HOLINESS CONSIDERED HISTORICALLY Part 4

193. How did this doctrine stand related to original American Methodism?

The same as it did to English Methodism. It was the grand theme preached, and urged upon believers by the leading minds of the American Methodist Church, and a large number of both preachers and people enjoyed the experience. No inconsiderable proportion of our early ministers enjoyed and professed this grace; among these were Bishop Coke, Bishop Asbury, Bishop George, Bishop McKendree, Bishop Hamline, Drs Olin, Bangs, Fisk; Revs. Merritt, Garrettson, and a great multitude of mighty men of God.

As in England, during the life of Mr. Wesley there were special seasons of the revival of the preaching and experience of this doctrine, so at different periods during the century of American Methodism, this experience has had its prominent seasons of revival, and then it has waned and the love of many waxed cold.

Soon after our war with England there was a mighty outpouring of the Spirit, and thousands of believers entered into the rest of perfect love. At that period Bishop Asbury wrote in his journal: "Our pentecost has come for sanctification. I have good reason to believe, that upon the eastern shore of Maryland four thousand have been converted since the first of May, and a thousand sanctified." Rev. Henry Boehm gives an account of some of the work at this time, in his diary. (See question 136.)

The work at that period was under the labors of Bishops Asbury, Mckendree, George, and Jesse Lee, Freeborn Garrettson, Benjamin Abbott, and Peter Vanness.

Some forty years ago there began a revival of this work extending through New England, New York city, and especially through western New York, led on by Bishop Hamline, Dr. George Peck, Dr. F. G. Hibbard, Dr. John Dempster, Dr. Nathan Bangs, Dr. William Reddy, Dr. Jesse F. Peck, Dr. Thomas C. Upham, Rev. B. W. Gorham, Rev. B. T. Roberts, Rev. William McDonald, and especially by Mrs. Phoebe Palmer.

Under these devoted leaders the work gradually spread through the church, and the subject received more attention than during many years previously. Dr. Stephen Olin, president of Wesleyan University, alluding to the work at that time, said: "For nearly the last half century, little has been said about it in this country. Now the doctrine is reviving again. With it will come many blessings, great power and grace."

During this period it was extensively written upon, and special meetings for its promotion were started in several of our chief cities, and many entered into the experience. Mrs. Phoebe Palmer was an honored instrument in the hands of God in promoting this work. During forty years, a special service has been held each week at her residence in New York, and Christians of all lands and all sects have visited this meeting, and been led into the King's highway of perfect love.

She and her devoted husband traveled extensively in Canada, in England, and all through our own country teaching the doctrine of full redemption through faith in the blood of Christ; and God made her an evangelist of light and love to thousands and tens of thousands on both sides of the Atlantic. She gave constant prominence to this experience, and her spirit was fragrant with its sweetness and power. She believed it, and published it. She enjoyed it, and professed it, and lived and died in its inspiring triumphs, while others now enter into her labors.

She wrote more upon the subject than any other female writer in the church, and the light of eternity alone will fully reveal her success in leading sinners to Christ and saints to the cleansing fountain.

During this period Rev. Charles G. Finney, president of Oberlin College, and Professor Mahan, of the Congregational Church, experienced this grace, taught it to their theological students, and wrote much upon the subject. For years Oberlin College sent out but few young men to the ministry who did not either profess or believe in this doctrine. Although President Finney mixed the doctrine with some new-school Calvinistic sentiments yet in the great essentials he harmonized with the Wesleyan view.