THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 497, 27 October 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE EARLY CHRISTIANS.

Recently the Dean of Westminster delivered a very interesting lecture before a large audience in the School of Mines, Jermyn-stree., on “ The Early Christians.” In the course of his lecture Dean Stanley said :—“ It is reported that John Wesley once, in the crisis of the night, found himself, as lie thought, at the gates of hell. He knocked, and asked who were within ? ‘ Are there any Protestants here?’ he asked. 1 Yes,’ was the answer, ‘ a great many.’ ‘Any Roman Catholics ?' ‘Yes, a great many.’ ‘Any Church of England men ?’ Yes, a great many.’ ‘Any Presbyterians?’ ‘Yes, a great many.’ ‘Any Wes’eyans?’ ‘Yes, a great many.’ Disappointed and discouraged, especially at the last reply, he traced his steps upwards, found himself at the gates of Paradise, and here he repeated the same questions. ‘Any SVe,si cyans here ?’ ‘No.’ ’Any Presbyteiians?’ ‘No.’ ‘Any Church of England men?’ ‘No.’ ,Any Roman Catholics?’ ‘No.’ ‘Then whom have you here ?’ he asked in astonishment. ‘We know nothing here,’ was the reply, ‘of any of the names you have mentioned. The only name of which we know any thing here is Christian, We are all Christians here, and of these we have a great number, of all nations and kindreds, and peoples and tongues !’ That is the truth which we shall have to learn hereafter about the name Christian : it may be well for us to learn it here. It includes, and comprises, and over-rides all the others, because it is the name of-Hira to whom they all look, from whom they are all descended, in whom they all live. Christianity is a nobler name than any particular creed or section of Christians, because Christian is a greater name than any particular opinion or custom, and because Christ is a greater name than any person, or teacher, or doctrine, or custom, than any other which has appeared on earth.”