I'm a Stiff Methodist by D. H. Lamson

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Mar 4, 1875

"I'm a Stiff Methodist."

By D. H. Lamson

It is not uncommon to hear expressions like this in character from the lips of those who lay claim to a deeply religious sentiment. Nothing is more evident than that the ism is regarded as of far more importance than the truth. "Rise," said a modern teacher of this class, "and tell what Methodism has done for you." Not seldom are testimonies given in the social meeting inspired by such appeals as this. Often it may be they are the old, old story of Christ, and his love, of salvation full and free, yet unconsciously multitudes are wedded, not to Christ the head of the church, but to party names. Thus the spirit of investigation is crushed out of the heart, and the command, "Try the spirits whether they are of God," becomes a dead letter.

A lady said but a few days since in private conversation, "I do not easily change my mind, and am not to be turned by every wind of doctrine. When my mind is made up, it takes something to move me." This was said apparently to close up the discussion of an important truth, and with an evident desire to hear no more of it. The answer was made that individuals who never change their minds are generally such as never stop to reason. When the reformers arose, a Luther, a Calvin, or Wesley, bringing out the burning truths of the gospel, step by step, justification by faith, and free grace; had they been met by all with the statement, I am a Catholic, or, I am an Episcopalian, would there have been such glorious results from the dissemination of Bibles and the agitation of Bible truths? or would the sentiments that now have become as household words have been hidden by those who would too gladly take away the key of knowledge?

It will not be hard for us, if we will, to profit by the lessons of the past; and the spirit that might be freely condemned, that has actuated men in the ages gone by, will no less certainly be condemned in us, should their example be followed. It is a trite saying that actions speak louder than words; and though there are few, comparatively, who are so outspoken as the parties mentioned above, yet others have all the glory to be derived from such a state of mind, without giving expression to it in the same words.

Another person said but recently that the women of a certain locality ought to turn out and stone Bro. Waggoner and myself from the place, because we had preached obedience to the precepts of the decalogue, and the nearness of the coming of the Lord; and, moreover, she expressed her willingness to do her part. It is doubtful if she would be satisfied to hold the clothes simply of those she would urge to such work, but she would only be contented when using her own muscle. What is remarkable about this circumstance is, that this woman, so far as we know, never heard from us a single discourse, nor ever met us personally. She, too, is a "stiff Methodist," and the only reason for her rising ire was the fact that several of her friends had learned to love the coming of the Lord, and had begun to observe all the commandments of God.

There are many persons in these days who say much about the witness of the Spirit, and are satisfied only with what they call "Holy Ghost religion;" and this witness within is the ultimatum of every argument. It matters not how pointed a truth that condemns their course, they are always capable of finding the evidence of acceptance in their own heart. Much is it to be feared that such are walking in the light of sparks they themselves have kindled.

A circumstance that clearly illustrates this state of self-deception occurred but a short time since in connection with our labor at Grant Center, Mich. After several spirited testimonies had been given in favor of the truth, a lady arose and said that, for her part, she was satisfied with the Sunday. She had always observed these days to which her memory clung, she had been many, many times so happy that she could neither sit nor stand. This, to her, was far more satisfactory evidence than all the arguments we could bring; her feet would joyfully tap the floor, and her hands rub together in an ecstasy of delight. Yet a few days later, when the law chart was displayed, she remarked to some young friends who were seated near, Oh, see! he is getting out his fiddle. Who is going to dance? and some announced themselves ready to take the floor.

It is to be regretted that the minds of the young are so often leavened with such inconsistencies, and it is no wonder that purely religious sentiments are to an alarming extent losing their hold upon the public mind. It does certainly require no little discrimination to discern between truth and error, between the operations of the Spirit of God, and the vain deceivings of the heart. The unnatural and the unnecesary blindness of the minds of men is a source of constant grief. Vain imaginings, fond anticipations that will never be realized, and hopes that only bud to be blasted, constitute the fleeting, shadowy joy of the world. Like the ephemera that flit in the sunbeams for but a few short hours, and perish, so the "false raptures of the mind" end in disappointment and death.

It would be a glad day indeed could men understand that the revelation of the will of God first appeals to our reason and better judgment, and that it is a most dangerous experiment to yield to impulse alone. It is too true that much of the religion of the day is lived by impulse only, and is fickle as the wind.

A man stated but a little time ago that the gift of sanctification had been conferred upon him eight years before, and he testified in public that nothing kept him from the joys of Heaven but the brittle thread of life; and the very evidence he had of this has been sufficient to close his ears and heart to the solemn work of the Judgment. Wonderful as it may seem, that soul-hardening, nerve-destroying, devitalizing narcotic of soul and body,—tobacco!—has been to him during all these years a chief joy. Some parts of the Bible must have been, in his case, written in vain as a rule of life; but certainly they will not be as a rule of judgment; for his claims to entire holiness are too high to ignore the command to keep the body blameless, as well as soul and spirit.

It is not too much to expect that the church militant, just before the final triumph, will consider unnecesary filthiness of the flesh as a mortal sin; for they shall not only be without guile in their mouth, but without fault before the throne of God.

This same individual only recently came into the field of a brother, saying, "I have left my religion at home this morning, and have come to whip you," and seemed to be determined to do it. He failed in his object, but not because his will was not sanctified to perform the act. The evidence of sanctification was here. It was the sin set apart, but not by the Lord. Strange as it may appear, this man is regarded by some as a sound Christian, and his claim is respected.

Errors in faith, that are errors simply, may give place to truth when properly presented, and often do; but bigotry and superstition are often too deeply laid in human folly to recognize a remedy. Prejudices in favor of preconceived opinions, whether of birth or education, should not hinder in the examination of truth. Position in life, association, or church relations, must not stand between us and our duty; and a hope, to be of any real value, must be based upon the living out of the pure principles of the gospel. It is not enough to be a Methodist, a Baptist, or an Adventist. To be a Christian requires more than either, as to name, at least; and they only can be Christ's who partake of, and retain, his Spirit.

D. H. LAMSON