There is an eternal antagonism between true holiness and fanaticism
in all its phases, and the individual possessed of the fulness of
the Holy Ghost will be able to detect fanaticism in others whether
it be in outward act or deportment or in the more subtle form of
heretical teaching. The Spirit and the Word agree, and the Holy
Spirit moves and works in harmony with the written Word and never
contrary thereto.
* * * * *
The writer has been receiving from time to time during the last
four years copies of the Stumbling Stone, and while much truth
is found in its columns as to the evils of sect divisions, the
destructive heresy of Count Zinzendorf (that sanctification is not
subsequent to regeneration) is held with inveterate opposition to
the gospel order. Consequently, from this standpoint, the holiness
movement is of the devil, and the second-grace Christians are
in need of the first grace. The Stumbling Stone seems to attack
every movement extant, even to the Salvation Army, as well as
all holiness associations and bands for the promotion of entire
sanctification. Even the position of the Gospel Trumpet he calls
a holiness schism, because the editor makes a distinction between
justified and sanctified believers. And he proposes to "kick
Brother Warner's justification cobhouse into pi," by which he
exhibits his ignorance of the real plan of salvation. He might as
well talk of kicking God's Word into pi as to overthrow the two
distinct works of grace, justification and sanctification....
By the above and similar remarks the Stumbling Stone editor
reveals the antagonism in his heart to the "second grace" in
the Bible economy of salvation. Now, my honest conviction is
that a come-outism that sets itself squarely against holiness
as a definite experience subsequent to pardon, is surely of the
devil. It is a fact that wholly saved souls who are spiritual and
discerning men detect at once the carnality in such persons, and,
quite naturally, are led to conclude that "if such spirits are the
fruits of come-outism I will have nothing to do with it." Thus,
this spurious antiholiness come-outism is a snare of Satan to deter
honest souls from separating from sectism, leaving them under the
pressure of unholy corporations, which often results in compromise
and the loss of the Spirit of God. A come-outism that sets itself
to fighting the sects in a vindictive spirit, condemning and
unchristianizing all who do not at once come out, can not be of
God. Let us lead the children of God to the true apostolic unity,
but never attempt to drive them out of Babylon; and, above all
things, let us keep sweet and deal kindly with persons who, under
the blinding influence of sectarian education, can not yet see the
sin of sects, and the true church of God.
Sound teaching, in connection with the come-out movement, is of the
utmost importance. False doctrinal theories and extravagant notions
cause untold disaster to the cause we represent....
In the issue of May 1, 1883, when the Trumpet was yet printed at
Cardington, Ohio, Brother Warner speaks of how the cause was sifted
at that place.