Dedication

Publisher's Introduction

Preface

The Disease Of The Church

Difficulties that confronted the early Church -- Anointing of Holy Ghost -- Modern Church in need of this Holy Spirit baptism -- Testimony of Prof. Henry Cowles, Dr. Albert Barnes, Dr. Cuyler, Dr. A. T. Pearson, Dr. Rice, Dwight L. Moody, Spurgeon, Rev. J. Morlais Jolles, D. D., Rev. S. A. Keen, D. D., Rev. Asa Mahan, D. D., LL. D., President Finney, Bishops Peck and Foster, Joseph Cook -- The Wesleyan denomination of England -- Facts from Congregational Year Book -- Massachusetts churches -- Fourteen hundred ministers without a convert for a year -- Methodists and Baptists of New York City -- Decline of Church attendance -- The Pentecostal Power our only hope -- A church in which each convert cost enough to support sixteen missionaries.

Questions And Definitions

Is there any "balm in Gilead"? -- Any provision for holiness? -- What is sin? -- What is salvation? -- Webster's definition of sin -- Actual and original -- The Century Dictionary's definition -- Three Classes of writers upon sin -- First class affirms that all sin lies in the will, and there is no depravity of nature -- Second class holds that sin is both voluntary and constitutional, from which we can not be completely saved in this life -- Third Class holds that we have both kinds of sin, from both of which we can be saved in this life -- President Finney represents the first class -- Arguments which show that there is a corrupt nature back of the will -- Dr. Charles Hodge represents the second class -- Dr. Lowrey, with John Wesley, represents the third Class.

Doctrinal And Philosophical Hindrances

Doctrinal and philosophical hindrances -- Peril to the Christian faith from its friends -- Theory of Dr. Hodge -- The case of Sisyphus -- President Mahan's comment, "Must sin daily in thought, word and deed" -- President Finney's peculiar theory of sin and depravity, and of the will -- At war with Scripture, conscience and experience -- (1) Locates all sin in the will -- A vast realm lies back of the will -- (2) Then man can sanctify himself -- (3) Taxes credulity -- Opposed by Christian testimony and common consciousness of mankind -- Opinion of Dr. Daniel Steele --Stands in the way of attaining to, or teaching others, sanctification -- Mahan's testimony as to President Finney's failure to lead others into the blessing -- Presidents Finney and Fairchild confuse Consecration and sanctification -- Consecration is man's work -- Sanctification is God's work -- Webster's definition and the Bible oppose their view -- Dr. A. J. Gordon's view -- Fairchild says: "No ground in Scripture for a second experience" -- The answer is, "Pentecost" -- No "purification" in Fairchild's "Sanctification" -- Nothing "sudden" -- John Wesley's opposing view -- Mahan's testimony -- Fairchild says: "Could not be revealed to Consciousness" -- Opposing testimony of Bishop Foster -- Fairchild teaches that sanctification is only a matter of growth -- His view is contrary to Scripture and human testimony -- Mahan's opposing view -- Fairchild teaches that there is no sanctification distinct from justification -- Opposed to Scripture -- Mahan's opposing view and Dr. Steele's -- Wm. Bramwell's -- President Fairchild on Oberlin theology as related to sanctification -- Dr. Sheridan Baker's comment -- Evil influence on Oberlin life -- The need of the hour -- Methodist literature -- Holiness the great Methodist doctrine -- Their prosperity -- Growth of Salvation Army -- God favors those who love and teach holiness -- Congregationalism's failure to reach the masses, as shown by Smith Baker, D. D. -- The Methodist stick.

PART II THE REMEDY

Doctrinal And Philosophical Hindrances

Sanctification the cure of depravity -- Word "sin" used in Bible in two senses: (1) Sinful act -- (2) Sinful state -- Evil fruits of inbred sin -- Meaning of sanctification -- Different names -- Mahan's teaching -- Sanctification defined by Luther Lee; by John Wesley; by Rev. Isaiah Reid; by President Mahan; by Dr. Wm. Mcdonald -- Methodist Catechism -- Double use of words regeneration and sanctification -- May people be sanctified in conversion? -- Distinctions between regeneration, justification and sanctification -- Sanctification does not belittle justification -- Dr. Carradine's summary -- Dr. Watson's "Two hemispheres of moral action" -- Dr. Simpson's poem.

