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Editorial Annotations |
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It is unfortunate that Bangs does
not mention the name of the person (almost certainly a
man) who "threatened him for preaching the Doctrine of
the Church." Among those less likely suspects, however,
we can count Sylvanus Keeler, Bangs's
fellow-circuit-rider in 1805, as well as the prominent
local preachers of the circuit including Samuel Heck,
William Hallock, and William Brown. Keeler worked as an
itinerant in Upper Canada between 1795 and 1807, with a
hiatus between 1796 and 1799, after which time he
located. He died in 1825 (Cornish 44). Carroll also
writes highly of the other local preachers in his
anecdotal history of these earliest years of Methodist
activity in the province. Whoever that person was, there
is no record of any major doctrinal dispute (to say
nothing of a schism) among Upper Canadian Methodists
until the arrival of the Wesleyan Methodists more than
ten years later in 1817. For more on the local preachers
mentioned above see the link to Carroll in the
right-hand pane. |
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Wednesday 18 [December 1805]
In find it as much as I can do to keep in
a right frame of mind being beset from various Quarters. A
strange thing has transpired. I am threatned [threatened]
for preaching the Doctrine of our Church, by one of my
brethren in the Ministry. I am at a stand [still about] what
to do. I do not wish to breed a scism [schism] in the
Church, neither do I wish to see the doctrines of the Gospel
abused. Divisions seem to be fomenting which I fear will
amount to some thing serious if not prevented by Divine
Grace. Some deny in effect original sin and others explode
[expunge] the sufferings of the God Man, as such, from their
creed. I wish for peace in the Name of the Lord. May God
direct me in the way I ought to go. I find that God is with me, so that
I enjoy peace to my soul through Jesus Christ my Lord. Not
long since I was thinking that I had never escaped
persecution so much, as since I came to this [Oswegatchie]
Circuit; but I find the old story is revived. Satan's agents
have got employ but I bless God for the testimony of a good
conscience with regard to having willingly offended any man,
except it be in the discharge of my duty.
That danger am I continually in. If I am applauded I am
in danger of being lifted up, if I am stigmatized I am in
danger of being cast down. Neither of those would come to
pass, I think, if I was wholly dead to the world [cf.
Rom 6.11,
Col 2.20]. I cannot say that it is actually so, but I
find myself tempted with it. I find, the need of continual
watching in order to prevent the ill effects of either the
one or the other. O Lord help me to enter into the Chambers
until the indignation be over the past [Is
26.20]. I will trust in the
Lord Jehovah, and not be afraid of what man can do unto me .
This solemn and delightful truth just now struck my ears,
verily there is a Providence which overrides all things for
the good of those that love God [Rom
8.28]. This truth shall be a means of support in every
hour of trial. Praised by the Lord my God for ever more.
Amen.
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Primary Sources |
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John Carroll Case and His Cotemporaries
Carroll on The
Oswegatchie circuit in 1806. |
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Terms |
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schism: a rift between
members of a single church or denomination usually over
substantial issues of church polity, practice, or
doctrine.
Original sin: a doctrine
originating with St. Augustine (354-430) and held by
most Christian denominations that teaches every human
being inherits the sin of Adam and Eve that resulted in
their expulsion from the Garden (Gn
3.22-24).
God-Man: a term for Jesus Christ that lays special emphasis on the union
of his human and divine natures. |
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