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''' ■, ;,"■■<:■■ i'- ■'-^^-■;'fP:^ '"i i! 6 '.-^" /'- -% ■^4 .;r M^ H wi!g« .^ r i ^^./2^/S8 »T- {" O Or () 6 ; •f.'i: «HS NATURE, ORIGIN, PROGRESS, PRESENT STATE^ AND -■0'- ■ ■/' ,^l CHARACTER. -.-'h- .... •*■■:■ . >»*■ . *,.* ..# ..^ESLEYAN METHODISM, A SERMON, i ,1^^ # PREACHED AT PICTON, UPPER CANADA, Oo Friday the 26th October, 1839, BEINO THE DAY APPOINTED'BY THE WHOLE METHOi^lST CONNEXION COMMEMORATINa^HK INSTITUTION AND CXLSBBATiNO THK CEIVTEMjLRT OF WESIiEYAN METHODISIS BY RELIGIOUS SERVICES: ^ ■*^: 'ri?^; .•#'i; PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING, '""'V.v.?-' n-^HS^^, Wiii-t- :;'.^ ' V Bjr John G. Manly, Wesleyan Minister. ■r-<-; Look npon Zion, the eity of our inleronitiea: thine eyes shall see JemsaUm » qaiet kaUtation, k tabemaole that shall not be taken down ; not one of the stakes thereof «ilfcll ever be rsmored, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken: IsA. vptiii. 20. .-..?i<4X.-' ■ ^<.v,,). ;^4--|.ft.'. KINGSTON, PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY T. H. BENTLKt : P £.-.."> Aod may be bad of him, and of Messrs. E. H. Hails' and Ji, M. Roflfol ( Kingston ; at tbe Wesleyan Book Room, To^poto ; "ttd of the Author, Picton. - 1840. r" ^-js-^-jf-i* 1 1 I'fin ;mU / m ^^^ ■ to ■ wli I I la} , ■ br( I an 1 ^^ H au 1 1 'h ADVERTISEMENT. The following discourse is designed as an exposition and defence of Wesleyan Methodism. The appointment of a day for commemorating the institution of Methodism and cele- brating the centenial year of its existence induced the writer to examine with unwonted attention the religious system to which gratitude, duty, deliberate choice and affection bind him. The result of his investigations and thinkings he now lays before the public, in compliance with the request of his brethren and friends. He has aimed at delineating the great and leading principles of Methodism : the facts which serve as proofs and illustrations, being supplied, in detail, in other authentic publications. The defence of Methodism against the assaults of the *' Successionists^' will not be deemed un- seasonable or unnecessary by those who are acquainted with the movements and signs of *^ the times", and the tendency of the scheme refuted : And perhaps this discourse may be read by many who cannot have access to lengthy and elabor- ate treatises. On this and on every other principal point connected with his interesting theme, information has been diligently sought from the writings of others. The number and importance of the topics included in the discourse, and the peculiarity of the occasion on which it was delivered, are the Author's apology for its exlraordinary length. Picton, November, 1839. m TheT«i Di Import! of Gradua Ia.« SuDSeqi tar Succeei 'i Circnm ■ . — Doct 1. The 2. The Its ■ 3, The •Se 4. Syn( cat 5. Metl l.~-Relig Ohiif 1. Prim Me 2. Hapi the 3. Freq 4. Adeq lin IL-Poli Autti Chill 1. The era 2. 3. ap 4. in 5. pet 6. 7. er i 8. tna 9. ter 10. SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS. Prkc The Text : Psal. xlviii. 12, 13, 14— Ir.trodiiction— Purpose* of all (be Divine Works and Wpys, ______ j Importance of the Science* thdt developcs those purposes, and the mode of their accomplishment, --_____2 Gradual communication of this Science from it** dawn to its noon*day lustre, - - - - - - - - - - ib. SuDsequent eclipses of this light and partial rcstofHtions till the Protes- tant Reformation, ---_--__3 Succeeding daikness in England, and rise of Methodism, - - 4 I. the: nature or methooish. Circumstances nnd opirittof this Exposition of Methodism, _ - 5 |, — Doctrines of Methodism. 1. The Rinie nnr solt* and sufficient Repository of moral truth, - 6 2. The province of Reason is to \^'eigh its evidences and interpret its contents, ---------ib. 3. The authori/ed humnn Exponents of our belief are Mr. Wesley's* SeriTions and Notes, ____. ___7 4. Synopsis of Methodist doctrines, with a particular notice of Justiti- cation by faith, the Witness of the Spirit and entire Sanctidcation, ib. 5. Methodistic vinws of Practical Godliness, - - - - 9 I.' — Religious WorUiip of Mt-thodism. Obligation an>i utility of Divine worship in general, - - 10 1. Primitive and sciiptural simplicity and purity of the worship of the> Methodists, --_ ______ih, 2. Hnppy combination of Liturgical and extemporaneous devotion in the Methodists, - - - - - - - -H 3. Frequent lecurrence of do, ______ jb^ 4. Adequate adaptation of do. to the preservation and promotion of ho- liness, _---___-__ 12 til. — Polity of Methodism. Authority, propriety and necessity of Ecclesiastical Polity r ^^meral, 14 Church Goveinmeiit, internal and external, _ _ - - 15 1. The Wesley ail Polity Prestyterial, not Episcopal; justihed by sev- eral arguments, r- -_-_-__ ib. 2. Connexional, not Congregational, - - - 20 3. recognizes the conjunction of Divine and human agency in the callmg and qualifying of Christian Ministers, - 21 4. vests the appointment and ordination of Ministers in the Clergy with the due concurrence of the Laiiy, - t- 23 5. • makes ample and effectual provision for the per- petuation of an evangelical and eflicient Ministry, - - ib. 6. provides an Itinerant Ministry: benefits of this, 25 7. vests the Supreme Legislative and Executive pow- er in the hands of the Clergy uader suitable restrictions, - 26 8. provides suitable Local Officers and Couits for the management of local interests and affairs, - - - - 27 9. . is Catholic, comprehensive and Scriptural in its terms of communion, -------28 1 10. guards and maintains the character of the Laity, 29 u. 13. 14. 15. II. The VVcslcynn Polity supplirs a voluntary anil efTicient financial nystem, .. _ _ 12. iinitM Clerical nn«l Lay Agency in all finaDcial nflairii, ----- ----- - - cmplovfl every variely of suitahin Agency, affords nuitablij employment to every member, and thereby avails iliielf of the enerRieH of HJI, - - - rffectiially Riiarantefji the rightB and privileges of every ntember, a* well as th)> intei^rity n( the whole nystem, - The scheme of Apostolical or Episcopal tSucccssion examined as an objection to the Wenleyan Polity :— Tho case and the scheme stated, - - - - - 1. The scheme examined on the ground of an alleged consecutive Apos- tolate; and refuted by a series of arituments, proving the extraor- dinary and temporary nature of the Apostolic Oifice, 2. The scheme examined on the (>round of an alleged consecutive pri< miiivo Episcopate ; and disproved hy a series of arguments, - 3. The scheme overthrown on every possible basis, by Scripture prin- ciples- hy its own cnnsequencos, by human testimony, «nd by its total want of divine sanction, - - _ - _ PS2 31 3*J - 33 ib. - 35 II. THE ORIGIN OF METHODISM. Preliminary remarks, _-__-___ Methodism arose not from opposition to the Doctrines, Uitual or Po« lity of the Church of England, or of any dissenting denomination, arose not from opposition to the Church of England as a National Religious Institute, _..--__ was not the result of ambition, _ _ _ _ arose when some extraordinary and powerful Religious Agency was needed in England, ——— became that Agency effectively, - _ _ _ was founded and built by true Christian Ministers, ' — was forinod hy suitnlile and Scriptural means, was reared in the face of hostility and persecution, — : was not the execution of a premeditated scheme, but a gradual, undesigned and Providential formation, -. - - was not scliismatical in its origin. 2, 3. 4. 6. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. A few chronological facts connected with tho origin of Methodism, III. THE PROGRESS AND PRESENT STATE OF METHODISM. 1. The ori.srinal diminutiveness of Methodism, - - 2. The (litficiUties which Methodism has had to surmount, 3. The rapidity and extent of the progress of Methodism, 4. The present s'ate of Methoiiism, ------ 5. The Hand of God strikingly apparent in the progress of Methodism, IV. THE CHARACTER OF METIIODISBI. Preliminary remarks, _,-_-___ 1. Methodism is truly Scriptural, ------ •I. spiritual and holy, - - - - - _ 3. rational and enlightened, - _ - _ 4, — — — united and slrouL', ----__ 5. comprehensive, ----__ 6. ' B— r— plastic, ---_-___ 37 38 - 40 44 45 46 ib. 47 48 40 ib. 50 51 53 55 ib. 59 ih. 57 58 59 ib. 60 ik 61 63 64 iti. 7. Melhotlism \-6 dcciilud and Arm, 8. ■ CHlholic and fraternal, y. loyal and patriotic, - 10. eilicieiil, 11. — — — — active and diflusive. Summary observations, P»gt. 6(> ib. 67 69 70 71 V. CONCLUUINU PRACTICAL liEMAKRS. Preliminary remarks, _____ 1. Application to the enemies of Methodism, 2. — friends of do. 3. Church of England, - - _ 1. Wosleyan Metbodixts themselves, (1.) Understand and appreciate Methodism, (2.) Praise and glorify God for do. - _ _ (3.) Enjoy all the benefits of do. - _ _ (4.) Bo zealous and useful, ----- (5.) Be joyful and confident in the prospect of the future, ib- 72 ib. 73 74 ib. 76 ib. ib. 76 NOTCS. 1. Primitive deaconship. 2, The Apostolate. •dtul <5V( Cl< ter rill his c^. Vatican, till llic auspicious eraof the Refor- uiiUion, uhermitted to an unscrip- e beginning: md corrupt- B who " nei- i People and d and their oughout the irld Their f, with erni- vhich were jlished took ODISM. Of n. We are ly lo ponder r means of lis gracious e good that lis service ; :h at large, ly has been r, we invite he Progress i'lethodism, 1 naturally Christian* :|t ity, revived and re-organized, under the divine guidance arfcl blessing by the Rev. John Wesley and Itis co-adjutors, in the- eighteenth century, and continued to tlie present period. — ■ This is (he most concise, comprehensive and eorrect defini- tion of the subject which we are able to give. And in thu» explaining it, we do not mean to assert that it is absolutely perfect. We know too well that nothing is such but the Di- vinity and his operations. We know that notwithstanding the perfect purity of the revealed fountain of truth, no stream can issue from it through man, without partaking of his inlirmi- ties and imperfections. But we regard the leading, the es- sential, the distinctive features of Methodism as truly scriptu- ral : As a whole, we conceive it to be more completely as- similated to piimilive Christianity than any other religious system known among men. We appreciate and cheerfully ac- knoaledge the excellences and usefulness of other orthodox Protestant denominations and the systems which they respec- tively uphold. Of these Wesleyan JNlethodism is neither a ri- val nor a foe, but an atTectionate, zealous and efficient ally. And, though we rejoice that tht- former have done nobly, we must be permitted lo believe that the latter " excel leth them all." In thus speaking we cannot be charged ivith the ex- clusivcness of bigotry, inough we may with the partiality of peculiar attachment. To such a charge we pleaJ guilty. — But ours is not the partiality of educational prejudice, of has- ty decision, or of blind and irrational affection ; but the re- sult of observation, examination and experience. The prin- ciples and facts on which such a partiality is based we are now, with divine assistance, about to lay before you. One hundred years having elapsed since the erection of our Me- thodistic Zion, w-e are now to take a Centennial " walk about" it and through it. The City to which we belong is a WAR- LIKE and FORTIFIED CITY, having "walls, towers, and bulwarks :" she is a ROYAL and HIGHLY-ADORNED CITY, havinir stately and elegant " palaces :" her consequent strength, beauty and excellence we are to '^ mark and con- sider." And how stirring the reflection that the walk is not a solitary and gloomy one. We are accompanied in our Centennial perambulation and observations by unnumbered thousands in every quarter of the globe. We are joined in our tour by the swarthy African, the Islanders of the Ocean, the red men of our own country, and the enlightened sons of Europe and America. Thousands of eyes now gaze intently upon the same fair City. Thousands of ears now hear the same joyous and gladdening sounds ■ Thousands of hearts ' I ' !' i: ^f I 6 beat and swell simultaneously with the same inexpressible and delightful emotions. Let us, then, in such company and circumstances, " walk about Zion and go round about her ; tell the towers thereof. Mark well her bulwarks and con- sider her palaces ;" singing as we go, " This God is our God forever and ever ; He will be our guide even unto death." 1. In examining the Nature of Methodism, our attention must first be directed to the Doctrjnes which are taught by her Ministry and publications, and received by her membership. With respect to these, let it he understood that we receive the Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, as the re- vealed Will of God ; the sole and sufficient Repository of mo- ral truth ; the appointed rule of faith and practice. Creation and Providence throw concurring but subordinate light on some of the great truths involved in the origin, rank and des- tiny of man. Tradition or the opinions of men we hold to be of no authority, though sometimes useful in the elucidation of Scripture. The Evidences of Christianity, comprising mira- cles and prophecy and all collateral proofs, we esteem sufficient to convince and satisfy every impartial and diligent inquirer of the authenticity and inspiration of the Sacred Writings. We hold, also, that the province of Reason is to examine and decide upon the Evidences of Christianity ; and, when satisfied with these, to ascertain the true sense of the Sacred Writings, by the proper application of sound and just princi- ples of exegesis. We are not among those who depreciate the reasoning powers with which our beneficent Creator has en- dotved us, though we wish to confine them within their legiti- mate sphere. We regard the Christian Religion as a pure, a benevolent and a rational system, the offspring of infinite rea- son and excellence, and addressed at once to the understand- ings, consciences and hearts of mankind. But we studiously avoid the dangerous and impious extreme of subordinating Revelation to Reason, as if the latter were the superior, the perfect and ultimate standard of appeah If the highest rea- son of man must acknowledge the credibility and authority of the Sacred Records ; and if reason, under the guidance and influence of the eternal Spirit, is to interpret them according to the laws of philology and sound criticism, and then receive their testimony, we deem it the greatest arrogance and pro- faneness for man to reject or even question the revelation of God, merely because to human reason it may be mysterious or obscure. Such, from their nature and magnitude, we may reasonably expect many of its truths to be. It is sufficient for MS to know what is the mind of God in any particular ; and ' inexpressible company and d about her ; rlcs and con- od is our God unto death." our attention taught by her membership, at we receive Its, as the re- )sitory of mo- le. Creation late light on ank and dns- ve hold to be ilucidation of prising mira- jem sufficient font inquirer Writings. 5 to examine . and, when >f the Sacred just princi- epreciate the sator has en- I their legiti- as a pure, a infinite rea- understand- e studiously ibordinating uperior, the fiighest rea- authority of idance and 1 according ^en receive e and pro- velation of ^sterious or e, we may :ular; and then, whatever difficulty or concea'ment may attend it, we must humbly and believingly exclaim — '■'• Even so Father ; for 80 it seemed good in thy sight." The authorized human Exponents of our faith are Mr. Wes- ley's sermons and his notes on the New Testament.* The util- ity and necessity of thus embodying the principles of our belief are perfectly apparent. However utterly discordant with each other and with the Bible may be ^he doctrines of various sects, the authority of inspiration is claiired for all. As, then, a mere appeal to the Bible is not sufficient to guard the truth and to exclude error, to silence or convince the gainsajers, and to satisfy the sincere inquirer, we profess our belief, in conformity with tJie ancient and modern practice of nearly every branch of (he Christian Church, in language as intelligi- ble and unequivocal as we can possibly employ. We claim not infallibility for the expositors we have mentioned ; we pledge not ourselves for the correctness of every expiession ; nor do we insist on every article as capital or essential ; but we receive them as a "■ form of sound words," and recommend them to others as valuable helps to a right understanding of " the Scripture of truth." We hold as verities of Scripture the doctrine of the Trini- ty in Unity ; the creation, preservation and government of All things by and for God ; the fall of man from original right- eousness to total depravity ; the proper Divinity and humani- ty, and the general atonement of Jesus Christ ; the personali- ty. Deity and operations of the Holy Ghost ; justification by faith only ; the direct witness of the Holy Spirit ; the neces- sity of holiness, both inward and outward ; salvation from all sin in this life by the " blood of sprinkling ;" the resurrection of the body ; the judgment of the world by Jesus Christ ; and an eternity of rewards and punishments. Some of these doc- trines seem especially committed to the Methodists for de- fence and diffusion ; though they are all the truths of God and addressed alike to all. Those to which we allude are the di- rect testimony of the Holy Spirit, by which the believer is as- sured of his justification and admission into the family of hea- ven ; and the entire sanctification of the believer's heart, or the attainment of " perfect love," before death. These, in conjunction with salvation by grace through faith, are of the greatest importance. The first inquiry of every awakened sinner must be — " What must I do to be saved ;" and the on- * Not tlie wlM>le of his sermons : but the first cerict, or (he first fifty-three in the third corrected London edition nf Mr^ Wetley's works, published in 1829, by the Rev. Thos. Jackson. the Lord Jcsu^ Chri ly Scriptural answer is—" Believe anil thou shalt be saved." There are none who prize more highly or explain and enforce more frequently and earnestly •than the Methodists the essential doclrine of justification by faith only. " We conclude," with the Apostle, " that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law ;" and we re- joice in the conclusion, knowing that, unless justified in thin manner^ we can never be justified at all ; inasmuch as we have violated the law and incurred its penalty without ability to alone, and without ability to return to obedience until pardon- ed and renewed. But the trembling penitent must be as anx- ious to learn the fact of his acceptance as to ascertain its mode. Till assured by some suitable and sufficient means of pardon and regen:;i'atioQ, he must be a stranger to well- grounded and lasting peace and to enlivenin^yj hope. On such A subject it is as impossible as it is unscriptural t o be full > satisfi- ed with mere inferences «nd hopes. Blessed be God, " we ws like a river ; inspires confidence and strength ; and imparls an authorized and joyous hope of everlasting life. And, when thus con- sciously justified, it is equally important and delightful to tJie Christian to know that, in this life, '^ as he which callfd liiin is holy," fio is he to be holy ; to be sanctified " wholly ;" to be ciea>n»ed ''from all unrighteousness ;" and by entire pu- rification, «nade truly meet for his Master':* use. Insteail of resigning himself to the task of struggling against indwelling «iH tdl death ; instead of sinking discouraged by the distance of victory; he is authorised by Scripture to believe and be «ay«d, to believe and triumpb. " Perfect love which casteth out fear" be may now attain ; and steadily advancing from fitep to step and from stage to stage, with increasing lustre and happiness, eventuAlly " appear before God in Zion." To prove the correctness of the foregoing synopsis of Melhodis- t\c doctrines, it is unnecessary to adudce quotations from our connexional standards. In the writings of Wesley, Fletcher, ty, (( Josu5 Christ, 10 prize more and earnestly jstiiication by " that a man ;" andwere- istified in ihiti ch as we have tout ability to ! until pardon- ust be as anx- ascertain its lent means of iger to vvell- pe. On such )et'u]K satisfi- )e God, " we jise, " where- ght thai shin- 1 witness with tecause ye are your hearts, c Son of God hat wo dwell )i"his Spirit." Such a tes- ar and unbe- like a river ; in authorized »n thus con< ightful to tiie :h called him wholly ;" to by entire pu- Instead of St indwelling r the distance licve and be vhich casteth dancing from easing lustre 1 Zion." To of Methodis- ons from our ey, Fletcher, I ■ if; 1 Benson, Watson and Clarke, you will find these great and glo- rious truths amply and impressively set forth. ' ' As respects practical godliness, we insist upon the authori- ty and obligation of the Divine law, as a rule of life, and us fL rule of final judgment. While anxiously avoiding Pharlseo- ism, we as anxiously avoid Antinoininnism. We do not mtike void the law through faith. We believe that justification by faith has no prospective reference, but relates wholly to siiis that are past ; and, therefore, that while, in relation to iho past, " there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesu*," as regards the present and future, they are " not with- out law to God, and under the law to Christ." The atone- ment is not designed to supersede present and futureobedienc*;^ but to cover ihe offences of the past, and the unavoidable^ in- firmities and imperfections of the future. If faith he a root, vt is a living root through wliici^i is conveyed to the living tre ral arguments or valid objections against these institutions, let our opponents adduce them or renounce their dislike. — Meantime we must be permitted to retain our conviction of their propriety and utility, and to continue in the use of them. The worship of the Methodists is neither exclusively Liturgi- cal or forinalj nor exclusively extemporaneous^ though chiefly the latter. And this we arc satisfied is the most ancient, the most scriptural, and the most excellent way. There are advantages in both methods, and consequently, evils in the total disuse of either ; and also in the predominance of the former over the latter. Tlivi worship of the Jews dolibtless embraced both. So, also, did that ot the primitive Christians. Our blessed Lord, himself, gave to his disciples an invaluable set of words as a form to be repeated, and as a model to be imitated : " When ye pray, say, Our Father," &c. ; and, " After this man- ner pray ye." But extemporaneous prajer and preachi-.g are, wo believe, most accordant with the genius, simplicity and vitality of Christianity, and with its perfect and prompt adap- tation to all varieties of circumstance and character. In most cases therefore our prayers, and in all cases our expositions and applications of divine truth are extemporaneous. But forms are very properly umployod in the ordination of Minis- ters ; the administration of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; the Solemnization of Matrimony and the Burial of the dead. Besides, the divine form of words, first taught the Apostles, is invariably used in our public services. Tlius have we endea- voured to avoid the inconveniences and evils, and to embrace the advantages of Liturgical and extemporaneous devotion ; pursuing in this, as in many other instances, a course which is calculated to harmonize and unite extreme contending parties. The worship of tlie Methodistts is strikingly marked by Us frequent recurrence. In this they arc clearly distinguished from many other christian churches. Instead of confining our- 11 il V !