Southern Christian Advocate

Choose Your Leaders!

The editor of the Florida Christian Advocate, the Rev. Josephus Anderson, D. D., is a staunch believer in the doctrine of Perfect Love as taught by the Methodist Church. He also claims to have experienced this great blessing; and his life of consecration approves his profession among all those who know him. This holy man of God, whose zealous labors in this cause and whose godly and consistent life are known throughout the Church, thus refers to that portion of the Bishops' address which animadverts upon the subject of holiness :

"The Bishops have presented the doctrine of our Church in their quadrennial address; they all signed it, and it stands as an official and remarkably clear deliverance. There let the matter rest. Let us have peace and unity. Let us get all the religion we can, but be sure that it consists of love to one another and humility before God."

These words will commend themselves to all true believers in and proper exponents of our Methodist theology. There are a few ignorant fanatics, however, who are said to be still holding prayer meetings for the "salvation" of our Bishops. They seem to have forgotten that Brother Joe Key, whom they regard as their great leader (at least among our Bishops) in these matters, signed that fateful document. Has Brother Key gone wrong too? Must the "faithful" under brush arbors and in tents, have special prayer for his "salvation" also? Do our Bishops (including Brother Key) represent the views of the Church with regard to this doctrine? Or shall we follow the lead of Brother Shallow Mind and Brother Deep Voice down at "bresh" arbor or at the "Gospel" tent? This is a free country, and every Methodist can do as he pleases. We intend to follow our Bible, Brother Joe Key and the most accredited Methodist saints of all generations. If anybody wishes to "tole" us off with the ignorant and disreputable few, who are now trying to besmirch Methodism and line their own pocket books, we beg to be excused. The Bible first, and Brother Joe Key next (with Wesley, Watson, Fletcher and a few other such "heretics"), are good enough for us. If anybody prefers to follow the loud-mouthed hypocrite who is praying for the "salvation" of the Bishops (including Brother Joe Key) and other such saints -the latchet of whose shoes he is not worthy to unloose -let him have his choice. As for us and our house, we intend to follow our Bible, the Methodist standards of doctrine and--Brother Joe Key!