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 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 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. Philadelphia, Pa. THOMAS B. NEELY. 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 bearingsShould have value 'to those outside as well as inside Methodistic bodies. Belief common to humanity-All men believe-Man believes in different lines-All peoples have some degree of religious belief-Religious beliefs are necessary-Every Church must have some religious faith-Every denomination has to it common beliefs-There must be standards of faith or doctrine-As necessary as a constitution for a state-Dr. Schaff's definition of a creed-Principal Shaw's statement as to the necessity of a creed-Paul on sound doctrine-DogmaMatthew Arnold and Dr. Shedd on dogma-No valid objection to dogma or creed-Advantages of Nature of, and obligation to, standards of doctrine-Creeds should contain essentials but be concise-Christian doctrine based on the New Testament and the Old Testament-Bennetts on doctrine as the central thing in church life and the maintenance of a connectional system-Doctrinal standards are needed by all. 21 II. HISTORIC STANDARDS IN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES The Protestant Reformation-The_appeal to the Bible-The spread of Protestantism-In England-Henry VIII—In Scotland-Patrick Hamilton-The break with the papacy "The Protestant Reformed Religion"-Ecclesiastical and political fluctuations-Edward VI-Queen Mary- Methodism a marvel-What made it such-Its educational be- ginning, organization, methods-Wesleys, Whitefield, Coke -Fletcher, Clarke, Benson, Walsh, Watson-Watson's Theological Institutes-Opinions of John Brown, of Edin- burgh, and J. W. Alexander-Methodism always had great scholars and orators-Organization, preaching, methods Methodist preaching and doctrine-Biblical, Christian, and John Wesley the key to Methodism-Changes in his early doc- trinal views A doctrinal preacher-Professor Faulkner's observation-Wesley as a writer and publisher of doctrine- Statement of Doctor Anson West-Did Wesley make little 36 |