■ . ; selves lo one or even \\\o services in the week, wo think it our duty to meet frequently lor edification. If the wnnis of the body nuist often be supplied, so, also, nnist those of the soul. It is true, wo can frequently repair to the closet, or at any time lift up our hearts in mental or cjaculatory prayer : but as reli'^ion is social, as well as personal and domestic ; as Christians are intimately connected, as the members of one body, and designed to contribute to each other's prosperity, we deem it needful and useful to assemble frequently in the place of prayer. Here 1 may, also, be permitted to remark that there is, perhaps, no body of cliristiana whose members attend more generally and punctually to family devotion than the Methodist Societies. We expect and require every head of a family to appear before the Lord, with his household, every morning and evening, for praise and supplication. We also earnestly enforce ihc. devotions of the closet and the dai- ly perusal of the word of God. We know that the ordinances of religion are not religion itself: but we know that they are the divinely appointed, external channels of communication with God. We use them as means to lead us to the end : and, hence, in the general Rules, which explain the conditions of membership in our Societies, it is expressly stated that — " It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, by attending on all the Ordinances of God : such are, the pub- lic worship of God ; the ministry of the word, either read or expounde i ; the Supper of the Lord ; family and private Pray- er ; searching the Scriptures ; and fasting or abstinence." The worship of the Methodists is, also, happtly and effectunl- III ndupted to the prewvntion and p) omotion of holiness. The mem- bers are not only instructed to attend public worship, but to imbibe and vocally exercise the spirit of prayer, on proper occasions: such occasions present themselves in the Prayrr Meeting, the Class Meeting, and in family worship, and when duly embraced, no doubt materially contribute to edification. At the Kenewal of the Covenant they are solemnly urged to fresh and unreserved dedication to the duties of Religion. — The commencement and close of each year are improved by peculiarly solemn and impressive services. The General Quarterly Fasts, if duly observed, must also contribute to the spiritual benefit of our people. And, in the Quarterly Love- feast, the spirit of self-examination is awakened ; the reality an.t importiMicc of vital, experimental Religion are evidenced afresh ; and affectionate exhortations given to renewed and untiring exertion. But among all the means of grace which IS oinestic ; as bers or one prosperity, ^ntly in the to remark se members votion than every head household, :ation. We and the dai- 5 ordinances hat they are imuhication e end : and, onditions of id that—-" It 36 Societies, of salvation, lie, the piih- • her read or irivate Pray- inence." and effeclunU The mem- ship, but to on proper tlie Prayi-r >, and when t'dificalion. ly urged to Religion. — lip roved by ic General bule to the tcrly Lovc- the reality evidenceu leu'ed and 'ace which I ore more or less cliaracteristic of Methodiiim, there is none so truly distinctive and so promotive and con? crvntive of holiness as the weekly Class Meeting. In all other meetings a mem- ber maybe silent, and his real state of mind be consequently unknown. But in this he is solemnly and affeclionately ex- amined respecting his inward walk with God. He cannot elude the inquiry, but by absence ; and abiience must eventu- ate in the loss of membership. And, w hile attending these meetings, he must either be sincerely endeavouring to servo God, or frankly acknowledging he is not, or wickedly assum- ing the garb of hypocrisy It is perfectly evident that no per- son can long continue in such an avowal of irreligion, and that, therefore, he will either amend or withdraw. And it is equally apparent that the garb of hypocrisy cannot long be worn. The thin disguise will soon be penetrated, or the re- straints it imposes become intolerably irksome to the individ- ual himself. In either of these two cases, though our num- ber be diminished, our character, our energy, our vitality, are maintained and perpetuated : and, in comparison with this, numbers are, with us, as the small dust of the balance. "We know that the mere machinery of means will never secure such an end : hut we know that the means in question is strikingly and felicitously adapted to such a purpose, and, with the divine sanction and blessing on its faithful use must prove successful. On its faithful use the approbation of God has liitherio rested. As far removed in its circumstances, mode of procedure and design, from the Popish Confessional, as it is from the laxity of discipline and want of christian communion which obtain in some Protestant Churches, it has greatly con- tributed to the maintenance of piety. While other Kevivals of Religion have gradually declined, seldom continuing, as Luther thought, above thirty years, the Revival we are con- sidering, has proceeded through the changes and hostilities of one hundred years, and, blessed be God, is still in active and efficient operation. And we doubt not that thus it will con- tinue, till the agencies of the churches are merged and con- centrated in the final and successful assault upon Paganism, Mahommedanism, Infidelity and corrupted Chi istianity, and our holy Religion, the religion of the Bible, universally pre- vails. 3. In the rapid glance we have taken at the Doctrines and Worship of Methodism, we have seen the basis and structure of the city and some of its principal buildings : let us now ex- amine the nature of its Government, the character of its laws and the mode of their administration. If the Christian Church I K- ^ 14 lit general, unci the Wnnlcyan Metliodist in particular, be a City, tt warlike and lortilifMl City, u royal and higlily ornumenl- cil City, and, as it is elsowlicru represented, " a ' oly nation," a heavenly '* Kin^cdoni," it n»u»t have a suitable form of Polity, a King and his Ministers, and a judicious administration of wholesome laws: if it be u '' tlouk,^' it requires "able and faithful" Shepherds : if it be "• a Held" or *' garden," it re- (|uircs proper persons to fence and cultivate it; to ^' plant" and "water;" if it bo an army of soldiers, who are to " pu* on the whole armour of God," to '' endure hardness," anil " fight the good tight of faith," it should have a Captain, offi- cers and laws : and if it be u "family or household" it in dH parental vigilance and control. The same views arc ciicited oy a consideration of the subject divested ofmetapitor. There must, in the first place, be competent and authorized persons to form a church on proper principles and terms of commun- ion ; then to edify and multiply believers by faithfully minis- tering the divine Word and Ordinances ; and, lastly, to pre- serve the organization and purity of the Church by a proper application and enforcement of disci[)line. The following ob- servations of the iatu Uev. Uichard Watson, on this subject, are well worthy of ailpntion : — "The Churcii of Christ being a. visible and permai.Mit society, bound to observe certain rites, and to obey certain rules, the existence of government in it is necessarily supposed. All religious rites suppose order, all order direction and control, and these a directive and control- ling;; power. Again, all laws are nugatory without enforce- ment, in the present mixed and imperfect state of society ; and all enforcement supposes an executive. If Baptism be the door of admission into the Church, some must judge of the fitness of candidates, and administrators of the rite must be ap- pointed ; if the Lord's Supper must be ^)'«rta!cen of, the times and the mode are to be determined, I'lc ciulificatio''- of communicants judged of, and the ar ";n'»i'>u jn placcu in suitable hands ; if worship must be sociui and public, here again there must be an appointment of times, an order, and an administration ; if the word of God is to be read and preach- ed, then readers and preachers are necessary ; if the conlin- 'iance of any one in the fellowship of Christians be condi- i '-'''^■l upon good conduct, so that the purity and credit of the Cii "ch may be guarded, then the power of enforcing disci- pit. :e must be lodged somewhere. Thus government flows necessarily from the very nature of the institution of the Chris- tian Church : and since this institution has the very authori- ty of Christ and his Apostles, it is not to be supposed that its €k 16 govermnont *vn» left unp \Kleil foi , nriJ if lliey Imvc in fact made such a |)rovisioii, it is no more a innttt of mere opliun with cltriatians wlietlicr lliey will 'to suljje<-.i to govt rnment in the church, than it is optional with thitn to confess Christ by hecoinitig its mcnihers." — 'J luologicul Inslithlch: vol. iii. p. 342. T'lese views are in perfect harmony with the declarations and )r '^epts of the word of God : **Go ye therefore and teach (a dhiiple) all nations, laptizing ihcni in the liameof the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Feed (and govern, as the original also signifies) the flock of God which is among you, taking ihc oversight thereof." A bishop or elder is to " take care of the church of God." " Let the elders that rttle %ecll be counted worthy of double honour." " If he will not hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." The government of the Church is external and in ernal, a visible and invisible : the latter is carried on in the h'-arts of all true believers by the Lord alone ; and the former in the whole body of professed christians, under the supervisi* )n and direction of the great Head of the Church, Jesuh Christ, by those whom he is pleased to designate. The origin of the go- vernment is directly divine ; its nature is purely spiritual and heavenly, or " not of this world ;" and its ends, like all the other arrangements and dispensations of the Most High, are human salvation and the divine glory. The exact form ^nd order of this government are not fully delineated in the New Testament, though important leading principles are laid down for our guidance and direction. There are many ecclesiasti- cal arrangements which are left to the wisdom and discretion of the Church, to he determined according to the peculiarities of times, [laces and circumstances : " Not," says the Episco- pal Reformed Church of Scotland, " not that we think any po- licy, and any order of ceremonies, can be appointed for all ages, times and places." Hence the ecclesiastical diversity that obtains in the christian church, and the controversies that have arisen between Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Con- gregationalists in relation to their respective modes of govern- ment. It is not cur design to enter into these controversies any farther than is necessary to a delineation and defence of the V'esleyan Polity, which we shall now consider. The facts and principles it involves are letply interesting and practical- ly momentous. The Weglevan Pol'tv is PresbyteriaL not Episcopal. The number of orders or degrees in the Primitive Christian Minis- try has been a subject of warm and protracted dpbate. The modern Episcopalians, Roman Catholic and Protestant, con- li 1 I f 16 tend for three — Bishops, Priests or Presbyters or Elders, and Deacons ; the Presbyterians admit of but one, asserting ihat the terms Bishoj), Presbyter and Elder are official designations of the same persons, promiscuously and synonymously appli- ed; and that Deacons were persons originally appointed to ihe service of " tables," or the management of mere secular af- fairs, while the Apostles confined lliemsclves to the ministry of the word. Whoever entertains the first view of the subject is denominated an Episcopalian ; and whoever entertains the second a Presbyterian, whatever may be their doctrinal views. Neither Episcopacy nor Presbyterianism is essentially con- nected with Calvinism or Arminiaoism or any other peculiar creed. The terms have reference solely to modes of ecclesi- astical government ; and we have thought it necessary to ex- plain their relation and use lest our own appropriation of them might be understood to imply certain doctrinal theories, by those who are little acquainted with the technicalities and de- tails of religious controversy. There is a real distinction between order and office which should be carefully remembered in discussing this subjecL There may be but one order of Ministers in a Church, and yet various offices, giving rise to the existence of "superiors among equals." So, in the Church of Scotland, the Modera- tor of the Presbytery, Synod, or General Assembly, is only equal to his brethren in order, but superior in the office of Moderator, to which they have elected him. So the President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference is superior to his bre- thren in his elective office, yet only equal in order. In the Church of England, too, though there are only three orders, there are the distinct offices of Rector, Dean, Archdeacon, Archbishop and Primate. Now, as the term Bishop signifies an overseer or superintendent, there may be actual Bishops in a church, without plurality of order. Every Pastor of a con- gregation is a scriptural Bishop, superintendent or overseer. Among us cveiy Suj-erlntendent of a Circuit, every Chairman of a District, and the President of the Conlerence, are actual scriptural Bishops, but differing in the extent of their juris- diction, and the two latter entrusted with the especial over- sight of Ministers. According to this view, the Wesleyan Po- rty is both Episcopal and Presbytcrial : it is the latter in or- der, and the former in office. And hence it includes the ad- vantages of both, without incurring the absurdities and difficul- ties which are chargeable on the maintenance of three dis- tinct and divinely-appointed orders. On this ground Mr. Wesley believed himself as scriptural a Bishop as any man in I •1 m • Elders, and sserling ihat designations nously oppli- )oinledtoihe e secular af- the ministry )f the subject ntertains the :trinal views, entiallv con- iher peculiar js of ecclesi- essary to ex- Uion of them theories, by lities and de- office which this subjecL Church, and ' "superiors the Modera- ibly, is only the office of he President r to his bre- der. In the hree orders, Archdeacon, lop signifies il Bishops in or of a Con- or overseer, y Chairman , are actual their juris- )ecial over- esleynn Po- latter in or- des the ad- md difficul- f three dis- fround Mr. Etny man in 17 England, being a regularly-ordained Minister, and in addition to this, the Father, the Founder, the Overseer and Ruler of the Methodist Societies. On these principles, too, we defend his ordination of Dr. Coke as the Superintendent, a Bishop (as he was subsequently called) of the Methodist Societies in America. Mr. Wesley was the actual and acknowledged Fa- ther and Superintendent of these Societies, and he barely in- vested Dr. Coke with the authority which he himself posses- sed. Had he done this on the principles of modern diocesan episcopacy, his conduct would have been inconsistent and ab- surd ; but, as he did it on the principles which we have stated, the raillery, sarcasm and ridicule of his enemies are perfectly pointless and harmless. The question between him and them is one of ecclesiastical government, not practical consistency ; and must be settled by argument, not irony and invective. — They believed in three orders ; he in but one. He says in his Journal : — " I set out for Bristol. On the road I read over Lord King's account of the Primitive Church. In spite of the vehement prejudices of my education, I was ready to believe that this was a fair and impartial draught. But if so, it would follow that Bishops and Presbyters are (essentially) of one or- der." Again, Mr. Wesley's opponents viewed him simply as a Presbyter of the Church of England ; he viewed himself as he was, the Instrument of an extraordinary Revival of Religion, and as the Pastor and Bishop of the numerous Societies which he had been the means of raising up and forming, to whom he sustained a peculiar relation, and for whose spiritual welfare he was bound to provide. On these principles he ordained Preachers for both Europe and America : on these principles we defend his proceedings and the validity of Methodist ordin- ations throughout the world : and in support of these princi- ples we adduce the following arguments ; premising that the terms Elder and Presbyter are allowed to be synonymous ; that the office of Deacon was originally secular, and not ministe- rial ; and that, therefore, the question depends on the ordinal identity or diversity of Bishops and Presbyters. 1. The names of Bishop and Presbyter are promiscuously ap- plied in the New Testament to the same persons. In the twen- tieth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and at the 17th verse, St. Paul is said to have sent from Miletus to Ephesus for the Elders of the Church, and delivered to them an address, charging them, at v. 28, to " take heed unto themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made them over- " or bishops, as the original signifies. seers. mi 1 nose WHO arc described in the 17th v. ?" elders are here addressed as bishops D n 18 In the Ist Ep. of Paul to Titus, ch. i. v. 5, the Apostle informs Titus that he had left him at Crete, " to ordain elders in every City, as he had appointed him ;" and, referring to their qual- ifications, observes — " if any be blameless, &c." v. 6, and im- mediately subjoins the reason, v. 7, "for a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God :" here those who are to be ordained elders are denominated bishops. Again, in the 1st Ep. of Peter, ch. v. vs. 1 and 2, the Apostle calls himself an elder, and exhorts those whom he calls elders to "feed the flock of God, taking the orcrsig/it" or episcopal superintend- ence " thereof, not by constraint, but willingly." The first Epistle to the Philippians is addressed only to the saints, the bishops and deacons. Now, these were not bishops in the mo- dern acceptation of the terra : not diocesan bishops, because there was a plurality of them in the City of Philippi, and there is but one bishop in an extensive diocese in modern episcopal churches. Or if they were bishops in contradistinction to presbyters, why are deacons mentioned and presbyters omit- ted ? Or if these persons were truly elders, why is not the bishop mentioned if such a person existed ? The truth is, presbyters are here called bishops, and no one superior to them is mentioned, because no one superior existed in the Philippian Church. In Paul's first Epistle to Timothy, in the third chapter, he describes the qualifications of bishops and deacons, but makes no mention of presbyters. Now, if there had been a third order of Ministers, can we conceive that Paul would omit them, and speak at the same time of the in- ferior order of deacons ? Certainly not. 2. Presbyters were required to possess the qualifications of bishops. Titus was to ordain elders, if any were "blame- less," and is immediately informed that " a bishop must be blameless;" Timothy is informed that "a bishop must be blameless ;" and not the least distinction is ever mude be- tween the qualifications of bishops and presbyters, while those of bishops and deacons are separately stated. 3. Presbyters possessed the power and autliority of bishops. Presbytv^rs ordained, for Paul says to Timothy — " Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by propliecy, with the laying on of tlie hands of the presbytery." And so far was the power of ordaining from being confined to a third and superior order, that we find, in the thirteenth chapter of the Acts, that " certain prophets and teachers," not Apostles or bisliops, "laid their hands" on Barnabas and Saul, and " sent them away." Presbyters or elders also ruhd, for Paul says — " Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour." 19 4. Presbyters performed the duties of bishops. Paul charg- ed the elders of Ephesus to "feed" (and govern, as the origi- nal denotes) " the church of God ;" in his epistle to Titus he calls a bishop " a steward of God," who is to " exhort" and " convince ;" in his epistle to Timothy he says a bishop is to " take care of the church of God." In fact, the Presbyters were required to teach, to feed, to oversee, to rule ; and no higher duties than these can be performed by ministers of any office or order. 5. The Apostles called themselves presbyters or elders, but not bishops and deacons. Peter speaking of himself says, " who am also an elder ;" and John writes as an " elder unto the elect lady" in his second epistle, and as an " elder unto the well-beloved Gaius" in his third. The Apostolic function being the highest in the church, comprehended the authority of every other Ministerial office. The deaconship, a service of tables, had been voluntarily surrendered by the Apostles, and hence they never call themselves deacons : but they as- sumed the appellation of elder, and would doubtless have as- sumed that of bishop too, had it designated any distinct min- isterial office or degree. 6. The collection made by the disciples in Antioch was sent to the elders in Jerusalem, to be appropriated by them to the relief of the brethren. Had there been any in Jerusalem su- perior to the elders, to them, unquestionably, the money would have been sent : but it was sent to the elders as the highest ordinary functionaric«; in the church. 7. Elders arc assor "d with the Apostles in the First Council at Jerusalem, generally denominated, the first oecumenical Couiicil, but no mention is made of bishops. A controversy ha- ving arisen at Antioch respecting circumcision, it was deter- mined (Acts XV. 2.) that " Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and elders about this question ;" they were received of " the church and of the Apostles and elders," v. 4 ; the " Apostles and Elders" assembled " to consider of this matter," v. 6. ; " it pleased the Apostles and elders with the whole chur.ch," to depute certain persons to the disputants, v. 22 ; the letters of the Council are written on behalf of " the Apostles, elders and brethren," v. 23 ; and in the IGth c, v. 4, we are informed that to the bre- thren at Lystra and Iconium were delivered " the decrees that were ordained of the Apostles and elders which were at Je- ru9alem=" In all this important business, in this solemn as= sembly, there is not a word of bishops, for this obvious and satisfactory reason, that there were no bishops distinct from vXl t fill! SO the elders, no bishops analogous to those of the present day. • If then, the official appellations, the qualifications, the pow- ers and duties of bishops pertained to elders; if the Apostles assumed the title of elders and not of bishops ; if the funds of the church were placed under the control of the ciders ; if elders were members of the first Christian Council, without the slightest allusion to bishops, are we not fully justified in as- serting that there was no essential distinction between the or- dinary ministers of tiie primitive church, and that bishops and Eresbyters were originally identical ? In process of time, owever, the name of bishop was reslrictively applied to the President or Chairman of the Presbytery, who was chosen to that office by the votes of his brethren, on account of his su- perior or peculiar qualifications. Such an officer was neces- sary where there were several Presbyters in a City ; and as he was officially superior to his brethren individually, he was distinguished from them by the title of bishop. This was the origin o( parochial episcopacy. As the church over which he presided extended its labours from the City throughout the surrounding country, the power and jurisdiction of the presid- ing Presbyter increased till he became in fact a diocesan bishop. Eventually to this Parochial and Diocesan Episcopacy was superadded Metropolitical Episcopacy ; till, at length, the Uni- versal Episcopate of Papal Rome crowned and completed the Hierarchical fabric. Such is, in few words, the rise and pro- gress of Episcopacy, which will not appear at all strange or improbable to those who are acquainted with the principles of human nature, and the gradual increase and establishment of power. Besides, Ecclesiastical History and the writings of antiquity establish the correctness of the statement we have made. The Wesleyan Methodist Family is divided into four branch- es, namely, the English, the Irish, the Canadian and Ameri- can. The three first are strictly Presbyterial. The last is Episcopalian, on the principle of Presbyterianism. It lays for its foundation the broad and comprehensive principles we have stated ; and, though it includes the distinctions of bishop, elder and deacon, and bears the designation of Episcopal, its distinctions are official, and not ordinal ; human, and not di- vine, and therefore involve no essential principles incompati- ble with the Wesleyan Polity. In the next place, the Wesleyan Polity is Connexirmal, not congregational. As the primitive christian churches were as closely connected as circumstances would permit; as a fami- ly, an army, a city, a nation or a kingdom, is one body, under «;!i^ SI one common government ; as the chribtian church resembles the human body, having "joints and bands," and one head, so the Wesleyan churches are as intimately united as national distinctions and geographical situation will admit ; and each of the four departments, instead of consisting of insulated and independent congregations, forms one compact and harmo- nious whole. Every class containing twelve members, or sometimes more or less, is united under one leader ; several classes in a town or chapel make one Society ; several socie- ties or classes form one Circuit or Station, under the pastoral care of one Superintendent; several circuits constitute one District, under the supervision of a Chairman : and the seve- ral Districts into which the whole field is divided, form one Connexion, under the government and direction of the Confe- rence, which is the collective Pastorate or Presbyterate of the whole Church ; the President being the general overseer in the interim of the Conference. Our Book Room, our official periodical, our funds and institutions, and our Ministers are also connexional, and tend to cement and consolidate the whole organization. The English Wesleyan Connexion, which is the Parent of the whole Family, with the Irish and Canadian Connexions, form one body ; the two latter receiv- ing their Presidents from the first: so, also, the several Con- ferences in the United States, and the societies under their care constitute the American Methodist Episcopal Church, governed by the Bishops and the General Conference. And to preserve the unity and harmony of these two great divisions of the Methodist Family — the Wesleyan and Episcopalian — there is between them a regular interchange of Delegates, and of the warmest assurances of fraternal affection, based on the avowed principle that the Methodists are one throughout the world, though mountains rise and oceans roll 1o sever them in vain ; though national distinctions and peculiarities prevent a closer external union ; and though unimportant and unheed- ed differences in ecclesiastical economy obtain among them. It is almost needless to add, that brotherly love, peace, strength and prosperity result from a state of things so truly delightful and scriptural. The Wesleyan Polity recognizes the conjunction of Divine and human agency, in the calling and qualifying of Christian Ministers, The preaching of the Gospel by a standing order of Minis- ters, is a Divine Ordinance, and not a human invention. " Af- ter that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." " Go ye," says the Saviour, " into all the world, i ;* t h ' 22 and preach the Gospel to every creature." " As we were al- lowed of God," says St. Paul, " to be put in truat wilh the Gospel, 80 we speak." "We have this treasure in earthen vessels." And as this mode of promulgating the Gospel is of Divine appointment, so is it the undoubted prerogative and actual pro- cedure of the Great Head of the Church to call, by His Holy Spirit, the men whom He " counts worthy" to the office and work of the