Evidence That Holiness Is Attainable

Evidence that holiness is attainable -- Dr. Wood's longing for a hospital for souls. I. Argument from probability -- II. Argument from the Bible as a whole -- Prof. Henry Cowles' Opinion -- III. Argument from possible experience of believers as described in Scripture -- (1) As having a clean heart -- (2) As blameless -- Opinion of Dr. Steele -- (3) As wholly given up to God -- (4) As fulfilling the law -- (5) As "dead to sin" -- (6) As "filled with God" -- IV. Argument from the purpose of the life and death of Christ -- V. Argument from continuous mediatorial work of Christ -- VI. Argument from the revealed work of the Spirit as Sanctifier -- Gives power -- Anointing -- Sealing and sanctification -- Gordon's view -- Godet's.

Arguments For The Attainability Of Sanctification Continued

Argument for the attainability of sanctification continued -- VII. Argument from commands of God to be holy -- Dr. Steele's comment on Gen. xvii. 1 -- Dr. Dougan Clark on Rom. vi. 11 and 13 -- Dr. Steele on Heb. xii 14 -- VIII. Argument from the promises of God -- Mahan's comment on Ezek. xxxvi. 25-27 and Mal. iv. 2 -- Dr. Cowles' comment on Matt. v. 6 -- F. R. Havergal on Phil. iv. 19 -- Dr. Steele on II Cor. vii 1 -- Mahan on the promises.

Arguments For The Attainability Of Sanctification Continued -- The Inspired Prayers

Arguments for the attainability of sanctification continued -- IX. Argument from prayers Mahan's opinion -- Steele's opinion -- Steele and others on Eph. in. 15-21 and I. Thess. v. 23 -- Finney on Col. iv. 12 -- Also Mahan's -- X. Argument from what Christ is able to do for us -- (1) Able to succour -- (2) Able to keep us from stumbling -- Steele on Jude 24 -- (3) Able to perform his promises -- (4) Able to make us stand -- (5) Able to guard what we commit to him -- F. B. Meyer on II. Tim. i. 12 -- (6) Able to give us an inheritance among the sanctified -- (7) Able to save to the uttermost -- Oleshausen, Alford, Delitzsch, McDonald and Mahan on Heb. vii 25 -- (8) Able to make all grace abound -- Steele on II. Cor. ix. 8 -- (9) Able to do above all we ask or think -- Adam Clarke on Eph. in. 20. Also Mahan.

Arguments For The Attainability Of Sanctification Continued -- Other Passages Of Scripture -- The Counsel To The Apostles And The Churches

Arguments for the attainability of sanctification continued -- XI. Argument from assurances and exhortations -- Steele on Heb. xii. 10 -- Ellicott and Steele on Col. ii. 9-11 -- Also Meyer --Meyer and Steele on Col. in. 14 -- Delitzsch and Whedon on Heb. vi. 1 -- Also Steele, Clark, Lowrey and Bishop Taylor -- Dr. Gordon on Acts ii. 38 -- Opinion of William Kelley and Andrew Murray -- Dr. Gordon on Eph v. 25, 26 -- XII. Argument from teachings of Christ and Paul to Christians: Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, Thessalonians -- St. Paul's teaching surprisingly different from that of some modern theologians, who make light of a "second experience" -- Mahan's comment on Paul's teaching to Thessalonians -- Epistle to the Hebrews -- If Paul did not teach in these epistles a "second experience" of sanctification subsequent to regeneration and justification, then language could not do it -- The words perfect, perfection, holy, holiness, sanctify and sanctification, "without spot," "without blemish" and "unblameable," are like a flock of birds moving through Scripture -- Mahan's comment.

