation.

In view of such facts, well-informed lovers of Methodism, including those of the Methodist Episcopal Church, have thought this the proper time for a book that on the matter of doctrines may guide in the right direction, and that it is imperatively demanded to meet

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most perilous present conditions, as well as to meet an ever present need.

With this urgent feeling individuals and ministerial bodies have requested the publication of this volume on " The Doctrinal Standards of Methodism, Including the Methodist Episcopal Churches," a work intended primarily for all branches of Wesleyan Methodism.

The book is a history of the denominational doctrines, a presentation of the doctrinal standards, and a statement of their practical and legal bearings, particularly in their relation to the ministry and membership of the Methodistic Churches, yet having an interest and value to those not connected with Methodism.

Thomas B. Neely.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Contents

Prefatory 5

An age of extremes in religious thinking and of rapid fluctuations in opinion — Some deride dogma while others insist on positive declarations — Seekers of new issues more anxious perhaps for the new than the true — Much called new is antique error — Some honest seekers are deceived by brazen fraud — The solid majority clings to the old truth but false teaching works injury — Many in the churches lack accurate knowledge as to the doctrinal teachings even of their own denomination— For which there are various causes — Members should know the doctrines of their own denomination and where they may be found — Methodism has been a saving influence amid doctrinal disturbance — Yet the older generations have passed and a new generation is at a disadvantage in not having the close historic touch of the fathers.

Because of ever present needs and of the peculiar present needs the publication of this book has been requested — It gives a history of Methodistic doctrine, presents the doctrinal standards, and points out their legal and practical bearings — Should have value to those outside as well as inside Methodistic bodies.