Ministry. He called and appointed Prophets and Priests of old. He called the Apostles to be the first Teach- ers and Pastors of the. Christian Church, and extraordinary messengers. St. Paul in writing to the Ephesians enumerates the ministerial officers as gifts of the Lord Jesus ; and re- minds the elders of the very same church, in his address to them at Miletus, that the Holy Ghost had made them over- seers of the flock. These were ordinary pastors, and yet they were set apart by the Holy Ghost. Of certain prophets the Most High saith — " I sent them not, neither commanded them ; therefore they shall not profit my people at all." If the Chris- tian Minister be an Ambassador of the King of Kings, he must receive his appointment in the first place, from his Master. Our blessed Redeemer commanded us to pray the Lord of the Harvest that He would send forth labourers into his harvest. In consonance with these principles it is invariably in- quired at the Ordination of every Minister in the Church of England — "Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office and Ministry 1" and the reply is — •' I trust so." A similar question is propounded, and a similar answer returned at the ordination of every Me- thodist Minister. Those whom God calls He qualifies. He bestows on them the pardon, the peace, the holiness, the hap- piness which they are to preach to others. He worketh in them mightily. He makes them " able to teach others," " apt to teach :" " Not by might or by power, but my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." He says to his ministers — " I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." But all this does not supersede a diligent use of the means of intellectual and moral culture on the part of Ministers. They are to search the Scriptures. They are to " study to show themselves ap- proved unto God ; workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth ;" approved before God, un- ashamed before men. " Who is sufficient for these things .'" " Our sufficiency is of God," as the source ; and by diligent exertion, as the means. But while the office, the appointment and the qualifications i r I 23 are thus divine, the ngency of the Church Is not excluded. The call isi outward as well as inward. The Holy Spirit moves ; the Providence of God prepares the way ; and the Church endeavouring lo discern the divine will, after careful examination, receives and ordains. The Church commits these things to those whom she judges to be truly called, " faithful" and " able," by " the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." The Wesleyan Polity vests the appoinUntnt and ordination of Ministers in the Clergy^ willt the due concurrence of the Laity. — While the agency of the Church in the selection of Ministers is acknowledged by all, the proper depositaries of the power of such an agency may not bo readily recognized. It is con- ceded by all that the power of ordination is lodged in the Min- istry : but shall the Laity have no voice in the selection of the candidates ? In some churches they have not. It is confes- sedly difficult to adjust, safely and scripturally. Clerical and Lay agency in so important a matter. And yet the latter can- not reasonably be altogether excluded : nor was it in the primitive church ; nor is it among the Wesleyan Methodists. Mr. Wesley asks — " Is mutual consent absolutely necessary between the Pastor and his flock ?" and answers — " No question ; I cannot guide any soul, unless he consent to be guided by me ; neither can any soul force me to guide him, if I consent not." Though the Wesleyan Laity are not em- powered to appoint or ordain a Minister, nor to determine the sphere of his labours (which with Itinerancy they pos- sibly could not) their concurrence is essential to his recep- tion on trial. Every candidate for the Ministry must first be recommended by his brethren who know him best, by the Stewards, Leaders, Exhorters and Local Preachers of the Circuit to which he belongs. Without this it is impossible for him to proceed a step. But here Lay-agency ends : all beyond is purely Clerical. The Wesleyan Polity makes ample and effectual provisionfor the perpetuation of an evangelical and efficient Ministry. By such a Ministry, we mean a truly converted and pious Ministry ; a duly-gifted Ministry ; an intelligent Ministry ; a useful, a fruitful Ministry. Methodism seeks not a noble Ministry, a great, a wise or a mighty Mini&iry, in the world's acceptation of the terms. She sees her calling ; she knows that not many, though some such are divinely-called. She knows that " God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise ;" and " God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things that are mighty ; and base things of the I" M I I ,! m 14 world, and things which arc despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to nought things tiiat are ;" and all for this end; "that noflesli should glory in his presence :" " But he that glorieth let him glory in Ihe^Lord." She is willing that " a herdinan," " a fisherman," *' a tent-maker," as of an- cient days, or other tradesmen, as in modern days, should be the "Lord's prophets," if such be the Lord's will : but she re- quires these persons to be suitably qualified, to leave their trades and refrain from all secular engagements, and labour faithfully and efficiently in the Lord's vineyard. Instead of despising learning and science, she highly values them ; she strongly and constantly encourages them ; she carefully fos- ters them ; and I may add, she possesses and uses them. — But she is far from requiring that every Minister must be a lin- guist, a critic, and an antiquarian ; yet linguists, critics and antiquarians have been given her. In England, a Wesleyan Theological Institution has been founded, not to make Minis- ters, but to assist and prepare those whom God has already called and the Church approved, by a sound theological and classical training, for greater and more extended usefulness. in the Episcopal and Canadian churches a course of gram- mattical, biblical, theological, historical, geographical, logi- cal, rhetorical and philosophical study is prescribed to every Ministerial Probationer, and his diligence and proficiency in it annually tested and ascertained for four years previous to his ordination. But piety is absolutely indispensable. Piety and efficiency characterized the first Ministers of Methodism, and have continued through the first hundred years of her his- tory. And to perpetuate them is the constant care of the church. In order to this, every candidate is examined res- pecting his religious experience and doctrinal views, in the presence of the Quarterly Meeting that recommends him to be received on trial. Anterior to his reception, he is again examined before a District Meeting, composed of Ministers, without whose recommendation he cannot be admitted ; and then his case is considered in the Conference. After this, his moral, religious and ministerial character is tried and ob- served, and annually examined, during four years. At the ex- piration of this term he appears before the Conference, and undergoes such a searching examination, and is obliged to an- swer explicitly such close and pointed interrogatories, that he must be either a truly pious man or a consummate hypocrite. Even after his ordination, he may be laid aside by the Confe- re ice, should they judge him unsuitable or useless ; and hence his character, conduct and qualifications continue to be bub- 25 jecteil to the ordeal of an annual scrutiny. In such ci - im- ittance!!, the mask of deccpiion can neither be long nor >m- fortably worn ; a heartless and lifeless mnn must soon retire, especially as there are no pecuniary incentives to continu- ance ; and faithful Ministers must be strengthened, united and encouraged in their work of faith and labour of love. The Wesleyan Polity providet an flinerant JVIinUtry. This includes two particulars ; — first, each minister travelling and administering the word and ordinances from pla'ie to place, through a large tract of country, and repeating this itinerary labour every two weeks, every four weeks, or every six, ac- cording to the extent of his circuit and the number of his col- leagues — and secondly, an annual, biennial or triennial re- moval from one Circuit to another, at the pleasure of the Con- ference, or annual Ministerial Assembly. The first part of this plan provides for the religious instruction of neighbour- hoods, townships, and large tracts of country, which, under the parochial or stationary system world be wholly unsuppli- ed. Acting on this plan, the Method st Ministers explore a Province or Kingdom throughout ; become intimately ac- C|uainted with its inhabitants and localities ; seize opportuni- ties of usefulness, which otherwise would be wholly unknown, or, if known, unavailable ; become pioneers to the Ministers of other churches ; and arc consequently useful to a surpris- ing amount and extent. The second part of the plan tends to prevent or counteract secular attachments and injurious local partialities in the minds of Ministers ; averts or abridges un- suitable appointments and connexions ; allows special provi- sion for special and temporary cases ; augments and diversi- fies the sphere of a minister*s labours ; furnishes variety of talents and of instruction to the members ; and makes all the Ministers the property of all the Church in a manner neither realized nor expected in any other denomination."*' And then, where the denseness of population, the number of members, or peculiar circumstances require special and incessant pas- toral instruction^ supervision and care, the Itinerant system adapts itself to the case with elastic efficiency, and stations in- stead of circuits are formed. Itinerancy embraces, then, the advantages of concentration and diffusion, and by its power of adaptation, its comprehensiveness and utility strikingly in- * The able and ingenuous author of ''Spiritual Dei))oti(in" obierrei :— " To leare a eoDKregation •ubmerged in the itagnant pool of h (initle mind, for half a century, ean aerer contiit with it* piogreis in knowledge or with its vitality. Nothing per- haps haa more benambed Christianity, or prevented its extension." He also ae- kn«wl«dgea that in the Prhnitive Church there was an "interchange of the services of te«cbera«mn(igtbe congregations of a diocese."— Sec. ir. p. 134. E I H ^f'i I M U »/*■ I 26 tlicatc!) an ogcncy of wisdom fnr above man. The Apostles and Evangelists were Itinerants; and what would they have accomplished Imd they not been ? What would Methodism have done had it quietly and comfortably settled in a corner, instead of seizing and carrying forward as it has done, the un- furkd flag of the Gospel, bearinc^ the divine and glorious in- scription— TO EVERY CREATURE ? Let the fruits it has borne, and the systems it has outstripped answer the inquiry. The Wesleyan Polity vesta ih supreme Legislative and Execu- tive power in the hands of the Ciergy^ under suitable restrictions. — Of the propriety, necessity and reality of government in the Christian Church, we have already spoken. No body politic can exist without a head, to enact and administer laws. Pow- er, lodged somewhere, is essential to the maintenance of or- der, peace and prosperity. If only the outlines of ecclesias- tical government are delineated in the New Testament, some persons in the Church must be entrusted with power to com- plete the draught. And if there be power to enact laws, there m^ist be power to enforce them. Now in the New Testament it is obvious that such power is committed to the Clergy : " Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, e^peciAlly they who labour in the word and doctrine :" *'Re- meniber them who have the rule over you," or " remember {rour rulers," j^s Macknight renders it. which rulers are clear- y indicated in the subjoined command — •'•Obev them which have the rule over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls as they that must give account :" " A man that is 90 heretic," 3ays ratil to Titus, "after the first and second admopition reject." Bishops are required to take care, to take the oversight of the Church of God. The Angel of the Church in Pergamos is reproved for suffering in the Church those who had fallen into the errors of Balaam and of the Nicolaitaines ; and the Angel in Thyatirafor suffering the woman Jezebel to deceive the servants of Christ by her pernicious teaching. In consonance with these declarations of Scripture, the Minis- ters of the Methodist Church in Conference assembled, arc empowered " to make rules and regulations for our Church ;" and to admit, suspend, censure and exclude Preachers. The President, the highest officer in the Connexion, is to preside in the Conference ; to station and ordain Preachers ; and to oversee the temporal and spiritual business of the Connej^ion at large, bein^ ex oj^cio^ Chairman of the District in which he travels or resides. Chairmen of Districts arc to oversee tdl the temporal and spiritual business of the Church in their re- spective Districts ; to preside in the District and Quarterly ^■-i Apostles they have VIethodism n corner, Ine, the un- jlorioiia in- hiits it has fie Inquiry. ind Execu- jtrictions. — ient in the •dy politic vs. Pow- nce of or- ecclesias- ^ent, some er to conj- aws, there Testament 'gy: "Let le honour, e:" "Re- remember arc clenr- em which hey watch L man that nd second re, to take le Church hose who aitaines ; ezebel to ^ing. In le 5linis- bled, arc 'hurch ;" rs. The > preside ; and to •nne^ion i^hich he rsee j,)| their re- uarterly «7 Meetings ; in the absence of the President to take cliargc of all the travelling and local Preachers and Exhoi terS, and to change, receive ond susnend Preachers, in the intcrvjkis of Con- ference, in their several Districts ; in short, " to take care that every part of our discipline be enforced." Superintendents of Circuits or Stations arc to administer God's Word and Or- dinances ; to form Circuit-plans ; to receive, try find expel members ; to take proper steps for the adjustment of disputes and difficulties ; to enforce prudently, the weekly and quarter- ly collections ; to make collections and yearly subscriptieng ; to appoint class-stewards ; to overlook the stewards' account^; to license Exhorters ; to appoint and change the Lea>ders ; to assign to the local Preachers and Exhorters their work ; to ex- amine the character and conduct of Leaders, Exhorters and local Preachers ; to oversee iheir colleagues ; and, in a word, " to enforce vigorously but calmly, all the rules of the Society." But to guard against spiritual despotism or an abuse of pow- er, the Wesleyan Polity imposes suitable limitations and re- strictions. While the supreme legislative and executive pow- er is rightly placed in the hands of the Ministry, it is so guard- ed by conditions and checks, as to prevent the evils which have accrued in other churches from absolute authority. The Wesleyan Polity provides suitable Local Officers and Courts for the management of local interests and affairs. General prirtci- ples and laws are adopted by tiie Conference ; but iheir local practical applications, and the choice of purely local measutes are cdnfided to regularly-organized local bodies. Trustees are appointed to hold and guard the property of the CburCh ; Stewai^ds to receive and disburse the monies df the Circuild ; Leaders to meet and watch over their classes, and' give dud information concerning them to the Superintendent ; and lo- cal Preachers and Exhorters to aid the Itinerant Ministers in supplying the congregations with public Vvorship. In the meetings of the Trustees, occasionally ; of the Leaders once a week, or less frequently ; of the local Preachers once a quar- ter ; of the Stewards and Leaders once a quarter ; and of the Special District Meeting, when necessary, the temporal and spiritual business of the Circuit is transacted. All these meetings are convened and properly controlled by tbe Super- intendent, Chairman or President, and include the Clergy as well as Laity, so as to prevent factious or unlawful proceed- ings. % supplying such facilities for the examination of cha- rficter ; for the appointment, suspension or dismissal of local officers ; for ascertaining the state of the work ; for meeting contingencies ; and for adjusting all matters, the Wesleyan H iM I, r i I'M ll 111 ': I :,■!> Polity leaves no interests neglected, ^vhile it unitei tlie re^jfuUr Ministers and all llic subordinate and auxiliary officers in judg- ment, in affection, in employment and aim. Such an arrange- ment is expedient and just ; and accords with the bonds of connexion and the characteristic features of the whole church. The Wesleyan Polity is CalholiCf comprehtntm and icriptural in itt termt of Communion. *^ There is only one condition pre- viously required of those who desire admission into these so- cieties — a denire to flee from the wrath to cotne, and to be eaveifrom thiir «tn«." This desire is to be maintained in constant prac- tical operation, and in careful conformity to several rules which are all simple and practical. A man may be an Armin- ian or Calvinist in his doctrinal nrinciples ; an Episcopalian, Presbyterian or Independent, in nis views of Church govern- ment, and yet be an acceptable member of the Wesleyan Me- thodist Society. We dare not reject whom God hath received. If a man give sufficient declarative and practical evidence of acceptance with God, or of a sincere ana earnest desire to ob- tain It, we dare not deny him fraternal recognition and union on speculative grounds. He who is entitled to a place in hea- ven, and who actually possesses a place in God's spiritual fam- ily on earth, should not certainly be refused a seat in the visi- ble Church : else the less is more momentous than the great- er, which is a contradiction in terms. But, though we thus waive all doctrinal tests, we are not latitudinarian in matters of faith. We are fully convinced of the vital importance of *Mhe faith once delivered to the saints," and, hence, we are careful to secure soundness and uniformity of theological sen- timent in the Ministry ; but we cannot raise barriers to Chris- tian membership which Inspiration has not raised. Our views and us?ges on this subject are, we believe, truly Apostolical. The reason assigned by St. Paul why a Christian should not be judged by his brother in minor matters is, that ^' God hath re- ceived him ;" and this reason is invariably and universally ap- plicable in reference to all believers. The experience of a century, too, has tried and proved our terms of communion, and displayed their SQundness and excellence. Though we propose no doctrinal test of membership, our connexion is free from capital error, and singularly harmonious in religious be- lief. No separation has ever taken place on doctrinal grounds, though several secessions have occurred. On the other hand» the consequences of imposing severe and anti-catholic terms in other churches have been highly injurious. Sincere chris- tians have been repelled from the communion of saints, or obliged to forego it, and sects and parties needlessly mu)tipli- ■■^'1 29 (!(1, to (he gieut distraction, Rcandal Qnd hurt oftlie Chriitlan lirotlierliood. Awure of nil titis, \vc exIcnJ the right hand of lello\vshi|) to cvury real practical Chriiitian who elaimi it ; we open a door Kufl'tciently wide for the entrance of all true dis* cipleR of Chrini, und yet so strait as to exclude every specula* live and practical unbeliever. The desire on ivhich wo insist, in its proper practical operation, must naturally eventuate in the renunciation of every opinion incompatible with its fulfil- ment, under the gracious direction and government of Him who has declared that " if any man do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God." Besides, every indi- vidual admitted into our Society sustains the relation of a Cat- echumen or probationer for three months or six, during which his conduct is closely but charitably observed ; and at the end of that term he is either dropped altogether, continued on tri- al, or received into full communion and membership. The Wesleyan Polity guardt and maintains the character ofth§ Laity. Between the disciples of Christ and the ungodly world, the oacred Oracles draw a broad and palpable line of demar- cation. The plantation or garden must be weeded and fenced; the city must be walled and fortified ; the nation or kingdom must be bounded and guarded, till it encloses the whole habit- able globe, by the success of its culture or the triumph of its arms. "The Church and the world," says the author of " Spiritual Despotism,'* " must needs he parted, until the Church shall have embraced t!ie world, and the world have yielded itself to the Church." *' It is an equal fault for a Church to have an open door and a promiscuous assemblage^ like a market ; or a door bolted upon an Augean stable.'* — Such, too, is the voice of Scripture : " A man that is an here- tic after the first and second admonition reject :" " If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idol- ater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner ; with such an one no not to eat :" " Put away from among you that wick- ed person :" "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly :" " If he will not hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a pub- lican.*' A neglect of discipline and of proper pastoral super- vision, has issued in the degeneracy and corruption of the Christian Church. Hence the maintenance of order and pu- rity is a prominent and principal point in the Wesleyan Poli- ty. Each Steward and Leader is required to inform the Preach- er of any that walk disorderly. The Preacher is required to institute athorouafh investigation, and to administer with fidel- ' ft] ; *fl Hi n « j! (.i f: 30 ity, the discipline of the Cliuich. There h also a regular quarterly pastoral Visitation of the classes, at which every incnibcr is examined, and continued, admonished, suspended or excluded, as his conduct deserves. The character of eve- ry Leader, local Preacher and Exhorter is subjected to a strict scrutiny in the meetings to which they i*especlively belong. Thus, adequate provision is made for guarding the credit and character of the Church . The tVeslcyan Polity supplits a twluntary and efficient Financial System, The prosperity of the Church is intimately connect- ed with her revenues. If the Clergy are not to " entangle themselves with the affairs of this life," but to " give them- selves wholly" to their official and sacred duties, their tempo- ral wants must be duly supplied. Hence the Lord hath or- dained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel, that they who minister to the people in spiritual tilings should reap the people's carnal things. The claims of the Clergy are divinely authorized and cnforc d ; they are the claims of justice, and not of charity. By what fiscal regula- tions, then, shall th6se claims be met ? Certainly either by individual voluntary contribution, or by a legal enactment and provision. Tlie latter mode was of course impracticable in the early ages of Christianity, til] the civil authorities embra- ced the faith, and then it was adopted. Into a discussion of its merits we cannot now enter. Duly modified and guarded, we know nothing in tlie New Testament against it ; for though the principle of supporting the clerical in&titute is enforced, the mode of its practical application is nowhere described. — If a legal provision for the Clergy do not involve an infringe- ment of the organization, rights and interests of the Church, and do not supersede voluntary gratuities, we know no reason- pl)le scriptural argument against it. We believe that volunta- ry contributions and state endowments should be combined in harmonious and effective operation in every christian land ; and we believe such will be the case in the brip;hter and better days which await the Church. Individuals, then, will bestow •" the gold of Ophii! ;" the kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents, the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts ;, for kings shall be nursing fathers, andf queens nursing mothers in christian Israel. But Methodism seeks not a legal provision. It provides Ministers to teach, to feed and to rule; and it demands from the Church their pecuniary support. — And thai support is generally given. Various causes xAzy ope= erate against an adequate aiid respectable provision, in some instances, but the steadily-maturing financial system of Me- [K regular h every spended of cve- a strict J belong. edit and Financial connect- enlangle ve theni- p tempo- hatl) 6r- r'e of the lal tilings IS of tkc ^ are the \\ regula- eitlier by inent and icable in 28 embra- lussion of r guarded, or though enforced, cribed. — infringe- Church, reason- t vplunta- nbinedin an land ; nd better n bestow the isles lall offer ( nursing >t a Idgal Ho rule J ippbrt. — r.ay dpe= in some 1 of Me- 31 thodism will eventually provide for all such cases. The prin- ciples of this system may be thus stated :•— . 1. Each member is required to furnish his quota of support, according to his ability ; as each member receives the benefits of the Ministry. Such a distribution of the duty ensures its certainty and sufficiency, and nullifies the influence of local faction. 2. Each member is required to contribute ir«eit/j(. Thus the duty is less felt by the poor, and the support is more regular, certain and constant. 3. Each member is required to contribute quarterly^ at the quarterly pastoral Visitation and renewal of tickets. 4. Each member h appealed to yearly or half-yearly. The fruits of this appeal are appropriated to deficient circuits. 5. Each member is required to contribute m the presence of his class-matts and elms-leader ; and, quarterly, in the presemce q/* the Preacher. By this arrangement examples of duty and libe- rality are exhibited, and penuriousness either ashamed into subjection or displayed in its unprincipled and detestable character, for (he instruction of others. 