Ordinances Quotes
Gorter predicted some of the problems that would develop with trade unions as the industrial state grew ever larger. The problem is a challenge to labor unions as they get very large. Lenin was not that concerned with making sure that unions were democratic, but many of the left wing liberal socialists in Western Europe were.
This remarkable advice to his followers was all the more remarkable in that the Methodists were gaining adherents by appealing to the rectitude of people and opposing the corruption of much religion that had become commonplace. With this kind of original leadership Methodists have been among the most tolerant of Christian groups.
The struggle in the Catholic Church reached an amazing state. Just after a new pope, Martin V, had been elected the Council of Bishops at Constance came up with this notion which placed their views above those of the Pope under the theory that this particular council derived its power and authority directly from Christ while the pope was only God’s “vicar on earth.” The struggle was somewhat akin to the inevitable struggle for power between an executive branch and a legislative branch. The Council’s ascendancy didn’t last very long and was repudiated by successive popes.