[p. 49] free salvation, with definite knowledge thereof, and only differing in minor matters and church government.
It is tolerant and respectful of others, and has only this invitation to its observance of the
Holy Communion, ‘All ye who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, are in love and charity with your neighbors and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of
Jesus Christ, draw near and partake to your comfort.’
Its belief is expressed each Sabbath by the congregation in the words of the Apostles' Creed.
This, with the responsive reading of Psalm, the singing of Gloria and Doxology, and the use of the prayer-book version of the
Lord's Prayer, form a liturgical worship, alike in all Methodist Episcopal Churches throughout our land.
Its members and congregation have been people from the ordinary walks of life, good citizens and neighbors, and not burdened with wealth.
In all our past they have given of their effort and means without stint for its maintenance, and found help and comfort in its fellowship.
No inconsiderable number have here entered into the experience of Christian life because of the church.
Therein is its greatest success, and in such work is its truest mission.
Those that come to us from other places are heartily welcome, but our gain is others' loss.
But a soul saved from sin, or redeemed from carelessness and indifference is truer gain, greater success, and it is on this line that our church effort is made.
Our denomination is represented in
Medford today by four societies—First, Trinity,
Bethany and Hillside—all located near the border of
Medford's territory, and all have found it no easy task to obtain their present status, but are here to stay as long as there is the
Master's work to do.
The theocratic rule of the Puritan that hung the Quakers, whipped the Baptists and persecuted the Anglican Church when they came has passed away, and the charge of the ‘Lord's cavalry,’ the early Methodist preachers then known as ‘circuit riders’ in New England, had much to do with it. The Unitarian preaching of Channing