Final Arguments For The Attainability Of Sanctification -- Difficulties Removed And General Statement Of Conclusions

Final arguments for the attainability of sanctification -- XIII. Argument from testimony of God concerning his children: Abel, Enoch, Moses, Job, Caleb, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, John Baptist, Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Paul -- Dr. Steele's comment on Paul -- XIV. Argument from the witness of the Holy Spirit -- Dr. Carradine on the witness of Spirit -- Carvosso -- Rev. Wm. Bramwell -- Rev. Benjamin Abbott -- Bishop Hamline -- Mrs. Jonathan Edwards -- Mrs. Phoebe Palmer -- Dr. Daniel Steele -- Dr. Carradine again -- Bishop Foster -- Prof. T. C. Upham, D. D. -- Conclusion from the fourteen arguments: Must accept the doctrine of entire sanctification or hold to a multitude of absurdities -- Four conclusions.

Stones Of Stumbling Removed; Or, Opposing Texts Examined

Opposing texts examined -- I. Kings vin 46 -- Professors Morgan and Steele on the passage -- Eccl. vii. 20; Job lx. 2, 3 -- Morgan's interpretation -- Job ix. 20 -- Steele's comment -- Ps. xiv. 3 -- Ps. cxix. 96 -- Steele's comment -- Ps. cxxx. 3 -- Dr. Morgan's comment -- Isa. lxiv. 6 -- Comment by Morgan -- Rom. vii. 14 -- 25 -- Steele's comment -- Also Mahan's -- Morgan's -- Phil. in. 11-16 -- Steele's comment -- Also Morgan's and Robinson's -- Gal. V. 17 -- Steele's comment -- John i. 8 -- Steele's comment -- Also Mahan's.

Objections Answered

Objections answered: (1) A venerable Christian says: "I do not understand the philosophy of it -- Dr. Carradine's comment -- (2) The doctrine lowers the divine standard of living -- (3) The doctrine holds up an impossible standard of living -- God furnishes the ability -- Finney's comment -- (4) The sanctified would be lifted up with pride! Absurd -- (5) "Our best people" do not believe in sanctification -- Dr. Carradine's comment -- Dr. Steele's -- "The offense of the cross" is now in this doctrine -- (6) It leads to fanaticism -- A word to ministers -- John Wesley's testimony -- People have been erratic about other things -- the names of sixty "cranks" on sanctification.

PART III HOW TO OBTAIN THE BLESSING

Sanctification A Christian Obligation

Sanctification a Christian obligation, and suggestions to those who would obtain it -- I. All Christians under obligation to be sanctified -- Bishop Taylor's words -- F. B. Meyer's words -- Mrs. Whitmore's -- Mrs. Catherine Booth on weakness of Christian churches -- The account we must meet if not filled with the Holy Ghost -- Words of Finney and of Mrs. Catherine Booth -- II. Every true Christian may seek the blessing with full assurance of obtaining it -- The baptism with the Holy Ghost is for all -- III. Christians of any age may seek the blessing -- Not a question of age or culture or years of Christian living -- John Wesley's testimony -- Finney's experience -- Dr. Steele's comment -- IV. Must not be discouraged in the preparatory process -- Torrey's testimony -- Keen's -- Steele's -- Moody's -- Earle's -- V. Avoid forming any plan as to what your experience will be when the Spirit comes -- Wesley's experience -- Not all have thrilling experiences -- Mrs. Edward's -- Finney's -- Moody's -- Carradine's -- Yet Carradine testifies that such experiences arenot necessary -- Upham's experience -- VI. The sanctifying Spirit comes suddenly -- Wesley's testimony.