6. In towns and cities a considerable revenue is derived from the pew-rents of those chapels which are unembarrassed with heavy debt. 7. The institution of Funds or other Corporate Property is an important and highly usefiil part of our Financial system. By this modification of the voluntary plan provision is made for seasons of commercial depression or agricultural scarcity ; a remedy is provided for the attacks of faction ; worn-out Min- isters and their wives, widows and children are maintained ; various casualties and contingencies provided for, and vari- ous general interests promoted. It has long been in success- ful operation in England, as a part of an admirable, compre- hensive and matured system of finance ; and it is about to be more fully applied and established here. 8. Our system of finances, thus briefly explained, is strictly volnntary. The duty of contributing is explained and enforced, but no ecclesiastical censure inflicted on those who imperfect- ly fulfil it, And though we believe that Christians in general have not yet learned due liberality in behalf of the support and extension of the Gospel, yet seldom, if ever, is the case of a person wholly and continually neglecting this duty known among us. To the singular excellence and efficiency of the Wesleyan fiscal regulations, protracted experience and can- did observers have borne testimony. The Wesleyan Polity vnites Clerical and I^tty Agency in M m i* h , :* 1 FinancuA nffairs. From llie very commencement of tlie Chris- tian Society, we find the Ministry more or less engaged in the regulation and adjustment of pecuniary matters. An Apostle Mras the first Treasurer of the Church. And though, after- wards, the Apostles relinquished the " service of tables," they (did not surrender all right of interference with the temporal interests of the Church. They abstained from all executive interference which would infringe on the performance of their clerical duties. But tliey continued to give directions to the Church, and to adopt such prudential measures as from time (otime they judged necessary ; and we find that the collection of the Church in Anlioch for the "relief" of '*the brethren whichdnrelt in Judea," was sent for disbursement, to " the el- ders, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Gradually, howev- er, the management of ecclesiastical revenues became a cleri- cal monopoly, secularizing and corrupting the sacred order. It is true wisdom to prevent a recurrence of such evils. If the people are to provide for the support aad enlarged useful- ness of Ministers, ihey shoulil possess some power of control- ling, as well as facilities for knowing the mode of appropriat- ing their contributions. In the English Wesleyan Connexion, all bills for Ministerial expences must first be received and approved by the Quarterly Meeting ; and as the division of circuits involves pecuniary considerations, no circuit can be divided, nor a proposal for division entertained in the District Meeting till concurred in by the Quarterly Meeting of Stew- ards and Leaders. Lay Delegates or Circuit Stewards, too, are admitted into all our District Meetings while pecuniary matters are under consideration, to represejit, by voice and vote, their respective circuits. The principle of uniting cler- ical and lay agency is also carried into the standing Treasure- ships and Committees ; such as those connected with the guarding of privileges, the Missionary Society, the Kingswood and Woodhouse-Grove Schools, the Chapel Fund, the build- ing of chapels, the Children's Fund, the Contingent Fund, the Preachers' Auxiliary Fund, the Theological Institution, and Connexional Education. The same principle is carried into operation in this Province. The Wesleyan Polity employa every variety of suitable ^eney. Instead of confining itself to the public ministration of truth and other pastoral duties, it employs the Press for the diffu- sion of religious and useful knowledge, in the shape of week- ly, monthly and quarterly Periodicals ; Commentaries on the Sacred Writings ; Works of Biography, Philosophy, Litera- ture and Divinity j Catechisms and Tracts. It employs schools lie Chris- ged in the n Apostle gh, after- Tes," they temporal executive je of their 9ns to the rom time collection brethren o"theel- y, howev- le a cleri- cd order, evils, h' id useful- f control- >propriat- mncxion, »ived and ivision of lit can be e District of Stew- irds, too, pecuniary oice and ting cler- treasure- nrith the ngsu'ood ie biiild- rund, the ion, and ried into : tSgency, of truth he diifii- )f week- son the Litera- I schools 53 both tveek-day ami Sabbath. It establishes Academies and Colleges, and has now a flourishing Theological Institution and a University. Under its influence the Naval and Military Bible Society and the Benevolent or Stranger's Friend Socie- ty were formed. Thus learning and science, temporal com- fort and religious happiness, individual action and combined exertion, are included in its lengthened train of agencies, bene- fits and blessings. At every door of usefulness it enters. By every suitable means it endeavours to rescue, dignify and bless man. It appreciates and uses "wlintsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely and of good report." The Wesleyan Polity affords suitable employment to every mem- ber, and thereby avails itself of the energies of all. " Labour all, and labour always" is in fact its motto. By its system of train- ing Ministers it brings into action noble energies, which other- wise might have continued dormant on account of education- al or literary deficiencies. Those who are not called or adapt- ed to the work of the Itinerant Ministry it employs in the ca- pacity of local and occasional Preachers ; or, if they cannot preach, they are permitted to exhort ; or, they are appointed to the care of classes ; or they may be highly useful as Stew- ards ; or they may fill several of these stations at once ; or they may be Sunday-sciiool Teachers or Missionary Collectors ; or, if utiadapted to any prominent situation, they can still be useful in Meetings for prayer and christian fellowship. Hence no individual need be idle or useless, however humble his con- dition, however wanting in education or intellectual promi- nence. Each member of the body is useful in its place. Such facilities for usefulness are nowhere else so fully supplied. Methodism is alone, is prudent and wise, is conformed to pure primitive Christianity, and is singularly successful in its em- ployment of the energies of all its members. The Wesleyan Polity effedually guarantees the rights cndpriv- lieges of every member, as ioell as the integrity of the whole system. — This is done by constitutional restrictions, a balance of power and authorized checks. In England, the Conference in its le- gislative capacity, is restrained from altering the doctrines of the Connexion by Mr. Wesley's " Deed of Declaration," en- rolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery ; and from abolishing Itinerancy by the trust-deeds. In this Proi»ince, without the concurrence of the people, as represented in the Quarterly Meetings, the Conference can effect no change in relation to doctrines ; to the rights and privileges of the mem- F i i f ■'!' 'if I : 34 bers, as specified in the " Book of Discipline ;" or to temporal economy. Similar restrictions ore imposed in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Executive power is also restrained and guarded. The President of the Conference cannot ordain and station Preachers, except in agreement with fixed rules which supply ample checks. The Chairman of a district cannot change a Preacher contrary to his wish, or suspend or censure him without the concurrence of a Special District Committee, nor can he employ a Preacher whom the Conference have re- jected without specific liberty. The Superintendent of a cir- cuit cannot exclude a member for immoral or improper con- duct, without trial before a Lay-Committee, and their verdict of condemnation ; and even then, an appeal to the Quarterly Meeting, not directly from the Preacher's judicial decision, but from the verdict of the Committee is allowed. Nor can a Superintendent appoint or change Leaders contrary to the wish of the class, or without consulting the Leaders' Meeting ; nor can he license Exijorters without consulting the Quarterly Meeting. And in forming a plan for the Local Preachers and Exhorters, he is required to consult the Local Preachers' or Quarterly Meeting. No person can be appointed to the office of a Local Preacher, or put upon the plan as such, without the approbation of the Local Preachers' or Quarterly Meeting. — No Local Preacher can be silenced or suspended without the concurrence of a committee, consisting of official members or of the Quarterly Meeting ; and even then lie has the right of appealing to the District Meeting. A Trustee who ceases to be a member of our Society cannot be ejected from his Trus- teeship " while he is in joint security for money, unless such relief be given him as is demanded, or as the creditor will ac- cept." But should a Superintendent, or Chairman, or Presi- dent, p3*actical]y disregard the constitutional restrictions and authorized checks, he is amenable for his conduct to the Con- ference ; and, in the interim of the Conference he is amenable for immoral conduct, or for holding and disseminating erro- neous doctrines, to a Special District Meeting or Committee. And in the English Connexion, should the Local Preachers, Stewards, Leaders or Trustees become factious, or attempt to interfere unconstitutionally with the Superintendent or Preach- ers ; or should a majority of the Trustees, or of the Stewards and Leaders of any Society believe a Preacher to be immoral, erroneous in doctrines, deficient in abilities, or guilty of vio- lating the rules relating to Baptism, the Lord's Supper and the use'of the Liturgy, as laid down in the " Plan of PacificatiGn ;*' in either of these cases, provision is made for summoning a emporal ethodist led and lain and ;s which cannot censure nmittce, Iiave re- ef a cir- per con- r verdict iiarterly kcision, or can a r to the leeting ; tuarterly hers and Ljhers' or he office hout the jeting. — Lhout the mbers or t right of ceases to lis Trus- ess such will ac- or Presi- ions and the Con- menable ng erro- mmittee. eachers, itempt to Preach- itewards mmoral, ' of vio- and the .-it .»i ;aiiuu , koning a 35 Special District Meeting, which i» empowered to interfere and determine till the ensuing Conference. Thus the Wesleyan Polity eflfectually guarantees the integrity of the whole system, and the rights and privileges of every member. Having attempted a delineation of Wesleyau Methodism in the preceding remarks, by explaining its Doctrines, Worship and Polity, we are now prepared to form a judgment concern- ing it. Our own deliberate and decided conviction of its pos- itive and peculiar excellence has been already stated. Some, no doubt, are indisposed to form so high an estimate of it, though acknowledging its general excellence. Others, again, regard it with indifference, as they do Religion in general. — But there is yet another class of individuals who view it in a still different light as an unauthorized system, destitute of scriptu- ral warrant and apostolic sanction. The party to which we allude exists in the Church of England. They assert the Di- vine right and direct obligation of Diocesan Episcopacy, and acknowledge no regularly-organized and duly-authorized Churches but the Roman Catholic and Protestant Episcopal. Every species of dissent at home, and of Presbyterianism abroad is discarded and stigmatized. This, we believe, is not the proper doctrine or spirit of the Church of England, nor of a large class of persons in her communion, generally denom- inated Low-Church or Evangelical. But its growing preva- lence; its Popish, exclusive, schismatical spirit; its total want of Divine sanction ; and its unchristian and unchurching ten- dency, render a refutation of it and a vindication of our ec- ctesiasttcal organization, clerical ordinations, and religious ministrations really necessary ; and on no occasion, we con-^ ceive,can this be more appropriately done than the present. Instead of examining these views in connexion with the Pres- byterial principle of our economy we chose to refer them to this stage of our remarks, under the form of an objection. They may be thus sketched : — 1. In the original Church of Christ there existed three dis- tinct orders of Ministers, namely, Bishops, Presbyters and Dea- cons : 2. These three orders were divinely appointed. 3. The continuance or perpetuation of these three orders is directly obligatory on the Christian Church, and is essential to its identity. 4. Bishops must be installed and consecrated by triple or- dination ; first, as Deacons ; secondly, as Presbyters, then as Pishops. 6. Bishops alone are empowered to ordain Ministers. 1 ■• I! tl 36 6. The office and aulhorily of a Christian Minister are truly committed only by the imposition of u Bishop's hands ; and, therefore, Episcopal ordination is the test of Ministerial au- thority. 7. Bishops are divinely-empowered to rule and govern Min- isters as well as people. 8. Each Bishop presides over a Diocese, including several Ministers and congregations, without an associate. 9. Bishops and Episcopally-ordained Ministers have been continued in the Church from its first organization by a lineal, visible, personal, uninterrupted succession. 10. Whoever is not found in this succession of Episcopal ordinations, whatever may be his gifts, graces and usefulness, is unauthorized to administer the ordinances of Religion. 11. Therefore, the Roman Catholic and Protestant Episco- pal denominations are the only scriptural, apostolical and au- thorized churches, and their ordinations and religious minis- trations alone are valid. Such, in substance, were the views of Jeremy Taylor, Drs. Dodwell and Hickes ; and such are the views, in the present day, of Dr. Hook, Vicar of Leeds, and the Oxford Tract Di- vines. It is proper to observe that the Episcopal form of church government is advocated by another class of persons, on the ground of expediency, antiquity and usefulness, as a prudential ecclesiastical arrangement. Such is the Episco-* pacy of the American Methodists ; official, and not ordinal ; human, and not divine ; prudential, and not obligatory. With these we have no controversy. And if we controvert the High Church Succession scheme, it is in self-defence, and not from the Jove of debate or from hostility to the Church of England. We have civil, religious, literary and Methodistical reasons for esteeminj^ our National Religious Institute. We cannot, it is true, subscribe to every thing in her worship and polity. But, for the sake of her pure, evangelical doctrines ; her cha&te, beautiful and impressive Liturgy ; her erudite, able and eloquent divines ; her profound and eminent scholars ; her able and glorious host of confessors and martyrs ; her invaluat)]e institutions ; her multiplied missions ; her trans- lations and expositions of Scripture ; her defence of truth against infidelity, Popery and every species of corrupted Christianity ; and her varied, extended and long-continued usefulness in every department of literature, science and Re- ligion ; for the sake of all these we cordially wish her, in truth and righteousness, God speed. We rejoice in her real prosperity as we do in that of every true Christian Church.—^ gous Ifi some secut it cai was ( lowir Drs. in 37 But we feci compelled to oppose the errors broached by some of her sons, and disseminated under the specious title of the "Apostolical Succession." We believe in an uninterrupted succession of faith and holiness, and of Ministers in the Chris- tian Church, but we totally deny this Episcopal scheme. It is advocated on two distinct grounds : — First — As a succession of the Apostolate or Apostolic office. Second — As a succession of a Primitive Episcopate, analo- gous to modern, and distinct from the Apostolate. If it be a succession it must, of course, be a succession of something; and to be primitive and divine it must be a con- secution of some on of these ; for it cannot be of both. But it cannot be a succession of the Apostolate, because this order was extraordinary and temporary, as is evident from the fol- lowing considerations : — 1. The indispensable requisites of an Apostle were extraordin- ary and temporary. Such was seeing Christ in the flesh and after his resurrection. This was an essential requisite of un Apostle, because he was to be a witness of Christ's resurrec- tion. ''Wherefore," says St. Peter, speaking of the election of an Apostle to complete the college — "Of these men which have accompanied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us ; beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." Acts i. 21, 22. In the second chapter of the Acts, Peter says again — " This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses ;" and in the third chapter he uses similar language. Hence, says St. Paul ; " Am I not an Apostle ? — have 1 not seen our Lord Jesus Christ ?" and again — " last of all he (Christ) was seen of me also, as of one born an Apostle out of due time. For I am the least of the Apostles that am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God." 2. The prerogatives and endowments of the Apostles were ex- traordinary and temporary They received their commission directly and immediately from Christ : therefore Paul claims this and says — " Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father." The Apostles en- joyed plenary inspiration by which they knew the whole doc- trine of Christ : therefore, says Paul — " I certify you brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ," The Apostles possessed the power of working miracles, and of conferring the miracu- ■;r- y I i'l; 1t' i' as louf gifts of the Spirit by the imposition of hands : hence, soya St. Paul, speaking of himself—" Truly the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." If wonders and mighty deeds are the «ig?w of Apostles, why are they not performed by their pretend- ed " successors*' for the authentication of their claims. 3. The iMy and Work of an Apostle was extraordinary and temporary. Instead of confining themselves to the instruc- tion and government of any one Church, they visited, regu- lated and superintended all Churches. No Ministers possess such power now ; but are limited to a congregation, diocese or kingdom. The modern assertion of certain Apostles being Bishops of certain Churches is without foundation, and is re- futed by the very terms and extent of their commission. 4. The number of the Apostles was limited ; clearly indicat- ing the fact that their office was extraordinary and temporary, and not designed as an Episcopate for every city, diocese or kingdom. At first but twelve Aoostles were chosen ; after- wards a thirteenth ; of any addition to which, we have no ac- count. 6. No provision was made for the appointment of succes- sors. Matthias was elected before the Apostles properly en- tered upon the apostolic office as witnesses of the resurrec- tion. Judas, therefore, was never properly and perfectly an Aoostle, for he was not a witness of the resurrection. And when the Apostle James was beheaded, we find no successor appointed. We read of the ordination of elders in the Churches, but never of the ordination of Apostles. Nothing can be more evident, then, than that the apostolate was a pe- culiar and temporary office, and the Apostles peculiar and temporary Ministers. A succession and continuation of these, therefore, is impossible ; and, before the claims of their pre- tended successors can be admitted, they must answer the ar- guments we have adduced ; they must clearly prove their pre- tensions by Holy Writ ; and they must be conformed to the Apostles, not only in moral excellence, but in indispensable requisites, in prerogatives and endowments, in duty and work, and in limitation of number. We now proceed to shew that as diocesan episcopacy h not a succession of the apostolate ; neither is it a succession of an analogous primitive episcopate. Let it be remembered that as we deny this scheme, the onus proband^ or burden of proving, rests upon its advocates, not upon us. To prove a denial or negation is to prove nothing, which is perfectly im- possible and absurd. "V^e might therefore content ourselves ence, toys n Apostio 1 wonders are the r pretend- ns. inary and instruc- ed, regu- s po9se89 , diocese ties being and is re- on. y indicat- emporary, iocese or en ; ifter- we no ac- >f succet- operly en- resurrec- irfectly an ion. And successor rs in the Nothing was a pe- luliar and n of these, their pre- er the ar- their pre- led to the spensable md work, }opacy 13 iccessicn lembered urden of ) prove a ectly im- )urselves 39 with examining and answering liic arguments of our oppO« nents, if any there be, and then Ihe whole fabric of episcopal hierarchy, deprived of its fc»'ndations and props, would neces- sarily fall. But as some oi these arguments are adduced in support both of primitive apostolical and ))rimitive episcopal succession, we reserve their consideration for another place. And though we cannot prove the negation of a proposition, we n»ay prove its converse. This we have done in considering the alleged consecutive apostolatc : we have disproved this hypothesis by proving its converse, namely, that the apostolic order was peculiar and temporary. We shall adopt the game course in refuting the doctrine of a continued, primitive, di- vine, diocesan episcopate. The following facts and princi- ples deserve consideration : — 1. Presbyters and Bishops were identical in the days of the Apostles. This we have already proved by a variety of argu- ments ; and it is, of course, fatal to the distinctness and di- vine right of Bichops, because it wholly demolishes their order. 2. Deacons, originally, were not Ministers, but Stewards, appointed to the service of tables. And though Philip bap- tized, it was by virtue of his office of Evangelist, not of Dea- con. Yet Deacons are not St» wnr'^s, but Ministers, in the Protestant Episcopal Church. Thus, then, is her third order of Ministers demolished. 3. The historical evidence necessary to the proof of the succession scheme cannot be adduced. Dr. Hook says— - " There is not a Bishop, Priest or Deacon among us, who can- not, if he please, trace his own spiritual descent from St. Pe- ter or St. Paul." This is resting the scheme on historic tes- timony ; but, alas, the tables are imperfect, the chain is bro- ken. Eusebius, the earliest uninspired ecclesiastical histo- rian, acknowledges the darkness of his path in tracing this succession ; and founds Timothy's bishoprick of Ephesus, and Titus's of Crete, on report. Who was first bishop of Rome no one can tell. Archbishop Cranmer says : " It is not even cer- tain that Peter ever was at Rome." It is therefore very con- venient for Dr. Hook to say, " Peter or Paul ;" and he mi^ht have truly added, " or some person else." The second, third or fourth Bishop of Rome can no more be ascertained with certainty than the first. Cabassute says : " The whole ques- tion is very doubtful." Prideaux says : " No certainty is to be had." Howel says ; " It is evident how very doubtful and uncertain is the personal succession of the Roman Bishops." Dr. Comber admits, ** There is neither truth nor certainty in the pretended personal succession of the first Popes." And i tfi: -i tfi Ill 40 yet through these Pones the Successlonists must trace thcif spiritual descent ! Well might Stillingdect say : "The sue* ctsflion here (at the hcginninjj) is as muddy ns the Tiher it- self;" and well might Mr. Wesley denominutc the whole Bcheme "a fnble." 