DEALING WITH FANATICISM

     Fletcher said, "The fanatic speaks far more confidently than the real, humble, holy, inspired saint of God." Others may confess and acknowledge their faults, but a fanatic, never!

     During my early experience I was associated with a brother who was given to fanatical notions, the result of which had a tendency to affect me more or less. Afterward, through divine grace and the wisdom of a faithful companion, I was enabled to fully recover myself. Perhaps God permitted this, that later on I might be able to help others. I saw how ruinous and contagious it was. Hence undertook to suppress it. In so doing it seemed necessary to go after it publicly. I doubt now whether this was the best method, since fanatics seem to delight in opposition. True, it is hard for a pastor to see his work demoralized and not take his stand, but he can often do so without dragging it into a public service. It seems a pity to compel a whole congregation to listen to a subject that affects but two or three persons. Besides, it is resorting to the pulpit to correct what might be done more effectually in private. Then it looks a little like taking advantage of another when he cannot answer, and this has a tendency to separate, rather than unite in spirit. I found this so by experience. More could be said, but I will close by quoting from my other book, "False Doctrines and Fanaticism Exposed."

     "It is a sure characteristic of fanaticism to go from one flight to another; from one startling position to another. The fact is, it does not stand the wear, and as soon as one extraordinary leading loses its inspiration, rather than admit a failure, another suggestion or prophecy is launched, and so on, until it becomes almost impossible for God, or anyone else, to arrest it. If a failure or collapse does finally come, it will vindicate itself by placing the responsibility on those who did not quickly obey and run at the first crack of the whip. As a rule, it has to run its full course and to oppose it strenuously is to feed and prolong its existence. It thrives on opposition and cannot bar to be left 'unnoticed. This will kill it more quickly than anything else; keep sweet and do not act as though it were around. If it exhorts and takes the denunciatory attitude, do no' contend, but put your own construction on it and say. Amen. If it shouts and screams do not look morose, but turn in and let God give a sample of genuine blessing. An ounce of this will silence and disperse fanaticism more effectually than a ton of argument."

     "The way to fight strange fire is not to whip it, for in so doing you only scatter it, but build another fire and make it so hot that it will envelop the former. Fight wildfire with real fire. Amen