"We beg leave to say that we exclude no one, not even a Jew, Mohammedan, or Pagan. It is not we that exclude, for it is not our prerogative to do so. We learn from the Bible that there is a certain thing called "the Word." We did not invent this, and therefore we are not responsible for its definitions and testimonies. We believe that the Deity is its author, and that therefore He is responsible for all its hard and crucifying sayings, and the exclusion of all from his salvation except the few, whom He condescends to choose. 'Many' saith he 'are called, but few are chosen;' 'many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able;' and 'strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth into life, and few there be that find it.' All this is very exclusive; but this is not our 'great sin;' if sin it be at all...
All, then, we have to do is to study this word, and to find out what it teaches for faith and obedience. We endeavor to discover how the word defines the few that shall be saved; and what it says of 'the gate' and 'the way which leadeth into life.' We believe that we understand what the word teaches upon these important subjects; and we tell an unthankful and perverse generation what it says. We show its 'wise and prudent' who the word excludes, and who it does not; and because it excludes them and theirs that 'wonder after' them, they hate it; but to conceal their hatred to the word, they handle roughly in their talk all who show the condemnation that word fulminates against them. Thus while they hate God, as evinced in their 'casting his words behind them,' they transfer their attacks to them who are more accessible; for He is in the heaven but we upon the earth. But never mind; their tongues my prevail against us now until the Ancient of Days shall come. Their rough handling we regard as little as their foolish talk; and surely, if they could only know our supreme indifference to it they would change the subject of their conversation. But, doubtless, it gratifies; for it is so fine a thing to be thought "liberal and charitable." It makes us so popular with the Old Adam; and who can doubt it, when we denounce "exclusionists," and proclaim the salvation of all who believe a negative?
As to being "a divider of the flock," in the name of scripture and reason, what "flock" is that? A flock identical with the Michigan Conference? When was it ever united? Who can divide a heterogeneous flock of Campbellites, Adventists, Marshites, et id genus omne? Division is the essence of such a flock, whose falling asunder is a matter of no concern in heaven above, nor in the earth beneath, save to those whose craft it is to feed or cram it with traditions palatable to the flesh. Introduce the truth among them and it will throw them into uproar; and if there be any honest and hood hearts among them, it will cause them to evacuate the house of Jezebel with all promptitude and dispatch, lest partaking in her sins they become obnoxious to the ruin which impends. We glory indeed in being a divider of all such from so goatish a community. Christ's sheep are a flock who know the shepherd's voice, which is the truth. This never divides them, and they make no outcry against excluding wolves and goats from their fold. They are particularly anxious that they should not be permitted to creep in at unawares. They do not like the scent of goats nor the teeth and claws of dogs and wolves. They have no more tolerance for a great goat, or a big wolf in their fold, than for little ones. The greater the goat and the bigger the wolf, the more careful they are to make all the sheep see that though coated with much wool, they are but goats and wolves after all. And we never yet heard a real sheep say, 'this is very offensive to us.'"
"The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Luke 12:53)
(By Dr. John Thomas)