4. This scheme of Diocesan Episcopacy is refiited by the fact that there was a plurality of Bishops in one city or church in the apostolic age. St. Paul called overseers or Bishops from Ephesus to Miletus ; and addressed himself in his Epis- tle to the Church in the city of Philippi, to the Bishops and Deacons." These Bishopswere certainly not dioceran Bishops. Having thus examined the scheme of Diocesan Episcopacy on the two distinct grounds alleged by its advocates, we pro- ceed to ofler some arguments which nhoUy invalidate its claims on every possible basis : — First, then, this scheme of succession is conlrary to thegimitis and spirit of the gospel. It is bigoted and exclusive, while Christianity is Catholic and liberal. "Master, we saw one casting out devils in ihy name, and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. And Jestis said. Verily I say unto you, forbid him not." It attaches essential importance to an out- ward ceremony, the imposition of a Bishop's hands ; whereas, the Gospel teaches us that " the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost ;" that " he that in these things" (doubtful or disputa- ble ritual observances) •' serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men ;" and Paul says, " notwithstanding eve- ry way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached ; and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice." This scheme prescribes an unchangeable mode of Church government, while the Gospel does not ; for, as the author of " Spiritual Despotism" observes, " Christianity, because intended for all places and times, was left, so far as relates to its exterior forms and its social constitutions, in a plastic state." " These adjuncts of Christ's religion (worship and polity) are so left at large as to admit of needful modifications. Christianity takes an elastic grasp of human nature. Juddison held it" (and the succession scheme would hold it now) " as the solid mould holds the metal that is poured into it." Again this scheme en- joins as law what the Gospel does not, by making diocesan episcopacy obligatory on the Church, and essential to its iden- tity. No such law is to be found in the New Testament. On this subject the writer, whom we have just quoted observes : " Whatever in the New Testament relates to modes of wor- ship, and to ecclesiastical constitutions, is couched in general race ihttit The 8UC* Tiber it- le whole eil by the or church ' Bishops hin Epis- hops and I Bishops, liscopacy we pro- lidato its the g^mitis k'c, while saw one , because unto you, an out- whereas, not meat the Holy ' dispula- e to God ding eve- peach fid ; 3 scheme ernment, Spiritual d for all exterior « These so left at ity takes (and the d mould »cme en- Jiocesan its iden- nt. On )serves : of wor- generai 41 terms. Moreover, those allusions to matters of fact, whence the apostolic practice might be gathered, are slight and indis- tinct, and not seldom ambiguous. Our inference is plain. Facts so obscurely conveyed must not be taken as if propounded to us authoritatively. It is not in any such form that LAW has ever been promulgated ; no legislator has so tortured the ingenui- ty of a people. To insist upon some supposed primitive usage, known to us only through a process of ambiguous inferences ; and, in doing so trample upon the unchangcxble and always intelligible rules of christian charity, is to subvert reason and piety, and to leave no vital force in either." This scheme is also contrary to the Ministerial equality and humility taught and enforced by our Lord : Matt. xx. 20, 28 ; Mark, ix. 33, 37 ; Luke, ix. 46, 49, and xxii. 24, 27. Secondly, — This scheme of succession Is contrary to the Scripture test of a true JUinister. Christ tells • j that we are to know false prophets or teachers by their "fruits:" hut high Episcopalians say we are to know them by their want of an episcopal successor's imposition of hands. The Apostle Paul recognizes the same test, and appeals to his ministerial useful- ness a ' a proof of his apostleship : " If I be not an Apostle io others yet doubtless I am to you :" and then he assigns the proof: "For the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord." A successionist would never think of such a proof, but on the contrary exclaim : "• I am doubtless an authorized Minister of the Gospel, for, like Dr. Hook, I can, if I please, trace my spiritual descent from St. Peter or St. Paul, though, it is true, I am not certain from which; and, as he also says, ' it is very sel- dom that as the Clergyman of the parish,' I ' feel it to be worth while to enter into the controversy with a dissenting teacher.' ' I know my superiority, and that I have nothing to gain by the contest.' " St. John's test of a Christian Minister is — " He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God." He commands us to try the spiritis, and gives us this standard of judgment — ■•' Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." St. Paul says — " Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned ; and avoid them." How plainly applicable is this to the conduct of the Sucossionists ! They cause divisions and offences in the Church of Christ, contrary to Scripture doctrine : they are therefore the true schismatics. Thirdly, — This succession scheme, rightly understood and pushed to its consequences, divests by its own pnnciples, the Cler- gy of the Church of England of all Ministerial authority ^ and makes G a I! w >\ <- 41 thai Church schUmatical and unauthorized. The ordination of the English Clergy was received, originally, from the Popish Bishops. Now it is easy to prove that there have been mon- strously iniauitous, heretical, simoniacal and even infidel Popes. Prideaux makes menl'on among the Popes of "38 usurping Nimrods ; 40 luxurious Sodomites ; 40 Egyptian Magicians ; 41 devouring Abaddons ; 20 incuvaole Babylon- ians." The Church of England, it is well known, regardr. the Church of Rome as Anti-Christ, the scarlet Harlot, and mystical Babylon. The Homily against idolatry, calls her an " idolatrous Church," "the mother of whoredom," and "a foul, filthy, old withered hni lot ;" and yet the Church of Eng- land is her successor ! We hesitate not to affirm that if the English Church has no better, no higher authority than the mother of harlots and Anti-Christ could confer, she has no authority at all ; and yet this is the inevitable consequence of the scheme of succession ; for, let it not be forgotten that a stream must partake of the nature of the fountain whence it flows, and that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. — But this is not the only difficulty which this scheme involves. It destroys itself in another manner. Every Bishop at his con- secration swore obedience and fidelity to the Pope, as his Lord ; and swore to retain and maintain the Papacy of Rome. When, therefore, the English Bishops threw off the yoke of the Roman Pontiff, they broke their solemn oaths ; andby vio- lating the conditions of their ordination deprived themselves of whatever power their consecration had conferred ; for no- thing is plainer than that when men violate the conditions of an agreement it becomes entirely null and void. In addition to all this the Pope of Rome excommunicated those Bishops, and stripped them of all ecclesiastical power ; consequently, they ceased to be Bishops und Ministers, and entirely lost the boasted succession. To this we know it maybe answered ♦hat the Episcopal ofTic? is inviolable ; and, therefore, once a Bi- shop, always a Bishop. If so, then, a Bishop can never be de- prived of office, wliatever may be his errors or immorality. He may become u ihief, a murderer, a blasphemer and an athe- ist ; but still he is a true successor, a Scriptural Bishop, an authorized Ambassador of a holy and sin-hating God ! Who can swallow such monstrosities as these ? This was not the opinion of Dr. Barrow. After enumerating several acts of impiety in the conduct of Bishops, he says — "They by such behaviour, ipso facto, deprive themselves of authority and of- fice ; they become thence no guides or pastors to any Chris- tian ; there doth in such cases rest no obligation to hear or 4S obey them ; but rather to declino thctii, to reject and dibclaiin them." The council of Chulcedon in the fifth century, of Constantinople in the seventh, the council of Placenlina in the eleventh, and the council of Lateran, all teach that they who become Ministers by simony were not Ministers at all. Yet by simony many Popes obtained the I'ontificale ; consequent- ly they were no Bishops at all, and had no power to ordain. But the doctrine of ''once a Bishop, always a Bishop" is as contrary to Scripture as it is to reason and pure Protestantism. If the Jewish High Priesthood was transferred from the house of Eli because of the impiety of his sons ; and, if Judas, an Apostle, fell from his office, not by suicide, but as St. Peter says " by transgression," by betraying his Lord and Master, surely a minister of the Christian Church, even the highest, forfeits his office and authority by wickedness and infidelity. From all this it follows that tiie wicked Popes and Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church were not Christ's ministers at all; that they had no ministerial authority to confer, not being scripturally in the "succession"; that those whom they or- dained were not Christian Ministers; arid that, therefore, nei- ther the Church of Rome nor the Church of England is in the succession ; both being unauthorized and unscriptural Churches. Or, view it on another ground: — The English Bishops lost their office and authority by violating their vows and by the Pope's sentence of excommunication ; and hence the Church of ^ jjland is a self-constituted, unauthorized Church, and Di. Hook and the Oxford Tract Divines are out of the succes:>ii)n. Such are the consequences of this unscrip- tural scheme ; such the inferences deducible from making Episcopal ordination the test of ministerial authority. Fourthly, — This scheme of succession is contrary to the opinions and Mimonies of the earliest and most revered Fathers in the Christian Church — as Clement, Ignatius, Justin Martyn, Irensenus, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Firmilian, and Je- rome, the most learned of the Latin FaUun-s. Fifthly, — It is contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England at the Reformation ; to the oinions of WicklifFe, Erasmus, Cranmer, Calvin, Beza, Melaucthon, Claude, Gro- tius, Vitringa, Mosheim, Usher, and several others ; as we could satisfactorily prove by quotations from their writings, did our limits permit. Sixthly, and lastly, — Thit scheme of succession is unsup- ported by the Word of God. To convince you of this we will read the passages of Scripture generally quoted in its sup- port, and you can judge whether they authorize diocesan I i 1 : i 44 Episcopacy as the Successionists liold it. " Go ye therefore and teach all nations, haptizing them in the name of the Fa- ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you : and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. " Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper concerning you : or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ."— 2 Cor. viii. 2, 3. " Epa- phroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow- soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants." — Phil. ii. 25, " As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou roightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine." — 1 Tim. i. 3. " Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." — 2 Tim. i. 6. " For this cause I left thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting^ and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. — Titus, iv. 5. The remaining passages which are alledged in behalf of dio- cesan Episcopacy are those which relate to the Angels of the se- ven Asiatic Churches. Such then is the Scripture warrant for the scheme of succession ; such the Laio binding Episcopacy on the consciences of Clergy and Laity through all generations ; such the ground on which every Presbyterial Church is stig- matized and denounced. If, then, the principles of modern diocesan Episcopacy as a divine institution, and of the High Church succession scheme be so completely devoid of Scrip- tural sanction and historical proof; if they be in direct oppo- sition to various principles of Scripture, to the testimonies and views of the purest and remotest christian antiquity, and to the opinions of the most able, learned and celebrated Divines ; if their legitimate and inevitable consequences be dangerous and absurd ; and if the essential principles of Presbyterianism be warranted by Scripture and History, it follows that there is in the frowns, menaces and assaults of our opponents no real cause of alarm or fear ; that our walls, towers and bulwarks are strong and impregnable ; and that the government of our city is Scriptural and Protestant. II. THE ORIGIN OF METHODISxM. The inquiring and intelligent Traveller who visits some no- ble and celebrated city, and examines its situation ; its build- ings and public works ; its military and commercial advanta- ges ; its municipal institutions ; and all things else pertainin^^ , r m 45 to it, will naturally be desirous of learning the time and cir- cumstances of its origin, and the facts of its history. So, also, will the citizen who shares its immunities and loves its pros- perity ; especially at some remarkable epoch of its existence ; and deeper, stronger, and more lasting will his emotions be, than those of any tourist. Thus it is with us, my brethren, to-day. A century has elapsed since "the city of our solem- nities" was founded. We have now looked upon her and gone round about her and through her ; we have marked her bul- warks and considered her palaces : and because she is " beau- tiful for situation," and "the joy" of thousands ; because she is scripturally founded, constructed and governed, we "take pleasure in her stones, and favour her dust." Deeply affect- ed with her excellence, we eagerly inquire into the occasion- ing and characteristic circumstances of her origin. The facts and principles which furnish the appropriate answers are in- teresting and important, and are supplied by numerous offi- cial and authentic documents. Our limits, however, will not permit us to narrate them particularly and fully. Our walk round the city, and our perambulation of her streets ; our in- spection of her bulwarks, towers and palaces ; and our de- fence of the style of her architecture, and the principles of her government, have occupied so much time as to compel us to be brief. We hope, however, that our historical sketch will not be uninteresting or useless. Methodism, then, arose not from opposition to the Doctrines, Rilual or Polity of the Church of England, or of any Dissenting denomination. Our city was not founded because other cities existed, or ^rom feelings of rivalry, jealousy or dislike. The Rev. John Wesley, the Founder of Methodism, was warmly attached to the National Religion ; believed and taught its theology ; observed its worship ; and carefully conformed to its rules of government, till circumstances arose which left him no alternative but a neglect of eminent means of useful- ness, or a partial deviation from the canon law. And though he rightly chose the latter, it was not from hostility to the Church, or a love of eccentricity, but from an imperative sense of duty, and the constraining influence of love for souls. Nor did he cease his connexion with the Church, or his earnest efforts to maintain as much conformity to her as duty and use- fulness allowed, till he finished his course. His early cleri- cal colleagues and assistants, in the formation of Methodism, were all imbued with the same spirit. And hence, the enter- tainment of feelings of hostility by any Methodist towards the Church of England, or any other true branch of the Christian i i ill If li 46 Family, whatever may be its motives or grounds, is .-. palpable departure from original Wcsleyau Methodism. Methodism arose not from hostility to the Church of England as a Malional Ecclesiastical Eslublishment. Hence, Mr. Wesley was no Dissenter. He never condemned a national altar, a national temple, a national religious Institute. His own de- claration on this subject is quite sufficient. " We are not Dissenters," says he, '' in the only sense which the law ac- knowledges, namely, those who renounce the service of the Church. We do not, we dare not, separate from it. We are not Seceders, nor do we bear any resemblance to them. We set out upon quite opposite principles. The Seceders laid the very foundation of their work in judging and condemning others : we in judging and condemning ourselves. They begin every where with showing their hearers how fallen the Church and Ministers are : we begin every where with showing our hear- ers how fallen they are themselves." Mr. Wesley, then, was no theoretic Dissenter ; nor are his followers in England such Dissenters to this day. In this respect, Methodism is a new and peculiar thing in the land. Methodism was not the result of ambition. No intelligent, impartial and pious person can think it was afler a careful perusal of Mr. Wesley's works and his authentic memoirs, and an intimate acquaintance with the nature and history of Methodism. Ambition is a disease and impulse of an unre- generate heart. Mr. Wesley's heart was renewed and sancti- fied, as his profession, life, labours and usefulness evince. Ambition has a plan ; Mr. Wesley had none. Ambition is re- served and shy ; Mr. Wesley was communicative, frank and open ; giving a reason and even a minute explanation of his proceedings, both spontaneously and by request. Ambition of wealth grasps and accumulates ; Mr. Wesley expended the chief part of his income for religious and benevolent purposes, living frugally and economically ; and continued to do so through life. Ambition of honour becomes inflated and haugh- ty with success ; Mr. Wesley was courteous, meek and con- descending in his greatest prosperity. Ambition of power be- comes harsh and tyrannical, as it augments its strength and extends its sphere ; Mr. Wesley was kind, gentle and pater- nal in his government of his Societies and Preachers, when his authority was most extensively and unanimously acknow- ledged. Whoever ascribes ambition to Mr. Wesley is igno- rant oftheman, and is without reason. Fidelity and even strictness in the enforcement of truth and the application of wholesome discipline, by a Christian Pastor, must not be con- palpable England as '. Wesley il altar, a own de- : are not law ac- ice of the V^e are not We set d the very ig others : ;gin every [lurch and our hear- then, was [land such is a new [itelligent, a careful memoirs, history of ' an unre- nd sancti- 58 evince, ition is re- frank and ion of his Ambition lended the purposes, to do so ndhaugh- : and con- power be- ength and md pater- !rs, when r acknow- y is igno- Q n r1 t> uo p ication of ot be con- 47 founded with ambition and tyranny. If Mr. Wesley had ambi- tion, it was solely to be useful, and the desire of his heart was given him. Methodism arose when some extraordinary and poteerful reli- gious agency was needed in England. " Darkness covered the land and gross darkness tlie people." The infidelity of Vol- taire was spreading through Society, and irreligion and vice holding deadly and general sway. The late Rev. Richard Watson in his life of Wesley observes — " Infidelity began its ravages upon the principles of the higher and middle classes ; the mass of the people remained uneducated, and were chris- tians but in name, and by virtue of their baptism ; whilst ma- ny of the great doctrines of the Reformation were banished both from the Universities and the pulpits. A great proportion of the Clergy, whatever other learning they might possess, Tvere grossly ignorant of theology, and contented themselves with reading short, unmeaning sermons, purchased or pilfered, anJ formed upon the lifeless theological system of the day. — '' h '-"V of the Clergy neither knew nor cared about systems of ir ' ; ind. In a great number of instances they were neg- ligtjiit and immoral ; often grossly so. The populace of the large towns were ignorant and profligate ; and the inhabitants of villages added to ignorance and profligacy brutish and bar- barous manners. A more striking instance of the rapid dete- rioration of religious light and influence in a country scarce- ly occurs, than in our own, from the Restoration till the rise of Methodism. It aff*ected not only the Church, but the Dis- senting Sects in no ordinary degree. The Presbyterians had commenced their course, through Arianism down to Socin- ianism ; and those who held the doctrines of Calvin had, in too many instances, by a course of hot-house planting, luxu- riated them into the fatal and disgusting errors of Anlinomin- ianism." The Rev. Thomas Jackson in his book, entitled " The Centenary of Methodism," states that, " It was unques- tionably the most unevangelical period that had ever occurred in this country, since the Reformation was completed, in the reign of Elizabeth. Infidelity was extensively prevalent, both in the form of downright blasphemy and of philosophical spe- culation." With these statements agree the testimonies of the writers of that time, both in the Church of England and among the Dissenters. Bishop Burnet, twenty six years be- fore the rise of Methodism, says — *'I cannot look on without the deepest concern, when I see the imminent ruin hanging over this Church, and, by consequence, over the whole Refor- mation. The outward state of things is black enough, God I t 1. i, 48 knows ; but that which heightens my fears rises chiefly from the inward state into which we are unhappily fallen." And then he gives a most deplorable account of the extreme igno- rance of the Clergy. Bishop Gibson, fifteen years later, states thr^. in those great cities, London and Westminster, "profane- iiejs and impiety are grown bold and open," and gives a most painful account of abounding iniquity. Bishop Butler, three years before the rise of Methodism, acknowledges the preva- lence of Infidelity ; and Archbishop Seeker, two years after- wards, acknowledges, " that an open and professed disregard to religion is become, through a variety of unhappy causes, the distinguishing character of the present age," and that "it has alreaay brought in such dissoluteness and contempt of principle, in the higher part of the world, and such profligate intemperance and fearlessness of committing crimes in the lower, as must, if this torrent of impiety stop not, become ab- solutely fatal." To the same effect are the testimonies of emi- nent Dissenting Ministers. Methodism became the very effective moral agenctj which England needed. This is simply a matter of tact and of historical re- cord, the truth of which is obvious to ail, and is established by multiplied and convincing evidence, though too many have neither sufficient candour nor fairness to acknowledge it. If the state of the nation, of the Universities, Clergy and Laity of the Establishment, and of Dissent, of the higher, middle and lower classes, was such as has been described ; if a great and glorious amelioration has been effected ; if no adequate agency for this has been provided, except Methodism ; and if the progress, fruits and extended influence of Methodism con- vincingly attest its high excellence and success, it incontro- vertibly follows that Wesleyan Methodism has been the fa- voured and adapted instrument of reviving and restoring, in the English nation, the sanctifying and saving power of the glorious gospel. Dr. So\ithey, whom no man will accuse of unduly eulogizing Methodism, states in his " Colloquies," that "there never was less religious feeling, either within the Es- tablishment or without, than when Wesley blew his trumpet, and awakened those who slept ;" and that " no fear of misre- presentation or of obloquy, shall ever deter him from declar- ing his belief that Wesley and Whitfield were chosen instru- ments of Providence, for giving a great impulse to religious feeling when it was needed most." But we appeal to the con- fessed!^ authentic- records of Methodistic Histor*' * to the abundant and incessant Ministerial travels and labours of Mr. Wesley and his Assistants ; to the ignorance, error, iniquity ' ifly from ." And lie igno- :r, states prolan e- ;s a most jr, tliree e preva- irs after- lisregard f causes, that " it tempt of irofligate js in the ;ome ab- s of cmi- England rical re- tablished any have ;e it. If ,nd Laity •, middle if a great adequate I ; and if ism con- ncontro- the fa- oring, in r of the ccuse of ," that the Es- trumpet, )f misre- declar- n instru- eligious the con- to the ■s of Mr. iniquity es 4» a; ^ !408t}Iity which they everywhere met and encountered ; to the decrease and subsidence of these through the blessing of Qod upon their labours ; to the thousands who were awakened and saved by means of their ministry ; to the various agencies which they put in successful operation for the diffusion of knowledge and piety ; to the powerful impulse given by all this to the Establishment and Dissent, issuing in their present encouraging and delightful activity and usefulness. We point to all this ; and whatever unfriendly and suspicious silence may withhold ; or evil-eyed and evil-minded jealousy insinu- ate ; or shameful ignorance deny ; or bitter and unchristian bigotry distort and pervert ; or envenomed hatred falsify, we confidently assert that to the British Empire and to the world, Methodism has been ** an Apostle," a divine Messenger, for ^* the seals of her apostleship" are all these ^' in the Lord." Methodism leas founded and built by true Christian Ministers. The two Wesleys were regularly-ordained and acknowledged Clergymen of the Church of England. Some others of the Clergy co-operated in their great and glorious work. Search the pages of Ecclesiastical History, and you will find that God has generally chosen Ministers to revive his work and reform his Church. So it was in the glorious Protestant Reforma- tion. Thus God puts honour on the Christian Ministry, and confirms his own ordinance ; deprives opposers of excuses and objections which they might otherwise urge ; and rebukes unauthorized men who make schisms and divisions in the Christian Body. Our City was not built by men of secular . vocations, aims and principles ; but by men whom God evi- dently thrust forth to accomplish his designs ; by men whose deep and solemn conviction was, ^^ woe is unto me if 1 preach not the Gospel," and who feeling such responsibility and obli- gation, could not refrain from publishing the glad tidings of salvation. And they were eminently men of God. By a way which they knew not, God led them to a heartfelt, a saving and experimental knowledge of his redeeming love. Hence, they told and published what they had felt and seen. And God acknowledged the message of his servants by the accom- panying demonstration and power of his Spirit. He gave . them and their labours the indisputable seal of his approba- tion and blessing ; thus leaving their gainsayers, in every age, without justification or excuse. Methodism teas formed by suitable and Scriptural means. — These, as enumerated and explained by the Rev. Thomas Jackson, were — *^ field-preaching ; the formation of Societies; the employment of Preachers who had not received Episco- ?1 50 pal Ordination ; the institutid of an Itinerant Ministry; the erection of separate places of worship ; the publication of books ; aiul the adoption of a simple and impressive mode of preaching." All these are lawful and Scriptural. Preaching the Gospel is a divine ordinance ; forming societies is apos- tolical and necessary ; tlie imposition of hands in ordination is but a form or circumstance, and not essential, though pro- per, and Presbyterial ordination or appointment we have al- ready justified ; Itinerant preaching we have shown to be pri- mitive and excellent ; the erection of places of worship is per- fectly proper ; the value and power of the Press are prover- bial ; simplicity in preaching is both commendable and ne- cessary, if the unlearned and "poor have the Gospel preach- ed to them ;" and impressiveness and