Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

In commenting on the foregoing experience, Dr. Steele says:
"The marvelous grace that glorified his greatness with unsurpassed humility, in great measure was
the effect of this experience on a certain day in Egypt, and the result of the constancy of his faith in
this crowning gift of God to believers in this world when they most need it. From the hour of that
memorable spiritual transfiguration in the land of the pyramids, the doctrine of full redemption
through the sanctifying office of the Holy Spirit was very precious to him, and he looked with painful
feelings upon anything designed to bring it into disrepute, or lower the standard of piety which it
implies. This colossal mind had no difficulty with the question whether consciousness of inner purity
is a sufficient proof of entire sanctification."
All the marks of the Wesleyan type of "perfect love" are seen in this experience of Dr. Olin. It
came after conversion, was reached instantaneously, was recognized when it came, and was abiding
in its results, as his subsequent experience and life show. Besides, it came after he had reached
mature manhood, if not old age, and after his wrestling with doubts concerning the possibility of
such experience. The testimony of this majestic but most humble servant of God ought to have
weight with all thoughtful doubters of the scripturalness of this doctrine, and of the propriety of a
good and humble Christian's testifying to this grace.
We next give the testimony of some well-known living Methodists, and of one recently passed
to her reward.
Bishop R. S. Foster, D.D., LL.D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is justly regarded as one
of the profoundest theologians and acutest metaphysicians that Methodism has ever produced.
Indeed, he will rank well with the scholars and divines of any Church or age. The Rev. A. B. Hyde,
D.D., Professor of Greek in the University of Denver, and author of The Story of Methodism himself
no mean scholar and divine says of Him:
"His youthful turn was to literature and metaphysics, and his specialty has for his whole life been
in this direction. In depth of theological study he has been the must eminent of one bishops, and he
may be called among them as St. John was called among the apostles, 'the divine,' the theologian.
He has been the man usually chosen where, as at Chautauqua, there has been wanted a clear
unfolding of difficult and profound subjects."
Before he was elected bishop, Dr. Foster was president of the Northwestern University and of
Drew Theological Seminary, having previously served as professor of systematic theology in the
latter institution. He is the author of a much-read volume on the subject of this book, entitled
Christian Purity, and of a later and profounder one on the Philosophy of Christian Experience, in
both of which he clearly and strongly presents the Wesleyan view of sanctification. Below we give
an analysis of his experience, the record of which was written by himself, making extracts, and
adding such comments as may tend to impress and enforce the lesson of this remarkable experience