Scriptural Sanctification - Media Sabda Org

is, however, more or less of strife, contention, and a tendency to separation and schism in some
sections of our Church is well known. Nor would we undertake to fix on any one class the sole
responsibility for this state of things. We believe, however, that both sides are to a greater or less
extent to blame. We believe there have been tendencies toward extremes in both directions. We are
persuaded that there have been improper things said and done by good men of all opinions touching
this vexed question.
Possibly there have been some few extremists whose tendencies have been toward
uncharitableness, "over profession," and fanaticism. And, without attempting to locate the
responsibility for a state of things which all must greatly deplore, let us address ourselves to the task
of correcting these evils. We trust that an appeal for peace and toleration may not come amiss from
one who has conscientiously been on both sides of this controversy, and who would most probably
be on the other side today had he not tested the matter in his own experience.
May not those of us who claim to be conservative have contributed more toward bringing about
this unfortunate state of things than we suppose or intended? Our silence in the pulpit on this subject
may have had something to do with it. In an address delivered to a class of young ministers, Bishop
Foss recently said:
Silence for six months together on what the Church believes and teaches on the subject of perfect
love is just paving the way for irresponsible teachers to come forward and take the work out of our
hands ... Don't let people listen to you for six months, and then have to ask what you mean upon
these questions. Having taken your ordination vows, preach perfect love as the Bible puts it, and it
won't hurt much if put exactly as John Wesley teaches it.
As one who has unfeigned love and tender charity for all classes, may we not plead for the
forbearance and charity which the great apostle, who so radically changed his own views, urged on
all Christians? Had we the ear and confidence of the "second-blessing" people, and of all those who
conscientiously believe differently from them, we would most earnestly and lovingly say: "Let your
moderation" -- your forbearance -- "be known" and extended "to all men." O my brethren! let us all
try to live in and breathe the atmosphere of the thirteenth of First Corinthians, and shed forth the
sweet and fragrant aroma of a pure, loving, and charitable life. Let us say with our great founder, "If
thy heart be right with my heart, give me thine hand," no matter how far apart our heads may be. God
heal the wounds of our bleeding Methodism and help us to live in the unity of the Spirit and in the
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bonds of peace and love! Can we not all stand on a common platform made of the following
material taken from Dr. Mudge's Growth in Holiness? He says:
"What is the truth, what the error, concerning the second blessing theory of entire sanctification
as commonly taught? We are not of those who deem it altogether erroneous or altogether correct.
And the errors spring, we imagine, more from a careless, unintelligent, wholly heterogeneous
[mixed, confused, muddled -- DVM] use of terms than from any other source. We wholly agree with
the good brethren who are leading in this movement, that the great mass of the members of our
Churches are in a very unsatisfactory condition, and need a further work of purification wrought
upon their hearts; that it is their privilege and duty to be living, day by day, a life without conscious
condemnation and with the fullness of love governing all their words and actions.