energy, animation and zeal in the ministration of divine truth are not only allowable and becoming but obligatory and necessary, if the soul, hea- ven and eternity be transcendently important, if the Gospel be the appointed means of securing them, and if Christian Ministers are to warn, beseech and persuade. Methodism was not formed by error and unrighteousness ; by unprece- dented or unscriptural means. The tools of the builders ; their scaffolding ; and all their architectural implements, were as lawful and excellent as the City which they reared. Methodism was reared in the face of hostility and persecution. The pulpit and the press ; the tongue and the pen ; vile in- sinuation, misrepresentation and slander ; menaces and per- sonal violence, were employed to retard and subvert the work of God. Clergymen and laymen, mobs and individuals en- gaged in the unholy and satanic attempt. '^ The greater part of the Ministers" spoke of Mr. Wesley and his co-adjutors " as if the devil, not God, had sent them. Some repelled them from the Lord's table ; others stirred up the people against Ihem, representing them, even in their public discourses^ as fellows not fit to live ; Papists, heretics, traitors ; conspira- tors against their King and country." Mr. Watson says — "The real danger was in fact so great from the brutality of the populace, the ignorance and supineness of the Magistrates, and the n>ob-exciting activity of the Clergy, one of whom was usually the instigator of every tumult, that every man who wetit forth on the errand ef mercy in that day took his life in his hand, and needed the spirit of a martyr, tl>ough he was not in danger of suffering a martyr's death by regular civil or ecclesiastical process. To be pcUed with stones, dragged through ponds, beaten with bludgeons, rolled in mud, and to •uffer other modes of ill-treatment, was the anticipation of all ry ; the Btion of mode of •caching is apos- dination ugh pro- have al- be pri- ip is pcp- prover- and ne- preach- ition and illowable oul, hea- Gospel Christian ethodism unprece- builders ; nt8,were d. ersecution. ; vile in- and per- the work duals en- jater part i-adjutors lied them e against >urses, as conspira- m says — ■utality of igistrates, t^hom was men who lis life in li he was If civil or , dragged id, and to tion of all the first Preachers when they entered upon their work ; and (his was also the lot of many of their hearers. Some lives were lost and many shortened ; and the most singular escapes arc on record." Now the won) of God teaciifs u« to regard persecuiion, not only as a natural expression of human and Satanic Itostility to the cause, the truth and the people of the Mo-it High ; but as a sign, under certain circumstances, of discipleship and piety. "They that will live godly in (Jlirlst Jesus shall sutler persecution :" *' If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you. If they luive called the Mas- ter of the house Beel/chub, how much more they of his house- hold." Persecution, the "offence of the cross," however, is such a sign, and an occasion of christian joy, only when it accuses " falsely," and assails for " Citrist^M sake ;" and is properly endured. And thus it was with the Founder of Me- thodism and his fellow-helpers. The accusations ivere "false;" the ill-treatment was unmerited; the persecution wag inflicted for " Christ's sake," for the sake of his truth, on account of the piety, z^'al and labours of his servants ; and it was endured with patience, forbearance and nieeknesit. — H«^nce it was a sign to those who suffered it, and to their " ad- versaries." Our City,like Jerusalem, was built in " troublous times ;" but the Lord " built the City," and it rose to comple- tion. We have no pleasure in referring to original acts of persecution ; but we could not wholly omit them and do jus- tice to Methodism. Methodism was not the executimi of a premeditated scheme ; but a gradual Providential formation. When Mr. Wesley commen- ced his evangelical and efficient Ministry in England, he had no intention of preaching in the fields ; on the contrary, when he adopted this measure, it was at the suggestion and persua- sion of Mr. Whitfield, and with some reluctance ; "submit- ting," as he himself says, "to be more vile ;" for previously he would have " thought the saving of souls almost a sin, if it had not been done in a Church." And when he took this step he had no design of forming Societies, till circumstances arose which required the measure. Then he thought not of ap- pointing Leaders and Stewards ; and when these offices were instituted he had no design of employing Episcopally-unor- dflined Preachers. When he took one step he seems to have had no knowledge or design of the next. When he commen- ced itinerating, it was not on a settled and extensive plan, but as circumstances required and doors of usefulness were opened. When he permitted the first Preacher, Mr. Maxfield, to serve him as " a son in the Gospel," it was owing to the rcmon- strancc and advice of hiii excellent mother, bj vrhom hit pre- vioui« repugnance and displeasure were subdued. The unex- l^cted increase of Preachers rendered llie formation of n plan of Itinerant labour necessary. But when this vras done he had no thonglit of extending Methodism to America ; for this was efTecled by others, without his knowledge or suggestion. This absence ufa plan ; this gradual and undesigned proc*)- dure ; this conformity to circumstances, may be regarded by some as an objection to Methodism, but to us it is a delightful ami encouraging consideration. It proves that Mr. Wesley was no ambitious schemer; it proves that no selfish or fric- tious spirit impelled him to exertion ; and it indicates an Agen- cy, in the formation of Methodism, higher than human. To confirm these statements we shall quote some observations from Mr. Wesley himself, and from his biographer, Mr. Wat- son. Mr. Wesley, speakiing of the Methodists, in his "Plain occount," observes — "As they had not the least expectation, at first, of any thing like what has since followed, so they had no previous design or plan at all ; but every thing arose just as the occasion olfercd. They saw or felt some impending or pressing evil, or some good end necessary to be pursued.-— And many limes they fell unawares on the very thing which secured the good or removed the evil." Mr. Watson, speak- ing of Mr. Wesley, says — " He arrived in London in Septem- ber, 1738. His future course of life does not appear to have been shaped out in his mind ; no indication of this appears in any of his letters, or other communication : so little ground is there for the insinuation which has been so often made, that he early formed the scheme of making himself the head of a par- ty." Afterwards Mr. Watson observes — "Mr. Whitfield pressed Charles (Wesley) earnestly to accept a College living ; which, as Dr. Whitehead justly observes, * gives pretty clear evidence that no plan of Itinerant preaching was yet fixed on, nor indeed thought of : had any such plan been in agitation among them, it is very certain Mr. Whitfield would not have urged this advice on Mr. Charles Wesley, whom he loved as a brother, and whose labours he highly esteemed.' " Again, he remarks — "The Founder of Methodism walked *step by step' it is true, but only as Providence by an arrangement of cir- cumstances seemed to lead the way ; and would make no change but as a necessity, arising from conscientious views of the prosperity of a spiritual work, appeared to dictate." Else- where, he observes— " The origin of these classes was, how- ever, purely accidental.'' Nothing is more evident, then, than that Methodism was not the execution of a premeditated m hit pre- Th*j unex- 1 of n plan done he ; for this uggestion. led proc*!- garded by delightful r. "Wesley sh or fac- san Agen- man. To servations Mr. Wat- Plain us (( [pectation, they had arose just pending or mrsued.— ing which on, speak- in Septeni- lar to have appears in ! ground is de, that he d of a par- Whitlield )ge living ; retty clear t fixed on, 1 agitation d not have loved as a Again, he jp by step* snt of cir- make no s views of 5." Else- IV AS. how* then, than imeditated 53 aeheme, but a gradual Providential formation, and is, there- fore, emphtitically, the Child of Providence. Lastly, Methodism was not schismnlical in ilf origin. Mr. Wedloy was certainly not Hchi»matical in his spirit and de- signs ; nor can his saving souls and doing good be called schidmatical by any one who ft-ars God.. The end for which he lived and laboured was to benefit men and glorify God ; and though the means he used for securing this end involved some ecclesiastical irregularities or deviations from Church order, they were authorized by the facts that they contained nothing unscriptural in themselves ; that they were necessary to his purpose ; that Providential circumstances rendered them law- ful and essential, and that the seal of God's sanction and blessing was plainly afiixed to them, as their fruits declare. If Mr. Wesley was not schismatically hostile to the body to which he belonged, considered as a Church or a National Es- tablishment ; if be was not scbismatically ambitious ; if, when Methodism arose, England required some e;;:traordinary and powerful moral Agency to awaken and save her, and if Me- thodism really became that Agency; and if the means Mr. Wesley used were all Scriptural in themselves ; if his mea- sures were not the result of a plan, but a gradual provision for undesigned, unforeseen, unavoidable and therefore Provi- dential circumstances, how can it be truly and charitably af- firmed that he was guilty of schism ? Was the observance of ecclesiastical order and discipline of more importance than the saving of souls ? Is the former to be preferred before the latter ? la it better to obey a lukewarm, a fallen, a practicalhj corrupt Church, than to diffuse religion throughout a nation ? Of the Churchmen who charge Wesley with the sin of schism, we inquire, why did not your Clergy render Mr. Wesley's ir- regular measures unnecessary, and wholly prevent them, by personal and ministerial piety, fidelity and exertion 1 Why did they exclude Mr. Wesley from their Churches, and thereby compel him either to preach in the fields and erect chapels, or lose his own soul and suffer the souls of others to be lost, by neglecting his duty ? Why did they not take the pastoral care of the fruits of his labours, agreeably to his own desire, and thereby render the formation of classes and the appoint- ment of Leaders unnecessary, instead of neglecting and per- secuting those who were converted ? Why did they not so live and preach themselves as to render Episcopally-unor- daiofld and Itinerant Preachers unnecessary ? Or because they were asleep, were others to be the same ? Because they did nothing, were otheps to be idle ? Let our accusing friendft pi m 54 of tliC Church of t^nglnnd know that Ihnir own Chufch, their own Clergy rendered every ecclesliiHlirnl deviution on the part of Mr. Wesley necessary, nnd ihut the binnie, if there he nny, rests upon them nnd not ii|)on him. Nnd Lullier, (.'nlvin, Melnncthon nn I Znihifliiis ; Wirlif, Cranmer, Latimer nnd Ikidley, preferred ecdesiasiie-.d ordfr and ohedience hefore the dtflTiision of tr ith nnd the salvniioii of souls, we shonid now he fed with Lntin Masses and n nalcr-god. These noble llefor- mers broke their solemn ordination vow in throwing oft' the Papal yoke, nnd assailing the Romish Church with every pos- sible lawful weapon, tor lit" sake of obeying God, doing good, and saving souls. Our Episeopalian opponentn rightly eulo- gize them, nnd yet censure Mr. Wesley for accomplishing the same ends, by means in tiiemsclves Scriptural, and which Providential circumstances, openings and arrangements fully authorized ; while, at the same time, he remained a w.irm and steady friend and mcndjer of the ( hurch, sutfering no devia- tion from her discipline, except uhnt his great purpose nnd principle of doing good rendered necessary. If the Provi- dence of God opened doors of usefulness was Mr. Wesley to refuse entering because they had not been opened by the Church ? If God called men to preach his Gospel, were they to disobey the call because not authorized by the National Church } We must obey God rather than men. If saving souls and doing good be at variance with human ecclesiasti- cal arrangements, we must choose the former. If ever there was a true Reformer, since the apostolic age, Mr. Wesley was one. God qualified him to be one : God opened his way to be one : God made him one, and crowned his labours with success. That £ngland needed one is beyond dispute. But to make the whole matter as plain as possible, let us institute a comparison between Mr. Wesley and all Schismatics and pseudo-Reformers, carefully noting the points of difference. And, first, they widely differ in their eircumstances : Wesley found the Church and the nation in a state of fearful ungodli* ness and danger. They often find the reverse ; they find nei- ther vital error in doctrine, nor prevailing immorality in prac- tice. Wesley was prevented by others from doing good in the ordinary way^ and compelled to deviate from the estab- lished order of things : they are not* They also differ in their principles of action, Wesley aimed solely at usefulness : they at wealth, power, distinction or honour. Wesley was influ- enced by zeal for God and love for souls : they by attachment to names, forms, parties or unimportant opinions. They al- so differ in their actions. Wesley, like Luther, was guided by Ii, their on the her<* h(j Calvin, K'l' nnd foie I lie now he ! Ilefor- ott' the »ry pos- ff good, !y eulo- liing the which Its fully Arm and o devia- Qse nnd 3 Provl- E5sley to by the ere they National saving ilesiasti- er there sicy was \ way to jrs with to. But institute tics and iferencc. Wesley ungodli- find nei- in prac- good in e estab- r in their ss : they as influ- achment They al- fuided by 05 Providential circunistances, os they arose : they by a prccon* ceived plan. He took no steps from time to time but 8uch as he saw necossary Cor doing good : they take every step neces- sary for cariying out tlit-ir premeditated sclieiue. He ab- Mtniried from uU uiichariluble censures on his opponents : they deal largely in such censures, as a part of their means. He deviated no farther from the cstublished order of things than duty required : ii is a part of their work and purpose to devi- ate without respect to such a principle. Wesley laboured to benefit the Church to which he belonged, as his great design : they labour to injure it. Wesley remained in the Church to which he belonged : their first step is to leave it. He labour- ed to persuade his followers to support and continue in the Church of England : they labour to persuoHe their followers to oppose the Church to which they Ibrmerly belonged. They also differ in their (ptalificaiions. He possessed adequate phy- sical, intellectual, literary and moral qualifications ; they are frequently deficient in strength of intellect, clearness of un- derstanding and soundness of judgment, and in due literary attainments ; and always in religious qualifications ; wanting the love, the meekness, the forbearance, charity and fervent piety which every Reformer should unquestionably possess. Such, then, is the difference between Mr. Wesley and schis- matics, which every discerning and impartial man can see ; and such are the grounds and reasons of our belief that We8-> leyan Methodism is Providential and not schismatical in its origin. Some chronological facts relating to the origin of Metho- dism should be known and remembered. Mr. Wesley first preached in the open air near London, Monday, April 2, 1*739. The Methodist Dnited Society was first formed in London in the latter end of 1739. Classes were first formed at Bristol. Thomas Maxfield was the first Preacher. The first Chapel erected by the Wesleys was in Bristol ; the first opened was in London. The first Conference was held in June, 1744. III. THE PROGRESS AND PRESENT STATE OF METHODISM. From the time, circumstances, and principles of the origin of Methodism, our attention is directed to its progress and pre- sent state. The History of such a City must be as interesting as its structure and origin. To understand properly the spirit and progress of Method- ism, it is necessary to mark its original diminutiveness. Two individuals, John and Charles V/esley, laid the foundations of " the City of our solemnities." " Eight or ten persons" were 11 ^f ' 'n.- r* ft , 5tf the fint Cttizeni. A Foundry became the first Chapel. Me* thodiim, in iti commencement^ resembled the *' grain of mus- tard seed," or the cloud which was little os ** a human hand." Mark the diJJicuUUa which Methodism has had to surmount. These have been partially stated under the head of persecu- tion. The powers of darkness have fiercely assailed her. — Ministers and members of the Establishment, and of dissenting denomir^ations have cried, *' down with it, down with it, even to the dust." The Pulpit and the Press have cried, *^away with such a system from the earth : it is not fit that it should live." Magisterial authority has risen against her. Single effort and combination have essayed to destroy her. Misre- presentation, falsehood, calumny and bigotry have armed against her. But her greatest difficulties have arisen from within. Many of her sons and citizens whom she nourished and brought up have become ungrateful and rebelled against her. Forgetting their parentage, the place of their birth, their kindred, iheir indebtedness to Methodism for all they possess- ed, they have formed foul and wicked conspiracies to effect her overthrow ; and because they have found themselves un- able to succeed, or were arraigned for trial, have forsaken the City, and built hostile and unprosperous hamlets, whence they have issued in armed bands, to destroy her. Others have ignominiously and ungratefully skulked away, hurling a jave- lin or kindling a flame as they retired ; or they have publicly renounced their •Slma Mater^ and forgotten at once their ite- rated professions, solemn obligations and real interests.—^ Others, again, have gone directly to the ranks of the enemies, and leagued themselves with " the armies of the aliens." But ** upon all the glory" there has been *' a defence," Mark the rapidUy and extent of the progress of Methodism. In one hundred years the original City has been peopled with hundreds of Watchmen and Officers, and hundreds of thou- sands of Citizens. Unconfined to national limits, she has sent her Builders and Artificers into other and distant countries ; and Cities have been built, truly resembling the original in situation, walls, towers, bulwarks, palaces and government. Three such Cities have been erected, in addition to the first. They contain numerous officers and inhabitants, and are stea- dily prospering. One of them even exceeds the original in population : but the latter excels in the extent, population and prosperity of her Missionary territory, and her noble exertions to cultivate and support it, and to erect throughout it fortified and beautified towns. Her Colonies and Commerce, if we may so speak, extend to every quarter of the globe. Her pow- we AT or and influence are folt in Sweden, Malta, France, Spnin and Onrmany, in Europe, as well as in Great Britain and Ireh.nd, and the isles adjacent ; in tlic Friendly Isles, New Zeiilnnd, Van Dieman's Land, New South Wales, Ceylon and Conti- nental India, in Asia ; in Soulh and West Africa ; in the West Indies, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Upper and Lower Canada, in America ; among all complexions, and under all forms of civil government. If the seed of Method- ism was small as that of mustard, the Tree is now of such magnitude as to afford shelter and safety to the fowls of hea- ven. If the cloud arose, little as a human hand, now it spreads along the ikies, hangs o'er all the thirsty land. Mark the present state of Methodism. Its numbers include the following items : — In the English Wesleyan Connexion, thre o hundred and eleven Wesleyan Missionaries, aided by Cale- chists, Local Preachers, Assistaiits, Superintendents of Schools, Schoolmasters and Schoolmistresses, Artisans, &,c., to the amount of about two thousand eight hundred ; the number of Scholars in the Mission Schools is forty-nine thousand two hundred and sixty-six ; of stations, about two hundre-' '>nd four; of members, above sixty-five thousand ; making ito^l of " more than one hundred and eighty thousand persons who are directly receiving spiritual advantage by means of the Wesleyan Missions." The Missions of the Methodist Episco- pal Church include some thousands of Indiuns and of the scattered white and black population. The Missions of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada include one thousand four hundred and ninety-five members of Society. The Me- thodist Connexion in Ireland has eighteen Mission stations. In the English Connexion, the number of Ministers, Itinerant and Supernumerary, is one thousand and nineteen ; and of Erivate members, three hundred and twe! . thousand ; the lOcal Preachers being about four thousand , sixteen thousand have been added during the last year ; and twenty thousand are now on trial. In Ireland theie are one hundred and six- ty-six Preachers, and twenty-six thousand two hundred and forty-four members. In the Wesleyan Church in Canada there are about one hundred Ministers and fifteen thousand one hundred and ninety members. In the Methodist Episcopal Church there are three thousand one hundred and six Itine- rant Ministers ; two hundred and sixieen superannuated Min- isters ; five thousand seven hundred and ninety-two Local Preachers ; and six hundred and eighty-six thousand five hun- dred and forty-nine private members. The total population of the whole Wesleyan Family througliout the world is abo ll >f L, J- «8 one million, one hundred and sixteen thousand, six hundred and seventy-seven ; or about five thousand Ministers, and one million one hundred and eleven thousand seven hundred and eighty-two members. The income of the Wesleyan Missiona- ry Society in 1837, was £83,648 lOs. Gd. There are about three thousand Wesleyan Chapels in England, and between six and seven thousand in the United States of America. Ex- clusive of Wales, there are in Great Britain about three thou- sand three hundred and thirty-nine Sunday Schools^ including three hundred and forty-one thousand four hundred and for- ty-two children, employing fifty-nine thousand two hundred and seventy-seven Teachers, and supported by an dnnual ex- pense of about £17,809. The English Wesleyan Periodicals are, the Magazine, Missionary Notices, Youth's Instructer, Cottager's Friend, and the Child's Magazine. There are also numerous Periodicals in the Methodist Episcopal Church. — The Wesleyan Literary Institutions in England are, a Theologi- cal College and two Seminaries ; in the United States, six Collegiate Institutions, and one University, besides many mi- nor and private establishments ; and in Upper Canada, one Academy. Supposing the number of actual members in the Methodist Family to be to the regular hearers in the ratio of one to four, there are between four and five millions of souls under the influence of that very Methodism which one hundred years ago included but two Ministers and eight or ten mem- bers. " Behold, what hath God wrought !'* " The Lord hath done great things for us, wher'jof we are glad." Surely, " the Lord hath chosen Ziou ; He hath desired it for his habitation." " This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." Mark, then, my Brethren, the Hand of God in the progress as well as in the origin of Methodism. " He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord." The Work has been wrought, not by might or by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. It is the Lord that peoples Zion with converts. It is He that raises up Ministers. It is He that supplies openings to the laborious Mis- sionary. It is lie that disposes the hearts of the people to contribute their substance to the erection of Chapels, to the cause of Missions, and to our several Funds. It is He that provides Teachers for our numerous Sunday Schools. It is He that preserves us from heretical opinions and heretical di- visions and secessions. It is He that maintains the connec- tion and uniformity of the whole Family. It is He that raised us up in Canada by means of Episcopal Methodism, and unit- ed us to the esteemed, revered and beloved original Body in England ; and may he strengthen and perpetuate that Union ! |x hundred s, and one idred and Missiona- are about between Irica. £x- hree Ihou- including id and for- o hundred pinnual ex- J Periodicals Instructer, re are also Church Theologi- States, six 3 many mi- nada, one hers in the he ratio of ns of souls ne hundred ' ten mem- Lord hath rely, " the abitation." >ur eyes." B progress lorieth let ?ht, not by It is the t raises up rious Mis- people to ^M to the s He that Is. It is ^etical di- 5 cdnnec- lat raised and unit- 1 Body in I Union ! 