Conditions Of Receiving The Blessing -- "Conviction Of Want" -- Feel Its Importance -- Believe It Is For You -- Hunger And Thirst

Conditions of receiving the Holy Spirit baptism -- Mrs. Amanda Smith -- I. Conviction of want -- "Satisfied with just getting to heaven -- Mrs. Booth's words on Christians opposing holiness -- Hannah Whitall Smith -- Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's experience -- The aged minister -- Andrew Murray's words -- II. You must repent your past failures -- III. You must feel itsimportance -- The first disciples in the upper chamber -- Mrs. Catherine Booth's words -- Torrey's -- IV. Believe that the promise is for you -- General Booth's words -- Dr. Steele's experience -- Dr. A. J. Gordon's words -- Dr. Lowrey's "Prime necessity" -- V. "Hunger and thirst" for it -- Torrey's experience -- Dr. Lowrey's comment -- Experience of David B. Updegraff -- Anna M. Hammer's -- Hannah Whitehall Smith's -- Moody's -- Dr. J. O. Peck's.

Conditions Of Obtaining The Holy Spirit Continued -- Obedience -- Consecration

Conditions of obtaining the Holy Spirit continued -- VI. Obedience -- Higher form of obedience than that which obtains justification -- Mrs. Catherine Booth's words -- Finney's -- Torrey's -- The woman with a gewgaw in her hair -- Dr. Chapman's experience -- Mrs. Maggie Van Cott's experience -- Two Massachusetts friends -- VII. Full consecration -- 1. Distinction between consecration and sanctification -- Rev. Isaiah Reid's words -- General Booth's -- The king and parliament -- 2. The difference between this consecration and the one the sinner makes -- (1) More intelligent -- (2) Based on different motives -- (3) More definite and specific -- 3. The ground of such consecration is Christ's ownership -- 4. The act of consecration is to recognize Christ's ownership and accept it -- 5. Consecration is not an act of feeling but of will -- F. B. Meyer's words -- Dr. Lowrey's -- Mahan's -- Rev. A. B. Simpson's -- Testimony of Jennie F. Willing -- Capt. Kelso Carter's -- Rev. B. K. Pierce's -- Mrs. Osie M. Fitzgerald's -- Geo. Whitefield's -- Doddridge's covenant -- Rev. A. B. Earle's covenant -- Rev. Isaiah Reid's formal consecration -- Prof. Dougan C1ark's -- "My very self must die" -- Dr. Morgan's poem, translated from John Angelus -- Amanda Smith's Consecration, "Complete and eternal" -- This is the great need of the church -- Dr. Simpson and the Christian Alliance -- The great collection for missions --Poem, "Let me die."

Conditions Of Obtaining The Holy Spirit Continued -- Faith

Conditions of receiving the Holy Spirit continued -- VIII. Faith -- Scripture passages -- One can be wholly consecrated and yet not receive the Spirit baptism unto sanctification -- Halting the wrong side of the Jordan -- Faith the last step -- I. A privilege and duty to believe -- Dr. A. J Gordon's words -- F. W. Meyer's -- Torrey's -- Bishop Taylor's -- Rev. Isaiah Reid's words -- Dr. Carradine's statement -- Dr. Clark's interpretation of Heb. xiii. 10-12, and Matt. xxiii. 19 -- "The altar sanctifies the gift" -- A young man in Georgia who believed for sanctification -- Without feeling -- Dr. Keen's words -- A Professor in a University consecrated for ten years, then receiving sanctification in a moment, by faith -- Dr. Daniel Steele's testimony -- Rev. Dr. Lowrey's testimony-- Hannah Whitall Smith's -- Mrs. O. M. Fitzgerald's -- Phoebe Palmer's -- Gen. Booth's teaching -- Rev. Wm. Jones, D. D., LL. D., comments with Adam Clark -- "No holiness by gradation" -- Dr. Lowrey's comment on "Faith, the last l ink" -- The venerable minister's greatest difficulty -- Say "NOW to the Holy Ghost" -- Andrew' Murray's words -- "Four steps to sanctification."

