Hey guys, I am going to re-post this not so much out of laziness, but because I think it is worth seeing again, this letter from the Methodist Bishops in 1824. I will be posting on leadership in the Zombie Apocalypse over at Apostolic Obsession-- you can get there by clicking here-- and will be making reference back to this spirit in the bishops of yore. If you are new to these blogs, and are freaked out that I am talking about zombies, you need to click here , here and here I won't say it will make sense, but maybe you'll get where I am coming from.
"If Methodists give up the doctrine of entire sanctification, or suffer it to become a dead letter, we are a fallen people... If the Methodists lose sight of this, they fall by their own weight. Their success in gaining numbers will be the cause of their dissolution. Holiness is the main cord that binds us together Relax this and you loosen the whole system. This will appear more evident if we call to mind the original design of Methodism. It was to raise up and preserve a holy people. This was the principal object which Mr. Wesley, who under God, was the great founder of our order, had in view. To this all doctrines preached in methodism tend. Whoever supposed, or who that is acquainted with the case can suppose, that it was designed in any of its parts to secure the applause or popularity of the world, or a numerical increase of worldly or impenitent men? Are there any provisions made for the aggrandizement of our ministers or the worldly-mindedness of our members?
"None whatever."
Right now, I am thinking about "success in gaining numbers" will be the cause of our dissolution. And yet, that is the sign of success, is it not?
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