59 He has clothed our "Priests with salvation," and our Saints have shouted " aloud for joy." Our eyes behold " Jerusalem, a quiet habitation." On this glad day we worship, we praise, we glorify the God of our fathers, in unison and fellowship with the sable sons of Africa, the red men of our forests^ the inhabitants of the distant and scattered islands of the ocean, and the favoured sons of Europe and America. O may the Holy Spirit be nmo largely shed upon us and upon the whole Family, the whole Church, and the whole world, iu his reviv- ing and sanctifying influences ! May the Lord now do good in his good pleasure unto Zion ! And '^ blessed be his name forevermore ; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." IV. THE CHARACTER OF METHODISM. In the foregoing examination of Methodism we have con- sidered her component parts, somewhat in detail. We have looked upon her foundations and observed her walla ; we have marked her bulwarks and considered her palaces ; we have walked about her and through her, learning her principles of action and of government ; we have searched into the circum- stances and principles of her origin ; we have rapidly traced her history through the changes and occurrences of one hun- dred years ; and now, with a comprehensive range of vision, we " look upon Zion the City of our solemnities ;" and, re- garding her as a lo/ioZe, regarding her structure, constitution, origin, progress and present state, at one view, we proceed to inquire, what are hev distinctive characteristics, what ?ire the prominent features of a city so populous and flourishing, and so attentively and earnestly observed by millions of our race. Though the pencil of Apelles be requisite to a full and just delineation, an humble hand may be permitted to form a rough draught of an object greatly admired and beloved. First, then, Methodism is truly Scriplural. Her doctrines are the unadulterated truths of the Book of God. Her Wor- ship accords with the same unerring standard, and with the practice of the Church in the ages when the multiplied and cumbrous ceremonies of human wisdom and policy were least known and observed. The principles of her Government are founded on the direct or inferential warrant of Inspiration. — The proofs of her Providential origin are clear and convinc- ing. The Hand of God in her progress is so apparent as to be inevitably discerned by all but the inattentive or sceptical. Her abundant and diversified usefulness plainly indicates the principles of her movements and the source of her success. 60 Hit m The Lord has built the City, and taught the Builders he em- ployed, as he taught Be/alcel and Aholiab, the heavenly and magnificent plan, and endowed them richly with energy for its execution. M'jthodisni is spiritual and holy. Her walls, towers and bul- warks are not designed for display, but for the defence of truth and righteousnes!^. Her Polity is not an idle form, but a con- servative, regulating, purifying and stimulating economy. — Her Worship is not a mere routine of ceremonies, but an adapted and effeciive means of holiness and happiness. Her Palaces are *'a refuge" for "the saints of the Most High." God has set Watchmen upon her walls that never hold their peace, day or night. The great end of her construction, con- stitution and continuance is the saving of men's souls, and the glory of the Divine Name. All that she contains are but means to this end. Possessing the form, she preserves the power of godliness. Hence her inhabitants are experimental and prac- tical Christians. Peace unspeakable pours through her "like a river" and waters every part. The voice of joy and glad- ness is heard through all her dwellings. She is " a habitation of justice, and a mountain of holiness." "Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about is most ho- ly." "'Holiness to the Lord is her appropriate and constant motto, find the unvarying " law of the house." Methodism is rational and cnli^ldened. She knows her pur- Sose, and the means of its accomplishment, and the indissolu- le connyxion that subsists between them. She is, then, no blind enthusiast, expecting the end without the use of the means. The charge of enthusiasm has been preferred against her, but is wholly unfounded. Mr. Wesley, (or his brother, the sweet singer of our Israel,) was certainly no enthusiast. He chose his end, and he gloriously achieved it by suitable scriptural exertion. His followers have ever trod in the same path. And, in proof of the right reason and sound principles by winch Methodists have ever been guided and influenced, we point to the journals and memoirs of their Ministers ; to the valuable commentaries and various works which they have published; to their accredited periodicals ; to their noble and incessant efforts for the advancement and diffusion of Litera- ture and Science ; and to tlic general intelligence of the Me- thodist people. We point to a Benson, a Coke, a Watson, a Clarke, a Drew^ and a Fisk, and ask, were these blind enthu- siasts ? We point to thousands whose dormant energies were awakened, and the rougii, unshapen marble of whose minds was fashioned and polished by Methodism ; we point to the !rs he em- ivenly and energy for rs and bul- ;e of truth hut aeon* :onomy. — !s, but an ess. Her )8t High." bold their tion, con- s, and the butnieanf) power of and prac- her"like and glad- liabitation the top of I most ho- constant her pur- ndissolu- then, no se of the d against broiher, thusiast. suitable 'le same inciples uenced, ters ; to ley have )ble and Litera- the Me- Uson, a enthu- |es were minds to the 61 Wealeyan Pulpit and Press ; to Wesleyan Schools, Acadei] and Colleges ; to Wesleyan Societies and Missions in ei quarter of the globe ; in a word, we point to the system itselji we have endeavoured to delineate it, and as it spreads through the ramifications of Society, and through the natil of the earth, and ask is all this enthusiasm ? If so, we glJ in enthusiasm. But we have learned to call things by thj proper names, and to denominate all this Christianity in e^, lightened and active operation ; and we challenge the slaA derers of Methodism to prove their assertions, or enlighteo their ignorance, and confess and forsake their stale, libelloui and malignant charges. Meantime the members of our So^ cieties are prepared to silence every gainsayer by " giving to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear." Methodism is united and strong. Our Wesleyan Zion, thougli apparently consisting of three Cities is in fact but one ; one in name, and in close and holy ut.ion : and though national distinctions have unavoidably created an independent City, bearing the designation of Episcopal Methodist, it contains uo momentous discordant principle or institution, but faithfully exhibits the family-likeness, and maintains cordial and fra- ternal intercourse with the original City. The unity of Me- thodism consists in identity of doctrine, worship and polity, of spirit, enterprise and aim. Some trivial diversity may obtain in the ornamental columns of the " palaces," or in the cornice of the entablature, but not sufficient to afiect the style of the architecture. And the inhabitants and officers of all the Cities speak the same language, and feel as brethren. Their fears, their hopes, their aims are one, their comforts and their cares. In whatever place or circumstances the Providence of God brings them together, they promptly recognize their common origin and citizenship, and cordially exchange fraternal salu- tations. Their joys and sorrows, their woes and burdens, their conflicts and triumphs, their increase and wealth are one and mutual. The voice of the Missionary Watchman sent forth from cither of those Cities, expressing his toils, dangers and success, and calling for co-operation from the dense fo- rests and dreary shades of America ; from the lonely and dis- tant sea-girt isle of the ocean ; from the cannibals of Fejee ; from the savages of Caffreland ; from the wilds of New Hol- land ; from the castes of India ; or from the bluff shores of the Baltic, finds a responsive chord in the breast of every Me- thodist. The tidings, the publications of one City are re-is- sued by the other, and thus fellowship and union are increased 62 nd preserved. From such union naturally arises strength, .^he materials thus combined are cognate and sound. The irinciple of cement is tenacious, permanent and celestial. The union has been strengthened and consolidated by years. \.nd no;v our " Jerusalem" appears " builded as a City that is jompact together." But, above all, a divine defence is thrown iround " the glory." " Salvation has God appointed for walls and bulwarks ;" that salvation is steadily enjoyed ; and, fience, we have, emphatically, " a strong City." The expe- ience of a century has tested and displayed its might. Ere ihe walls were erected " Sanballat the Horaraite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian" heard of the work and "laughed the builders to scorn, and despised them, and said, What is this thing that ye do ? will ye rebel against the king ?" and " they were wroth, and took great in- dignation, and mocked them," and essayed to prevent them, but were unable. And when they and " the Arabians and the Ammonites and ihe Ashdodites, heard that the walls were made up" and the towers and palaces commenced, " they were ve- ry wroth, and conspired all of them together to go and fight against Jerusalem and hinder it." They and all the armies of the aliens leagued with the Prince of the power of the air, fiercely assailed the City, and, by all the stratagems and wea- pons peculiar to their mode of warfare, attempted to demolish it. But the officers and citizens, clad in panoply divine, rush- ed to the ramparts and boldly met the shock of battle. The banner of the cross which for seventeen hundred year?, had "braved the battle and the breeze" waved triumphant o'er their heads. Inspired by its thrilling history and connexions, the soldiers quenched with their shields the fiery darts of the enemies, and hurled against them such a well-directed shower of javelins and other missiles as spread death through their ranks, and compelled them to retire in haste and confusion, covered with shame and defeat. Those adversaries, howev- er, strengthened by recruits and other mercenary allies, have, at different intervals returned to the fight under the banners of "Reason," "No Enthusiasm," "Mother Church" and "The Apostolical Succession," malignantly shouting, "Down with it, down with it, even to the dust ;" but the whole host of infidels. Papists, bigots and " Successionists" have been driven back in the utmost anarchy and alarm, leaving the gal- lant citizens in secure possession of their walls, towers, bul- warks and palaces, " Sedition- privy conspiracy and rebel- lion" within, have sought to fire the City and lay it in ruins ; but they have been seasonably discovered, disgraced and ex- G3 pelled. Despite of all her foes, the City has continued and prospered to the present day, and by her victories and achieve- ment proved herself impregnable ; though the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, nor is the strength carnal by which those weapons are wielded. The Lord has kept the Cily, and the watchmen have not waked in vain. And now, lest our Sam- son-lock should be shorn, or our strength wasted, we " wait upon the Lord," and our strength is abundantly and unceas- ingly renewed. And while " the arms of our hands are made strong by the mighty God of Jacob," we rejoice that our be- loved Zion exhibits the excellence, the pleasantness and pro- fitableness of brethren dwelling together in unity ; and re- sembling therein the odoriferous " ointment upon the head of Aaron" which descended to " the skirts of his garments ;" and "the dew of Hermon, and the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion" where " the Lord commanded his bles- sing, even life for evermore." Methodism is comprehensive. It is such both in its ends, its means and its sphere. Its primary and ultimate object is to glorify God in the salvation of mankind. But while steadily pursuing this, it contemplates every subordinate purpose com- patible with its lofty and sacred character and calling. It clothes the naked : it feeds the hungry ; it visits and comforts the prisoner, the sick, the stranger and the poor ; it fosters temperance, and wars against inebriety ; it aims at the eleva- tion, expansion and cultivation of the intellect, while it instru- mentally renews andregulates the heart. But it stoops not to the quarrels df worldly parties, to secularities and selfish interests. Aiming at a lofty, a beneficent, a god-like and comprehensive end, it enlists every variety of suitable agency ; it presses into its service every sanctified energy and instrument. The gifts of all its members, from the most shinir;; and commanding to the most humble and obscure ; knowledg,:, in all its departments and gradations ; piety^ in all its variety of fervour and maturi- ty ; combination^ in all its surprising power and efficiency ; in- dividual zeal^ spreading through the intricacies and details of life ; the Pulpit^ w)- ' Its sacredness, guarded prerogatives and authority ; the Press^ in its imm asureable and wide-spread potency ; Funds, for contingencies, for the erectio, /• ' Cha- pels, for the support of worn-out Ministers and then- wives, widows and children, for instructing and supporting the chil- dren of Itinerant Ministers, for training and preparing acce^ ' ed candidates for the Ministry, for Sabbath and Day Schools, and for Missionary onerations ; the co-operation of Clergy and Laxly ; measures for securing the competency, piety and effi- and be formed. This is ft: "kingly distinctive of th^ ^T^' ' of Methodism. Its original I :. >ositarie3 found unexr ^'^ . events and circum- stances oiiccessively arising, whic' 'St'dnded specific and pe- £\iliar measures, instead of render'tv their system rigid and 65 inflexible, like the unyielding oak, liable to be overthrown by the sweeping tempest, they imbued it with the spirit of Chris- tian accommodation, and conformed it to inevitable and Pro- vidential circumstances. They so constructed it as to become all things to all men, if by any means it might save some. Mr. Wesley commenced his career of christian benevolence, he- roism and zeal, with a tenacious attachment to the Ritual and Polity of the Established Church, and without the slightest in- tention to deviate therefrom. His ecclesiastical views and predilections were unbending; but his spirit and his purpose were plastic. And when the salvation of souls demandea un- foreseen ecclesiastical irregularities, his spirit, like St. Paul, immediately submitted, and he and his system became endow- ed with the quality of sacrificing every thing which really in- terfered with the glory of God and the happiness of mankind. His plastic spirit led him to the fields, the highways and hedg- es, to carry out there what was impracticable elsewhere — the faithful promulgation of the truth of God. The same spirit prompted him to form Societies ; to appoint Leaders, Stew- ards and Itinerant Preachers, and to erect Chapels, because all these measures were means of benefitting men which the openings and leadings of Divine Providence clearly indicated, authorized and required. The same plastic power has distin- guished Methodism and its clerical depositaries since the death of its revered Founder, and displayed itself in the " Plan of Pacification," and in the various efficacious and maturing mea- sures which have been from time to time adopted. Method- ism varies its exterior as occasion demands. And, while it thus benignly and wisely adapts itself to the great purpose of its institution, it is endowed with the power of shaping and moulding the subject of its influence. It thoroughly imbues the minus and hearts of its disciples with its own principles and spirit. It seizes every energy and gift, and shapes them inito Methodistic mould for the welfare of Ihe Church. It pla- ces every member at his proper post, and increasingly quali- ifies him for the duties of his station. It lays its plastic hand on every species and degree of suitable agency, and turns them ^nto instrun "*nts of good. The force of its grasp, and its y*ower of transforming are accordant with the comprehensive- ness of its gi nius, sphere and design, and its consequent ne- cessit'es. Because the vasstness of its plan embraces every kindred and tribe and language and nation and climate and character and people, it is endowed with the power of accom- modating its provisions and exertions to the high and the low, I the small, the rich and the poor, the learned and .1'! I I' 'i to« great K \i: 66 unlearned, the savage and the sage; and, in recompence for this benevolent accommodation, it is invested witli the power of filling up its ranks, and replenishing;^ its stores with the talents, energies, qualities and resources of every country under hea- ven. Methodism is decided and firm. It is plastic, because com- prehcnsivc ; but it is also unchanging in its essential princi- ples. Its doctrines have undergone no variation since first embodied. Its terms of communion and general rules have never been changed. The distinctive features of its worship and government have been always the same. From the be- ginning of its career it has preserved inviolate its high design, its vital piety and its beneficent spirit. Under the menaces or brandished weapons of its foes it has never cowered or quailed. External hostility or internal treachery has never yet wrung from it an unworthy concession. Aliens and re- bels have sought to make inroads on its constitution and in- tegrity, but have been utterly defeated. An ignoble crowd of rebellious children cried " stop the supplies," but she shook her head and despised their clamour. She has modified her exterior, but preserved her genius. She has never retreated or yielded an inch. " Stand fast in your liberties and posses- sions," is her decisive cry. When summoned to surrender, flhe has but armed for the battle, and concentrated and dispos- ed her forces. Every conflict and every triumph hsve in- creased her consciousness of rectitude and strength, and ren- dered her more inflexible in the maintenance of her rights. Accustomed to hostilitv, she thinks not of yielding to cowar- dice, clamour or treachery, but plants her standard and mans her ramparts. Assured by Inspiration that " the gates of hell shall not prevail against her," she stands to her purpose and her plans, her principles and her arms, and confidently abides the result of every trial. Methodism is Catholic and fraternal. While it claims to be abrancii of Christ's Church, it does not foolishly pretend to be the whole. While it professes to be one of God's instru- ments for saving souls, it does not idly and selfishly suppose itself all. It knows there are other religious agencies in ope- ration ; and it recognizes their excellence and success with readiness, with frankness, with gratitude and joy. Like Paul of old, it rejoices whenever Christ is preached. And to every legitimate branch of the Christian Church it cordially extends fraternal recognition, salutation and fellowship. Waiving unessential peculiarities of doctrine, worship and polity, t hails as abrother every orthodox andright minded Frotestant dc- If :e for this power of e talents, ider hea- use com- »1 princi- nce first lies have worship I the be- ll design, menaces vered or as never I and re- ) and in- crowd of he shook lified her retreated [1 posses- jrrender, d dispos- tiave in- andren- r rights, covvar- nd mans s of hell )ose and y abides [Tis to be etend to instru- suppose } in ope- 3ss with ike Paul to every extends IVaivina; olity, t itantdc- i 61 nomination, and bids it God speed. ,\nd if it refuse to recognize Socinianism, Pelagianism, Universalism, Popery and schism, it is not from awantofCatholicityandliberality of spirit, but from a conscientious regard to capital truth and essential unity. It cheerfully places every unimportant distinction on the altar of brotherly love and concord, but it cannot sacrifice the very life of Christianity for any end whatever. There are limits and hounds to Christian liberality ; and all beyond is licen- tiousness. On such forbidden ground Methodism never treads, but seeks to live peaceably and fraternally with all who hold the head, and build on the true foundation. Nor does its fra- ternal Catholicity stop here. It gladly assists other Churches in their labour of love. It seizes every opportunity of culti- vating acquaintance with them, and it desires a cordial coali- tion of all God's moral agencies in assailing the common foe. The enemies of our Church are the enemies of all. The tri- umphs of our Church are but the success of the common cause. Piety and truth ore everywhere excellent. If God be glorified it matters not by whom. If souls be saved, the agen- cy and plan are quite unimportant. We can as sincerely re- joice when a soul enters heaven from another branch of Christ's fold as when one enters from our own. One Grd is to be honoured. One enemy is to be destroyed. " One laith" is to he promulgated. One Spirit is lo be given. One bep"F - is to be reached. One path conducts us thither. And if ay instruments are employed, let us rejoice in the fact ; and, from the multiplication of diversified means by the several Churches, be encouraged to hope that the speedier issue will be given lo the arduous and protracted struggle between the Church and Satan. Meantime we trust our beloved Methodism will never dwindle down to a mere barren sect. Retaining the exalted and expansive spirit which has distinguished it from its rise, it will increasingly be blessed and made a blessing. Methodism is loijal and patriotic. A system w':"-:-- vields the energies, fixes the principles and forms the r. i.acter of multitudes throughout the empire, must bear a decided aspect towards the civil government. That aspect is neither indif- ference nor hostility, but christian loyalty. Methodism inva- riably teaches that " the powers that be are ordained of God ;" that they are entitled to honour, tribute and obedience by t' ■ ;unctions of conscience and inspiration, and that they til.' resist" or rebel "shall receive to themselves damna- tion." Methodism " fears the Lord and the king,"^and is not " given to change," but "leads a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." But while it thus recognizes the '^1 ^Jifll^c Fl^ n !> I t|!' 68 divine appointment and the divinely-sanctioned authority of civil govcinment, and inculcates the consequent duties, it by no means -x-lrmwlcdges absolute and unqualified civil power. Itinsisi:. i..U,ctiGns both civil and religious. Theauthor- ity .A d Hv-' A urod ure supreme and absolute, and supersede all opposing power, whether it be parental, ecclesiastical or civil. The "*■ fear of God" occupies the first and highest place in the catalogue of Christian duties, and is at once the source and the rule of "honour" to "the king" and of every other duty to man. And ;i 1^.« .a^v of God limits the authority of rulers, so also do the constitution and laws of the empire. — At the installation of every civil officer, from the highest to the lowest, in either the executive or legislative departments, im- perial or colonial, the duties and bounds of his ofllice are so- lemnly recognized, and his stipulations of fidelity sealed with the solemnity and obligation of an oath. Beyond the appoint- ed limits he has no authority at all, and no claim to obedience. Absolute authority generates tyranny, and divests the people of all rational liberty. Total absence or inadequacy of civil authority causes anarchy, crime, and popular despotism. — Hence the necessity of adequate power, and of just and wH- defined limits, in order at once to render civn government et- ficient and the people free, and to guard against every specie- of tyranny and licentiousness. Methodism knows these prin- ciples and limits, and is, therefore, neither a rebel nor a slave. When God commands, it heeds not the antagonist authority of man. When the constitution and laws enjoin duties, Method- ism performs them •, when they confer rights, Methodispi acr knowledges *hem ; and when they draw lines of circumscrip- tion, M.''