Entering In

Entering in -- A Summary -- Sanctification the will of God -- 1. Believe it is God's will -- Mills' words -- 2. Be willing that God's blessed will should be done in you, to your sanctification -- Poem, "I bring this will of mine" -- F. B. Meyer's "Willing to be made willing" -- Chapman's -- 3. Willing to forsake every sin known or unknown -- B. Fay Mills' words -- 4. Give up all good things to God -- Mills on the "neutral things" -- "Bring out Isaac" -- Gen. Booth's "real sacrifice" --"A being Crucified" -- Mrs. Catherine Booth on "Hindrances" -- Dr. Steele's story of the man sick in Paris -- 6. Receive the Spirit through faith -- Mills' words -- Mahan's -- F. B. Meyer's "believein spite of feeling" -- The author's experience -- When a student at Oberlin and Yale -- Mahan'sbook -- Experiences as pastor and evangelist -- Revival in Oberlin -- The holiness band --Holiness books -- Addresses of Torrey and Mills -- Varley's -- Believing and receiving as Keendirected -- Poem -- Bishop Foster's words -- Salvation Army Hymn, "Yes, Lord" -- Andrew Murray's words.

PART IV THE RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM WITH THE SPIRIT AND HOLINESS

Effects Of Sanctification -- Love, Assurance, Peace, Self-Control, Sensitiveness Of Conscience, Apprehension Of Truth, Utterance, Courage, Loss Of Unholy Ambition, A Passion For Souls, A Fullness Of Life

Effects of sanctification -- Is the blessing worth having? 1. The love of God is shed abroad in the heart -- Merle D'Aubigne's experience -- Mrs. President Edwards' -- 2. Persuasion of soul -- "Assurance" -- The stranger's testimony -- 3. Peace -- Peaceful regardless of circumstances -- Dr. Carradine's testimony -- Madame Guyon in prison -- St. Paul's imperturbable peace -- 4. Self-control -- A woman in the pains of sciatic rheumatism -- A minister's mother -- The early martyrs -- Mahan's testimony -- 5. Sensitiveness of conscience -- Dr. Steele's opinion -- Mr. Whewell's -- 6. A clear apprehension of the truth of the Bible -- The Spirit is the Author, and he must interpret -- Dr. Whedon's words -- Dr. Steele's -- Samuel Rutherford's -- A. B. Simpson's -- Story of a humble girl taught the Bible by the Spirit -- Spirit alone can save orthodoxy -- 7. Spirit gives a power or utterance -- The Christian's speech to the infidel -- Dr. Wilson, of Allegheny Theological Seminary -- A bigoted Roman Catholic and a holy woman -- An ignorant young man preaching for Mr. Torrey -- Australian servant girl -- 8. Holy Spirit gives courage -- Amanda Smith -- Annie Fothergill -- God no admirer of the dumb mouth -- 9. Spirit takes away the unholyambition -- Dr. Carradine's testimony -- 10. Spirit gives fullness of spiritual life -- Dr. J. O. Peck's testimony -- David Brainerd's "passion for souls" -- John Smith's -- Alleine's -- Bunyan's --Doddridge's -- Whitefield's -- A lady's -- Dr. Cuyler's question -- Mahan's answer -- The remedy for "periodic piety," "foaming fullness and fitful dribble."

Results Of Sanctification -- More Conscious Dependence Upon God, Growth Of Grace, Enduement Of Power

Further results of the baptism with the Spirit and sanctification -- 11. Spirit gives humble dependence on God -- Phoebe Palmer's testimony -- Rev. Dr. Levy's -- David B. Updegraff's -- Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith's -- F. R. Havergal's -- 12. The baptism of the Spirit brings growth ingrace -- People can not grow into holiness or sanctification -- Contrary to philosophy, theology, Bible and Christian testimony -- Growth is the development of a nature as it is, but does not change the quality of a substance -- Indwelling sin is indigenous to the heart and can not be grown out -- Growth is addition; Sanctification is God's subtraction from man's nature of an element he can not grow away -- Growth is a gradual process; Sanctification is an act -- Growth is man s work; Sanctification is God's act -- No command to "grow holy by degrees" -- The witnesses are all against the growth theory -- Wesley's testimony -- Isaiah Reid's -- Sheridan Baker's -- A mother in Israel seeking sanctification by growth for fifty years and then taking it by faith at an afternoonmeeting -- 13. The enduement of power -- Mr. Carpenter -- The dull Andover student -- An ignorant man in Philadelphia -- "Dehlia," of Door of Hope Mission, N. Y. -- Miss Jennie Smith, Railroad Evangelist -- Samuel Morris, the black African -- Amanda Smith -- Robinson Watson -- Wesley -- Finney -- Moody -- B. Fay Mills -- F. B. Meyer -- Andrew Murray -- Dr. WilburChapman -- Dr. A. T. Pierson -- President Mahan -- Rev. J. O. Peck, D. D -- Bro. Torrey -- Rev. A. B. Earle, D. D -- Dr. Pentecost -- Hammond and Harrison -- Prof. Tholuck -- Dr. S. A. Keen -- James Caughey -- Phoebe Palmer -- Mrs. Maggie Van Cott -- Bishop Taylor -- A native AfricanMissionary, also a female -- Charles Reade and family -- Holy Spirit, the only source of power.

