EXTRACTS FROM THE METHODIST DISCIPLINE by Dudley Marvin Canright

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1861

EXTRACTS FROM THE METHODIST DISCIPLINE.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

[BRO. SMITH: The following are extracts which I have made from the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal church, old edition, hoping it may serve to open the eyes of some to see how far the church has fallen from what it once was, and from its own teachings.

Part 1st, Sec. 2, Art. 5, 6. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. . . . Although the law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity to be revived in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

Chap. 2, Sec. 4. . . . Doing what we know is not for the glory of God; as, the putting on of gold and costly apparel, the taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus, the singing those songs, or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God, softness and needless, self-indulgence, laying up treasure upon earth. . . .

Sec. 5. . . . By running with patience the race that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world, and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them for the Lord's sake.

Sec. 6. They must attend to . . . family and private prayer, searching the Scriptures, and fasting, or abstinence.

Chap. 4, p. 65, ver. 10. He (the minister) shall take care that a fast be held in every society in his vicinity on the Friday preceding every quarterly meeting.

Chap. 9, Sec. 1. Question. Should we insist on the rules concerning dress?

Ans. By all means. This is no time to encourage superfluity in dress. Therefore let all of our people be exhorted to conform to the spirit of the apostolic precept, not to adorn ourselves with gold, and pearls, and costly array. 1 Tim. ii, 9.

Part 3, Chap. 2, Sec. 1. Ques. Is anything advisable in regard to building churches?

Ans. Let all our churches be built plain and decent, and with free seats, wherever practicable, but not more expensive than is absolutely unavoidable, otherwise the necessity of raising money will make rich men necessary to us. But if so we must be dependent on them, yea, and governed by them. And then farewell to Methodist Discipline, if not doctrine too.

Query. Has not that time come, and has not that church practically thrown away the doctrines of its Discipline?

D. W. CANRIGHT.]