.'thodi"'nobser\ them. This is its loyalty. Method- ism is loyal, but not basu or blind. Methodism is free, but not arrogant or licentious. Its loyalty is the operation of princi- ple ; of Oifvid affection and of enl ghtened conscience, and is, therefore, uniform and steadfast. The source whence it is- sues can never be affected by the fluctuations of passion, ava- rice or ambition, arl thv stream flows smoothly and constant- ly on. The expe- nee of a century has illustrated these views. When a .uuio b machination threatened popular religious rights, Mcthodisi lifted up its voice, and, in connex- ion with others, repelled the attempt. And when colonial re- bellion dared to raise its head, Methodism indignantly tramped it to the dust. Methodism loves its country with true patriot- ic ardour, and claims, by it^ integrity and consistency, equal and impartial protection. But Methodism is no partizan, no secular politician or noisy declaimer. Let its loyalty and civil thority of ities, it by vil power, he author- supersede astical or hest place :he source k'ery other thority of empire. — lest to the nents, im- le are so- !aled with Q appoint- ibedience. he people iy of civil potism. — and wdl- nmcnt ei- ry specie* lese prin- >r a slave, thority of , Method- >dispi acr umscrip- Method- e,but not af princi- , and is, nee it is- jion, ava- constant- ed these popular connex- onial re- tramped 3 patriot- 3y, equal tizan, no and civil I 69 relations be well understood. As a system of religious truth, and an ecclesiastical organization, it inculcates and performs civil duties, in the sense already given ; exercises its corporate civil rights ; and guards and maintains the interests of reli- gion against civil aggression. With questions of civil polity it has nothing more to do. Whether executive or legislative authority shall be enlarged, abridp^ed or modified anew ; whe- ther the mutual relations of the several branches of the go- vernment shall be changed or maintained ; whether internal improvement and police and foreign commerce and relations shall be altered or not, are questions with which neither Me- thodism nor any other religious system has the least right to interfere. Its vocation and office are higher and nobler. Its high design and duty are to promulgate and establish religion ; vvhile civil governi ent attends to its calling and work. The members of our Societies, in their civil capacity, as citizens and subjects, are entitled to interfere constitutionally with civil affairs ; but our members as Methodists^ our Ministers as Ministers^ our Societies as a Churchy our system as Methodising are, or ought to be, wholly unconnected with secular or party politics, and are degraded and desecrated whenever profes- Hec'ly or practically identified with " potsherds" or parties, should Methodism descend from its elevated and holy position to mingle in the squabbles'of secular politicians, either to build up or to displace a party in power, or to modify or perpetuate a scheme of civil government, it would undoubtedly betray its 'rust, sacrifice its character and energy, and sink to the nul- lity which its unfaithfulness deserved. But while it "fears God and honours the king," walks by " the same rule, and minds the same thing," it will continue to prosper as it has hitherto done. Methodism is ejjident. It is not only theci etically beautiful, but practically excellent. Small in its origin ; opposed and impeded in its progress ; originally without plans and finan- ces ; cast upon its own resources and efforts and the blessing of God, it has proved juighty, through God, to the pulling down of stroni,^ holds. Its efficient wisdom is displayed in the glorious structure which has been reared ; in its compact- ness, solidity, unity, beauty and polity ; in the schemes it has devised, the alliances it has formed, and the commerce it maintains. Its efficient strength is exhibited in the difficulties it has surmounted, the victories it has achieved, and the im- portant and comprehensive plans it has carried into success- ful operation. " A little one has become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation." Methodism has been an apostle H l< 'i 70 to Ihouaantlfl, for the seals of its aposlleship arc they in the Lord. Its efficiency has been convincin;;ly manifested in turning souls from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God ; in taming and christianizing fierce and un- ruly man, warlike and brutal savages and cannibals ; in re- claiming and dignifying the vicious and besotted ; in confer- ring temporal comfort, religious enjoyment, and personal, do- mestic and social happiness. It has comprehensively acted and succeeded, as well as comprehensively designed. Its pa- triotic ardour ; its love of literature and science ; its fondness for biblical and theological investigation and exposition ; its humanity and philanthropy ; its faith in the promises ; its love for souls, and zeal for God's glory, have not evaporated in use- less profession and mere splendid speculation, but have watch- ed and toiled and triumphed ; and their multiplied and ex- tended fruits carry irresistible conviction of Methodistic effi- ciency to every intelligent and tinblassed mind. " The right hand of the Lord is become glorious in power," and hath "gloriously triumphed." Lastly, Methodism is active and dij)usive. While others fold- ed their arms and slumbered and slept, Methodism both la- boured and blew its trumpet and awaked them. Sloth and inactivity are foreign to its spirit. The greatness of its pur- pose ; the vastness of its plans ; the good it has effected ; the pledges it has given ; the design of its institution, and the com- mands of its divine Author, forbid idleness and repose. So does its very spirit . It weeps over the desolations and mise- ries of our race ; hastens to their relief, and provokes other Churches to love and to good works. AVhile a single soul is unsaved it cannot be inert. On the wings of faith and love it speeds to every nation with " the everlasting Gospel." Suc- cess cannot satisfy ; dangers cannot daunt ; obstacles can- not retard ; paucity of means cannot discourage or restrain. While there are "regions beyond," its march is onward. If its " charity" began "at home" in the construction of its for- tifications and palaces, and in driving back the aggressor, that charity soon heightened and expanded into the most active benevolence. It has in turn become the assailant, and is now habitually and characteristically aggressive. Its armies scour the plains, and explore the mountains ; drive back to their fastnesses the powers of sin and satan ; push the battle to their very gates ; sap their foundations and destroy their walls. Nor shall Methodism cease to contend and conquer till the armies of the Church occupy every niche of the globe. " Me- ihodism," said the eloquent Dr. Chalmers, " is Christianity in 7 in the rested in power of and iin- ; in re- 1 confer- onal, do- ily acted lis pa- fondness lion ; its ; its love din usc' e watch- and ex- istic effi- 'he right nd hath ers fold- both la- loth and its pur- ed ; the he com- se. So d niise- Js other soul h I love it Suc- es can- cstrain. ird. If its for- or, that active IS now 5 scour o their Lttle to walls. 11 the "Mc- riity in 71 earnest ;" and in earnest it Hliall be, tilt exulted to (he ticics. Born from above, thither constantly it tends ; taking in its way the conquest of the world. Though trouble, danger and persecution even unto death await it, wo doubt not its lideli- ty. In conjunction with other Churches, it shall continue to diffuse the truth of God, until the stone which was hewn without handiii expands into a mountain and fills the whole earth. Such is Methodism. Her foundation is the rock of ages. Her " place of defence" is the " munitions of rocks." Her fortifications, her walls, towers and bulwarks, are strong and durable. Her palaces are stately and elegant. The style of her architecture is neither Gothic nor Grecian, but celestial, Her origin is not selfish or schismatical, but Scriptural and Providential. Her history is highly interesting and instruc- tive. Her citizens are free and noble ; they are " kings nid priests." Her officers are ordained in peace and r.ghteois-. ness, and are vigilant and active. Her government is enlight- ened, comprehensive and efficient. Her armies arc disci^ plined, brave and effective. Her colonies and commerce ex- tend to every quarter of the globe. Her resources are accu- mulating with steadiness and rapidity. Her population is in- creasing by thousands every year. Her prospects of exten- sion, of usefulness and prosperity are brightening and enlarg- ing. Her centennial exertions indicate her soundness and vi- gour, and portend approaching triumphs. Her ^^ light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon her ;" and thop- sands are coming to her light, and to the brightness of ' " rising. Her " walls are salvation," and her " gates prais- She is emphatically "sought out ; a city not forsaken." weapon formed against her has prospered, and every toii »' that has risen against her has been silenced or condemneu. And this shall continue to be her heritage, for her righteous- ness is divine. " Glorious things are spoken of thee, City of God." V. CONCLUDING PRACTICAL REMARKS, The practical reflections which the preceding portraiture of Methodism naturally suggests deserve consideration* They arise from the relative aspects under which Methodism is viewed. To omit them on an occasion like this would be wholly inexcusable ; as an exposition of any religious subject without a practical application is seriously defective. Nor can it be deemed inappropriate or impertinent to extend the application beyond the precincts of the City, if a word of ad-r in i! ?y 73 vice to the friends and enemies of Methodism be at anj' time seasonable, it is surely now, at this epoch of our history, and when about to commence the second century of our existence. In depicting Wesleyan Methodism, no bitterness or unkind- ness towards any denomination has been consciously indulg- ed ; and in these practical remarks, however plain and point- ed, nothing unchristian or unfraternal is in the least design- ed. By the enemies of Methodism we mean no distinct asso- ciation, but those of every class who are foes in principle or practice. Our friends are ascertained and enumerated with similar latitude of meaning. I. The ENEMIES of Methodism should learn wisdom and prudence from the foregoing sketch. Its solemn and explicit lesson is, cease your hostility. You are fighting against God. Methodism bears the clear and obvious impress of heaven. It is divine truth embodied, practised and applied. It is the cherished and prospered offspring of Divine Providence. — " And now I say unto you, refrain from these men and let them alone : for if this counsel or this work be of God ye cannot overthrow it ; lest haply ye be found to ^.ght against God." Your hostility is impious ; and as such must prove utterly un- successful. " Ye cannot overthrow" Methodism. Its con- stitution, origin, history and character bespeak divine appro- val and defence. Mightier than you have opposed it in vain. You may possibly inflict injury or pain on a few individuals ; but the daughter of Zion laughs you 40 scorn. You may tri- umph in your own imagination, but you can neither overturn nor retard Methodism. You may magnify your interests, your opinions and your party, but you cannot succeed. You may denounce Methodism as unscriptural, dangerous, disloyal, schismatical or unautlju -ized, enthusiastic or superstitious, but you labour in vain. Methodism shall accomplish hejr high design : Methodism shall fulfil her glorious destiny : and you and your arrogance shall be brought down to the dust. " The enemies ol the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs ; they shall consume ; into smoke shall they consume away." Avert Ihe divine dis^'easure by timely repentance and amendment. Let God work as pleaseth him ; but cease ye to oppose Him. — Shame and confusion and eternal overthrow await the ene- mies of the Redeemer. And while God doth what pleaseth him in the arjnies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, go ye and learn wisdom. ^. The FRIENDS of Methodism, in other denominations, should learn to be cordial and constant in their fraternal regard. There is nothing in Methodism to awak« ' suspicion, or tp any time tory, and xistence. unkind- y indulg- nd point- t design- net asso- iciple or ucd with idoni and I explicit ust God. aven. It Jt is the dencc. — I let them 'e cannot St God." tterly un- its con- le appro- t in vain. iViduals ; may tri- overturn sts, your You may disloyal, rstitious, her high and you "The »cy shall vert the nt. Let Him. — he ene- )leaseth of the nations, regard. ; or tp 13 create shame. Her principles', profession and practice during one hundred years attest her Catholicity and liberality of spi* fit, and her fraternal disposition towards all true Christians. From your friendship toward Methodism you have nothing to fear. Regard her, not as a rival or a foe, but as an affection- ate and zealous ally. Banish cjvery emotion of jealousy or dread. Our object is not to diminish the ranks of other Scrip- tural Churches, or merely to multiply our numbers, but to > ~ save souls and glorify God, by gathering into the fold those who are without, in harmony and alliance with all God's ser- vants. If we cannot see eye to eye in minor matters, let us unite more closely in essential faith, practice and experience. There is much .land to be possessed. Millions are yet unsav- ed. Instead of magnifying our differences, or indulging rival- ry or jealousy, let us remember the multitudes who are. in darkness and danger ; and let us pity them, pray forthe/n and labour for them till they are saved by grace and holiness, and truth prevail throughout the earth. S. Towards the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, Methodism maintains a peculiar aspect, and speaks in peculiar terms. Her tender and respectful language is, suffer us to esteem and love you as peculiar reasons rehire. We have had our birth and spent our infancy within your pale. Our Founder and Father, under God, belonged to you. We wish to regard you as mor« than., an elder brother. Our origin and history, our doctrines and wprship, arc so related to you as to awaken in. our heart peculiar emotions of friendship and, love. But these feelings mu3t subside, and all peculiar affection be destroyed, if you treat us as an enemy. We are. not your, eneirij'. We seek to live in peaqe and , love with you ; biiit we cannot crouch at yotir feet, or descend frpm the proper dignity of O"** position to secure the favour of any. We love you as a parent, or m an intimate elder rela,tive ; but wc f^ar you not as a foe.-f. Place yourself in an attitude of hostility, and we bid you de« fiance. We wijl gladly liye in fraternal amity, with you on hqa- ourable terms, but never on any ,o,ther. We can surrender no righl^s.. We can make no unreasonable sacrifice. We can- not return, to the imbepili^y of infancy. We have grown .to manhood, and cap be joined toiyou only by appropriate ties. £nnn,^y, indijprerence orfriendship.inust subsist between ua : ttie choice is y.oiirs. . If you qontiniie to denounce us as schis* matics, unscriptural and unauthorized, ^ve stand to our arms and, ^efencl our possessions ;, and if we act on the oflensive in the heat of <;opuiQt) you niiist ascribe it to yqurselves. You have heaped insult unon us in innumerous instances ; you have L I u V I; I .. J ii'l sii« i^ dif 74 reviled and opposed us with bitterness and severity ; you have drawn the sword without provocation or cause, but we are willing to forgive all if you will terminate hostilities^ and agree to terms. Instead of denouncing and assailing all dis- senters and non>conforniists, take your place as a Christian Church — assail the common foe, and we shall bid you God speed. We will rush to your aid. We will join in the battle- cry. We will rejoice in your success, and celebrate your triumphs. Let us bury in oblivion the unpleasantness of the past ; live in amity as brethren ; and continue to accomplish our common end, till all diversities pass away, and all true Christians become one in the presence and kingdom of our common Lord. 4. To METHODISTS themselves, the foregoing exposition and defence especially apply. As citizens of our Zion you are solemnly reminded, at this period of our history, of your ecclesiastical connexions and obligations. To you Methodism speaks in language the most paternal, earnest and impressive. Regard the practical import and tendency of all that has been said, and let the stirring reminiscences and prelibations of this epoch impel you to greater diligence and fidelity in fu- ture. Understand and appreciate Methodism. Be not satisfied with the mere enjoyment of citizenship, but labour to understand the foundation, architecture, government, immunities, con- nexions, commerce, origin, history and prospects of the City. Frequently walk about Zion, and go round about her, telling the towers, marking the bulwarks, and considering the pala- ces. Be an enlightened citizen. Ascertain the character, position and designs of our enemies, and our means of defence. Ponder the advantages you possess, and let your heart be deeply affected with their real and peculiar excellence. Con- trast your own City with others ; and be duly aware of the fact that every change of residence must prove injurious. — Mark with especial attention the occasion, the design and the true genius of Methodism. Remember it is purely A RELI- GIOUS INSTITUTION, intended to " spread scriptural ho- liness over the land." And remember that one of its promi- nent and distinctive characteristics is, "ANTI-SECTARIAN- ISM, AND A CATHOLIC SPIRIT." Be Catholic Christians. Love all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Make di»e allowances for the prejudices and infirmities of others. Distinguish between chaff and wheat ; and rejoice in the pie- ty and usefulness of other Churches. Cultivate towards other believers the spirit that distinguishes the celestial regions — A at y kin( P the cast tial and ; you have but we are tilities, and ling all dis- a Christian d you God 1 the baltle- sbrate your ness of the accomplish nd all true lom of our exposition r Zion you ►ry, of your Methodism impressive. It has been ibations of elity in fu- isfied with understand lities, con- )f the City, ler, telling f the pala- character, )f defence, heart be ce. Con- are of the jurious. — jn and the A REU- )tural ho- its promi- rARIAN- 'hristians. Y' Make >f others. 1 the pie- rds other egions — 75 ag you hope to dwell there — t'le spirit of love, of brothftrly kindness and affection. Praise and glorify God for Melhodism. The Lord has built the City and peopled it with oflicers and citizens. He has cast your lot in it. AVhen He drew the lines of His Providen- tial arrangements, He allotted unto you a '^ pleasant place" and " a goodly heritage." Tiie purpose of all is that " He might be glorified." Devoutly and ardently thank Him for ^ ~ His loving-kindness. You owe all to Him. He might have cast your lot in a heathen City, in a Mahommedan City, or within the bounds of corrupted Christianity: but He has not done so. He has appointed your habitation in a Proteslant City, and that City is METHODISxM. Say not in your heart, " See what the Methodists have donn;" but, "See what the Lord has done by means of Methodism • He hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad." " Glorify him then in your bo- dy and spirit, which are His." Enjoy allllic benejils of JMelhodism. Learn all her doctrines ; attend all her ordinances ; study and obey j»er laws and regu- lations ; hold fellow«;hip with her saints ; and especially hold communion with her Divine Ruler. Repair regularly and constantly to her temples, to " inquire" of the Lord and to " behold his beauty." It is your privilege and duty to be a holy and happy citizen. Facilities for improvement and en- joyment are amply supplied ; and you are responsible to God for the use or neglect of them. ^'Rejoice in the Lord ; and again I say rejoice," Be zealoua and uteful. Love every inhabitant of the City, and be ready to do him good according to your power. Love Methodism as a whole, and advance its prosperity by exempli- fying its heavenly and Catholic spirit. Let your light shine clearly before all. Rcni'inbfr the population consists of in- dividuals, and upon individual conduct and exertion the cha- racter and welfare of the City depend. " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Give liberally of your substance for her sup- port and enlargement. Remember there are millions without her gates enslaved by the enemy. Contribute to their re- demption. Bring your gold and your silver joyfully and libe- rally to extend the conquests and blessings of Zion over all the earth. "Take heed and beware of covetousnef,s." "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the vrorld." '* Lay up treastire in heaven." The glory of God in the salvation of yourself and others should be your grand and single end. Ex- ert youjtaelves then to the utmost in your several stations to promote the welfare of Zion, by discharging all your dutie* 1: >h ' 7« and by endeavouring to gather in the outcasts, till a]l are re- deemed. Tell to all around and to "the generation follow- ing," especially to your children, what God has done in and by Methodism. Be joyful and confident in tlic prospect ff the future. Be dili- gent and faithful, and you have nothing to fear. " They shall prosper that love Jerusalem." Past and present blessings are a pledge for future. The happy lives and triumphant deaths of our fellovv-citi/ens, in every age and climate, since the erection of the City, should animate and encourage us. God has been "the help" of his people " in ages past," and is our glorious hope for years to coire. He will never leav^ nor for- sake us or our beloved Zion. Our " tabernacle shall not be taken down ; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be re- moved, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken." — " Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem ; praise thy God, Zion.'* We are called to hope and triumph, not despond or fear. Our enemies are mighty, but we have a strong City ; and "the best of all is, God is with us." He has caused his woik to appear unto his servants, and will disclose his glory unto their chil- dren. His beauty shall continue upon us ; he will graciously establish the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands he will gloriously prosper. He calls us to be joyful in Him, as our kin^ ; and assures us of the universal diffusion and triumphs of his Gospel. His right hand and his holy arm will subdue the people under Him, and scatter his foes as dust before the whirlwind., " Great is the holy One of Israel in the midst of us ;" and greatly should we " cry out and shout."-7- Trusting in the blood of the everlasting covenant, we hav^ nothing to fear, Our toils and conflicts— our light and mb- mcniary afflictions shall soon he succeeded by a far more e*- ceeding and eternal weight of glory. " Alleluia : the Lord God omnipotent reign«lh." And "this God shall be oyr God for ever t ile will he our guide even unto death." "Now unto Hiai that is able to do exceeding abundantly ^' above uU that we ask or think, according to the power that "worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ "Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.'^ THE END. NOTES. >i_ id W)'o- re e*- Lord irGod iantly that ;hrist I. PRIMITIVE DEACONSHIP. Of the origin of DeaconS; as a distinct class of officers in the Christian Church, and of the appointment of the hrst seven, we are informed in the sixth chapter of the "Acts of the Apostles." A careful perusal of that chapter is sufficient to convince any unprejudiced person that the dcaconship was oiii;i- naily and primarily a secular office, or a sort of stewardship for the manage- ment of secular interests and aff^tirs. This is clearly evinced by the follow- ing facts : — 1. The occasioning cause of the appointment of Deacons was a murmuring respecting temporal affs plainly contradistinguish the apostoiate and deaconship in the third and fouith verses. They direct the brethren to select seven men to be appointed over '• this business," namely, the " daily ministration" or " service of tables," for there is nothing else in the context to which the words can refer. " But u>c," say the Apostles, will " give cuiselves to prayer and to the miiiistry of the wo?d." Language « ould not more explicitly distinguish and determine the secuUrity of the deaconship, and the spirituality of the apostoiate. It is not said of Stephen, dte of the Deacons, that he preached the word or baptized, but that he "did gre it wonders and miracles amnnt: the peo- ple." Philip, another Deacon, preached and baptized, but he held the office of evangelist as well as of Deacon, being expressly styled "the evangelist:" — Arts, XXI. 8. A Deacon might hold some other office, or might occasionallv exhort and teach without being regularly set apart tu the work of the ministry. The fact that the Apostles laid their hands on the Deacons cannot prove any thing in opposition tu the views we have given, as the imposition of hands was em- ployed for conferring the Holy Ghost on private members of the Church, as well as fur ordaining ministers, and was in fact a ceremony used on various occasions and for various pui poses. The term Deacon siirnities Minister or servant, and, like many other words, is variously applied. The Apostles are calleil Deacons or Ministers, but al- ways in such a connexion as to tcuard and determine the sense. Christ him- selt is called the " Deacon of the circumcision :"— Rom. xv. 8. But Christ and his Apostles are neve, designated Deacons in the same sense as the seven already mentioned. Every Minister of the Gospel is a Deacon, but every Deacon is not a Minister of the Gospel. When, therefore, we assert that Chiist and his Apostles are never styled Deacons, we have reference only to the signification cf the term Deacon in its specific appropriation to those who •irved tables. II. ' "J THE APOSTOLATE. - . The term Apostle si^nili^s a messenger or a person sent, and like the term Deacon, may be variously applied. The obvious primary use nf the term is to serve as the distinctive appellation of an extraortlinnry class of eccIeMastical oificers. When St. Paul spoaks of himself as oeini; *' born out of due time," and as being " the least of tho Apostles," it is evident he has reference to the peculiarity and limitation of the npostolate. As a man, s$ a Christian, and as a Christian Minister, hn was ** not a whit behind the very chief of the Apo^- tl<>8," but as an Apostle he was <' the least," and whs " born out of due time." What is said of the Apostles sitting: with Christ on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes nf Israel, and of '' the namr-s of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb" being in the «• twelve foundations" of "the holy Jerusalem," clearly shows that the apostolate was peculiar and not ordinary — temporary and not permanent, and limited to a specific numbernf persons. It would be absurd to assert that every messenger in the Church, or every person called an Apos- tle, is an Apostle in the proper sense rf the word ; and yet this is the way in which some attempt to disprove the peculiarity and temporary duration ofthe Apostolate. Paul calls Epaphroditus an Apostle or messena;er, in his epistle to the Philippians, ch. iii. v. 25, and he is therefore elevated by the advocates of the succession scheme to tbe rank of a proper Apostle. But Paul's own words refute the error, for he calls Epaphroditus *' your (the Philippians'V ines8i»nRer," not the messenger of Jesus Christ, " and he that ministered to my wants." Because the Church at Pbilippi despatched this person, as their messenger, to St. Paul, with a contiibution, hi* is therefore a proper Apostle I Shame on th<> cause that needs such support, and shame on the men who em- ploy it ! Although each nf tbe twelve was a messen^jrer, yet every messenger is not a proper Apostle. By attending to this distinction we may easily refute those successionisls who delight m muliiplying the Apostles mentioned in the Ne V Testament to the number of seventeen or twenty, tur the purpose of es- tablishing a contracted, an exclusive and unchristian scheme, and who are, in fffect, perpetually crying — "The temple ofthe Lord, the temple ofthe Lord, the temple ofthe Lord are we;" while their language and actions sufficiently indicate the absence of the Proprietor and Occupier of tbe Christian temple,^ from their paltry and inelegant edifice. M "S ^■ PjiiNTiR'g Note in th