How To Keep The Blessing

How to keep the blessing -- God keeps us, but we are to comply with conditions -- 1. Hold on to faith and do not depend upon feeling -- Testimony of Quinan -- Reid and Bishop Foster -- 2. Testify to the grace received -- Opinion of Reid -- Moody's unwise remark -- Testimony ofFletcher -- Fannie J. Sparks -- Dr. Reddy -- Frances Willard -- Rev. Jones, D. D. LL. D. -- MarySparkes Wheeler -- Testify humbly -- Advice of Rev. Haney -- 3. Beware of spiritual pride -- Experience of Mrs. Baxter -- Advice of Wesley -- 4. Beware of enthusiasm, fanaticism or fads -- Be guided by Scripture -- 5. Welcome all new light -- 6. Abstain from doubtful things -- Testimonyof Hannah W. Smith -- 7. Do not be discouraged about temptations -- Incident related by Mrs. H. W. Smith and Mrs. Jamieson -- 8. Watch -- 9. Work -- Advice of Reid and Wesley -- 10. Guard the tongue -- Alfred Cookman's experience -- Reid's advice -- 11. Guard the thoughts -- Dr. Simpson's words -- 12. Associate with holiness people -- 13. Read holiness literature -- 14. Beware of schism -- Remain in the church and help it -- Sam Jones' vindication of holiness people -- 15. Live by the moment -- Advice of Dr. Simpson and Bishop Foster -- The New York City merchant -- Prof. Upham's poem.

Conclusion -- Appeal To Christians And Churches, To Ministers And To Theological Professors

Conclusions -- Appeal to Christians and churches, to ministers, to theological professors and to those baptized with the Spirit unto "Holiness and Power" -- The positions of this book have been proved beyond a question, if the most multiplied and varied evidence and testimony can prove any truth -- A hundred proof -- texts and a hundred witnesses -- 1. Christian reader, what will you do about this blessed truth -- Protracted infancy -- Andrew Murray's words -- We have pointed out the way -- Will you enter NOW -- Make the most of yourselves for the church's sake -- Bishop's address of 1896 -- "Privilege and duty of being made perfect in love immediately -- 2. A word to ministers -- The discouraged minister -- Neglecting the spirit we miss the secret of success -- To the 1,400 Congregational ministers who did not win a convert for a year -- James Caughey's words -- Andrew Murray's appeal -- Jesus baptized with the Spirit before he preached -- Sermon before Boston University -- instantaneous blessing -- Head manager of an ecclesiastical Euchre Club -- Words of Prof. G. F. Wright -- Of B. Fay Mills -- 3. To theological professors -- Ram's Horn Cartoon -- Ablest ministers without seminary training -- Moody's Institute in Chicago -- You lay stress on unimportant things and ignore the baptism with the Holy Ghost -- The successful preacher, "Jim" -- Attended Moody's school -- It takes more than a college and seminary course to make a preacher -- The ministers who fail are your own children -- O that you were like Tholuck -- Ministers flocking to Moody's Institute -- God will raise up more such schools -- President Mahan on the importance of this blessing to the theological professor -- His experience in the seminary -- View of President Finney on the importance of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.